Old Mainstream GPU: GeForce GTX 960 vs. GTX 1660 & RTX 2060

[Julio Franco]

When we recently tested the new GeForce GTX 1660 we noted that Nvidia was making a bold claim in the review guide saying that the 1660 was a whopping 113% faster than the GTX 960, making it a perfect upgrade option for owners of the old mid-range Maxwell GPU.

Read the full article here.

https://www.techspot.com/review/1819-geforce-gtx-1660-vs-rtx-2060-vs-gtx-960/

 

[SirDigby]

Hey Techspot, any chance we can get a similar article for GTX 970? I remember somewhere said it was the most popular GPU before the 10xx series was released and I'm still running it as well.

I built my PC end of 2014 and I'm starting to think about upgrading and I genuinely have no idea what of the current gen GPUs would suit my needs, I'm not as financially flexible as I used to be but may consider it worth the investment if the gains are significant.

 

[LogiGaming]

I find it hard to call a 370€ GPU mainstream, but what do I know

 

[rrwards]

I appreciate this article, but I think it may have been more useful to test below Ultra settings. Anyone rocking a GTX 960 still isn't expecting to run on max settings. I'd be more interested in seeing how much better the 1660 runs at medium/high settings since that's what I've been used to for the last year or so.

 

[hahahanoobs]

"Admittedly the game is quite demanding with these quality settings, but those looking to upgrade to a GTX 1660 can look forward to a 152% performance boost, not that bad. Though if you’re only looking at playing The Division 2 then the RX 590 might be a better choice."

LMAO! WHAT?!
That's a massive reach!
I just looked on Newegg to compare the 1660 and 590, then the 2060 and Vega 64.
There is NO reason to buy an AMD GPU right now.

 

[hahahanoobs]

Hey Techspot, any chance we can get a similar article for GTX 970? I remember somewhere said it was the most popular GPU before the 10xx series was released and I'm still running it as well.

I built my PC end of 2014 and I'm starting to think about upgrading and I genuinely have no idea what of the current gen GPUs would suit my needs, I'm not as financially flexible as I used to be but may consider it worth the investment if the gains are significant.

The GTX 970 was/is an iconic GPU that helped boost NVIDIA's dGPU marketshare to 82%, which makes me wonder why it wasn't included, yet they did include the 570, 580 AND the 590 which are separated by what, 15fps?

 

[RapidFinger3]

Hey Techspot, any chance we can get a similar article for GTX 970? I remember somewhere said it was the most popular GPU before the 10xx series was released and I'm still running it as well.

I built my PC end of 2014 and I'm starting to think about upgrading and I genuinely have no idea what of the current gen GPUs would suit my needs, I'm not as financially flexible as I used to be but may consider it worth the investment if the gains are significant.

How attached are you to Nvidia? If all you need is to play AAA titles at near ultra settings 1080p60hz may I suggest the price-perfomance champ rx570 8gb that is available for ~130$. It's a pretty decent performer above 1050ti which was better than 960 and performs just a whisker below 1060 3gb on Nvidia optimized games but does better than 1060 6gb on amd titles. Right now it's the budget champ also for a little extra consider rx580 which is a little beefed up Rx 570 about 10% faster.

 

[veLa]

I remember being unimpressed with the GTX 960 when it was first reviewed. The 128-bit memory bandwidth seemed pitiful and I predicted that the card wouldn't have a very long lifespan in regards to games remaining playable at higher settings.

Low and behold, it didn't hold up very long. Other slightly higher end cards from the era like the R9 390/390X or even the GTX 970 are still keeping up with today's midrange crop of cards with the one caveat of power consumption.

I would've loved to see the GTX 970 included in this article. It would've helped keep things in perspective to the time period.

 

[144hzGamer]

Hey Techspot, any chance we can get a similar article for GTX 970? I remember somewhere said it was the most popular GPU before the 10xx series was released and I'm still running it as well.

I built my PC end of 2014 and I'm starting to think about upgrading and I genuinely have no idea what of the current gen GPUs would suit my needs, I'm not as financially flexible as I used to be but may consider it worth the investment if the gains are significant.

How attached are you to Nvidia? If all you need is to play AAA titles at near ultra settings 1080p60hz may I suggest the price-perfomance champ rx570 8gb that is available for ~130$. It's a pretty decent performer above 1050ti which was better than 960 and performs just a whisker below 1060 3gb on Nvidia optimized games but does better than 1060 6gb on amd titles. Right now it's the budget champ also for a little extra consider rx580 which is a little beefed up Rx 570 about 10% faster.

Why would someone with a gtx970, buy a rx570 ?

Also I see a lot of bs about rx570. A lot of the market searching for low priced cards have weak power supplies or pre builts. Gtx1050ti only needs pcie slot power and if you are thinking about upgrading the psu you already spending the same as just getting a gtx 1060 and call it a day.

Not everything is as linear as some amd fans think.

 

[DreadGazeebo]

Just wanna jump in and add to the growing list of requests for similar data regarding the GTX 970. I have one myself and an struggling to find too many good reasons to upgrade yet. I know by it's coming, but if I could wait another year to drop another $300-350 that would be great.

 

[elementalSG]

I have to say, I really enjoy these articles about older tech. Very few sites do pieces like this and it's a lot of fun to see just how far technology has gone in the last few years.

 

[Julio Franco]

Hey Techspot, any chance we can get a similar article for GTX 970? I remember somewhere said it was the most popular GPU before the 10xx series was released and I'm still running it as well.

The GTX 970 was/is an iconic GPU that helped boost NVIDIA's dGPU marketshare to 82%, which makes me wonder why it wasn't included, yet they did include the 570, 580 AND the 590 which are separated by what, 15fps?

Just wanna jump in and add to the growing list of requests for similar data regarding the GTX 970. I have one myself and an struggling to find too many good reasons to upgrade yet. I know by it's coming, but if I could wait another year to drop another $300-350 that would be great.

Soon

 

[Vulcanproject]

Hey Techspot, any chance we can get a similar article for GTX 970? I remember somewhere said it was the most popular GPU before the 10xx series was released and I'm still running it as well.

I built my PC end of 2014 and I'm starting to think about upgrading and I genuinely have no idea what of the current gen GPUs would suit my needs, I'm not as financially flexible as I used to be but may consider it worth the investment if the gains are significant.

From what I have seen GTX970 struggles a little bit today and is comparable to a GTX1060 3GB/RX570. It's very close to a GTX1060 3GB, you can usually take that as the level if a bench lacks the 970.

You can see still it in Techspot's more recent game specific benches, like Metro Exodus: https://www.techspot.com/review/1795-metro-exodus-benchmarks/
Resi 2: https://www.techspot.com/review/1784-resident-evil-2-benchmarks/ or
Just Cause 4: https://www.techspot.com/review/1762-just-cause-4-benchmarks/ for example.

Everyone's idea of a worthwhile upgrade is different, but if I still had a GTX970 I probably wouldn't want anything less than an RTX2060/GTX1080. They should be at least 70 percent faster, often more.

However if I wasn't desperate I would string it out another 12 months and guarantee something much much faster for sub $300/£/€

 

[Julio Franco]

I appreciate this article, but I think it may have been more useful to test below Ultra settings. Anyone rocking a GTX 960 still isn't expecting to run on max settings. I'd be more interested in seeing how much better the 1660 runs at medium/high settings since that's what I've been used to for the last year or so.

As a reader I would have to agree... I mean, if you want to know how a certain GPU is going to perform in certain games. But as we've gone over before, it's really hard to find a middle ground and make results valid across in comparisons when you run into bottlenecks. So for this kind of article, we are not so much concerned about a specific game's FPS, but the delta between GPU's horsepower and that's a definitive answer you get from this.

For the former, we have our game benchmark sessions where you get to see actual performance output on different resolutions, etc.

 

[QuantumPhysics]

I personally can't recommend going any lower than the 2060Ti.

For those who've been building computers who I know, I tell em: Either the 2060 or 270. Microcenter has 2070 for a solid $500.

Buy it on your credit card. Pay it off as soon as possible.

I don't regret buying my 2080Ti. If I'd bought anything less, I absolutely would regret it.

Rays must be traced.

 

[Colonel Blimp]

"Admittedly the game is quite demanding with these quality settings, but those looking to upgrade to a GTX 1660 can look forward to a 152% performance boost, not that bad. Though if you’re only looking at playing The Division 2 then the RX 590 might be a better choice."

LMAO! WHAT?!
That's a massive reach!
I just looked on Newegg to compare the 1660 and 590, then the 2060 and Vega 64.
There is NO reason to buy an AMD GPU right now.

Yes there is, apart from the RX570 which has already been mentioned, if you can pick up a Vega for a good price it's worth it. Has to be a good price though.
I just got a Vega56 for just under £280, which in the UK is only £20 more than a 1660ti and at least £60 less than a similar quality aib 2060ti.

Yes I've undervolted with Wattman so power draw is way lower than seen in these charts.

Should tide me over for a couple of years until maybe Arcturus or 3060/70 when ray tracing might actually be useful on a mid-range GPU.

I kind of get your point though but it depends a lot on the market where you live.

 

[hahahanoobs]

Yes there is, apart from the RX570 which has already been mentioned, if you can pick up a Vega for a good price it's worth it. Has to be a good price though.
I just got a Vega56 for just under £280, which in the UK is only £20 more than a 1660ti and at least £60 less than a similar quality aib 2060ti.

Yes I've undervolted with Wattman so power draw is way lower than seen in these charts.

Should tide me over for a couple of years until maybe Arcturus or 3060/70 when ray tracing might actually be useful on a mid-range GPU.

I kind of get your point though but it depends a lot on the market where you live.

Compare prices at Newegg and look at techpowerup.com performance summary....

 

[Julio Franco]

We have this here, too, up to date to what you should buy for best value:
https://www.techspot.com/bestof/graphics-cards/

 

[elementalSG]

We have this here, too, up to date to what you should buy for best value:
https://www.techspot.com/bestof/graphics-cards/

"GeForce RTX 2080 Ti vs. Your Wallet"

lol!

 

[Colonel Blimp]

Yes there is, apart from the RX570 which has already been mentioned, if you can pick up a Vega for a good price it's worth it. Has to be a good price though.
I just got a Vega56 for just under £280, which in the UK is only £20 more than a 1660ti and at least £60 less than a similar quality aib 2060ti.

Yes I've undervolted with Wattman so power draw is way lower than seen in these charts.

Should tide me over for a couple of years until maybe Arcturus or 3060/70 when ray tracing might actually be useful on a mid-range GPU.

I kind of get your point though but it depends a lot on the market where you live.

Compare prices at Newegg and look at techpowerup.com performance summary....

Did you not read my post? Specifically the last line? Paragraph 2 is also relevant. We don't have Newegg in the UK so you've wasted your time with that one.

 

[texasrattler]

Did I miss a new card release or just typos saying 2060 TI?

 

[texasrattler]

We have this here, too, up to date to what you should buy for best value:
https://www.techspot.com/bestof/graphics-cards/

I liked the article. I don't get all crazy over if one card or another is involved. I can do my one research if I need to know all what's best for ME.
Overall good read and more importantly to the point, the 960 is old and in the not to distant future, it's time for 960 users to realize a upgrade is needed for current gen games. The 960 had its run, did what it was suppose to but just like all tech, it's old and it's coming to a end.

 

[ShagnWagn]

"Time for an Upgrade?"

This review is considering a whole new computer - not just a video card upgrade.

How to make this article mean something? Take an average computer someone with the 960 has, and plop a 1660 in it. Will their current rig take full advantage of the new GPU? I am doubting it will. Prove me wrong.

 

[treetops]

If you have a 970, you can buy another used one and sli for a little better then 1070 performance.... or sell yours and buy a 1660 ti\1070 etc. Here is a 1070\970 comparison. 2019

https://www.trustedreviews.com/opinion/gtx-1070-vs-970-2942606

 

[PEnnn]

I have a GTX 960. And honestly I don't see one compelling reason to upgrade it. I couldn't care less about games like Apex, Fortnite and especially that cartoonish (especially in 3rd person view) Tomb Raider!

Dying Light, the whole Metro series, Far Cry series, All Battlefields (don't have V yet), All COD, Fallout games etc, they all play and render really well and the card is silent and stable.

Maybe in 3-4 years....a 2060 or similar, assuming nGreedia has stopped screwing gamers.