Turning a computer into a full-fledged gaming machine that meets high graphics requirements starts with a video card. This is the main component of the system, responsible for the quality of the display of the "picture" and in general for the recreation of the game process. At the moment, the market offers many options of very decent video cards that can “pull” games implemented in modern 3D-graphics. In this row is the GeForce 660 GTX, in which the developers sought to use the previous potential of the video card segment, as well as introduce a number of fundamentally new ideas that improve the computer's graphics performance. With this model, a new line of video cards based on the GK106 processor begins. This factor has become decisive for the operational performance of the device, which, however, cause mixed judgments among cardholders.
Video Card Overview
NVIDIA's reference GTX 660 is the first Kepler GK106-based product. Although the production of the device is carried out according to the 28-nm process technology, if we compare the graphics processor with the flagship GPU GTX 650, serious limitations will be found. The device loses to its older brother in that when developing the version of the GTX 650, one graphic cluster and two SMX departments were used. As a result, it provides 384 stream processors. Nevertheless, the GeForce 660 GTX uses a good frequency potential in terms of performance - the memory resource provides operation at 1502 MHz. Also, the performance of this model can be judged by the thermal potential of 64 watts. Based on the first acquaintance with the characteristics of the video card, we can assume that it is more suitable for the needs of the user with average requests, but, it is not so simple.
Compared with previous generations and the same representatives of the GTX family, the model received a number of significant changes in terms of heat transfer, functional interaction between the elements, as well as in the configuration of the chips. However, these changes were not enough to put the device on a par with advanced versions of GPUs.
Specifications
Before proceeding to a full review of the technical data of the video card, it should be noted that they can seriously differ depending on the manufacturer. If before it was thought that the basic version of the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 would serve as the basis for other manufacturers, today you can see the differences not only in the design performance of the GPU, but also in terms of technical capabilities. One way or another, in its original form, the device has the following data:
- GPU - GK106 platform.
- The number of transistors is about 2.5 billion.
- The manufacturing process is 28 nm.
- The memory frequency is 1.5 GHz.
- The clock frequency is 1 GHz.
- The type of memory is GDDR5.
- The bus width is 192 bits.
- The amount of memory is 2 GB.
- DirectX - introduced by version 11.
- Raster conveyors - 24.
- Texture blocks - 80.
It is also worth keeping in mind that there is an earlier version of this device - this is a modification of the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 TI, which is distinguished by a large number of texture units and stream processors, but it loses in pixel filling speed. But, much more differences still apply to the versions of the card that ZOTAC, ASUS, and others were involved in creating.
Platform features
Almost all representatives of the GTX 600 line were developed on the platform of the top processor GK104. Among them are the same single-processor NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 TI card , as well as a version for OEMs. Actually, the latest devices based on the GK104 have already been created with less enthusiasm. Moreover, the company put rejected crystals on them, which affected the quality of computing processes.
Together with the revision of the GTX 660 line, it was decided to lay the foundation for the use of the new processor - GK106. Thus, the GeForce GTX 660 graphics card , intended for retail sales, was already based on the GK106 platform. What is interesting about the new processor circuit?
First of all, by its symmetry. In this architecture, one graphic cluster contains not two, but only one multiprocessor. As a result, significant losses are observed in the volume of computing units - in any case, when compared with the GeForce GTX 660 TI and version 650. At the same time, oddly enough, the memory capacity, cache parameters and clock speed are approximately the same in both models.
Place in the line of GeForce
NVIDIA is positioning the video card as a replacement for the models that are currently successful with the consumer due to the ratio of performance and price. This, by the way, the graphics processors GTX 460 and 9800 GT, well known to gamers. At the same time, the GeForce 660 GTX will surpass version 460 in performance by almost 2 times. If we compare with the 9800 GT, we can see a good increase in FPS - more than 4 times. In addition, DirectX 11 support contributes to the optimization of graphics processes.
Improved performance compared to the GTX 560 is not so obvious. This is largely due to the fact that the 560 card itself turned out to be successful, and will continue to delight its users for a long time to come. Nevertheless, in terms of dry technical indicators, the GeForce GTX 660 2Gb exceeds it by 10 W in the heat sink potential. By the way, in the AMD Radeon family, the closest rival to the power consumption model with similar performance is the HD 7850 series.
ZOTAC Version
ZOTAC developers offer an overclocked version of the card, as well as a version close to the author’s standard. However, even in the main specification of the model, the manufacturer could not resist and allocated it with a frequency of 993 MHz instead of the standard 980 MHz. By the way, the outwardly basic version of the GeForce 660 GTX from ZOTAC resembles the NVIDIA graphics card in the TI version. True, to distinguish it is not difficult if you pay attention to an open cooling system equipped with two fans.
In addition, the creators provided the card with a small plate for heat removal from the memory chips. On the back side of the board, the microcircuits do without a radiator system, and one of the chips is only half closed by the plate. There is a difference in the approach to the design of radiators for the power system. So, compared to the GeForce GTX 660 TI, they are not located near the stub, but at the very end of the board. This is a more common place for radiators, in the end, such a configuration of the arrangement provides a similar effect.
Model by Palit
The range of Taiwanese manufacturer Palit includes two modifications of graphics cards based on NVIDIA technology. However, different variations of the Palit GeForce GTX 660 have a little difference. The main version is cheaper and made in a classic design. At the same time, the cooling systems and the printed circuit board have much in common with the overclocked modification. Otherwise, the frequencies and parameters of the operating modes correspond to the NVIDIA recommendations for the cards of this series.
For gamers, it is obvious that the overclocked version of the Palit GeForce GTX 660 video accelerator with the "OS" prefix is of most interest. Whether it makes sense to acquire a modified model can be judged by the results of the work of the company's engineers. So, if in the standard the frequency of the video accelerator is 980 MHz and in the “Boost” format it is increased to 1033 MHz, then Palit specialists overclocked the core of the GeForce card to 2600 MHz and 3900 MHz, respectively, for the basic and dynamic modes of operation.
ASUS version
ASUS has four versions of video accelerators, which are developments on the GTX 660 platform. The most productive version was the ASUS GeForce GTX 660 with the eloquent game console. In this modification, the GPU frequency was significantly increased and the video memory was slightly overclocked. Users who are familiar with the development of this company usually do the following: they purchase the initial version of the video card, which is cheaper and has the parameters recommended by NVIDIA, and then performs independent overclocking.
The main question is, is it possible to achieve the values that are offered in the overclocked version of the ASUS GeForce GTX 660 without special help? Of course, a certain breakthrough will be achieved manually, however, the element base still remains inaccessible for user refinement, therefore, it will not work to get closer to the “top-end” modifications of this card from ASUS.
Price issue
Video card manufacturers have been dividing the segment into two main categories for several years. The first includes high-performance gaming machines, the cost of which exceeds 15 thousand rubles. The second category, respectively, includes all other products, but also has its own small segments, one of which includes the GeForce GTX 660. The price of this card varies from 8 to 12 thousand. The exact cost depends on the brand that released the model, characteristics, as well as specifications .
Positive reviews on the video card
All the consonant reviews about this video card can be divided into those related to its technical characteristics, and opinions regarding aesthetic merits. So, in terms of functionality and performance, gamers note that the card is quite average, but still, taking into account the price, it justifies itself. There are also a lot of positive assessments regarding the build quality of the GeForce GTX 660. The price, of course, is not budgetary, but for the same 8-10 thousand it is quite possible to run into a productive device, which is prone to breakdowns. The GTX 660, in turn, will not deliver such disappointments. If we move on to the aesthetic and practical nuances of the operation of the card, then many users praise its noiselessness, compactness and the absence of overheating.
Video card negative reviews
The main drawback is considered to be the transition to a new platform, because of which the video card has lost in computing potential. This is reflected in many graphic processes, including the manifestation of anti-aliasing in games. The memory of the GeForce 660 GTX on 2G does not save the situation, although, as experienced gamers note, even with such data, some models demonstrate much greater performance.
Interestingly, there are conflicting estimates regarding the cost of this model. At the time of its appearance, even 8 thousand seemed unreasonably high payment for video cards with such capabilities.
Conclusion
The trend of increasing the productivity of hardware stuffing is forcing manufacturers to increase the power of GPUs in all available ways. The developers of NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 chose to solve this problem is not the most successful, but promising option. They used a new architecture, which ultimately reduced the efficiency of the device. In a sense, this step can be called a test. For those who have become owners of this card, of course, this state of affairs is not comforting. The user receives a completely high-quality, well-assembled and technically thought-out video card from a renowned brand, but, unfortunately, with reduced performance.