Best GTX 1160 (GTX 1660) GPUs for Budget Gaming
The Nvidia GTX 1160 never officially launched—Nvidia released the GTX 1660 lineup instead. Here is how to find the best 1660 models on the used market.
The Truth About the “GTX 1160” and Quick Picks
Nvidia never actually released a graphics card called the GTX 1160. The name was an early pre-launch rumor for what officially became the Turing-based GeForce GTX 1660 series (GTX 1660, 1660 Super, and 1660 Ti). If you are browsing used listings or old forum posts hunting for an 1160, you are looking for the 1660 family.
Today, these 6GB cards trade hands on eBay and Reddit’s r/hardwareswap for $65 to $95. They are strictly budget picks for running esports titles at 1080p or reviving older office desktops that have modest 400W power supplies. Let us clear up the confusion and look at the real-world cards worth your money.
- Best Overall Value: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1660 OC 6G (Dual-fan, decent factory overclock, runs cool)
- Best Performance: ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce GTX 1660 Super (Faster GDDR6 memory, trades blows with the Ti)
- Best for Compact Builds: EVGA GeForce GTX 1660 SC Ultra Gaming (Short dual-slot design, quiet heatsink)
- Best Modern Alternative (Buy New): AMD Radeon RX 6600 8GB (~$190, roughly 50% faster with 8GB VRAM)
Top Used GTX 1660 Cards Reviewed
Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1660 OC 6G — Best Overall Value
The Gigabyte GTX 1660 OC 6G is one of the most common variants on the second-hand market, which keeps its pricing firmly around $70. It features Gigabyte’s Windforce 2X cooling system with alternate spinning fans. The card pushes a modest 1830 MHz boost clock out of the box, giving it a tiny edge over base reference models.
It requires a single 8-pin PCIe power connector and draws roughly 120W under full load. The plastic backplate is mostly cosmetic, but the card runs under 68°C in standard gaming workloads. If you find one cleaned and repasted for under $75, it is an easy recommendation for an entry-level 1080p build.
ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce GTX 1660 Super — Best Performance-per-Dollar
If you have an extra $15 to spend on the used market, skip the base 1660 and grab a GTX 1660 Super like the ASUS TUF Gaming edition. The Super variant swaps out the sluggish 8 Gbps GDDR5 memory for 14 Gbps GDDR6, delivering a massive jump in memory bandwidth from 192 GB/s to 336 GB/s. That translates directly to an extra 10 to 15 frames per second in modern games.
The ASUS TUF dual-fan cooler is utilitarian and uses space-grade lubricant in its sleeve bearings. It is not the quietest card under heavy load, but it is built to survive years of dust buildup. For roughly $85 to $95 used, the 1660 Super remains the sweet spot of this architecture.
EVGA GeForce GTX 1660 SC Ultra Gaming — Best Compact Choice
EVGA is no longer manufacturing graphics cards, but their older inventory remains beloved on the used market for good reason. The GTX 1660 SC Ultra features a shorter 7.96-inch dual-fan PCB that fits inside cramped Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX cases where longer three-fan cards will not clear the drive cages.
Despite its shorter footprint, the card includes a real metal backplate and dual hydraulic dynamic bearing fans that keep noise levels low. Expect a factory boost clock of 1845 MHz. We would snap one up if your build space is restricted and you find an auction closing under $80.
GTX 1660 Series Comparison
Here is how the real Turing GTX lineup stacks up in terms of physical specifications and current realistic pricing on the used market:
| Model | CUDA Cores | Memory | Memory Bandwidth | TDP | Used Market Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GeForce GTX 1660 | 1408 | 6GB GDDR5 | 192 GB/s | 120W | $65 – $75 |
| GeForce GTX 1660 Super | 1408 | 6GB GDDR6 | 336 GB/s | 125W | $80 – $95 |
| GeForce GTX 1660 Ti | 1536 | 6GB GDDR6 | 288 GB/s | 120W | $85 – $100 |
| Radeon RX 6600 (Modern Alt) | 1792 | 8GB GDDR6 | 224 GB/s | 132W | $140 used / $190 new |
Real Gaming Performance: What to Expect
Let us dispel the claims that this tier of GPU handles 4K or 8K gaming. A GTX 1660 or 1660 Super is strictly a 1080p graphics card. In popular esports games like Counter-Strike 2, Valorant, Fortnite, and Apex Legends, you can expect a smooth 90 to 140 FPS at 1080p with competitive settings.
Demanding single-player titles released in recent years will push this hardware to its limit. Because the card only has 6GB of VRAM and lacks dedicated Tensor cores, it does not support Nvidia DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling). You can still rely on AMD FSR upscaling in supported games, but you will need to lower texture and shadow settings to medium or low to stay above 45 to 60 FPS in heavy titles.
Should You Buy One or Look Elsewhere?
The only reason to buy a GTX 1660-series GPU today is a strict sub-$100 budget. If you are refurbishing an older Dell OptiPlex or HP Pavilion to give to a younger sibling for casual gaming, spending $75 on a used GTX 1660 Super makes total sense. It runs on low power, runs cool, and handles light workloads easily.
However, if you have a budget of $180 to $200 for a brand-new component, do not buy old Turing cards. The AMD Radeon RX 6600 and Intel Arc A580 are significantly faster, pack 8GB of VRAM to prevent modern texture stutters, and come with fresh manufacturer warranties.
FAQ
Did Nvidia ever release a GTX 1160?
No. The name GTX 1160 was an internet rumor prior to the launch of the Turing generation in early 2019. Nvidia officially designated the mainstream non-ray-tracing cards as the GTX 1660, 1660 Super, and 1660 Ti.
Can a GTX 1660 run games at 1440p or 4K?
No, not with acceptable frame rates in modern titles. The card is designed for 1080p gaming. Attempting to run modern AAA titles at 1440p or 4K will quickly overwhelm the 6GB VRAM buffer and cause severe stuttering.
What power supply do I need for a GTX 1660?
A standard 450W power supply is plenty for any GTX 1660, 1660 Super, or 1660 Ti. Because these cards have a low 120W to 125W power draw, they only require a single 8-pin (or 6-pin on certain base models) PCIe power cable.