OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Graphics cards Methodology v3.0
Graphics cards Methodology v3.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Graphics cards Methodology v3.0: the technical score from the specifications is the base, and independent expert and video reviews (up to ±0.5 points), owner opinions (up to ±0.3) and best-of lists (up to +0.3) move it up or down.
Explore Graphics cards Methodology v3.0

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 review: 117 specs compared

Avg. price:~£200VRAM:2 GBMemory bus width:192 bitThermal Design Power (TDP):140 W

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 Review: Compare 117 technical specifications and 35 expert and video reviews to see how this product ranks in the Graphics cards category and whether it is worth buying.

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660
5.7/10

Overall score

Score
5.7/ 10
✕
What it is
Our main score for this model, 1–10. It combines specs, expert reviews, best-of lists and owners.
How we count it
Parts: Technical score 40%, Reviews score 25%, List score 25%, Sentiment score 10%
Marks: Each part gets a mark out of 10. For reviews, lists and owners, a typical model in this category gets about 8 and the best one gets 10.
No data yet: A part with no data shows "?". It counts as the mark of a weaker model in this category (4 in 5 models with data score higher). This way, models with reviews, lists and owners usually come out ahead.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 92% of models
Score components

40%

3.5

Technical score

25%

8.4

Reviews score

25%

?

List scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.5, the mark of a weaker model in this category

10%

3.5

Sentiment score

▼Worse than 92% of graphics cards
6.9

Value for money

Value for money
6.9/ 10
✕
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 distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 79% of models
Score components

70%

5.7

Overall score

30%

9.5

Price

▼Worse than 79%
3.5

Technical score

Technical score
3.5/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 40% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 98% of models
Score components

44%

1.7

Performance

24%

2.2

Memory

12%

7.6

Power

11%

6.0

Features

5%

8.6

Design

4%

6.4

Connectivity

▼Worse than 98%
8.4

Reviews score

Reviews score
8.4/ 10
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.6 for now.
Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 85% of models

80%

8.1

Average grade

20%

9.3

Popularity

Grades by review (35)
22 reviews: 13 with a printed score, 9 estimated from the review. 13 video reviews, each counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
▲Better than 85%
?

List score

List score
7.5/ 10
✕
What it is
How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
How we count it
Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 25% of the overall score.
Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
Lists with this model (0)
Not in any best-of list yet, so this part counts as 7.5. Models in a list get 8 to 10.
Not in any best-of list yet
  • nvidia-geforce-gtx-660
  • nvidia-geforce-gtx-660
  • nvidia-geforce-gtx-660
  • nvidia-geforce-gtx-660
  • nvidia-geforce-gtx-660
nvidia-geforce-gtx-660
nvidia-geforce-gtx-660
nvidia-geforce-gtx-660
nvidia-geforce-gtx-660
nvidia-geforce-gtx-660
Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.

What reviewers say about the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660

Based on 21 · 14

Reviewers like its quiet, cool operation and good value, but complain about limited video memory and are split on gaming performance.
Praised
Mixed views
Criticised
Pick a topic to see who said what

What owners say about the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660

Based on 205 owners sharing their experience in online comments

65%positive15%mixed20%negative

Owners praise its strong gaming performance, while demanding newer games expose its age and limited headroom.

What owners dislike

  • Newer demanding games like Assassin's Creed Unity were unplayable, and others such as Red Dead Redemption 2 need 720p.40
  • Some owners see games freeze or crash, such as Metro Exodus, Assassin's Creed Valhalla and Dead by Daylight.6
  • Some cards start showing artifacts or die after a few years, and one owner got a warranty replacement.6
  • Gaming temperatures reach about 70 to 80°C, and owners fit larger fans or new thermal pads, especially for video memory.5
  • Newer drivers can fail to install or crash in some games, and owners say the older 378 version runs most stably.3
  • Heavy games can run short of video memory, and one owner saw lag start after about 10 minutes of play.3

Points mentioned by at least 3 owners, most mentioned first.

Loading category ranking...

Technical Specifications of graphics card NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660

Technical score
Technical score
3.5/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 40% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 98% of models
Score components:

44%

1.7

Performance

24%

2.2

Memory

12%

7.6

Power

11%

6.0

Features

5%

8.6

Design

4%

6.4

Connectivity

3.5
Reviews score
8.4
List score
?
Value for money
Value for money
6.9/ 10
✕
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 distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 79% of models
Score components:

70%

5.7

Overall score

30%

9.5

Price

6.9
3DMark Time Spy benchmark score
1,436 points
Market range: <4.1k points – >30.1k points
This graphics card scores 1,436 points in 3DMark Time Spy, which is lower than 96.8% of graphics cards.
3DMark Port Royal score
0 points
Market range: <0 points – >22.4k points
This graphics card scores 0 points in 3DMark Port Royal, which is lower than 83.1% of graphics cards and equal to 16.9% of graphics cards.
PassMark (G3D) result
4,042 points
Market range: <7.7k points – >36k points
This graphics card scores 4,042 points in PassMark G3D, which is lower than 94.9% of graphics cards.
PassMark (DirectCompute) result
1,814 points
Market range: <3.1k points – >26.3k points
This graphics card scores 1,814 points in PassMark DirectCompute, which is lower than 95.3% of graphics cards.
FP32 performance
1.98 TFLOPS
Market range: <3.94 TFLOPS – >56.3 TFLOPS
This graphics card delivers 1.98 TFLOPS FP32 performance, which is lower than that of 94.3% of graphics cards.
Show more
What reviewers say
VRAM
2 GB
Market range: <4 GB – >16 GB
This graphics card has 2 GB of VRAM, which is less than 94.3% of graphics cards and equal to 3.9% of graphics cards.
Memory type
GDDR5
This graphics card uses GDDR5 memory, which is older than on 85.4% of graphics cards and equal to 13.2% of graphics cards.
Memory bus width
192 bit
Market range: <128 bit – >384 bit
This graphics card uses a 192 bit memory bus, which is wider than that of 31.9% of graphics cards and equal to that of 18.7% of graphics cards.
Maximum memory bandwidth
144.2 GB/s
Market range: <168 GB/s – >960 GB/s
This graphics card reaches 144.2 GB/s memory bandwidth, which is lower than that of 91.2% of graphics cards and equal to that of 0.2% of graphics cards.
Effective memory speed
6,008 MHz
Market range: <7k MHz – >28k MHz
This graphics card reaches an effective memory speed of 6,008 MHz, which is slower than that of 93.6% of graphics cards and equal to that of 0.9% of graphics cards.
Show more
What reviewers say
PCI Express (PCIe) version
3
This graphics card supports PCIe 3, which is older than on 77.6% of graphics cards and equal to 20.1% of graphics cards.
PCIe lanes
x16
This graphics card uses x16 PCIe lanes, which is more than 24.1% of graphics cards and equal to 75.9% of graphics cards.
DirectX version
12
This graphics card supports DirectX 12, which is older than on 81.8% of graphics cards and equal to 17% of graphics cards.
Vulkan version
1.2
This graphics card supports Vulkan 1.2, which is older than on 94.9% of graphics cards and equal to 3.9% of graphics cards.
OpenGL version
4.6
This graphics card supports OpenGL 4.6, which is more advanced than on 2% of graphics cards and equal to 98% of graphics cards.
Show more
Max displays supported
4
Market range: <4 – >4
This graphics card supports up to 4 displays, which is more than 9% of graphics cards and equal to 88.2% of graphics cards.
Max digital resolution
4096x2160
This graphics card supports a maximum digital resolution of 4096x2160, which is lower than that of 92.4% of graphics cards and equal to that of 4.6% of graphics cards.
DisplayPort outputs
1
Market range: <1 – >3
This graphics card offers 1 DisplayPort outputs, which is fewer than 88.1% of graphics cards and equal to 8.7% of graphics cards.
DisplayPort version
1.2
This graphics card supports DisplayPort 1.2, which is older than on 93.9% of graphics cards and equal to 5.1% of graphics cards.
DisplayPort link rates
5.4 Gbps
Market range: <5.4 Gbps – >80 Gbps
This graphics card supports DisplayPort link rates up to 5.4 Gbps, which is slower than on 87.9% of graphics cards and equal to 6% of graphics cards.
Show more
What reviewers say
Thermal Design Power (TDP)
140 W
Market range: <86 W – >360 W
This graphics card has a TDP of 140 W, which is lower than that of 78.5% of graphics cards and equal to that of 0.1% of graphics cards.
Power consumption while under peak load
140 W
Market range: <106 W – >365 W
This graphics card draws 140 W under peak load, which is lower than 79.5% of graphics cards and equal to 0.6% of graphics cards.
Recommended PSU wattage
450 W
Market range: <450 W – >850 W
This graphics card recommends a 450 W PSU, which is lower than that of 84% of graphics cards and equal to that of 6.1% of graphics cards.
Board power limit
140 W
Market range: <107 W – >400 W
This graphics card has a board power limit of 140 W, which is lower than that of 80.1% of graphics cards and equal to that of 0.9% of graphics cards.
PCIe power spec
140 W
Show more
What reviewers say
Size
241x 111.15x 36 mm
Length
241 mm
Market range: <200 mm – >337 mm
This graphics card is 241 mm long, which is shorter than 74.3% of graphics cards and equal in length to 1.7% of graphics cards.
Height
111.15 mm
Market range: <109 mm – >146 mm
This graphics card is 111.15 mm tall, which is shorter than 81.1% of graphics cards and equal in height to 2.4% of graphics cards.
Slot width
2 slot/s
Market range: <2 slot/s – >3.25 slot/s
This graphics card occupies 2 slot/s, which is slimmer than 52.4% of graphics cards and equal in width to 43.4% of graphics cards.
Weight
615 g
Market range: <541 g – >2k g
This graphics card weighs 615 g, which is lighter than 85.8% of Graphics cards and equal to 0.1% of Graphics cards.
Show more
What reviewers say

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 vs the average graphics card

246810TotalPerformanceMemoryFeaturesConnectivityPowerDesign
  • 30.8% lower PSU requirement
    This graphics card 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
  • 34.9% lower TDP
    This graphics card has a lower TDP than the average graphics card (140 W vs 215 W). The average graphics card has a TDP of 215 W.
    140 W vs 215 W
  • 16.7% higher review score
    Reviews score
    8.4/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
    How we count it
    Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
    Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
    Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.6 for now.
    Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    ▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    ▲ Better than 85% of models

    80%

    8.1

    Average grade

    20%

    9.3

    Popularity

    Grades by review (35)
    22 reviews: 13 with a printed score, 9 estimated from the review. 13 video reviews, each counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
    8.4 vs 7.2
  • 13.85 mm lower card height
    This graphics card is shorter than the average graphics card (111.2 mm vs 125 mm). The average graphics card has a height of 125 mm.
    111.15 mm vs 125 mm
  • 41.2 mm shorter card length
    This graphics card is shorter than the average graphics card (241 mm vs 282.2 mm). The average graphics card has a length of 282.2 mm.
    241 mm vs 282.2 mm
  • 0.5 slot/s slimmer design
    This graphics card occupies fewer slots than the average graphics card (2 slot/s vs 2.5 slot/s). The average graphics card occupies 2.5 slot/s.
    2 slot/s vs 2.5 slot/s
  • 2 more DVI outputs
    This graphics card has more DVI outputs than the average graphics card (2 vs 0). The average graphics card has 0 DVI outputs.
    2 vs 0
  • 2 more GPUs supported
    This graphics card supports more GPUs in multi-GPU mode than the average graphics card (2 vs 0). The average graphics card supports 0 GPUs in multi-GPU mode.
    2 vs 0
  • 16.7% higher review score
    Reviews score
    8.4/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
    How we count it
    Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
    Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
    Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.6 for now.
    Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    ▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    ▲ Better than 85% of models

    80%

    8.1

    Average grade

    20%

    9.3

    Popularity

    Grades by review (35)
    22 reviews: 13 with a printed score, 9 estimated from the review. 13 video reviews, each counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
    8.4 vs 7.2
  • 2.6x cheaper
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 is cheaper than the average graphics card (£200 vs £520).
    £200 vs £520
  • More FP64 throughput
    This graphics card has a better FP64 ratio than the average graphics card (1:24 vs 1:64).
    1:24 vs 1:64
  • 2 more GPUs supported
    This graphics card supports more GPUs in multi-GPU mode than the average graphics card (2 vs 0). The average graphics card supports 0 GPUs in multi-GPU mode.
    2 vs 0
  • Supports multi-GPU linking
    This graphics card supports multi-GPU linking, the average graphics card does not.
  • 2 more DVI outputs
    This graphics card has more DVI outputs than the average graphics card (2 vs 0). The average graphics card has 0 DVI outputs.
    2 vs 0
  • 30.8% lower PSU requirement
    This graphics card 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
  • 34.9% lower TDP
    This graphics card has a lower TDP than the average graphics card (140 W vs 215 W). The average graphics card has a TDP of 215 W.
    140 W vs 215 W
  • 36.4% lower board power limit
    This graphics card has a lower board power limit than the average graphics card (140 W vs 220 W). The average graphics card has a board power limit of 220 W.
    140 W vs 220 W
  • 13.85 mm lower card height
    This graphics card is shorter than the average graphics card (111.2 mm vs 125 mm). The average graphics card has a height of 125 mm.
    111.15 mm vs 125 mm
  • 41.2 mm shorter card length
    This graphics card is shorter than the average graphics card (241 mm vs 282.2 mm). The average graphics card has a length of 282.2 mm.
    241 mm vs 282.2 mm
  • 0.5 slot/s slimmer design
    This graphics card occupies fewer slots than the average graphics card (2 slot/s vs 2.5 slot/s). The average graphics card occupies 2.5 slot/s.
    2 slot/s vs 2.5 slot/s
  • 58.8% lower boost clock speed
    This graphics card has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,032 MHz vs 2,505 MHz). The average graphics card has a boost GPU clock of 2,505 MHz.
    1,032 MHz vs 2,505 MHz
  • 10 GB less VRAM
    This graphics card has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (2 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.
    2 GB vs 12 GB
  • 33 fewer compute units
    This graphics card has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (7 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.
    7 vs 40
  • 40 fewer ray tracing cores
    This graphics card has fewer ray tracing cores than the average graphics card (0 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 ray tracing cores.
    0 vs 40
  • 5.6x larger process node
    This graphics card uses a larger manufacturing process than the average graphics card (28 nm vs 5 nm). The average graphics card uses a manufacturing process of 5 nm.
    28 nm vs 5 nm
  • 2 fewer fans
    This graphics card has fewer fans than the average graphics card (1 vs 3).
    1 vs 3
  • Less advanced frame generation
    This graphics card has less advanced frame generation than the average graphics card (no vs multi frame generation).
  • 49% lower base clock speed
    This graphics card has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (980 MHz vs 1920 MHz). The average graphics card has a base GPU clock of 1920 MHz.
    980 MHz vs 1,920 MHz
  • 55.1% lower sentiment score
    3.5 vs 7.8
  • 8.2% worse value for money
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 has worse value for money than the average graphics card (6.85 vs 7.4).
    6.85 vs 7.41
  • 58.8% lower boost clock speed
    This graphics card has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,032 MHz vs 2,505 MHz). The average graphics card has a boost GPU clock of 2,505 MHz.
    1,032 MHz vs 2,505 MHz
  • 33 fewer compute units
    This graphics card has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (7 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.
    7 vs 40
  • 40 fewer ray tracing cores
    This graphics card has fewer ray tracing cores than the average graphics card (0 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 ray tracing cores.
    0 vs 40
  • 49% lower base clock speed
    This graphics card has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (980 MHz vs 1920 MHz). The average graphics card has a base GPU clock of 1920 MHz.
    980 MHz vs 1,920 MHz
  • 104 fewer TMUs
    This graphics card has fewer TMUs than the average graphics card (80 vs 184). The average graphics card has 184 TMUs.
    80 vs 184
  • 78.2% lower texture rate
    This graphics card has a lower texture rate than the average graphics card (82.6 GTexel/s vs 378 GTexel/s). The average graphics card has a texture rate of 378 GTexel/s.
    82.56 GTexel/s vs 378 GTexel/s
  • 87.2% lower pixel rate
    This graphics card has a lower pixel rate than the average graphics card (20.6 GPixel/s vs 161.3 GPixel/s). The average graphics card has a pixel rate of 161.3 GPixel/s.
    20.64 GPixel/s vs 161.3 GPixel/s
  • 40 fewer ROPs
    This graphics card has fewer ROPs than the average graphics card (24 vs 64). The average graphics card has 64 ROPs.
    24 vs 64
  • 144 fewer AI cores
    This graphics card has fewer AI cores than the average graphics card (0 vs 144). The average graphics card has 144 AI cores.
    0 vs 144
  • 91.2% lower FP32 performance
    This graphics card has a lower FP32 performance than the average graphics card (2 TFLOPS vs 22.6 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has FP32 performance of 22.6 TFLOPS.
    1.98 TFLOPS vs 22.6 TFLOPS
  • 11 years older
    This graphics card was released earlier than the average graphics card (2012 vs 2023).
    September 2012
    2012 vs 2023
  • 82.1% lower PassMark score
    This graphics card has a lower PassMark score than the average graphics card (4,042 points vs 22,638 points). The average graphics card has a PassMark score of 22,638 points.
    4,042 points vs 22,638 points
  • 90.3% lower gaming score
    This graphics card has a lower gaming score than the average graphics card (1,436 points vs 14,779 points). The average graphics card has a gaming score of 14,779 points.
    1,436 points vs 14,779 points
  • 85% lower compute score
    This graphics card has a lower compute score than the average graphics card (1,814 points vs 12,70.5 points). The average graphics card has a compute score of 12,070.5 points.
    1,814 points vs 12,070.5 points
  • 83.3% lower FP64 performance
    This graphics card has a lower FP64 performance than the average graphics card (0.1 TFLOPS vs 0.48 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has FP64 performance of 0.48 TFLOPS.
    0.08 TFLOPS vs 0.48 TFLOPS
  • 3,392 fewer FP32 units
    This graphics card has fewer FP32 units than the average graphics card (960 vs 4,352). The average graphics card has 4,352 FP32 units.
    960 vs 4,352
  • 10 GB less VRAM
    This graphics card has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (2 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.
    2 GB vs 12 GB
  • 67.8% lower memory bandwidth
    This graphics card has a lower memory bandwidth than the average graphics card (144.2 GB/s vs 448 GB/s). The average graphics card has a memory bandwidth of 448 GB/s.
    144.2 GB/s vs 448 GB/s
  • 68.4% slower memory speed
    This graphics card has a lower effective memory speed than the average graphics card (6,008 MHz vs 19,000 MHz). The average graphics card reaches an effective memory speed of 19,000 MHz.
    6,008 MHz vs 19,000 MHz
  • 87.5% smaller L1 cache
    This graphics card has fewer L1 cache than the average graphics card (16 KB vs 128 KB). The average graphics card has 128 KB L1 cache.
    16 KB vs 128 KB
  • 14.2% slower VRAM clock
    This graphics card has a lower VRAM clock than the average graphics card (1,502 MHz vs 1,750 MHz). The average graphics card runs its VRAM at 1,750 MHz.
    1,502 MHz vs 1,750 MHz
  • 5.6x larger process node
    This graphics card uses a larger manufacturing process than the average graphics card (28 nm vs 5 nm). The average graphics card uses a manufacturing process of 5 nm.
    28 nm vs 5 nm
  • Less advanced frame generation
    This graphics card has less advanced frame generation than the average graphics card (no vs multi frame generation).
  • No DLSS support
    This graphics card does not support DLSS, the average graphics card does.
  • No ray tracing
    This graphics card does not support ray tracing, the average graphics card does.
  • No FSR support
    This graphics card does not support FSR, the average graphics card does.
  • Older PCIe version
    This graphics card supports an older PCIe version than the average graphics card (3 vs 4).
    3 vs 4
  • No AI upscalers
    This graphics card does not support AI upscalers, the average graphics card does.
  • No XeSS support
    This graphics card does not support XeSS, the average graphics card does.
  • No mesh shaders
    This graphics card does not support mesh shaders, the average graphics card does.
  • Older Vulkan version
    This graphics card supports an older Vulkan version than the average graphics card (1.2 vs 1.4).
    1.2 vs 1.4
  • No DirectStorage support
    This graphics card does not support DirectStorage, the average graphics card does.
  • No Resizable BAR
    This graphics card does not support Resizable BAR, while the average graphics card does. 76.4% of Graphics cards support it.
  • Older DirectX version
    This graphics card supports an older DirectX version than the average graphics card (12 vs 12 Ultimate).
    12 vs 12 Ultimate
  • Older shader model
    This graphics card supports an older shader model than the average graphics card (6.5 vs 6.8).
    6.5 vs 6.8
  • No sampler feedback
    This graphics card does not support sampler feedback, the average graphics card does.
  • 88.9% fewer transistors
    This graphics card has fewer transistors than the average graphics card (2,540 million vs 22,900 million). The average graphics card has 22,900 million transistors.
    2,540 million vs 22,900 million
  • Older HDMI version
    This graphics card supports an older HDMI version than the average graphics card (1.4a vs 2.1a).
    1.4a vs 2.1a
  • 2 fewer DisplayPort outputs
    This graphics card has fewer DisplayPort outputs than the average graphics card (1 vs 3). The average graphics card has 3 DisplayPort outputs.
    1 vs 3
  • No AV1 encoding
    This graphics card does not support AV1 encoding, the average graphics card does.
  • No AV1 decoding
    This graphics card does not support AV1 decoding, the average graphics card does.
  • No DSC support
    This graphics card does not support DSC, the average graphics card does.
  • No VRR support
    This graphics card does not support VRR, the average graphics card does.
  • Older DisplayPort version
    This graphics card supports an older DisplayPort version than the average graphics card (1.2 vs 1.4a).
    1.2 vs 1.4a
  • More basic codec support
    This graphics card encodes more basic formats than the average graphics card (H.264/H.265 vs H.264/H.265/AV1/VP9).
    H.264/H.265 vs H.264/H.265/AV1/VP9
  • Older HDCP version
    This graphics card supports an older HDCP version than the average graphics card (1.4 vs 2.3).
    1.4 vs 2.3
  • Lower display resolution
    This graphics card supports a lower maximum digital resolution than the average graphics card (4096x2160 vs 7680x4320). The average graphics card supports a maximum digital resolution of 7680x4320.
    4096x2160 vs 7680x4320
  • Not VR ready
    This graphics card is not VR ready, while the average graphics card is.
  • 2 fewer monitors per output type
    This graphics card supports fewer monitors per output type than the average graphics card (1 vs 3). The average graphics card supports 3 monitors per output type.
    1 vs 3
  • Older NVDEC generation
    This graphics card has a lower NVDEC generation than the average graphics card (2 vs 6). The average graphics card offers NVDEC generation 6.
    2 vs 6
  • 75% lower DisplayPort bandwidth
    This graphics card has a lower DisplayPort bandwidth than the average graphics card (5.4 Gbps vs 21.6 Gbps). The average graphics card has DisplayPort bandwidth of 21.6 Gbps.
    5.4 Gbps vs 21.6 Gbps
  • 2 fewer fans
    This graphics card has fewer fans than the average graphics card (1 vs 3).
    1 vs 3
  • No dual BIOS
    This graphics card does not include dual BIOS, the average graphics card does.
  • No fan stop
    This graphics card does not support fan stop, the average graphics card does.
  • 12.4 dB noisier under load
    This graphics card has a higher load noise level than the average graphics card (47.8 dB vs 35.4 dB). The average graphics card has a load noise level of 35.4 dB.
    47.8 dB vs 35.4 dB
  • 9 °C higher load temperature
    This graphics card has a higher load temperature than the average graphics card (76 °C vs 67 °C). The average graphics card has a load temperature of 67 °C.
    76 °C vs 67 °C
  • 24 dB noisier at idle
    This graphics card has a higher idle noise level than the average graphics card (24 dB vs 0 dB). The average graphics card has an idle noise level of 0 dB.
    24 dB vs 0 dB
  • No backplate
    This graphics card does not include a backplate, the average graphics card does.
  • No RGB lighting
    This graphics card does not include RGB lighting, the average graphics card does.

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

4.0
ProYamYamPC
≈ estimated
18/10/2022
Hands-on review · game benchmarks and driver support
Verdict
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 is not recommended in 2022 as it lacks full DirectX 12 support and driver updates, except on very tight budgets.
7.0
iVadim
≈ estimated
29/03/2021
Hands-on test · 11 games at 1080p
Verdict
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 is playable only in competitive titles; modern AAA games are unplayable at 1080p.
7.0
zWORMz Gaming
≈ estimated
13/09/2020
Hands-on review · 14 game tests and used-market value
Verdict
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 is still a good cheap pick for esports titles, though newer demanding games struggle.
7.0
PC Tech Review 101
≈ estimated
28/02/2020
Hands-on review · 1080p game tests on a used card
Verdict
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 gives a decent overall experience, playable at 1080p on low to medium settings.
9.0
Timmy Joe PC Tech
≈ estimated
02/05/2018
Hands-on review · budget gaming tests and overclocking
Verdict
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 is a good budget pick for esports and older titles, though its 2 GB of memory will limit it.
8.0
Armadyz
≈ estimated
23/10/2017
Hands-on review · game benchmarks on an older card
Verdict
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 is still a great pick at a low used-market price, though demanding games need lower settings.
8.0
Linus Tech Tips
≈ estimated
13/09/2012
Hands-on review · 1080p benchmarks against rival cards
Verdict
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 is a solid mid-range card, competitive with rivals and well ahead of the GTX 560 Ti, but behind faster models.
8.0
Tech Legend
≈ estimated
14/02/2022
Hands-on review · older games tested at 1080p
Verdict
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 is surprisingly capable in older games, but it's only worth buying if it's cheap.
Not graded
Not graded
Not graded
Not graded

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

7.0
pcmag.com
✓ explicit
13/09/2012
Lab test · Mid-range card
Verdict
The GeForce GTX 660 is a solid upgrade for gamers on cards a few years old, handling demanding games at high resolutions, though AMD rivals often match it.
10
techpowerup.com
✓ explicit
13/09/2012
Lab test · Overclocked custom card
Verdict
The MSI GTX 660 Twin Frozr is a quiet, cool, overclocked card that handles most games at Full HD with maximum detail, though AMD's HD 7870 remains slightly faster.
10
techpowerup.com
✓ explicit
13/09/2012
Lab test · Factory-overclocked card
Verdict
The Asus GTX 660 DirectCU II TOP is an extremely quiet, factory-overclocked card that matches the Radeon HD 7870 at Full HD, but uses more power in games.
9.0
guru3d.com
≈ estimated
22/10/2012
Review · Overclocked enthusiast card
Verdict
The MSI GTX 660 HAWK is a quiet, high-clocked card that performs close to the GTX 660 Ti, though its three-slot cooler takes up extra room.
10
techpowerup.com
✓ explicit
13/09/2012
Overview · Kepler GK106 card
Verdict
The ZOTAC GeForce GTX 660 is a near-reference card with a custom cooler, 2 GB of memory and one 6-pin power plug, built on the smaller GK106 chip.
10
techpowerup.com
✓ explicit
13/09/2012
Lab test · Factory overclock
Verdict
The ASUS GeForce GTX 660 DirectCU II TOP is a factory-overclocked card with a popular dual-slot cooler, though its memory bus is narrower than that of rivals.
7.0
digitalfoundry.net
≈ estimated
01/10/2012
Benchmark test · Performance and noise
Verdict
The GeForce GTX 660 is a viable Full HD card that edges the Radeon HD 7870 in some tests but trails it in Crysis 2.
9.0
overclockers.com
≈ estimated
19/11/2012
Benchmark test · Overclocking limits
Verdict
The ASUS GTX 660 DirectCU II is a fast, efficient card that beats the Radeon HD 7850 and HD 7870 in most tests, though its overclock is capped.
7.9
gamestar.de
✓ explicit
13/09/2012
Hands-on test · Kepler mid-range
Verdict
The GeForce GTX 660 offers Kepler's DirectX 11.1 features and the GTX 660 Ti's memory setup in a mid-range card, though its 960 shaders hold it back.
9.0
computerbild.de
≈ estimated
14/09/2012
Short test · Kepler mid-range
Verdict
The GeForce GTX 660 is fast enough for current games, running at 58 to 60 fps in tests, while the GTX 660 Ti is only about 8% quicker.
8.4
gamestar.de
✓ explicit
14/04/2013
Lab test · Quiet mid-range card
Verdict
The MSI GeForce GTX 660 Twin Frozr III is a quiet mid-range card that runs current games smoothly at Full HD with maximum detail, if anti-aliasing stays off.
7.5
pcwelt.de
✓ explicit
13/09/2012
Lab test · Gaming and power
Verdict
The Zotac GeForce GTX 660 handles Full HD games at top settings, but runs hot at 71°C and draws more power than comparable AMD cards.
6.0
lesnumeriques.com
✓ explicit
13/10/2014
Lab test · Reference design
Verdict
The GeForce GTX 660 reference card is fast enough for demanding games and draws modest power, but its fan is unpleasant, so a custom-cooled model is the better choice.
6.0
hardware.fr
≈ estimated
14/09/2012
Lab test · Overclocked card
Verdict
The Asus GTX 660 DirectCU II TOP is a factory-overclocked card for gamers who want more speed than the reference model, which can be noisy.
9.0
clubic.com
≈ estimated
13/09/2012
Lab test · Upgrade and overclocking
Verdict
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 is a big step up from a GeForce 9800 GT and beats the Radeon HD 7850 in most games, but overclocking is limited.
8.0
xataka.com
≈ estimated
22/11/2012
Benchmark test · Dual-fan cooling
Verdict
The Zotac GTX 660 runs cool and quiet and handles lighter games well at 1080p, but demanding titles like Battlefield 3 need lower settings.
9.0
geeknetic.es
✓ explicit
13/09/2012
Review · Compact dual-slot card
Verdict
The Zotac GTX 660 is a short, quiet card for small cases that should handle 1080p games well for two to three years, but gets louder in cramped cases.
9.0
elchapuzasinformatico.com
≈ estimated
09/10/2012
Lab test · Cooling and overclocking
Verdict
The MSI GeForce GTX 660 OC Twin Frozr is a quiet, cool card for current games at Full HD, but its overclocking headroom is small.
9.0
hwupgrade.it
≈ estimated
13/09/2012
Lab test · Temperature and noise
Verdict
The Asus and Gigabyte GTX 660 cards run cool and efficiently, with the Asus quieter under load while the Gigabyte draws slightly less power.
10
nexthardware.com
✓ explicit
13/09/2012
Review · Compact design
Verdict
The Zotac GTX 660 is a compact card that fits most cases and drives four screens at once, though it needs two free slots beside it.

Third-party reviews

What customers like about NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660

  • Capable of running older games (e.g., GTA V, Skyrim) at 1080p with high settings.
  • Remains a solid budget choice for esports titles like CS:GO or League of Legends.
  • Energy-efficient design typically requiring only a single 6-pin power connector.
  • Available at very low prices on the used market, often outperforming basic entry-level cards like the GT 1030.
  • Many third-party models, such as those from ASUS and Gigabyte, are noted for being quiet and running cool.

What customers don't like about NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660

  • Struggles significantly with modern AAA titles (e.g., Cyberpunk 2077), often failing to maintain playable frame rates even at lowest settings.
  • The 2GB VRAM limit causes frequent 'hitching' or crashes in modern games or those with high-res texture mods.
  • Limited to legacy driver support since 2021, leading to potential stability issues or glitches in newer software.
  • Poor performance in modern APIs like DirectX 12 and Vulkan compared to newer budget alternatives.
  • Older reference models can run significantly hotter (85°C+) than modern counterparts, potentially reducing hardware lifespan.

Verdict

The Nvidia GeForce GTX 660 is a mid-range graphics card based on the 28nm Kepler architecture and the GK106 graphics processor. Key specifications include 960 CUDA cores, a base clock of 980 MHz (boostable to 1033 MHz), and 2 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 192-bit interface, delivering a bandwidth of 144.2 GB/s. Main pros include solid 1080p performance for older titles and esports, support for technologies like GPU Boost and PhysX, and a relatively low TDP of 140 W requiring only a single 6-pin power connector. However, cons include its limited 2 GB VRAM and older architecture, which causes it to struggle significantly with modern AAA games, and a limited DirectX 12 feature level (11_0) that can lead to compatibility issues with newer titles.

Compare NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 with other products in the Graphics cards category

1Product to compare no. 1
VS
2Product to compare no. 2
VS
3Product to compare no. 3 (optional)

Graphic comparison of NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 and other products in the Graphics cards category

No results found