Hey guys! Today, we're diving deep into the MS305 GTX 1660 Super Ventus XS OC, a graphics card that packs a punch in a small form factor. If you're on the hunt for a GPU that delivers excellent 1080p gaming performance without breaking the bank, this might just be the card for you. We'll explore its key features, performance benchmarks, cooling capabilities, and overall value proposition. So, buckle up and let's get started!

Overview of the GTX 1660 Super Ventus XS OC

The GTX 1660 Super Ventus XS OC is a graphics card manufactured by MSI. It’s based on NVIDIA's Turing architecture, which means it brings some of the advancements of the RTX series (like improved power efficiency) without the ray tracing and DLSS capabilities. This particular model, the Ventus XS OC, is designed to be compact, making it suitable for smaller PC builds where space is a concern. The 'OC' in the name stands for 'Overclocked,' indicating that it comes with a factory overclock for slightly higher performance out of the box.

One of the main selling points of the GTX 1660 Super is its excellent performance-per-dollar. It sits in a sweet spot, offering a significant upgrade over older cards like the GTX 1060 while remaining more affordable than the RTX 2060 or newer RTX 3050. This makes it a popular choice for gamers who want a smooth 1080p gaming experience without spending a fortune.

The Ventus XS cooler is designed to keep the card running cool and quiet, even under load. It features a dual-fan design and a decent-sized heatsink. While it might not be the most elaborate cooler on the market, it's more than adequate for this card's thermal requirements. This ensures that the GPU can maintain its boost clock speeds without throttling, leading to consistent performance during gaming sessions.

In summary, the MSI GTX 1660 Super Ventus XS OC is a well-rounded graphics card that offers a great balance of performance, features, and affordability. Its compact size and efficient cooler make it a versatile option for a wide range of PC builds.

Key Features and Specifications

Let's break down the key features and specifications of the GTX 1660 Super Ventus XS OC to understand what makes it tick. This will give you a clearer picture of its capabilities and how it stacks up against other cards in its class.

• GPU Architecture: NVIDIA Turing
• CUDA Cores: 1408
• Base Clock: 1530 MHz
• Boost Clock: 1815 MHz (This is the factory overclocked speed)
• Memory: 6GB GDDR6
• Memory Speed: 14 Gbps
• Memory Interface: 192-bit
• Memory Bandwidth: 336 GB/s
• Power Consumption: 125W
• Outputs: DisplayPort 1.4 x1, HDMI 2.0b x1, DL-DVI-D x1
• Power Connector: 8-pin
• Dimensions: 204 x 128 x 42 mm
• Weight: 564g

The Turing architecture is a significant step up from NVIDIA's previous Pascal architecture. It brings improvements in performance and efficiency, allowing the GTX 1660 Super to deliver impressive frame rates in modern games. The 1408 CUDA cores handle the parallel processing tasks required for rendering graphics, and the factory overclock pushes the boost clock to 1815 MHz, providing a slight performance edge over the standard GTX 1660 Super.

The 6GB of GDDR6 memory is a crucial upgrade over the original GTX 1660, which used GDDR5. GDDR6 offers higher bandwidth, resulting in faster data transfer rates and improved overall performance. The 192-bit memory interface and 336 GB/s bandwidth ensure that the GPU has enough memory bandwidth to handle demanding games and applications.

The card's power consumption of 125W is relatively low, meaning it doesn't require a high-end power supply. An 8-pin power connector is all that's needed to provide sufficient power to the card. The display outputs are standard, with DisplayPort, HDMI, and DVI options available, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of monitors.

Finally, the compact dimensions of the Ventus XS OC make it suitable for smaller cases. This is particularly important for users building Mini-ITX or Micro-ATX systems where space is limited.

Performance Benchmarks

Alright, let’s get to the juicy part – performance benchmarks! Knowing the specs is one thing, but seeing how the GTX 1660 Super Ventus XS OC performs in real-world gaming scenarios is what really matters. We'll look at some common games and resolutions to give you a good idea of what to expect.

• 1080p Gaming:
  • Fortnite: At high settings, you can expect to see frame rates well above 100fps, often hovering around 120-140fps. This makes for a buttery-smooth gaming experience.
  • Overwatch: Similar to Fortnite, Overwatch runs exceptionally well at 1080p. Expect frame rates in the 130-150fps range on high settings.
  • Call of Duty: Modern Warfare/Warzone: This is a more demanding title, but the GTX 1660 Super still holds its own. You can expect around 80-100fps on medium to high settings.
  • Cyberpunk 2077: This notoriously demanding game can be playable at 1080p with adjusted settings. Expect around 40-50fps on medium settings. Lowering some settings can help you achieve a more consistent 60fps.
  • Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Another demanding title, expect around 50-60fps on medium settings. Adjusting settings will be key to getting a smoother experience.
• 1440p Gaming:
  • While the GTX 1660 Super is primarily a 1080p card, it can handle some games at 1440p with adjusted settings. Expect to lower settings to medium or low to achieve playable frame rates (around 40-60fps) in more demanding titles.
  • Games like Fortnite and Overwatch can still run at higher frame rates at 1440p, but more graphically intensive games will require some compromises.

Overall, the GTX 1660 Super Ventus XS OC is a fantastic 1080p gaming card. It can handle most modern games at high settings with frame rates that provide a smooth and enjoyable experience. While it can dabble in 1440p gaming, it's best suited for 1080p if you want to maximize image quality and frame rates.

Cooling and Noise

Cooling and noise are crucial factors to consider when choosing a graphics card. A well-cooled card will maintain its performance under load, while a quiet card won't distract you during gaming sessions. Let’s see how the GTX 1660 Super Ventus XS OC performs in these areas.

The Ventus XS cooler features a dual-fan design with a relatively dense aluminum heatsink. This cooler is designed to provide adequate cooling for the GTX 1660 Super without being overly bulky.

• Temperature:
  • Under typical gaming loads, the GTX 1660 Super Ventus XS OC generally stays in the 65-75°C range. This is a perfectly acceptable temperature range and indicates that the cooler is doing its job effectively. During less demanding tasks, the temperature will be even lower.
  • Stress tests, which push the card to its absolute limit, might see temperatures reaching the low 80s, but this is still within safe operating limits.
• Noise:
  • The Ventus XS cooler is generally quiet. At idle, the fans might even stop spinning completely, resulting in silent operation. Under load, the fans will spin up, but they remain relatively quiet compared to some other coolers. You might hear a slight whirring sound, but it's unlikely to be distracting.

The compact size of the Ventus XS cooler does mean that it might not be quite as effective as some larger, more elaborate coolers. However, it's more than adequate for the GTX 1660 Super, which is a relatively efficient card. The cooler strikes a good balance between cooling performance and noise levels, making it a solid choice for gamers who value both.

Overclocking Potential

For those of you who like to tinker and squeeze every last drop of performance out of your hardware, overclocking is an option with the GTX 1660 Super Ventus XS OC. While the card comes with a factory overclock, there's still some headroom for further tweaking.

• Overclocking Tools:
  • MSI Afterburner is a popular and easy-to-use tool for overclocking graphics cards. It allows you to adjust the core clock, memory clock, voltage, and fan speed.
• Overclocking Results:
  • With some careful tweaking, you can typically achieve a stable overclock of around +100-150 MHz on the core clock and +500-700 MHz on the memory clock. The exact numbers will vary depending on your specific card and system.
  • This overclock can result in a noticeable performance increase, especially in demanding games. You might see a few extra frames per second, which can make the difference between a smooth and a slightly choppy gaming experience.
• Considerations:
  • When overclocking, it's important to monitor temperatures closely. Make sure the card isn't getting too hot, as this can lead to instability and potentially damage the card. Gradually increase the clock speeds and test for stability along the way.
  • Overclocking will increase power consumption and heat output, so make sure your power supply and cooling system are up to the task.

Keep in mind that overclocking is never guaranteed, and results can vary. However, the GTX 1660 Super Ventus XS OC generally offers decent overclocking potential, allowing you to push its performance even further.

Value and Alternatives

So, is the GTX 1660 Super Ventus XS OC a good value? And what are some alternatives to consider? Let's break it down.

• Value:
  • The GTX 1660 Super, in general, offers excellent performance for the price. It's a great option for gamers on a budget who want a smooth 1080p gaming experience. The Ventus XS OC model adds a bit of extra value with its factory overclock and compact size.
• Alternatives:
  • RTX 3050: The RTX 3050 is a newer card that offers similar or slightly better performance than the GTX 1660 Super. It also includes support for ray tracing and DLSS, which can enhance visual quality and performance in supported games. However, it's typically more expensive than the GTX 1660 Super.
  • AMD Radeon RX 6600: The RX 6600 is another alternative that offers competitive performance to the RTX 3050 and GTX 1660 Super. It's worth considering if you're open to AMD cards.
  • Used GPUs: The used market can be a good place to find deals on older high-end cards. However, be careful when buying used GPUs, as they may have been used for mining or overclocked heavily, which can reduce their lifespan.

Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on your budget, gaming needs, and preferences. If you're looking for a budget-friendly card that delivers excellent 1080p performance, the GTX 1660 Super Ventus XS OC is still a solid option. However, if you're willing to spend a bit more, the RTX 3050 or RX 6600 might be worth considering for their additional features and slightly better performance.

Conclusion

The MS305 GTX 1660 Super Ventus XS OC remains a compelling choice for gamers looking for a reliable and affordable 1080p gaming experience. Its compact size, efficient cooling, and factory overclock make it a versatile option for a wide range of PC builds. While newer cards like the RTX 3050 offer additional features and slightly better performance, the GTX 1660 Super still holds its own, especially considering its lower price point.

If you're building a budget-friendly gaming PC and want a card that can handle most modern games at high settings, the GTX 1660 Super Ventus XS OC is definitely worth considering. Just be sure to weigh it against the alternatives and choose the card that best fits your needs and budget. Happy gaming, everyone!