GeForce RTX 3050 8GB vs GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER
GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
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GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER
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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 GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
Performance Per Dollar
Why is GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER better than GeForce RTX 3050 8GB?
The battle between the efficient GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER and the modern entry-level GeForce RTX 3050 8GB reveals a fascinating clash between raw muscle and modern innovation. The GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER generally holds a solid lead in traditional rasterized benchmarks, representing the shift from high-level 1080p gaming to uncompromised world-class throughput.
Technically, the GTX 1660 SUPER wins on absolute architectural efficiency for pure rasterized titles, but the RTX 3050 8GB wins on memory scale with its 8GB buffer along with specialized cores for Ray Tracing and DLSS. Moving between these two is a choice between world-class legacy speed and the latest AI-driven master of efficiency. For enthusiasts looking to enter modern high-fidelity gaming, the 30-series card provides a more future-proof foundation with its superior feature set.
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1.3% higher G3D Mark score. However, the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.3%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+1.3%) |
| Longevity | 🏆Elite Architecture (Ampere (2020−2025) / 8nm) | Turing (2018−2022) (12nm) |
| Ecosystem | ✨ DLSS 3/4 + Frame Gen Support | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | 🎮 High Capacity (8 GB) | 🎮 High Capacity (6 GB) |
| Efficiency | Normal Efficiency | Normal Efficiency |
| Case Fit | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $110 versus $209 for the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB, it costs 47% less. While it maintains competitive performance, this results in a 92.4% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+92.4%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($209) | ✅More affordable ($110) |
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 RTX 3050 8GB and GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER
GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 4 2022. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1552 MHz to 1777 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: 12,535 points. Launch price was $249.
GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER
The GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in October 29 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 125W. Manufactured using 12 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 12,692 points. Launch price was $229.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB scores 12,535 and the GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER reaches 12,692 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.3% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is built on Ampere while the GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER uses Turing, both on 8 nm vs 12 nm. Shader units: 2,560 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 1,408 (GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER). Raw compute: 9.098 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 5.027 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 1785 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 12,535 | 12,692+1% |
| Architecture | Ampere | Turing |
| Process Node | 8 nm | 12 nm |
| Shading Units | 2560+82% | 1408 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 9.098 TFLOPS+81% | 5.027 TFLOPS |
| Boost Clock | 1777 MHz | 1785 MHz |
| ROPs | 32 | 48+50% |
| TMUs | 80 | 88+10% |
| L1 Cache | 2.5 MB+79% | 1.4 MB |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB+33% | 1.5 MB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB gives access to NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), widely regarding as the superior upscaling method for image quality. The GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | DLSS 2.0 | FSR 2.1 (Compatible) |
| Frame Generation | FSR 3 / AFMF (Compatible) | FSR 3 (Compatible) |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | NVIDIA Reflex | Standard |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB comes with 8 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER has 6 GB. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB offers 33.3% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 224 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 336 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER) — a 50% advantage for the GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER. Bus width: 128-bit vs 192-bit. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 1.5 MB (GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER) — the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 8 GB+33% | 6 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 224 GB/s | 336 GB/s+50% |
| Bus Width | 128-bit | 192-bit+50% |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB+33% | 1.5 MB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 12 (12_1) (GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER). Vulkan: 1.4 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 3.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 Ultimate | 12 (12_1) |
| Vulkan | 1.4+8% | 1.3 |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 4+33% | 3 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs NVENC (Turing) (GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER). Decoder: NVDEC 5th gen vs NVDEC (Turing). Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs H.264,H.265,VP9,AV1 (GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC 7th gen | NVENC (Turing) |
| Decoder | NVDEC 5th gen | NVDEC (Turing) |
| Codecs | H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 | H.264,H.265,VP9,AV1 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB draws 130W versus the GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER's 125W — a 3.9% difference. The GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 450W (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 450W (GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 242mm vs 229mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 66°C vs 75.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 130W | 125W-4% |
| Recommended PSU | 450W | 450W |
| Power Connector | 8-pin | 8-pin |
| Length | 242mm | 229mm |
| Height | 112mm | 111mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 66°C-12% | 75 |
| Perf/Watt | 96.4 | 101.5+5% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB launched at $249 MSRP and currently averages $209, while the GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER launched at $229 and now averages $110. The GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER costs 47.4% less ($99 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 60.0 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 115.4 (GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER) — the GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER offers 92.3% better value. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2019).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $249 | $229-8% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $209 | $110-47% |
| Performance per Dollar | 60.0 | 115.4+92% |
| Codename | GA106 | TU116 |
| Release | January 4 2022 | October 29 2019 |
| Ranking | #211 | #207 |
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