MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X Review | 118 Data compared

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  • Avg. price in UK: ~£210
  • Avg. price in US: ~$250
  • VRAM: 6 GB
  • Memory bus width: 192 bit
  • Thermal Design Power (TDP): 130 W

MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X review. Compare 118 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among graphics cards and if it is worth buying.

5.2

Overall score

What it is: An overall evaluation of the graphics card's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.

When it matters: When you need a quick reference to identify the best graphics cards on the market.

Score components:

90.0%

4.7

Technical Score

10.0%

9.6

User score

Good
4.7

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the graphics card's technical performance, covering key areas such as gaming and rendering performance, ray tracing, memory configuration, power efficiency, cooling, connectivity, features, and build quality.

When it matters: When you want to compare graphics cards based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

44.0%

3.8

Performance

24.0%

3.1

Memory

12.0%

6.3

Power & Cooling

11.0%

6.9

Platform & Features

5.0%

8.9

Design

4.0%

8.2

Connectivity & Media

Poor
9.6

User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the graphics card.

When it matters: When you want to understand how a graphics card performs in real use and how reliable it is in terms of performance, temperatures, noise, stability, and long-term ownership.

Score components:

70.0%

9.4

User reviews

30.0%

10

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.7
(701)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.7
(718)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

Exceptional
  • 6.5
    Gaming

    Score components:

    45.0%

    ?

    Floating-point performance

    25.0%

    2.2

    VRAM

    20.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    10.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 6.2
    Video editing

    Score components:

    35.0%

    ?

    AV1 encode

    30.0%

    2.2

    VRAM

    20.0%

    ?

    Floating-point performance

    15.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 6.5
    1080p

    Score components:

    55.0%

    ?

    Floating-point performance

    25.0%

    2.2

    VRAM

    10.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    10.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 6.2
    1440p

    Score components:

    50.0%

    ?

    Floating-point performance

    30.0%

    2.2

    VRAM

    15.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    5.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 6.0
    4K

    Score components:

    40.0%

    ?

    Floating-point performance

    35.0%

    2.2

    VRAM

    20.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    5.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

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Best rankings

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Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).
All: ranking among all products in the database.

Verdict

The MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X is a premium, factory-overclocked graphics card featuring 1,408 CUDA cores and a boosted core clock of 1860 MHz. It is equipped with 6GB of GDDR5 memory on a 192-bit bus, delivering 192.1 GB/s bandwidth to provide reliable 1080p gaming performance. Its primary characteristics include the Twin Frozr 7 thermal design with dual Torx 3.0 fans and Zero Frozr technology for silent operation during low loads, along with a brushed metal backplate and customizable Mystic Light RGB. Main pros include exceptional cooling efficiency, near-silent acoustic performance, and high build quality for its class; however, it lacks dedicated RT and Tensor cores for ray tracing and DLSS, and it was originally noted for a higher price premium compared to entry-level 1660 models.

Technical Specifications of MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the graphics card's technical performance, covering key areas such as gaming and rendering performance, ray tracing, memory configuration, power efficiency, cooling, connectivity, features, and build quality.

When it matters: When you want to compare graphics cards based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

44.0%

3.8

Performance

24.0%

3.1

Memory

12.0%

6.3

Power & Cooling

11.0%

6.9

Platform & Features

5.0%

8.9

Design

4.0%

8.2

Connectivity & Media

4.7
MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X has a technical score of 4.7 points, which is lower than that of 81.1% of products in this category.
User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the graphics card.

When it matters: When you want to understand how a graphics card performs in real use and how reliable it is in terms of performance, temperatures, noise, stability, and long-term ownership.

Score components:

70.0%

9.4

User reviews

30.0%

10

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.7
(701)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.7
(718)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

9.6
MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X has a user score of 9.58 points, which is higher than that of 97.5% of products in this category.
Popularity
What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the graphics card.
When it matters: When you prefer a graphics card that has already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
10
MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X has a popularity of 10 points, which is higher than 77.9% of products in this category.
Ratio quality/price

What it is: An indicator that combines the graphics card's overall rating with its cost.

When it matters: When you are looking for a graphics card that offers a strong balance of performance, features, and price.

Score components:

60.0%

5.2

Overall score

40.0%

9.4

Price

6.5
MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X has a quality-to-price ratio of 6.5 points, which is lower than 61.8% of products in this category.
3DMark Time Spy benchmark score
What it is: Benchmark result from 3DMark Time Spy, a synthetic DirectX 12 test often used as a quick gaming-performance reference.
When it matters: When you need a fast rough performance sort before digging into game-specific reviews and frame-rate data.

Importance: LOW

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3DMark Port Royal score
What it is: Benchmark result from 3DMark Port Royal, a synthetic test focused on ray tracing performance.
When it matters: When ray tracing matters in the games you actually play and you want one quick way to separate stronger and weaker RT cards.

Importance: LOW

N/A
PassMark (G3D) result
What it is: Overall GPU performance score in PassMark G3D benchmark
When it matters: When you need one broad score to sort cards into rough performance tiers.

Importance: LOW

?
PassMark (DirectCompute) result
What it is: PassMark score for DirectCompute performance tests
When it matters: When compute workloads matter alongside gaming performance.

Importance: LOW

?
Floating-point performance
What it is: Theoretical floating-point compute performance of the GPU.
When it matters: When rendering, AI, or heavy compute work needs strong single-precision throughput.

Importance: LOW

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VRAM
What it is: Total video memory available on the graphics card
When it matters: When you play at high settings, use texture mods, or work with large creative projects.

Importance: HIGH

6 GB
MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X has 6 GB of VRAM, which is less than 82.7% of graphics cards and equal to 5.1% of graphics cards.
Memory type
What it is: Type of graphics memory used (GDDR6, HBM2e, etc.)
When it matters: When memory technology is part of the buying decision because it affects bandwidth class, power use, and product positioning.

Importance: LOW

GDDR5
GDDR version
What it is: Generation of GDDR memory used by the graphics card.
When it matters: When you want to separate older memory generations from newer ones before comparing bandwidth, power behavior, and market tier.

Importance: LOW

GDDR5
MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X uses GDDR5 memory, which is older than on 85% of graphics cards and equal to 13.2% of graphics cards.
Memory bus width
What it is: Width of the memory interface bus in bits
When it matters: When you care about steadier performance at higher resolutions, heavier texture settings, or ray-traced workloads that stress memory traffic.

Importance: HIGH

192 bit
MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X uses a 192 bit memory bus, which is narrower than that of 50.5% of graphics cards and equal to that of 18.8% of graphics cards.
Maximum memory bandwidth
What it is: Maximum data transfer rate between GPU and its memory
When it matters: When 4K gaming, ray tracing, or creator work can choke a slower memory subsystem.

Importance: HIGH

192.1 GB/s
MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X reaches 192.1 GB/s memory bandwidth, which is lower than that of 87.9% of graphics cards and equal to that of 0.2% of graphics cards.
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PCI Express (PCIe) version
What it is: Version of PCI Express interface supported
When it matters: When you are pairing the card with an older motherboard and want to avoid leaving bandwidth or future compatibility on the table.

Importance: LOW

3.0
MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X supports PCIe 3.0, which is older than on 77.6% of graphics cards and equal to 20.3% of graphics cards.
PCIe lanes
What it is: Number of PCI Express lanes used for communication
When it matters: When limited lane width could bottleneck the card in some systems.

Importance: LOW

x16
MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X uses x16 PCIe lanes, which is more than 31.5% of graphics cards and equal to 68.6% of graphics cards.
DirectX version
What it is: Highest supported DirectX API version
When it matters: When you play newer Windows games that depend on the latest graphics features.

Importance: LOW

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Vulkan version
What it is: Highest supported Vulkan API version
When it matters: When modern games, emulators, or creative apps lean on Vulkan support.

Importance: LOW

1.4
MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X supports Vulkan 1.4, which is more advanced than on 26.6% of graphics cards and equal to 73.4% of graphics cards.
OpenGL version
What it is: Highest supported OpenGL API version
When it matters: When older games or pro apps still depend on OpenGL compatibility.

Importance: LOW

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Max displays supported
What it is: Total number of external displays supported simultaneously
When it matters: When you run a multi-monitor desk for sim racing, trading, or editing.

Importance: LOW

4
MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X supports up to 4 displays, which is more than 7.8% of graphics cards and equal to 89.2% of graphics cards.
Max digital resolution
What it is: Maximum supported digital display resolution
When it matters: When you plan to drive 4K or 8K panels at their native resolution.

Importance: LOW

7680x4320
MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X supports a maximum digital resolution of 7680x4320, which is higher than that of 44.4% of graphics cards and equal to that of 55.6% of graphics cards.
DisplayPort outputs
What it is: Number of DisplayPort video outputs
When it matters: When your setup needs several high-refresh monitors without adapters.

Importance: LOW

3
MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X offers 3 DisplayPort outputs, which is more than 20.9% of graphics cards and equal to 77.3% of graphics cards.
DisplayPort version
What it is: Version of DisplayPort standard supported
When it matters: When your monitor setup depends on newer DisplayPort features for higher refresh rates, higher resolution, or better cable flexibility.

Importance: LOW

1.4
MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X supports DisplayPort 1.4, which is older than on 77.3% of graphics cards and equal to 16.2% of graphics cards.
DisplayPort link rates
What it is: Supported data link rates for DisplayPort connections
When it matters: When you are pushing high resolution and refresh rate over DisplayPort.

Importance: LOW

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Thermal Design Power (TDP)
What it is: Typical power consumption under full load (TDP)
When it matters: When you need a realistic idea of power draw before choosing a PSU or case.

Importance: MEDIUM

130 W
MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X has a TDP of 130 W, which is lower than that of 79.2% of graphics cards and equal to that of 3.4% of graphics cards.
Power consumption while under peak load
What it is: Peak power draw of the graphics card under maximum load.
When it matters: When transient-heavy gaming loads could stress your power supply.

Importance: LOW

130 W
MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X draws 130 W under peak load, which is lower than 79.8% of graphics cards and equal to 3.5% of graphics cards.
Recommended PSU wattage
What it is: Recommended wattage of the system power supply
When it matters: When you are checking whether your current power supply is enough.

Importance: LOW

450 W
MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X recommends a 450 W PSU, which is lower than that of 85.8% of graphics cards and equal to that of 5.8% of graphics cards.
Board power limit
What it is: Maximum configurable power limit for the GPU board
When it matters: When you care about how far the card can be pushed through tuning or factory power settings.

Importance: LOW

130 W
MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X has a board power limit of 130 W, which is lower than that of 80.7% of graphics cards and equal to that of 4.6% of graphics cards.
PCIe power spec
What it is: PCIe power delivery specification followed
When it matters: When you are checking whether the slot and external cables match the card's intended power-delivery standard.

Importance: LOW

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Size
What it is: Physical size of the GPU card
When it matters: When you need the card to fit a compact case without blocking nearby hardware.

Importance: LOW

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Length
What it is: Physical length of the GPU card
When it matters: When front radiators or drive cages leave only limited GPU clearance.

Importance: LOW

247 mm
MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X is 247 mm long, which is shorter than 70.7% of graphics cards and equal in length to 0.8% of graphics cards.
Height
What it is: Physical height of the GPU card
When it matters: When side panels, brackets, or tight case layouts reduce vertical clearance.

Importance: LOW

127 mm
MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X is 127 mm tall, which is shorter than 49.8% of graphics cards and equal in height to 1.3% of graphics cards.
Slot width
What it is: Number of PCIe slots occupied by the card
When it matters: When you need room for another PCIe card or better airflow under the GPU.

Importance: LOW

2 slot/s
MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X occupies 2 slot/s, which is slimmer than 49.2% of graphics cards and equal in width to 47.3% of graphics cards.
Weight
What it is: Total weight of the graphics card
When it matters: When sag, bracket support, or shipping stress matters in your build.

Importance: LOW

845 g
MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X weighs 845 g, which is lighter than 66% of graphics cards and equal in weight to 0.3% of graphics cards.
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MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X vs the average graphics card

  • 30.8% lower PSU requirement
    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X has a lower PSU requirement than the average graphics card (450 W vs 650 W). The average graphics card has a PSU requirement of 650 W.
    What it is: Recommended wattage of the system power supply
    When it matters: When you are checking whether your current power supply is enough.

    Importance: LOW

    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X has a lower PSU requirement than the average graphics card (450 W vs 650 W). The average graphics card has a PSU requirement of 650 W.450 W vs 650 W
  • 39.5% lower TDP
    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X has a lower TDP than the average graphics card (130 W vs 215 W). The average graphics card has a TDP of 215 W.
    What it is: Typical power consumption under full load (TDP)
    When it matters: When you need a realistic idea of power draw before choosing a PSU or case.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X has a lower TDP than the average graphics card (130 W vs 215 W). The average graphics card has a TDP of 215 W.130 W vs 215 W
  • 14.3% faster VRAM clock
    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X has a higher VRAM clock than the average graphics card (2,001 MHz vs 1,750 MHz). The average graphics card runs its VRAM at 1,750 MHz.
    What it is: Speed at which the GPU memory operates
    When it matters: When you want more context on how quickly the card's VRAM can move data.

    Importance: LOW

    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X has a higher VRAM clock than the average graphics card (2,001 MHz vs 1,750 MHz). The average graphics card runs its VRAM at 1,750 MHz.2001 MHz vs 1750 MHz
  • 40.9% lower board power limit
    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X has a lower board power limit than the average graphics card (130 W vs 220 W). The average graphics card has a board power limit of 220 W.
    What it is: Maximum configurable power limit for the GPU board
    When it matters: When you care about how far the card can be pushed through tuning or factory power settings.

    Importance: LOW

    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X has a lower board power limit than the average graphics card (130 W vs 220 W). The average graphics card has a board power limit of 220 W.130 W vs 220 W
  • 19.8% higher user score
    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X has a higher user score than the average graphics card (9.58 vs 8.000).
    What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the graphics card.
    When it matters: When you want to understand how a graphics card performs in real use and how reliable it is in terms of performance, temperatures, noise, stability, and long-term ownership.
    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X has a higher user score than the average graphics card (9.58 vs 8.000).9.58 vs 8
  • 38.37 mm shorter card length
    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X is shorter than the average graphics card (247 mm vs 285.37 mm). The average graphics card has a length of 285.37 mm.
    What it is: Physical length of the GPU card
    When it matters: When front radiators or drive cages leave only limited GPU clearance.

    Importance: LOW

    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X is shorter than the average graphics card (247 mm vs 285.37 mm). The average graphics card has a length of 285.37 mm.247 mm vs 285.37 mm
  • 2.52x cheaper
    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X is cheaper than the average graphics card (£210 vs £530).
    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X is cheaper than the average graphics card (£210 vs £530).£210 vs £530
  • 4.34x more popular
    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X is more popular than the average graphics card (10.00 vs 2.303).
    What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the graphics card.
    When it matters: When you prefer a graphics card that has already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X is more popular than the average graphics card (10.00 vs 2.303).10 vs 2.3
  • 14.3% faster VRAM clock
    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X has a higher VRAM clock than the average graphics card (2,001 MHz vs 1,750 MHz). The average graphics card runs its VRAM at 1,750 MHz.
  • Newer shader model
    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X supports a newer shader model than the average graphics card (6.9 vs 6.8).
  • 30.8% lower PSU requirement
    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X has a lower PSU requirement than the average graphics card (450 W vs 650 W). The average graphics card has a PSU requirement of 650 W.
  • 39.5% lower TDP
    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X has a lower TDP than the average graphics card (130 W vs 215 W). The average graphics card has a TDP of 215 W.
  • 40.9% lower board power limit
    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X has a lower board power limit than the average graphics card (130 W vs 220 W). The average graphics card has a board power limit of 220 W.
  • 38.37 mm shorter card length
    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X is shorter than the average graphics card (247 mm vs 285.37 mm). The average graphics card has a length of 285.37 mm.
  • 25.6% lower boost clock speed
    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,860 MHz vs 2,500 MHz). The average graphics card has a boost GPU clock of 2,500 MHz.
  • 18 fewer compute units
    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (22 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.
  • 96 fewer TMUs
    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X has fewer TMUs than the average graphics card (88 vs 184). The average graphics card has 184 TMUs.
  • 56.6% lower texture rate
    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X has a lower texture rate than the average graphics card (163.7 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s). The average graphics card has a texture rate of 376.8 GTexel/s.
  • 46% lower pixel rate
    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X has a lower pixel rate than the average graphics card (89.3 GPixel/s vs 165.2 GPixel/s). The average graphics card has a pixel rate of 165.2 GPixel/s.
  • 20.3% lower base clock speed
    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,530 MHz vs 1,920 MHz). The average graphics card has a base GPU clock of 1,920 MHz.
  • 16 fewer ROPs
    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X has fewer ROPs than the average graphics card (48 vs 64). The average graphics card has 64 ROPs.
  • 64.5% lower FP16 performance
    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X has a lower FP16 performance than the average graphics card (10.5 TFLOPS vs 29.5 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has FP16 performance of 29.5 TFLOPS.
  • 64.8% lower FP64 performance
    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X has a lower FP64 performance than the average graphics card (0.2 TFLOPS vs 0.4651 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has FP64 performance of 0.4651 TFLOPS.
  • 2,944 fewer FP32 units
    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X has fewer FP32 units than the average graphics card (1,408 vs 4,352). The average graphics card has 4,352 FP32 units.
  • 6 GB less VRAM
    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (6 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.
  • 64 bit narrower memory bus
    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X has a narrower memory bus than the average graphics card (192 bit vs 256 bit). The average graphics card has a memory bus width of 256 bit.
  • 57.1% lower memory bandwidth
    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X has a lower memory bandwidth than the average graphics card (192.1 GB/s vs 448 GB/s). The average graphics card has a memory bandwidth of 448 GB/s.
  • 57.9% slower memory speed
    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X has a lower effective memory speed than the average graphics card (8,004 MHz vs 19,000 MHz). The average graphics card reaches an effective memory speed of 19,000 MHz.
  • 95.3% smaller L2 cache
    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X has fewer L2 cache than the average graphics card (1.5 MB vs 32 MB). The average graphics card has 32 MB L2 cache.
  • 50% smaller L1 cache
    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X has fewer L1 cache than the average graphics card (64 vs 128). The average graphics card has 128 L1 cache.
  • 2.4x larger process node
    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X has a higher process node than the average graphics card (12 nm vs 5 nm). The average graphics card uses a process node of 5 nm.
  • No DLSS support
    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X does not support DLSS, the average graphics card does.
  • Older PCIe version
    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X supports an older PCIe version than the average graphics card (3 vs 4.0).
  • 4 older
    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X was released earlier than the average graphics card (2,019 vs 2,023).
  • No sampler feedback
    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X does not support sampler feedback, the average graphics card does.
  • 69.9% fewer transistors
    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X has fewer transistors than the average graphics card (6,600 million vs 21,900 million). The average graphics card has 21,900 million transistors.
  • No AV1 decoding
    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X does not support AV1 decoding, the average graphics card does.
  • Older DisplayPort version
    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X supports an older DisplayPort version than the average graphics card (1.4 vs 1.4a).
  • Older HDMI version
    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X supports an older HDMI version than the average graphics card (2.0b vs 2.1).
  • Older HDCP version
    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X supports an older HDCP version than the average graphics card (2.2 vs 2.3).
  • Narrower decode codec support
    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X supports narrower hardware decode codec support than the average graphics card (H.264 vs H.264/H.265/AV1/VP9).
  • Older NVDEC generation
    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X has a lower NVDEC generation than the average graphics card (4 vs 6). The average graphics card offers NVDEC generation 6.
  • 1 fewer fans
    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X has fewer fans than the average graphics card (2 vs 3).
  • 13 °C higher idle temperature
    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X has a higher idle temperature than the average graphics card (51 °C vs 38 °C). The average graphics card has an idle temperature of 38 °C.
  • 25.6% lower boost clock speed
    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,860 MHz vs 2,500 MHz). The average graphics card has a boost GPU clock of 2,500 MHz.
    What it is: Maximum boost frequency the GPU can reach under load
    When it matters: When you want a rough idea of peak advertised frequency, while knowing real sustained clocks still depend on cooling and power limits.

    Importance: HIGH

    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,860 MHz vs 2,500 MHz). The average graphics card has a boost GPU clock of 2,500 MHz.1860 MHz vs 2500 MHz
  • 6 GB less VRAM
    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (6 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.
    What it is: Total video memory available on the graphics card
    When it matters: When you play at high settings, use texture mods, or work with large creative projects.

    Importance: HIGH

    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (6 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.6 GB vs 12 GB
  • 2.4x larger process node
    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X has a higher process node than the average graphics card (12 nm vs 5 nm). The average graphics card uses a process node of 5 nm.
    What it is: Size of the manufacturing process in nanometers
    When it matters: When process node differences may affect power, heat, and overall efficiency.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X has a higher process node than the average graphics card (12 nm vs 5 nm). The average graphics card uses a process node of 5 nm.12 nm vs 5 nm
  • 18 fewer compute units
    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (22 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.
    What it is: Total number of shader multiprocessors or compute units
    When it matters: When you want a better sense of the GPU's overall parallel hardware resources before relying on game benchmarks alone.

    Importance: HIGH

    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (22 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.22 vs 40
  • 64 bit narrower memory bus
    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X has a narrower memory bus than the average graphics card (192 bit vs 256 bit). The average graphics card has a memory bus width of 256 bit.
    What it is: Width of the memory interface bus in bits
    When it matters: When you care about steadier performance at higher resolutions, heavier texture settings, or ray-traced workloads that stress memory traffic.

    Importance: HIGH

    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X has a narrower memory bus than the average graphics card (192 bit vs 256 bit). The average graphics card has a memory bus width of 256 bit.192 bit vs 256 bit
  • 1 fewer fans
    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X has fewer fans than the average graphics card (2 vs 3).
    What it is: Total number of cooling fans
    When it matters: When you compare cooler designs and want one more clue about thermal potential.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X has fewer fans than the average graphics card (2 vs 3).2 vs 3
  • 96 fewer TMUs
    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X has fewer TMUs than the average graphics card (88 vs 184). The average graphics card has 184 TMUs.
    What it is: Total count of texture mapping units on the GPU
    When it matters: When texture-heavy gaming performance matters and you want extra hardware context behind texture-rate claims.

    Importance: HIGH

    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X has fewer TMUs than the average graphics card (88 vs 184). The average graphics card has 184 TMUs.88 vs 184
  • 56.6% lower texture rate
    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X has a lower texture rate than the average graphics card (163.7 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s). The average graphics card has a texture rate of 376.8 GTexel/s.
    What it is: Number of textured pixels the GPU can process per second
    When it matters: When fast texture handling matters in high-refresh gaming workloads.

    Importance: HIGH

    MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X has a lower texture rate than the average graphics card (163.7 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s). The average graphics card has a texture rate of 376.8 GTexel/s.163.7 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s

Graphic comparison of MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X and

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Third-party reviews

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United States

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

What customers like about MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X?

  • Excellent thermal performance with peaks typically around 63°C - 65°C under load
  • Extremely quiet operation, often described as 'virtually silent' thanks to Twin Frozr 7 cooling and fans that stop at idle
  • High build quality featuring a premium gunmetal grey design and a sturdy metal backplate
  • Solid 1080p gaming performance, capable of handling most modern titles at high settings
  • Good manual overclocking headroom, with some users reaching over 2000 MHz on the core
  • Attractive, customizable RGB lighting via MSI Mystic Light

What customers dislike about MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X?

  • High price premium over the base MSRP, sometimes making more powerful cards a better value
  • Lacks modern features like dedicated Ray Tracing (RT) cores or DLSS support found in RTX series
  • Only 6GB of GDDR5 VRAM, which can be a limitation for some demanding 1440p textures
  • No DVI or USB-C (VirtualLink) connectors for older or specific VR displays
  • Relatively large dual-slot size compared to more compact, budget-oriented GTX 1660 models

Expert reviews

T
tweaktown.com
19/03/2019

MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Review Summary The MSI GeForce GTX 1660 GAMING X and VENTUS XS graphics cards are highly efficient, budget-friendly options targeting 1080p and entry-level 1440p gamers looking to upgrade from older hardware like the GTX 960. Built on NVIDIA's 12nm Turing TU116 architecture, these custom cards feature 1,408 CUDA cores and 6GB of GDDR5 memory. The premium GAMING...Read more

B
bit-tech.net
14/03/2019

The MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X is a highly refined version of Nvidia's mainstream Turing-based GPU, which scales down the TU116 architecture to 1,408 CUDA cores and utilizes cheaper 6GB GDDR5 memory to lower pricing. MSI equips this specific model with its impressive Twin Frozr 7 thermal design, featuring twin Torx 3.0 fans with low-load quiet technology, a 247mm dual-slot form...Read more

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techpowerup.com
14/03/2019

The TechPowerUp review of the MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X highlights its premium, highly refined implementation of NVIDIA’s Turing architecture. Key pros include the exceptional Twin Frozr 7 thermal design, which delivers low, silent operation with an idle fan-stop feature, alongside a solid factory overclock (1860 MHz boost) that improves performance over the GTX 1060 and RX 590....Read more

K
kitguru.net
14/03/2019

The MSI GTX 1660 Gaming X 6G relies on the TU116 Turing architecture, featuring 1,408 CUDA cores and 6GB of standard GDDR5 memory running at 8 Gbps, which mirrors the 192.1 GB/sec bandwidth of the older GTX 1060. Positioned as a high-end variation of Nvidia's budget GPU, it demands a £249.99 premium compared to the baseline £199 MSRP. The primary pros highlighted for this card...Read more

G
guru3d.com
14/03/2019

The MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X is a top-tier mainstream card for 1080p and entry-level 1440p gaming, powered by Nvidia's Turing architecture. Key strengths include the exceptionally quiet Twin Frozr 7 cooling system, which keeps load temperatures under 65°C, along with low power consumption, premium aesthetics, and solid factory-overclocked performance. YouTube · However, the...Read more

L
lesnumeriques.com
19/04/2019

Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Review Summary The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 is a budget-friendly graphics card designed specifically for smooth Full HD (1080p) gaming without breaking the bank. Built on the Turing architecture using a TU116 GPU, it makes a few technical concessions compared to its "Ti" sibling, most notably swapping faster GDDR6 memory for 6GB of slower GDDR5 on a 192-bit...Read more

E
elchapuzasinformatico.com
14/03/2019

The MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Gaming X, based on the Turing architecture without RT/tensor cores, functions as a high-performance 1080p successor to the GTX 1060, utilizing GDDR5 memory and featuring a robust 4 phase PCB. A key advantage is the Twin Frozr VII cooling solution with Torx 3.0 fans, which offers exceptional thermal management (roughly 62°C under load) and silent, zero-RPM...Read more

H
hardware.info
04/07/2019

This 2019 review evaluates 39 midrange graphics cards priced between €200 and €400 to determine the best options for Full HD and QHD gaming. The testing covers a massive lineup of Nvidia architectures, including ten RTX 2060s, eleven GTX 1660 Tis, six GTX 1660s, and six GTX 1650s, alongside older AMD alternatives like the RX Vega 56, RX 590, and RX 580. Benchmarks across popular...Read more

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tweakers.net
05/04/2019

Tweakers evaluated twelve custom-cooled Nvidia GTX 1660 and 1660 Ti cards, highlighting the TU116 GPU's high efficiency, 10% average overclocks from brands like MSI and Gigabyte, and excellent 1080p/1440p performance. While premium designs offer superb cooling and low noise, the high-end cards suffer from poor price-to-performance due to their cost approaching the faster RTX 2060,...Read more

Video reviews

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