The Nvidia GTX 1660 launched again in 2019, however Valve’s newest Steam {Hardware} Survey figures recommend persons are nonetheless shopping for the graphics card. Reasonably than essentially leaping from decrease spec favorites just like the GTX 1650 to the brand new RTX 4060, gamers seem like sticking with the GTX line of GPUs for essentially the most half.
I’m hesitant to name the Nvidia GTX 1660 among the best graphics playing cards round, however its worth makes it a prime choice for funds gaming PC builders. That stated, I’d watch out when purchasing round for one on Amazon, as when you can snag one for as little as $165.99, many of the cheaper choices are by manufacturers I’ve by no means heard of. Don’t get me unsuitable, Asus, MSI, and Zotax may even hook you up, however pricing is what makes the obvious shift in the direction of the GTX card in 2023 fairly attention-grabbing.
In accordance with Steam {Hardware} Survey outcomes for June, the variety of GTX 1660 GPU customers on the platform jumped by 1.82%. Which may not sound like a lot, however even below 2% of the service’s 120 million month-to-month customers is a reasonably large determine. To not point out that will increase throughout each different widespread graphics card did not see utilization will increase above 1%, with the Steam Deck Van Gogh APU coming in second.
(Picture credit score: Future)
It’s evidently that the Nvidia GTX 1660 is likely one of the most cost-effective graphics playing cards nonetheless available on the market, and it’s nonetheless able to loads at the moment. Nevertheless, the brand new PC video games are extra demanding than ever, and also you received’t discover the cardboard on many system necessities lists in 2023. To not point out it lacks any type of AI upscaling assist, and when you may not like the very fact, options like Nvidia DLSS are a godsend when you’re attempting to run new releases on entry-level {hardware}.
In fact, Nvidia would additionally choose you to go for one thing with DLSS compatibility, and the RTX 4060 is designed to be the GPU you’d improve to when you’ve nonetheless obtained a GTX 1660. In the intervening time, it looks like gamers aren’t wandering down that path when it is time to change GPUs, and that could possibly be a foul signal for the entry-level Lovelace card.
(Picture credit score: Asus)
Must you purchase a GTX 1660 in 2023?
I am hesitant to advise towards shopping for a GTX 1660 in 2023 outright, however I might strongly recommend taking costs throughout the board into consideration. Don’t get me unsuitable, I’m not saying I feel you pay $100 extra for an RTX 3060, and whereas you will get an RTX 4060 for $299, it’s nonetheless loads to spend on a funds construct. Value is undeniably a powerful purpose to nonetheless choose up a GTX 1660, but when it had been me constructing an inexpensive rig in 2023, I’d contemplate an Intel Arc graphics card as an alternative.
For $219.99, you’ll be able to seize an Intel Arc A750 with 8GB VRAM on Amazon, and it ought to fare higher at working upcoming video games like Starfield. The blue workforce’s debut card initially suffered from quirky drivers at launch, however the Alchemist has gone from power to power because it arrived final yr. Certain, it’s nonetheless $50 costlier than the most cost effective GTX 1660 playing cards, however there’s an opportunity you’ll end up itching to improve once more within the close to future when you go for the 2019 card.
Earlier than any entry-level gamers attain for his or her pitchforks, I’m not attempting to dunk on the GTX 1660, nor am I saying it’s a foul GPU. I assume if something, I’m attempting to spotlight the worth variations between the 4 yr outdated card and newer choices on the market, as there isn’t as a lot of a spot as you’d assume. When you’re in a position to get one low-cost sufficient, and might keep away from questionable unknown manufacturers or playing cards which have had a tough life, then by all means choose one up. In any other case, I’d encourage you to contemplate newer choices, particularly in the event that they’ve obtained what it takes to outlive within the minimal necessities trenches in 2023.
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