GeForce GTX 660
VS
GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

GeForce GTX 660 vs GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 660

2012Core: 980 MHzBoost: 1033 MHz
VS
NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

2022Core: 1515 MHzBoost: 1755 MHz

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.

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

⚠️ Generational Difference

The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is significantly newer (2022 vs 2012). The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The GeForce GTX 660 lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.

🚀 Performance Leadership

The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 194.4% higher G3D Mark score and 166.7% more VRAM (8 GB vs 3 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTX 660.

InsightGeForce GTX 660GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
Performance
Lower raw frame rates (-194.4%)
Leading raw performance (+194.4%)
Longevity
🛑Obsolete Architecture (2012 / Kepler (2012−2018))
🏆Elite Architecture (Ampere (2020−2025) / 8nm)
Ecosystem
Supports FSR Upscaling
✨ DLSS 3/4 + Frame Gen Support
VRAM
❌ Less VRAM capacity
🎮 High Capacity (8 GB)
Efficiency
⚡ Higher Power Consumption
💡 Excellent Perf/Watt
Case Fit
📏 Compact / SFF Friendly
📏 Compact / SFF Friendly

💎 Value Proposition

The GeForce GTX 660 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $15 versus $150 for the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM, it costs 90% less. While it maintains significantly lower raw performance, this results in a 239.7% higher cost efficiency score.

InsightGeForce GTX 660GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
Cost Efficiency
Better overall value (+239.7%)
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
More affordable ($15)
⚠️Higher upfront cost ($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.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 660 and GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

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 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

In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 660 scores 4,040 versus the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM's 11,892 — the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM leads by 194.4%. The GeForce GTX 660 is built on Kepler while the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM uses Ampere, both on 28 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 960 (GeForce GTX 660) vs 2,560 (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM). Raw compute: 1.981 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 660) vs 8.986 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM). Boost clocks: 1033 MHz vs 1755 MHz.

FeatureGeForce GTX 660GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
G3D Mark Score
4,040
11,892+194%
Architecture
Kepler
Ampere
Process Node
28 nm
8 nm
Shading Units
960
2560+167%
Compute (TFLOPS)
1.981 TFLOPS
8.986 TFLOPS+354%
Boost Clock
1033 MHz
1755 MHz+70%
ROPs
24
32+33%
TMUs
80
80
L1 Cache
0.08 MB
2.5 MB+3025%
L2 Cache
0.38 MB
2 MB+426%

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

FeatureGeForce GTX 660GeForce 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 660 comes with 3 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM has 8 GB. The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM offers 166.7% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 144.2 GB/s (GeForce GTX 660) vs 224 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM) — a 55.3% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM. Bus width: 192-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 0.38 MB (GeForce GTX 660) vs 2 MB (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM) — the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureGeForce GTX 660GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
VRAM Capacity
3 GB
8 GB+167%
Memory Type
GDDR5
GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth
144.2 GB/s
224 GB/s+55%
Bus Width
192-bit+50%
128-bit
L2 Cache
0.38 MB
2 MB+426%
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (GeForce GTX 660) vs 12.2 (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM). Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

FeatureGeForce GTX 660GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
DirectX
12
12.2+2%
Max Displays
4
4
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 1st Gen (GeForce GTX 660) vs 8th Gen NVENC (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM). Decoder: NVDEC 1st Gen vs 5th Gen NVDEC. Supported codecs: H.264 (GeForce GTX 660) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (Decode) (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM).

FeatureGeForce GTX 660GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
Encoder
NVENC 1st Gen
8th Gen NVENC
Decoder
NVDEC 1st Gen
5th Gen NVDEC
Codecs
H.264
MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (Decode)
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 660 draws 140W versus the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM's 130W — a 7.4% difference. The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 450W (GeForce GTX 660) vs 450W (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 241mm vs 235mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots.

FeatureGeForce GTX 660GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
TDP
140W
130W-7%
Recommended PSU
450W
450W
Power Connector
1x 6-pin
8-pin
Length
241mm
235mm
Height
124mm
Slots
2
2
Temp (Load)
75°C
Perf/Watt
28.9
91.5+217%
💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 660 launched at $229 MSRP and currently averages $15, while the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM launched at $249 and now averages $150. The GeForce GTX 660 costs 90% less ($135 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 269.3 (GeForce GTX 660) vs 79.3 (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM) — the GeForce GTX 660 offers 239.6% better value. The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2012).

FeatureGeForce GTX 660GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
MSRP
$229-8%
$249
Avg Price (30d)
$15-90%
$150
Performance per Dollar
269.3+240%
79.3
Codename
GK106
GA106
Release
September 6 2012
January 4 2022
Ranking
#490
#224