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GTX 1660 vs RTX 2060
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 vs RTX 2060: Which GPU Is Worth Your Money in 2026?
Two of NVIDIA’s most beloved mid-range GPUs — the GTX 1660 and the RTX 2060 — continue to circulate widely on the second-hand market in 2026, and the question of which to buy is more relevant than ever for budget builders, upgraders, and HTPC enthusiasts. Both cards are built on NVIDIA’s Turing architecture and share the 12nm manufacturing node, but they represent fundamentally different value propositions. The GTX 1660 delivers clean, efficient 1080p rasterized gaming at a lower price and power draw. The RTX 2060 adds ray tracing cores, Tensor cores for DLSS, significantly more CUDA cores, and a higher performance ceiling — all for a price premium that the second-hand market has made narrower than ever. This guide gives you the complete benchmark data, architectural breakdown, and honest verdict for 2026.
Key Takeaway: The RTX 2060 is approximately 39% faster than the GTX 1660 in synthetic benchmarks and offers DLSS and ray tracing that the GTX 1660 completely lacks. On the second-hand market in 2026, the price gap between the two has narrowed enough that the RTX 2060 is now the recommended purchase for most buyers — unless the GTX 1660 is available at a significantly lower price and you exclusively play esports titles at 1080p.
Quick Verdict at a Glance
- 🥇 Best for performance and longevity: RTX 2060 — DLSS, ray tracing, 39% faster in benchmarks
- 🥈 Best for budget 1080p esports: GTX 1660 — lower price, lower power, adequate for CS2, Valorant, Apex at 1080p
- 🥉 Best value mid-point: GTX 1660 Super — if available cheaper than RTX 2060, bridges the gap with GDDR6 at 14Gbps
Architecture: Same Foundation, Very Different Feature Sets
Both the GTX 1660 and RTX 2060 are built on NVIDIA’s Turing architecture at TSMC’s 12nm node. This shared foundation means both cards benefit from NVENC hardware encoding (excellent for streamers using OBS), similar driver maturity, and comparable compatibility across modern games and applications. The dividing line is what Turing can do beyond rasterization.
The RTX 2060 carries dedicated RT cores for real-time ray tracing and Tensor cores for AI-accelerated workloads — including DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling). The GTX 1660 has neither. This architectural difference means the 1660 cannot use DLSS at all, while the 2060 can activate DLSS in supported games to dramatically boost frame rates with minimal visual quality loss. As DLSS support has expanded to cover hundreds of games since the Turing launch, this feature has shifted from a novelty to a genuine practical advantage.
Full Specification Comparison
| Specification | NVIDIA GTX 1660 | NVIDIA RTX 2060 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Turing (TU116) | Turing (TU106) |
| Process Node | 12nm (TSMC) | 12nm (TSMC) |
| CUDA Cores | 1,408 | 1,920 (+36%) |
| RT Cores | None | 30 (2nd Gen) |
| Tensor Cores | None | 240 (3rd Gen) |
| Base Clock | 1,530 MHz | 1,365 MHz |
| Boost Clock | 1,785 MHz | 1,680 MHz |
| VRAM | 6GB GDDR5 (8Gbps) | 6GB GDDR6 (14Gbps) |
| Memory Bandwidth | 192 GB/s | 336 GB/s (+75%) |
| Memory Bus | 192-bit | 192-bit |
| TDP | 120W | 160W |
| FP32 Performance | ~5.0 TFLOPS | ~6.5 TFLOPS (+30%) |
| DLSS Support | No | Yes (DLSS 1.0 / 2.0) |
| Ray Tracing | No | Yes (entry-level) |
| Display Outputs | 1x HDMI 2.0, 3x DP 1.4 | 1x HDMI 2.0, 3x DP 1.4, 1x USB-C |
| Recommended PSU | 450W | 550W |
| Launch Price | $219 | $349 |
Key Insight — Memory Bandwidth Gap: The GTX 1660 uses GDDR5 memory at 192 GB/s, while the RTX 2060 uses GDDR6 at 336 GB/s — a 75% bandwidth advantage. At the same 192-bit bus width, the RTX 2060 moves data nearly twice as fast. This is one of the core reasons for the performance gap in texture-heavy and VRAM-intensive game scenarios, beyond just the CUDA core count difference.
Best Budget Value
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660
Overview
The GTX 1660 launched in March 2019 as NVIDIA’s entry into the Turing generation without RT or Tensor cores — the starting point for builders who needed Turing’s efficiency and NVENC improvements without paying the RTX premium. Its 1,408 CUDA cores, GDDR5 memory, and 120W TDP make it one of the most power-efficient GPUs for 1080p gaming in the Turing generation. In 2026, it is primarily available second-hand and remains a practical pick for budget builds where the RTX 2060 is priced significantly higher.
Gaming Performance at 1080p
The GTX 1660 delivers solid 1080p performance in competitive titles and performs well in older AAA games. In Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p medium settings, it manages approximately 55-65 fps. In Forza Horizon 5, it averages around 65-70 fps at high settings. For esports titles — Valorant, CS2, Apex Legends, Fortnite — it consistently delivers 100fps+ at high settings, making it entirely adequate for 144Hz competitive play. Where it falls behind is in demanding 2024-2026 AAA titles at ultra settings, where the 120W power envelope and GDDR5 memory become limiting factors.
Best Overall Performance
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060
Overview
The RTX 2060 launched in January 2019 as NVIDIA’s entry-level RTX card and quickly became one of the most popular mid-range GPUs of the Turing generation. UserBenchmark notes it “offered the best value for money amongst the RTX range” at launch and delivered 100+ effective fps in almost all popular 1080p games at maximum settings — a benchmark that remained impressive for years. It carries 1,920 CUDA cores, GDDR6 memory at 336 GB/s bandwidth, dedicated RT cores for ray tracing, and Tensor cores enabling DLSS, making it architecturally more capable than the GTX 1660 in every measurable dimension.
Gaming Performance at 1080p and 1440p
In Tech4Gamers’ benchmark testing, the RTX 2060 averaged 80fps in Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p — compared to 68fps for the GTX 1660 Super (the stronger 1660 variant). In Forza Horizon 5, the 2060 hit 90fps versus the 1660 Super’s 76fps. In Red Dead Redemption 2, the gap was 77fps versus 66fps — a consistent 15-18% advantage across demanding titles. With DLSS enabled in supported games, the RTX 2060’s effective frame rate can increase by an additional 30-50%, giving it substantially higher practical output than the raw benchmark numbers suggest. At 1440p, the RTX 2060 manages playable frame rates in most titles at medium-high settings — a capability entirely out of reach for the GTX 1660.
Gaming Benchmark Comparison: GTX 1660 vs RTX 2060 at 1080p
| Game / Benchmark | GTX 1660 (avg fps) | RTX 2060 (avg fps) | RTX 2060 Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p High) | ~55–65 fps | ~75–85 fps | +~20–25% |
| Forza Horizon 5 (1080p High) | ~65–70 fps | ~85–95 fps | +~25–30% |
| Red Dead Redemption 2 (1080p High) | ~58–66 fps | ~70–80 fps | +~15–20% |
| CS2 / Valorant (1080p High) | 150–200+ fps | 180–250+ fps | +~20–25% |
| Apex Legends (1080p High) | ~100–120 fps | ~130–160 fps | +~25–30% |
| 3DMark Fire Strike (Synthetic) | ~13,500 | ~16,500–17,000 | +~22–26% |
| 3DMark Time Spy (DX12) | ~5,500–6,000 | ~7,500–8,000 | +~33–40% |
| Blender Cycles (rendering) | ~750–850 | ~1,600–1,700 | +~100% (2× faster) |
| RTX 2060 with DLSS (supported games) | N/A (no DLSS) | +30–50% additional fps | GTX 1660 cannot compete |
Key Takeaway on Benchmarks: The RTX 2060 is approximately 39% faster than the GTX 1660 in synthetic benchmarks (bestvaluegpu.com, December 2025). In real-world gaming, the gap is typically 15–30% depending on the title. In DX12 workloads (Time Spy), the advantage exceeds 33–40%. In creative workloads like Blender, the RTX 2060’s higher core count and faster memory deliver approximately 2× the rendering performance of the GTX 1660.
Ray Tracing and DLSS: How Much Do They Matter in 2026?
DLSS — The GTX 1660’s Biggest Disadvantage
DLSS has evolved from a niche launch feature into one of the most practically impactful GPU technologies in 2026. With support across hundreds of titles — including major releases like Cyberpunk 2077, DOOM Eternal, Control, Marvel’s Spider-Man, and many more — DLSS allows the RTX 2060 to render games at a lower internal resolution and use AI to upscale the output to full quality. In practice, this means 30–50% more fps in DLSS-supported titles with minimal visible quality reduction. For a GPU in the RTX 2060’s performance tier, this is transformative — it effectively gives the card the frame rate output of a faster GPU in supported games. The GTX 1660 cannot use DLSS at any quality level.
Ray Tracing — Impressive, But Limited on RTX 2060
The RTX 2060’s ray tracing performance is entry-level. With RT enabled at high settings, frame rates drop by 30–50% depending on the implementation. In games like Metro Exodus Enhanced Edition or Cyberpunk 2077 with RT enabled, the RTX 2060 struggles to maintain 60fps at 1080p without DLSS active. The practical recommendation: use RT at medium settings with DLSS enabled, or disable RT entirely and enjoy the RTX 2060’s full raster performance. The GTX 1660 offers no RT capability whatsoever — not even the software emulation that some Pascal cards received.
Power Consumption and Thermals
| Metric | GTX 1660 | RTX 2060 |
|---|---|---|
| Official TDP | 120W | 160W |
| Recommended PSU | 450W | 550W |
| Typical Gaming Draw | ~110–130W | ~150–175W |
| Idle Power | ~5–10W | ~8–12W |
| Thermal Performance | Cooler — lower TDP easier to manage | Slightly warmer — 1.47% higher avg temp (Tech4Gamers) |
| Power Efficiency Score | 45 (bestvaluegpu.com) | 48 (RTX 2060 is 6.7% more efficient) |
Despite the RTX 2060’s higher TDP, bestvaluegpu.com’s efficiency scoring gives the RTX 2060 a slight advantage in performance-per-watt at 48 versus the GTX 1660’s 45. The GTX 1660’s absolute power draw is lower, which matters for SFF builds, older PSUs, and situations where electricity cost is a primary concern. For most standard builds with a quality 550W PSU, the RTX 2060’s 40W higher TDP is not a practical obstacle.
Value For Money in 2026: Second-Hand Market Reality
Both GPUs are now sold primarily on the second-hand market. The relative pricing has changed significantly since launch: at launch, the RTX 2060 ($349) was 59% more expensive than the GTX 1660 ($219). On the 2026 second-hand market, the gap is typically much narrower — often as little as $20–50 depending on region, condition, and timing. This compressed price gap fundamentally changes the value calculation in favour of the RTX 2060.
| Scenario | GTX 1660 | RTX 2060 | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| GTX 1660 significantly cheaper (50%+ lower price) | ✅ Good value | Not justified | GTX 1660 |
| Price within $20–40 of each other | Poor value | ✅ Clearly better | RTX 2060 |
| RTX 2060 only $10–20 more | Pass | ✅ No-brainer upgrade | RTX 2060 |
| Budget strictly under $80 | ✅ Only option | Not available at this price | GTX 1660 |
| Content creation / streaming priority | Adequate NVENC | ✅ Better NVENC + Tensor cores | RTX 2060 |
Who Should Buy Which Card?
🎮 Buy the GTX 1660 If…
- You primarily play esports titles (CS2, Valorant, Apex) at 1080p/144Hz
- The GTX 1660 is significantly cheaper than the RTX 2060 in your market
- Your PSU is under 500W and you want to avoid upgrading it
- You are building in a small form factor case with limited airflow
- You play mostly older titles that don’t benefit from DLSS
🎮 Buy the RTX 2060 If…
- The price difference is $40 or less — the performance gap more than justifies it
- You want DLSS for future game support and higher fps in supported titles
- You play 1440p or plan to upgrade your monitor to 1440p
- You do creative work — Blender renders approximately 2× faster on RTX 2060
- You want the most future-proof GPU in this price tier for 2026 and beyond
Final Verdict: GTX 1660 vs RTX 2060 in 2026
The RTX 2060 wins the comparison in 2026 — and it isn’t particularly close. With approximately 39% faster synthetic benchmark performance, 75% more memory bandwidth, DLSS support, and hardware ray tracing, the RTX 2060 outperforms the GTX 1660 in every meaningful metric. The second-hand market price gap between the two has narrowed dramatically from the original 59% premium at launch, meaning buyers now get substantially more GPU capability for a much smaller additional cost.
The GTX 1660 retains its place as a budget recommendation only when it is available for meaningfully less than the RTX 2060 in your specific market, or when power/space constraints make the lower TDP a genuine practical consideration. For everyone else — gamers wanting the best 1080p performance, those targeting 1440p, content creators, and streamers — the RTX 2060 is the clear and obvious choice from this pair on the 2026 second-hand market.
FAQ
Q: Is the RTX 2060 really worth the extra money over the GTX 1660 in 2026?
A: Yes — especially at the compressed price gap that now exists on the second-hand market. The RTX 2060 is approximately 39% faster in synthetic benchmarks and 15–30% faster in real-world games, while also adding DLSS (which provides an additional 30–50% fps boost in supported titles) and hardware ray tracing. If the price difference is under $40, the RTX 2060 delivers dramatically better value. Only if the GTX 1660 is available for substantially less should it be considered.
A: Yes — especially at the compressed price gap that now exists on the second-hand market. The RTX 2060 is approximately 39% faster in synthetic benchmarks and 15–30% faster in real-world games, while also adding DLSS (which provides an additional 30–50% fps boost in supported titles) and hardware ray tracing. If the price difference is under $40, the RTX 2060 delivers dramatically better value. Only if the GTX 1660 is available for substantially less should it be considered.
Q: Can the GTX 1660 run modern games in 2026?
A: Yes — at 1080p with settings adjustments. The GTX 1660 handles esports titles (CS2, Valorant, Apex Legends, Fortnite) very well, delivering 100fps+ at high settings. In demanding 2025–2026 AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077 or Black Myth: Wukong, expect 50–65fps at medium settings. It is not a comfortable card for 1440p or ultra-settings 1080p in modern AAA titles, but for 1080p medium-high gaming it remains functional.
A: Yes — at 1080p with settings adjustments. The GTX 1660 handles esports titles (CS2, Valorant, Apex Legends, Fortnite) very well, delivering 100fps+ at high settings. In demanding 2025–2026 AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077 or Black Myth: Wukong, expect 50–65fps at medium settings. It is not a comfortable card for 1440p or ultra-settings 1080p in modern AAA titles, but for 1080p medium-high gaming it remains functional.
Q: Does DLSS make a significant real-world difference on the RTX 2060?
A: Yes — DLSS has become one of the most impactful features in the GPU market. In supported games (now numbering in the hundreds), DLSS Quality mode provides 30–50% more fps with minimal visible quality reduction. For an RTX 2060, this effectively raises its frame rate to the level of a faster GPU in supported titles. The GTX 1660 cannot use DLSS at all, which is an increasingly significant competitive disadvantage as more games add support.
A: Yes — DLSS has become one of the most impactful features in the GPU market. In supported games (now numbering in the hundreds), DLSS Quality mode provides 30–50% more fps with minimal visible quality reduction. For an RTX 2060, this effectively raises its frame rate to the level of a faster GPU in supported titles. The GTX 1660 cannot use DLSS at all, which is an increasingly significant competitive disadvantage as more games add support.
Q: Is the RTX 2060 good enough for 1440p gaming?
A: For 1440p gaming at medium settings, yes. At ultra settings in demanding 2025–2026 titles, the RTX 2060 will struggle to maintain 60fps at 1440p without DLSS. With DLSS Quality mode enabled at 1440p, performance becomes much more comfortable. The card was designed primarily for 1080p but can handle 1440p at reduced settings or with DLSS assistance — something the GTX 1660 cannot realistically manage.
A: For 1440p gaming at medium settings, yes. At ultra settings in demanding 2025–2026 titles, the RTX 2060 will struggle to maintain 60fps at 1440p without DLSS. With DLSS Quality mode enabled at 1440p, performance becomes much more comfortable. The card was designed primarily for 1080p but can handle 1440p at reduced settings or with DLSS assistance — something the GTX 1660 cannot realistically manage.
Q: Which card is better for streaming and content creation?
A: The RTX 2060 is clearly better for content creation. In Blender Cycles rendering, the RTX 2060 scores approximately 1,644 compared to the GTX 1660’s ~803 — roughly 2× faster rendering for complex scenes. Both cards feature NVENC hardware encoding, which is excellent for OBS streaming without CPU performance impact. The RTX 2060’s Tensor cores also accelerate certain AI-based creative workflows. For streamers who also game, the RTX 2060 provides headroom that the GTX 1660 lacks.
A: The RTX 2060 is clearly better for content creation. In Blender Cycles rendering, the RTX 2060 scores approximately 1,644 compared to the GTX 1660’s ~803 — roughly 2× faster rendering for complex scenes. Both cards feature NVENC hardware encoding, which is excellent for OBS streaming without CPU performance impact. The RTX 2060’s Tensor cores also accelerate certain AI-based creative workflows. For streamers who also game, the RTX 2060 provides headroom that the GTX 1660 lacks.
Q: Should I buy either of these in 2026 or wait for a newer GPU?
A: At the right second-hand price, yes — both remain functional GPUs for 1080p gaming in 2026. However, if your budget allows reaching for an RTX 3060 or RX 6600 (which offer significantly more VRAM at 12GB and 8GB respectively, and dramatically better performance), those are more future-proof purchases. The GTX 1660 and RTX 2060 are sensible choices only if they are available at compelling second-hand prices, typically under $80–110 for the GTX 1660 and under $110–140 for the RTX 2060 to justify the purchase over newer alternatives.
A: At the right second-hand price, yes — both remain functional GPUs for 1080p gaming in 2026. However, if your budget allows reaching for an RTX 3060 or RX 6600 (which offer significantly more VRAM at 12GB and 8GB respectively, and dramatically better performance), those are more future-proof purchases. The GTX 1660 and RTX 2060 are sensible choices only if they are available at compelling second-hand prices, typically under $80–110 for the GTX 1660 and under $110–140 for the RTX 2060 to justify the purchase over newer alternatives.
Jaeden Higgins is a tech review writer associated with DigitalUpbeat. He contributes content focused on PC hardware, laptops, graphics cards, and related tech topics, helping readers understand products through clear, practical reviews and buying advice.
:no_upscale()/imgs/2018/11/26/17/2652317/6454aa68ad3cd689b4ad5f15b7d581ec201f1fb5.jpg?w=768&resize=768,0&ssl=1 "RTX vs. GTX in 2026")