GeForce RTX 3090 vs GTX 1660 Super

Place in the ranking	160	24
Place by popularity	8	not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	59.02	14.90
Power efficiency	18.43	13.80
Architecture	Turing (2018−2022)	Ampere (2020−2024)
GPU code name	TU116	GA102
Market segment	Desktop	Desktop
Release date	29 October 2019 (5 years ago)	1 September 2020 (4 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$229	$1,499

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance to price ratio. The higher, the better.

GTX 1660 Super has 296% better value for money than RTX 3090.

Detailed specifications

General parameters such as number of shaders, GPU core base clock and boost clock speeds, manufacturing process, texturing and calculation speed. Note that power consumption of some graphics cards can well exceed their nominal TDP, especially when overclocked.

Pipelines / CUDA cores	1408	10496
Core clock speed	1530 MHz	1395 MHz
Boost clock speed	1785 MHz	1695 MHz
Number of transistors	6,600 million	28,300 million
Manufacturing process technology	12 nm	8 nm
Power consumption (TDP)	125 Watt	350 Watt
Texture fill rate	157.1	556.0
Floating-point processing power	5.027 TFLOPS	35.58 TFLOPS
ROPs	48	112
TMUs	88	328
Tensor Cores	no data	328
Ray Tracing Cores	no data	82

Form factor & compatibility

Information on compatibility with other computer components. Useful when choosing a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. For desktop graphics cards it's interface and bus (motherboard compatibility), additional power connectors (power supply compatibility).

Interface	PCIe 3.0 x16	PCIe 4.0 x16
Length	229 mm	336 mm
Width	2-slot	3-slot
Supplementary power connectors	1x 8-pin	1x 12-pin

VRAM capacity and type

Parameters of VRAM installed: its type, size, bus, clock and resulting bandwidth. Integrated GPUs have no dedicated video RAM and use a shared part of system RAM.

Memory type	GDDR6	GDDR6X
Maximum RAM amount	6 GB	24 GB
Memory bus width	192 Bit	384 Bit
Memory clock speed	1750 MHz	1219 MHz
Memory bandwidth	336.0 GB/s	936.2 GB/s
Shared memory	-	-

Connectivity and outputs

Types and number of video connectors present on the reviewed GPUs. As a rule, data in this section is precise only for desktop reference ones (so-called Founders Edition for NVIDIA chips). OEM manufacturers may change the number and type of output ports, while for notebook cards availability of certain video outputs ports depends on the laptop model rather than on the card itself.

Display Connectors	1x DVI, 1x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort	1x HDMI, 3x DisplayPort
HDMI	+	+
HDCP	+	-
G-SYNC support	+	-

Supported technologies

Supported technological solutions. This information will prove useful if you need some particular technology for your purposes.

NVENC	+	no data
Ansel	+	no data

API compatibility

List of supported 3D and general-purpose computing APIs, including their specific versions.

DirectX	12 (12_1)	12 Ultimate (12_2)
Shader Model	6.5	6.5
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
OpenCL	1.2	2.0
Vulkan	1.2.131	1.2
CUDA	7.5	8.5

Synthetic benchmark performance

Non-gaming benchmark results comparison. The combined score is measured on a 0-100 point scale.

Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark score. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

GTX 1660 Super 33.06

RTX 3090 69.31
+110%

Passmark

This is the most ubiquitous GPU benchmark. It gives the graphics card a thorough evaluation under various types of load, providing four separate benchmarks for Direct3D versions 9, 10, 11 and 12 (the last being done in 4K resolution if possible), and few more tests engaging DirectCompute capabilities.

GTX 1660 Super 12750

RTX 3090 26735
+110%

3DMark 11 Performance GPU

3DMark 11 is an obsolete DirectX 11 benchmark by Futuremark. It used four tests based on two scenes, one being few submarines exploring the submerged wreck of a sunken ship, the other is an abandoned temple deep in the jungle. All the tests are heavy with volumetric lighting and tessellation, and despite being done in 1280x720 resolution, are relatively taxing. Discontinued in January 2020, 3DMark 11 is now superseded by Time Spy.

GTX 1660 Super 21981

RTX 3090 61518
+180%

3DMark Vantage Performance

3DMark Vantage is an outdated DirectX 10 benchmark using 1280x1024 screen resolution. It taxes the graphics card with two scenes, one depicting a girl escaping some militarized base located within a sea cave, the other displaying a space fleet attack on a defenseless planet. It was discontinued in April 2017, and Time Spy benchmark is now recommended to be used instead.

GTX 1660 Super 76654

RTX 3090 124350
+62.2%

3DMark Fire Strike Graphics

Fire Strike is a DirectX 11 benchmark for gaming PCs. It features two separate tests displaying a fight between a humanoid and a fiery creature made of lava. Using 1920x1080 resolution, Fire Strike shows off some realistic graphics and is quite taxing on hardware.

GTX 1660 Super 15995

RTX 3090 47241
+195%

3DMark Cloud Gate GPU

Cloud Gate is an outdated DirectX 11 feature level 10 benchmark that was used for home PCs and basic notebooks. It displays a few scenes of some weird space teleportation device launching spaceships into unknown, using fixed resolution of 1280x720. Just like Ice Storm benchmark, it has been discontinued in January 2020 and replaced by 3DMark Night Raid.

GTX 1660 Super 95473

RTX 3090 231612
+143%

GeekBench 5 OpenCL

Geekbench 5 is a widespread graphics card benchmark combined from 11 different test scenarios. All these scenarios rely on direct usage of GPU's processing power, no 3D rendering is involved. This variation uses OpenCL API by Khronos Group.

GTX 1660 Super 62663

RTX 3090 191377
+205%

3DMark Ice Storm GPU

Ice Storm Graphics is an obsolete benchmark, part of 3DMark suite. Ice Storm was used to measure entry level laptops and Windows-based tablets performance. It utilizes DirectX 11 feature level 9 to display a battle between two space fleets near a frozen planet in 1280x720 resolution. Discontinued in January 2020, it is now superseded by 3DMark Night Raid.

GTX 1660 Super 477037

RTX 3090 779348
+63.4%

GeekBench 5 Vulkan

GTX 1660 Super 60312

RTX 3090 178421
+196%

GeekBench 5 CUDA

GTX 1660 Super 65044

RTX 3090 238123
+266%

SPECviewperf 12 - specvp12 maya-04

GTX 1660 Super 134

RTX 3090 300
+124%

SPECviewperf 12 - specvp12 sw-03

GTX 1660 Super 57

RTX 3090 105
+85%

SPECviewperf 12 - specvp12 snx-02

GTX 1660 Super 9

RTX 3090 16
+90.7%

SPECviewperf 12 - specvp12 catia-04

GTX 1660 Super 63

RTX 3090 170
+169%

SPECviewperf 12 - specvp12 creo-01

GTX 1660 Super 41

RTX 3090 93
+130%

SPECviewperf 12 - specvp12 mediacal-01

GTX 1660 Super 31

RTX 3090 86
+176%

SPECviewperf 12 - specvp12 showcase-01

GTX 1660 Super 83

RTX 3090 262
+216%

SPECviewperf 12 - specvp12 energy-01

GTX 1660 Super 8

RTX 3090 26
+212%

SPECviewperf 12 - specvp12 3dsmax-05

GTX 1660 Super 154

RTX 3090 368
+140%

Gaming performance

Let's see how good the compared graphics cards are for gaming. Particular gaming benchmark results are measured in FPS.

Average FPS across all PC games

Here are the average frames per second in a large set of popular games across different resolutions:

Full HD	92 −121%	203 +121%
1440p	54 −143%	131 +143%
4K	30 −200%	90 +200%

Cost per frame, $

1080p	2.49	7.38
1440p	4.24	11.44
4K	7.63	16.66

FPS performance in popular games

Full HD
Low Preset

Cyberpunk 2077

−172%

207
+172%

Full HD
Medium Preset

Assassin's Creed Odyssey	88 −80.7%	159 +80.7%
Assassin's Creed Valhalla	66 −72.7%	114 +72.7%
Battlefield 5	100−110 −107%	220−230 +107%
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare	80 −48.8%	110−120 +48.8%
Cyberpunk 2077	63 −179%	176 +179%
Far Cry 5	70−75 −58.1%	110−120 +58.1%
Far Cry New Dawn	121 −39.7%	160−170 +39.7%
Forza Horizon 4	170−180 −36%	230−240 +36%
Hitman 3	77 −51.9%	117 +51.9%
Horizon Zero Dawn	321 +26.9%	250−260 −26.9%
Metro Exodus	144 +0%	144 +0%
Red Dead Redemption 2	80 −62.5%	130 +62.5%
Shadow of the Tomb Raider	110−120 −150%	290−300 +150%
Watch Dogs: Legion	217 +8.5%	200 −8.5%

Full HD
High Preset

Assassin's Creed Odyssey	135 −83%	247 +83%
Assassin's Creed Valhalla	48 −119%	105 +119%
Battlefield 5	100−110 −107%	220−230 +107%
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare	72 −65.3%	110−120 +65.3%
Cyberpunk 2077	52 −190%	151 +190%
Far Cry 5	70−75 −58.1%	110−120 +58.1%
Far Cry New Dawn	86 −96.5%	160−170 +96.5%
Forza Horizon 4	170−180 −36%	230−240 +36%
Hitman 3	75 −56%	117 +56%
Horizon Zero Dawn	290 +14.6%	250−260 −14.6%
Metro Exodus	118 −22%	144 +22%
Red Dead Redemption 2	89 −37.1%	120−130 +37.1%
Shadow of the Tomb Raider	129 −212%	402 +212%
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt	65−70 −116%	140−150 +116%
Watch Dogs: Legion	208 +4.5%	199 −4.5%

Full HD
Ultra Preset

Assassin's Creed Odyssey	51 −112%	108 +112%
Assassin's Creed Valhalla	44 −107%	91 +107%
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare	55 −116%	110−120 +116%
Cyberpunk 2077	49 −173%	134 +173%
Far Cry 5	70−75 −58.1%	110−120 +58.1%
Forza Horizon 4	107 −103%	217 +103%
Hitman 3	65 −78.5%	116 +78.5%
Horizon Zero Dawn	99 −198%	295 +198%
Shadow of the Tomb Raider	112 −213%	351 +213%
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt	61 −197%	181 +197%
Watch Dogs: Legion	31 −245%	107 +245%

Full HD
Epic Preset

Red Dead Redemption 2

−126%

129
+126%

1440p
High Preset

Battlefield 5	60−65 −162%	160−170 +162%
Far Cry New Dawn	57 −93%	110−120 +93%

1440p
Ultra Preset

Assassin's Creed Odyssey	40 −133%	93 +133%
Assassin's Creed Valhalla	34 −132%	79 +132%
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare	38 −113%	80−85 +113%
Cyberpunk 2077	26 −258%	93 +258%
Far Cry 5	35−40 −113%	80−85 +113%
Forza Horizon 4	190−200 −42.6%	270−280 +42.6%
Hitman 3	43 −167%	115 +167%
Horizon Zero Dawn	71 −228%	233 +228%
Metro Exodus	67 −107%	139 +107%
Shadow of the Tomb Raider	80 −233%	266 +233%
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt	45−50 −238%	152 +238%
Watch Dogs: Legion	196 −3.6%	203 +3.6%

1440p
Epic Preset

Red Dead Redemption 2

−127%

127
+127%

4K
High Preset

Battlefield 5	30−35 −164%	85−90 +164%
Far Cry New Dawn	31 −123%	65−70 +123%
Hitman 3	25 −232%	83 +232%
Horizon Zero Dawn	66 −242%	220−230 +242%
Metro Exodus	44 −220%	141 +220%
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt	40 −283%	153 +283%

4K
Ultra Preset

Assassin's Creed Odyssey	24 −192%	70 +192%
Assassin's Creed Valhalla	18 −217%	57 +217%
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare	19 −168%	50−55 +168%
Cyberpunk 2077	11 −318%	46 +318%
Far Cry 5	18−20 −163%	50−55 +163%
Forza Horizon 4	54 −183%	153 +183%
Shadow of the Tomb Raider	44 −261%	159 +261%
Watch Dogs: Legion	12 −400%	60 +400%

4K
Epic Preset

Red Dead Redemption 2

−296%

111
+296%

This is how GTX 1660 Super and RTX 3090 compete in popular games:

RTX 3090 is 121% faster in 1080p
RTX 3090 is 143% faster in 1440p
RTX 3090 is 200% faster in 4K

Here's the range of performance differences observed across popular games:

in Horizon Zero Dawn, with 1080p resolution and the Medium Preset, the GTX 1660 Super is 27% faster.
in Watch Dogs: Legion, with 4K resolution and the Ultra Preset, the RTX 3090 is 400% faster.

All in all, in popular games:

GTX 1660 Super is ahead in 4 tests (6%)
RTX 3090 is ahead in 67 tests (93%)
there's a draw in 1 test (1%)

Pros & cons summary

Performance score	33.06	69.31
Recency	29 October 2019	1 September 2020
Maximum RAM amount	6 GB	24 GB
Chip lithography	12 nm	8 nm
Power consumption (TDP)	125 Watt	350 Watt

GTX 1660 Super has 180% lower power consumption.

RTX 3090, on the other hand, has a 109.6% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 10 months, a 300% higher maximum VRAM amount, and a 50% more advanced lithography process.

The GeForce RTX 3090 is our recommended choice as it beats the GeForce GTX 1660 Super in performance tests.

Should you still have questions concerning choice between the reviewed GPUs, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.