Since we still got the ASUS TUF Gaming GTX 1660 Super OC 6GB from a recently published build guide, we’ve decided to do a full review to check out the capabilities of the graphics card.
For the uninitiated, the TUF Gaming GTX 1660 Super OC is a graphics card featuring the aging TU116 GPU. This is essentially 20% faster compared to the non-super variant and is believed by many as a proper replacement for the GTX 1060’s slot within the $300 USD range. Now while the MSRP is set at $229 USD, the pandemic and the silicon shortage effectively skyrockets the price point at around $400 USD. This puts the card at a better spot over the GTX 1650 and the RTX 2060 – cards that already creeped outside their designated price ranges.
Disclosure: ASUS Philippines sent this unit as a return sample for the purpose of this review. The company did not ask me to say anything particular about it. All thoughts and opinion are of course my own.
- Product Page: TUF-GTX1660S-O6G-GAMING
- Price: $239 (MSRP)
- Release Date: Q4 2019
Technical Specifications
| GPU | |
|---|---|
| Model | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Super |
| Cores | 1408 Cuda |
| Core Clock | 1530-1845MHz |
| Architecture | Turing |
| Manufacturing Process | 12nm |
| TDP | 125W |
| Memory | |
| Memory Clock | 1750MHz |
| Memory Bus Width | 192-bit |
| Memory Capacity | 6GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 |
| Connectivity | |
| Display | DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 2.0b, DVI-D |
| Power | 8-pin |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 206mm |
| Width | 124mm |
| Height | 46mm |
| Weight | — |
Packaging and Accessories
Since this card comes with a test system provided by ASUS, we don’t have the color box and bundled accessories to scrutinize. Regardless, here’s what should expect inside the box:
- ASUS TUF Gaming GTX 1660 Super OC 6GB
- Quick setup guide
- Support guide
Design, Layout and Build Quality
For a GTX 1660 Super with dual fans, the TUF Gaming model is dinky in comparison to other cards with a similar cooling design. It’s almost Mini-ITX size in length (+36mm), which mean it could fit to most SFF cases without much fuss. This is mainly due to the dual 80mm fans and a more conventional copper to heatsink configuration.
The back of the card’s PCB is protected by a plastic plate. Nothing exciting to see here but we appreciated ASUS’ effort by including a simple backplate. Remember guys, this is a budget oriented offering before the silicon apocalypse of 2020 sets in.
The GTX 1660 Super comes with a TDP of 125W so it’s pretty relaxed when it comes to power requirements – thus the inclusion of a single 8-pin power connector.
Connectivity is decent. We have a single DVI-D here along with an HDMI and a DisplayPort. Perforations are also present on this side of the card to aid the cooling solution.
The ASUS TUF Gaming GTX 1660 Super OC seems to be a fine looking card. I heard it’s also factory tested with a 144 hour validation program to boot. That’s certainly a plus when it comes to build quality.
Test Setup and Methodology
Our test setup relies on the measurements taken from CapFrameX and OCCT. It is important to note that we are testing the review sample after burn-in, with at least 24-hours of uptime. This is done so to negate the FOTB (fresh out the box) state of the DUT (device under test), yielding better benchmarking consistency.
| Test System Specifications | |
|---|---|
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 5 3600 |
| Motherboard | BIOSTAR B550M-SILVER |
| Cooler | Noctua NH-U12S Redux |
| Memory | ADATA Premier 2666MHz 16GB |
| GPU | ASUS TUF Gaming GTX 1660 Super OC 6GB |
| Storage | Plextor M9PE NVME 512GB |
| Case | Mechanical Library JXK-K3 |
| PSU | Thermaltake Toughpower GF1 650W |
| Display | LG UF680T |
| OS | Microsoft Windows 10 Pro 64-bit |
Selected game titles are tested at the standard resolutions using the High Preset. The following custom settings are then applied to ensure ensure a more level playing field between GPU manufacturers:
- Render Scale: 100%
- V-Sync: Off
- Anti-Aliasing: FXAA>TAA>Off
- Nvidia Exclusive Features: Off
- AMD Exclusive Features: Off
Note: The ASUS TUF Gaming GTX 1660 Super OC has been tested with the OC Mode via the GPU Tweak III for this review. I also kinda forgot that CapFrameX wont show the average FPS using the line chart option so we’ll just have to enjoy the framerates at the duration of each benchmark runs.
Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege
Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege is a multi-player first-person shooter developed by Ubisoft Montreal. It runs on the AnvilNext 2.0 engine, utilizing the DirectX 11 and the Vulkan API.
Rainbow Six is an optimized title, able to scale up well with graphics cards at various price points. Here, the GTX 1660 Super fared well at all resolutions tested.
Metro Exodus
Metro Exodus is a single-player first-person shooter developed by 4A Games. It runs on the 4A Engine engine, utilizing the DirectX 11 and DirectX 12 API.
Now Metro Exodus isn’t as forgiving as R6 Siege but we still get good framerates at 1080P. With 1440P and higher, the card struggles to breach 60FPS though.
Assetto Corsa
Assetto Corsa is a multi-player simulation racing game developed by Kunos Simulazioni. It runs on an in-house game engine, utilizing the DirectX 11 API.
For Assetto Corsa, the TUF Gaming GTX 1660 Super OC breached our target framerates at the resolutions tested.
F1 2020
F1 2020 is a multi-player racing game developed by Codemasters. It runs on the Ego Engine 3.0, utilizing the DirectX 11 and DirectX 12 API.
F1 2020 is yet another optimized title but our card struggles here at 2160P. Granted it’s not a model made for 4K gaming.
Shadow of the Tomb Raider
Shadow of the Tomb Raider is a single-player adventure developed by Eidos-Montréal. It runs on the Foundation engine, utilizing the DirectX 11 and DirectX 12 API.
At Shadow of the Tomb Raider, the TUF Gaming GTX 1660 Super OC showed playable (60+ FPS) framerates at 1080P. It’s a bit of a struggle at 1440P but it’s doable.
Horizon Zero Dawn
Horizon Zero Dawn is an single-player adventure developed by Guerrilla Games. It runs on the Decima engine, utilizing the DirectX 12 API.
Horizon Zero Dawn showed peculiar results. At 1080P for example, the card struggles to output smooth framerates – as if it’s deliberately dipping it every 5 seconds. This is not stutter though an is completely dismissible while gaming.
Total War: Warhammer II
Total War: Warhammer II is a strategy game developed by Creative Assembly. It runs one the WarScape engine, utilizing the DirectX 11 and DirectX 12 API.
Warhammer II outputs decent framerates with our card at 1080P. It’s a struggle to run at higher resolution though.
The Riftbreaker
The Riftbreaker is a strategy game developed by Exor Studios. It runs on an in-house game engine, utilizing the DirectX 12 API.
The Riftbreaker remains as a pretty resource intensive title though it isn’t a 100% struggle at full HD.
Thermals
Temperature is measured in degree Celcius (ºC) at system idle and load. This is done via OCCT and its built-in 3D Stress Test. Readings are then taken from the GPU Temperature sensor.
Temperature output is pretty decent. We got a 39.25ºC idle temperature, while we get a maximum of 74.13ºC at 100% GPU load.
Power
Total GPU power consumption is measured in Watts (W) at system idle and load. This is done via OCCT and its built-in 3D Stress Test. Readings are then taken from the GPU Power sensor.
Now efficiency is excellent – well within the TDP with a maximum of 124.52W consumption. At idle, the card itself consumes roughly around 19.76W of power.
Noise
Noise level is measured in Decibels, A-Weighting (dB, A) at system idle and load. This is done via OCCT and its built-in 3D Stress Test. Readings are then taken using the UMIK-1 via REW.
The dual fan doesn’t support 0dB function as it hovers around 1039RPM at desktop idle. At that speed, we get a 40.9dB(A) reading. Load is about 46.2dB(A) on the scale though which is really audible but not on a concerning level. This is irritatingly loud on start up though, reaching 68.9dBA where its anti-dust build-up feature works.
Software, Lighting and Special Features
The TUF Gaming GTX 1660 Super OC comes with full support for the new ASUS GPU Tweak III software. You get three presets here to choose from but I highly suggest running the card at OC Mode.
The software comes with many features. That includes OSD support, a built-in monitoring tool and GPU-Z – which is a monitoring tool itself. Of course, you could tinker with the card’s power target here, voltage, clock speeds and even fan speed.
Final Thoughts
The ASUS TUF Gaming GTX 1660 Super OC is a neat dual fan card. It is fully capable at 1080P at most of the titles tested and could also play some at higher resolutions over 60FPS. Granted, you have to dial down some settings to get the most frames out at 1440P for example.
Power wise, this is one efficient card, able to just reach 125W at full load. Temperature output is not bad either, even with dual 80mm fans. It’s such a shame we couldn’t get a more ideal noise level though due to their nature. A dual 90mm fan will better suit this model for those who are looking for a more silent option.
I like the GTX 1660 Super a lot. I have zero complaints with this particular model either, featuring everything I like about the TU116. That’s even with the boosted price point in relation to the pandemic and the silicon shortage. This is just one of the best cards you could get under $400 USD considering the current state of the market.
That said, if you could find this particular GTX 1660 Super model at its designated price point, grab it already. You wont be disappointed with its efficiency and note worthy full HD gaming performance.
ASUS TUF Gaming GTX 1660 Super OC 6GB
-
Performance - 8/10
8/10
-
Build Quality - 8/10
8/10
-
Connectivity - 8/10
8/10
-
Ergonomics - 9/10
9/10
-
Features - 9/10
9/10
Summary
The ASUS TUF Gaming GTX 1660 Super OC 6GB is a good dual fan graphics card model with the venerable TU116 GPU inside. Still capable this side of the year for 1080P gaming.
