GeForce GTX 1660 vs GeForce RTX 3070
GeForce GTX 1660
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GeForce RTX 3070
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Performance Spectrum - GPU
About G3D Mark
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.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Per Dollar GeForce RTX 3070
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce RTX 3070 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 90.5% 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 3070 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-90.5%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+90.5%) |
| Longevity | Turing (2018−2022) (12nm) | 🔮Strong Longevity (Ampere (2020−2025) / 8nm) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | ✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling |
| 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 3070 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Although it costs $200 (vs $180), its significant performance lead justifies the premium, offering 71.4% better value per dollar than the GeForce GTX 1660.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 1660 | GeForce RTX 3070 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+71.4%) |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($180) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($200) |
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 1660 and GeForce RTX 3070
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 3070
The GeForce RTX 3070 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 1 2020. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1500 MHz to 1725 MHz. It has 5888 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 220W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 46 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 22,172 points. Launch price was $499.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 1660 scores 11,639 versus the GeForce RTX 3070's 22,172 — the GeForce RTX 3070 leads by 90.5%. The GeForce GTX 1660 is built on Turing while the GeForce RTX 3070 uses Ampere, both on 12 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 1,408 (GeForce GTX 1660) vs 5,888 (GeForce RTX 3070). Raw compute: 5.027 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1660) vs 20.31 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3070). Boost clocks: 1785 MHz vs 1725 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 1660 | GeForce RTX 3070 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 11,639 | 22,172+90% |
| Architecture | Turing | Ampere |
| Process Node | 12 nm | 8 nm |
| Shading Units | 1408 | 5888+318% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 5.027 TFLOPS | 20.31 TFLOPS+304% |
| Boost Clock | 1785 MHz+3% | 1725 MHz |
| ROPs | 48 | 96+100% |
| TMUs | 88 | 184+109% |
| L1 Cache | 1.4 MB | 5.8 MB+314% |
| L2 Cache | 1.5 MB | 4 MB+167% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce GTX 1660 | GeForce RTX 3070 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 3070 has 8 GB. The GeForce RTX 3070 offers 33.3% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 192 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1660) vs 448 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3070) — a 133.3% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3070. Bus width: 192-bit vs 256-bit. L2 Cache: 1.5 MB (GeForce GTX 1660) vs 4 MB (GeForce RTX 3070) — the GeForce RTX 3070 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 1660 | GeForce RTX 3070 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 6 GB | 8 GB+33% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 192 GB/s | 448 GB/s+133% |
| Bus Width | 192-bit | 256-bit+33% |
| L2 Cache | 1.5 MB | 4 MB+167% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12.1 (GeForce GTX 1660) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3070). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.4. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 1660 | GeForce RTX 3070 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12.1 | 12 Ultimate |
| Vulkan | 1.3 | 1.4+8% |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 4 | 4 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: 7th Gen NVENC (GeForce GTX 1660) vs NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3070). Decoder: 5th Gen NVDEC vs NVDEC 5th gen. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9 (GeForce GTX 1660) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3070).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 1660 | GeForce RTX 3070 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | 7th Gen NVENC | NVENC 7th gen |
| Decoder | 5th Gen NVDEC | NVDEC 5th gen |
| Codecs | MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9 | H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GTX 1660 draws 120W versus the GeForce RTX 3070's 220W — a 58.8% difference. The GeForce GTX 1660 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 450W (GeForce GTX 1660) vs 650W (GeForce RTX 3070). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 229mm vs 242mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 75°C.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 1660 | GeForce RTX 3070 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 120W-45% | 220W |
| Recommended PSU | 450W-31% | 650W |
| Power Connector | 8-pin | 8-pin |
| Length | 229mm | 242mm |
| Height | 111mm | 112mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 75°C | 75°C |
| Perf/Watt | 97.0 | 100.8+4% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce GTX 1660 launched at $219 MSRP and currently averages $180, while the GeForce RTX 3070 launched at $499 and now averages $200. The GeForce GTX 1660 costs 10% less ($20 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 64.7 (GeForce GTX 1660) vs 110.9 (GeForce RTX 3070) — the GeForce RTX 3070 offers 71.4% better value. The GeForce RTX 3070 is the newer GPU (2020 vs 2019).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 1660 | GeForce RTX 3070 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $219-56% | $499 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $180-10% | $200 |
| Performance per Dollar | 64.7 | 110.9+71% |
| Codename | TU116 | GA104 |
| Release | March 14 2019 | September 1 2020 |
| Ranking | #231 | #63 |
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The most powerful gpus ranked by G3D Mark benchmark scores.
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