EVGA GTX 1660 XC解封箱，價格合理的預算款顯卡
Table of Contents
- 📦 Unboxing the EVGA 1660
- 💻 The Size Matters: ZOTAC 1660 Ti vs. EVGA 1660
- ⚡️ Power Connector and Cooling Design
- 🌈 No Fancy LEDs: A Simple Look
- 💡 The Release of the NVIDIA 16 Series
- 💰 Overpriced RTX Cards and the Delayed Release
- 🔄 Refreshing the GTX 1060: A Proper Way to Deal with Overstock
- 🤔 Confusion Among Consumers: The Difference Between GTX and RTX
- 💲 Reason Number One: The Affordable Price
- 🎮 Reason Number Two: Optimized GDDR5 Memory
- 💡 Reason Number Three: Turing Minor and Turing Major
- 🌟 Reason Number Four: Ray Tracing on Non-RTX Hardware
- 🖥️ Reason Number Five: The Reliability of NVIDIA Drivers
- 🛒 Should You Upgrade to the GTX 1660
- ➡️ Conclusion
📦 Unboxing the EVGA 1660
Today, we will be unboxing the mid-tier budget graphics card from NVIDIA, the EVGA 1660. In this article, we will provide you with five reasons to either buy or not buy this graphics card, especially if you're on the red team.
💻 The Size Matters: ZOTAC 1660 Ti vs. EVGA 1660
Let's start by discussing the physical appearance of the EVGA 1660. The first thing that caught our attention is its size, and as they say, size matters. When compared to the ZOTAC 1660 Ti, the EVGA 1660 is slightly smaller but packs a punch in terms of performance. With an 8-Pin power connector and a dual-fan design with three heat pipes, this card ensures optimized heat dissipation while keeping a compact profile. It offers a display port, HDMI port, and a DVI port. Surprisingly, there are no fancy LEDs on this card. If you're a fan of minimalistic designs, this might be a positive aspect for you.
⚡️ Power Connector and Cooling Design
The EVGA 1660 features an 8-pin power connector, solidifying its power capacity. The dual-fan design and three efficient heat pipes ensure that the card remains cool even during intense gaming Sessions. The optimized heat dissipation allows for better performance and prevents any potential overheating issues. However, it's worth noting that the card is longer rather than taller, which might be a consideration when fitting it into smaller cases. Overall, the power connector and cooling design of the EVGA 1660 contribute to its reliability and performance.
🌈 No Fancy LEDs: A Simple Look
Some gamers prefer flashy RGB LEDs on their graphics cards, but the EVGA 1660 takes a different approach. This card opts for a more subtle and minimalist aesthetic without any fancy LEDs. While some might argue that this is a drawback, others appreciate the simplicity and focus on performance rather than aesthetics. The absence of LEDs also means there are no distractions during gaming sessions, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the gameplay.
💡 The Release of the NVIDIA 16 Series
NVIDIA surprised the gaming community with the release of the 16 series, as there were rumors only about non-RTX cards hitting the market. The decision to introduce this new lineup, based on Turing architecture, gave consumers more options at different price points. The 16 series aimed to cater to gamers who didn't necessarily need ray tracing or other premium features but still wanted solid performance and value for their money.
💰 Overpriced RTX Cards and the Delayed Release
The release of the 16 series was also influenced by market factors. NVIDIA had a large inventory of chips from the previous generation, which led to an influx of GTX 1060 variants in the market. Dropping the prices on more expensive cards would have directly competed with their own upcoming RTX cards, resulting in potential losses. Therefore, refreshing the best-selling GTX 1060 was a strategic move to clear excess inventory and transition from the Pascal architecture to Turing.
🔄 Refreshing the GTX 1060: A Proper Way to Deal with Overstock
To effectively deal with their overstock issue, NVIDIA decided to refresh the GTX 1060, a well-received and profitable graphics card. By rebranding the GTX 1060, NVIDIA managed to address the excess inventory while keeping the sales Momentum going. This move allowed them to leave behind the associated mess of the Pascal architecture and move forward with the improved Turing architecture.
🤔 Confusion Among Consumers: The Difference Between GTX and RTX
One of the challenges NVIDIA faced with the release of the 16 series was consumer confusion regarding the difference between GTX and RTX cards. The RTX series, featuring real-time ray tracing and DLSS technology, came with a higher price tag. This left many consumers questioning why they would need to pay extra for features that were not yet widely adopted in games. The confusion around these technologies, including ray tracing and global illumination, made it difficult for consumers to see the immediate benefits of RTX cards.
💲 Reason Number One: The Affordable Price
One of the most significant advantages of the EVGA 1660 is its price. With its affordable price point, this graphics card offers excellent value for gamers on a budget. The EVGA 1660 delivers impressive performance while remaining competitive in terms of FPS per dollar. It excels in 1080p gaming, making it the perfect choice for budget-oriented gamers.
🎮 Reason Number Two: Optimized GDDR5 Memory
The EVGA 1660 utilizes GDDR5 memory, which has tighter memory timings compared to other memory technologies like GDDR6, GDDR5X, or HBM. Although newer games and applications are optimized for the latest memory technologies, there are still many applications that can benefit from the optimized memory timings of GDDR5. In our testing, we found that the GTX 1070 TI with GDDR5 performed better than the GTX 1080 with GDDR5X, showcasing that memory bandwidth is not the sole determinant of performance.
💡 Reason Number Three: Turing Minor and Turing Major
The EVGA 1660 is based on the Turing architecture, which is known for its advancements in graphics processing. However, the 16 series cards are considered "Turing minor" as they have disabled certain features compared to their RTX counterparts. One notable feature that remains in the 16 series is the adaptive shadowing technology, which optimizes the GPU's power allocation to prioritize rendering visible objects while reducing pixel quality in less noticeable areas, such as shadows. While this technology has had limited integration in games so far, it provides a promising glimpse into future rendering advancements.
🌟 Reason Number Four: Ray Tracing on Non-RTX Hardware
In April, NVIDIA plans to release new drivers that will enable ray tracing on both the 10 series and 16 series cards. This means that even if you don't own an RTX card, you will still be able to experience some level of ray tracing in supported games. While the ray tracing capabilities may not be as advanced as those found in RTX cards, this opens up possibilities for non-RTX card owners to enjoy improved visual effects and lighting in compatible games.
🖥️ Reason Number Five: The Reliability of NVIDIA Drivers
NVIDIA has a strong reputation for providing reliable and stable drivers for their graphics cards. When it comes to gaming, having drivers that recover well during gameplay or high-performance benchmarking is crucial. NVIDIA's drivers have shown great resilience, even when pushed to their limits through overclocking. In comparison to other graphics card brands, such as AMD, NVIDIA's driver stability sets them apart and ensures a smoother gaming experience.
🛒 Should You Upgrade to the GTX 1660?
If you haven't upgraded your budget build in a few years, the GTX 1660 is definitely worth considering. It offers a balance between affordability and performance, making it a suitable choice for budget-conscious gamers. However, if you already own a powerful graphics card from the 10 series or higher, the performance gains might not be significant enough to warrant an upgrade. Ultimately, the decision to upgrade depends on your specific needs and requirements.
➡️ Conclusion
In conclusion, the EVGA 1660 offers excellent value for its affordable price. Its compact size, optimized GDDR5 memory, Turing architecture, and upcoming ray tracing support make it a compelling option for budget gamers. Furthermore, NVIDIA's reliable drivers ensure a stable and enjoyable gaming experience. While the RTX cards have their unique features, the GTX 1660 provides a cost-effective solution for those who prioritize price-performance ratio.
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