GeForce GTX 660 vs GeForce GTX 965M SLI

NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 660

2012Core: 980 MHzBoost: 1033 MHz
Similar parts
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VS
NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 965M SLI

2015Core: 924 MHzBoost: 950 MHz
Similar parts
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GeForce GTX 660 vs GeForce GTX 965M SLI Performance Spectrum

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.

GeForce GTX 660 vs GeForce GTX 965M SLI FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with Ryzen 7 9800X3D to isolate GPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

GeForce GTX 660 vs GeForce GTX 965M SLI: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each GPU makes more sense in practice: raw FPS, VRAM, features, power draw, pricing, and long-term headroom.

GeForce GTX 660

2012

Why buy it

  • Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 17.6 vs 0 G3D/$ ($229 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
  • 50% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (3 GB vs 2 GB).

Trade-offs

  • Lower average FPS than GeForce GTX 965M SLI across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • 2012 hardware with 3 GB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
  • 86.7% higher power demand at 140W vs 75W.

GeForce GTX 965M SLI

2015

Why buy it

  • 27.0% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Draws 75W instead of 140W, a 65W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Less VRAM, with 2 GB vs 3 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • 2015 hardware with 2 GB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 17.6 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $229 MSRP).

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
GeForce GTX 965M SLI is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 27.0% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data. PassMark G3D leans toward GeForce GTX 660 instead at 4,040 vs 4,010, so for this question the real-game FPS result matters more than the synthetic split.
Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?
GeForce GTX 660 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 3 GB vs 2 GB of VRAM. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.
Which GPU is the better buy today?
GeForce GTX 660 makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup. GeForce GTX 965M SLI still makes more sense if max raw gaming performance matters more than value.

GeForce GTX 660 vs GeForce GTX 965M SLI Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 660

The GeForce GTX 660 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 6 2012. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock ranges from 980 MHz to 1033 MHz. It has 960 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 140W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 4,040 points. Launch price was $229.

NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 965M SLI

The GeForce GTX 965M SLI is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 5 2015. It features the Maxwell architecture. The core clock ranges from 924 MHz to 950 MHz. It has 2048 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 75W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 4,010 points.

Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 660 scores 4,040 and the GeForce GTX 965M SLI reaches 4,010 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.7% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 660 is built on Kepler while the GeForce GTX 965M SLI uses Maxwell, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 960 (GeForce GTX 660) vs 2,048 (GeForce GTX 965M SLI). Boost clocks: 1033 MHz vs 950 MHz.

FeatureGeForce GTX 660GeForce GTX 965M SLI
G3D Mark Score
4,040
4,010
Architecture
Kepler
Maxwell
Process Node
28 nm
28 nm
Shading Units
960
2048+113%
Boost Clock
1033 MHz+9%
950 MHz

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

FeatureGeForce GTX 660GeForce GTX 965M SLI
Upscaling Tech
Upscaling support
Upscaling support
Frame Generation
Not Supported
Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction
No
No
Low Latency
NVIDIA Reflex
NVIDIA Reflex
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Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 660 has 3 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 965M SLI carries 2 GB. GeForce GTX 660 gives you 50% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bandwidth: 144.2 GB/s (GeForce GTX 660) vs 80.2 GB/s x2 (GeForce GTX 965M SLI) — a 79.8% advantage for the GeForce GTX 660. Memory bus width is 192-bit on the GeForce GTX 660 and 128-bit x2 on the GeForce GTX 965M SLI.

FeatureGeForce GTX 660GeForce GTX 965M SLI
VRAM Capacity
3 GB+50%
2 GB
Memory Type
GDDR5
GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth
144.2 GB/s+80%
80.2 GB/s x2
Bus Width
192-bit+50%
128-bit x2
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 660 draws 140W versus the GeForce GTX 965M SLI's 75W — a 60.5% difference. The GeForce GTX 965M SLI is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 450W (GeForce GTX 660) vs 350W (GeForce GTX 965M SLI). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin vs 1x 6-pin.

FeatureGeForce GTX 660GeForce GTX 965M SLI
TDP
140W
75W-46%
Recommended PSU
450W
350W-22%
Power Connector
1x 6-pin
1x 6-pin
Length
241mm
Slots
2
Perf/Watt
28.9
53.5+85%
💰

Value Analysis

The newer card here is GeForce GTX 965M SLI (2015 vs 2012).

FeatureGeForce GTX 660GeForce GTX 965M SLI
MSRP
$229
Codename
GK106
Release
September 6 2012
January 5 2015
Ranking
#490
#370

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