GeForce GTX 1660 vs GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

G3D Mark is a standard benchmark that measures graphics performance in real-world gaming scenarios. It simplifies comparing cards from different brands, where higher scores directly correlate with better fps and smoother gaming experiences.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (G3D Mark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Per Dollar GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

#1

GeForce RTX 3060 Ti

MSRP: $399|Avg: $280

106%

#2

GeForce RTX 5060

MSRP: $299|Avg: $299

102%

#3

Radeon RX 5600 XT

MSRP: $279|Avg: $180

101%

#4

Radeon RX 9060

MSRP: $249|Avg: $249

101%

#5

GeForce RTX 5050

MSRP: $249|Avg: $249

101%

#6

GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

MSRP: $249|Avg: $150

100%

#7

Arc A580

MSRP: $179|Avg: $179

99%

#8

Radeon RX 9060 XT

MSRP: $299|Avg: $299

98%

#9

Radeon RX 9060 XT 8GB

MSRP: $299|Avg: $299

97%

#10

Radeon RX 7600

MSRP: $269|Avg: $250

97%

#11

Radeon RX 6600

MSRP: $329|Avg: $180

96%

#12

GeForce RTX 4060

MSRP: $299|Avg: $299

96%

#13

Arc B570

MSRP: $219|Avg: $219

94%

#14

Arc B580

MSRP: $249|Avg: $249

94%

#15

Radeon RX 6500 XT

MSRP: $199|Avg: $150

94%

#16

GeForce RTX 3070

MSRP: $499|Avg: $200

93%

#17

Radeon RX 6700

MSRP: $379|Avg: $300

92%

#18

Radeon RX 6600 XT

MSRP: $379|Avg: $170

91%

#19

Radeon RX590 GME

MSRP: $173|Avg: $115

91%

#20

Radeon RX 6650 XT

MSRP: $399|Avg: $230

90%

#21

GeForce RTX 5060 Ti

MSRP: $379|Avg: $379

89%

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 2.2% higher G3D Mark score and 33.3% more VRAM (8 GB vs 6 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTX 1660.

Insight	GeForce GTX 1660	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
Performance	❌Lower raw frame rates (-2.2%)	✅Leading raw performance (+2.2%)
Longevity	Turing (2018−2022) (12nm)	🏆Elite Architecture (Ampere (2020−2025) / 8nm)
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	✨ DLSS 3/4 + Frame Gen Support
VRAM	🎮 High Capacity (6 GB)	🎮 High Capacity (8 GB)
Efficiency	Normal Efficiency	Normal Efficiency
Case Fit	📏 Compact / SFF Friendly	📏 Compact / SFF Friendly

💎 Value Proposition

The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $150 versus $180 for the GeForce GTX 1660, it costs 17% less. While it maintains competitive performance, this results in a 22.6% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	GeForce GTX 1660	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
Cost Efficiency	❌Lower cost efficiency	✅Better overall value (+22.6%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($180)	✅More affordable ($150)

Performance Check

Real-world benchmarks and performance projections based on comprehensive hardware analysis and comparative metrics. Values represent expected performance on High/Ultra settings at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K. Modeled using a Ryzen 7 7800X3D reference profile to minimize specific CPU bottlenecks.

Note: Performance behavior can vary per game. Specific architectures may perform better or worse depending on game engine optimizations and API implementation.

GeForce GTX 1660 Benchmark Check

GeForce RTX 3050 OEM Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 1660 and GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

GeForce GTX 1660

The GeForce GTX 1660 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 14 2019. It features the Turing architecture. The core clock ranges from 1530 MHz to 1785 MHz. It has 1408 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 120W. Manufactured using 12 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 11,639 points. Launch price was $219.

GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 4 2022. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1515 MHz to 1755 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 130W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 20 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 11,892 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 1660 scores 11,639 and the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM reaches 11,892 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2.2% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 1660 is built on Turing while the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM uses Ampere, both on 12 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 1,408 (GeForce GTX 1660) vs 2,560 (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM). Raw compute: 5.027 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1660) vs 8.986 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM). Boost clocks: 1785 MHz vs 1755 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1660	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
G3D Mark Score	11,639	11,892+2%
Architecture	Turing	Ampere
Process Node	12 nm	8 nm
Shading Units	1408	2560+82%
Compute (TFLOPS)	5.027 TFLOPS	8.986 TFLOPS+79%
Boost Clock	1785 MHz+2%	1755 MHz
ROPs	48+50%	32
TMUs	88+10%	80
L1 Cache	1.4 MB	2.5 MB+79%
L2 Cache	1.5 MB	2 MB+33%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 1660	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
Upscaling Tech	FSR 2.1 (Compatible)	DLSS 2.0
Frame Generation	FSR 3 (Compatible)	FSR 3 / AFMF (Compatible)
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	Standard	NVIDIA Reflex

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 1660 comes with 6 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM has 8 GB. The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM offers 33.3% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 192 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1660) vs 224 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM) — a 16.7% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM. Bus width: 192-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 1.5 MB (GeForce GTX 1660) vs 2 MB (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM) — the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1660	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
VRAM Capacity	6 GB	8 GB+33%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	192 GB/s	224 GB/s+17%
Bus Width	192-bit+50%	128-bit
L2 Cache	1.5 MB	2 MB+33%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12.1 (GeForce GTX 1660) vs 12.2 (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1660	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
DirectX	12.1	12.2
Vulkan	1.3	1.3
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: 7th Gen NVENC (GeForce GTX 1660) vs 8th Gen NVENC (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM). Decoder: 5th Gen NVDEC vs 5th Gen NVDEC. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9 (GeForce GTX 1660) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (Decode) (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1660	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
Encoder	7th Gen NVENC	8th Gen NVENC
Decoder	5th Gen NVDEC	5th Gen NVDEC
Codecs	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (Decode)

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 1660 draws 120W versus the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM's 130W — a 8% difference. The GeForce GTX 1660 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 450W (GeForce GTX 1660) vs 450W (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 229mm vs 235mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 75°C.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1660	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
TDP	120W-8%	130W
Recommended PSU	450W	450W
Power Connector	8-pin	8-pin
Length	229mm	235mm
Height	111mm	124mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	75°C	75°C
Perf/Watt	97.0+6%	91.5

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 1660 launched at $219 MSRP and currently averages $180, while the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM launched at $249 and now averages $150. The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM costs 16.7% less ($30 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 64.7 (GeForce GTX 1660) vs 79.3 (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM) — the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM offers 22.6% better value. The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2019).