The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 is a popular mid-range graphics card that has been a favorite among gamers and graphics enthusiasts since its release in 2019. With its impressive performance and affordable price point, it’s no wonder that many people are still using this card to power their gaming rigs and graphics workstations. However, as technology continues to evolve, it’s natural to wonder whether the GTX 1660 can keep up with the latest advancements in graphics rendering. One of the key questions on many people’s minds is: does the GTX 1660 support DX12?
What is DX12, and Why is it Important?
Before we dive into the specifics of the GTX 1660’s DX12 support, let’s take a step back and explore what DX12 is and why it matters. DX12, also known as DirectX 12, is a set of application programming interfaces (APIs) developed by Microsoft that allows developers to create games and graphics applications that can take full advantage of modern graphics hardware. DX12 is designed to provide a more efficient and flexible way of rendering graphics, allowing for better performance, lower power consumption, and more detailed graphics.
DX12 is important because it provides a number of key benefits over its predecessor, DX11. These benefits include:
- Improved performance: DX12 is designed to provide better performance and faster frame rates, making it ideal for demanding games and graphics applications.
- Lower power consumption: DX12 is designed to be more power-efficient, which means that it can help to reduce the power consumption of graphics cards and other hardware.
- More detailed graphics: DX12 provides a number of new features and techniques that allow developers to create more detailed and realistic graphics, including advanced lighting effects, physics simulations, and more.
Does the GTX 1660 Support DX12?
Now that we’ve explored what DX12 is and why it’s important, let’s get to the question at hand: does the GTX 1660 support DX12? The answer is a resounding yes. The GTX 1660 is a DX12-compatible graphics card, which means that it can take full advantage of the features and benefits of DX12.
In fact, the GTX 1660 is based on NVIDIA’s Turing architecture, which is designed to provide full support for DX12. The Turing architecture includes a number of key features that are designed to improve performance and efficiency in DX12 applications, including:
- Variable Rate Shading (VRS): VRS is a technique that allows the graphics card to adjust the shading rate on a per-pixel basis, which can help to improve performance and reduce power consumption.
- Multiframe Sampled Anti-Aliasing (MFAA): MFAA is a technique that allows the graphics card to improve the quality of anti-aliasing, which can help to reduce the appearance of jagged edges and other artifacts.
- Asynchronous Compute: Asynchronous compute is a technique that allows the graphics card to perform compute tasks in parallel with graphics rendering, which can help to improve performance and reduce power consumption.
DX12 Performance on the GTX 1660
So, how does the GTX 1660 perform in DX12 applications? The answer is: very well. The GTX 1660 is capable of delivering fast and smooth performance in a wide range of DX12 games and applications, including popular titles like Fortnite, PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, and Assassin’s Creed Odyssey.
In fact, the GTX 1660 is capable of delivering performance that is comparable to more expensive graphics cards, including the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 and the AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT. This makes it an excellent choice for anyone who wants to play the latest games at high frame rates and resolutions.
Benchmark Results
To give you a better idea of the GTX 1660’s DX12 performance, here are some benchmark results from a few popular DX12 games:
| Game | Resolution | Frame Rate |
| — | — | — |
| Fortnite | 1080p | 120 FPS |
| PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds | 1080p | 100 FPS |
| Assassin’s Creed Odyssey | 1080p | 80 FPS |
As you can see, the GTX 1660 is capable of delivering fast and smooth performance in a wide range of DX12 games and applications.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 is a powerful and capable graphics card that is fully compatible with DX12. With its impressive performance, affordable price point, and advanced features like VRS, MFAA, and asynchronous compute, it’s an excellent choice for anyone who wants to play the latest games at high frame rates and resolutions. Whether you’re a gamer, a graphics enthusiast, or just someone who wants to stay up-to-date with the latest technology, the GTX 1660 is definitely worth considering.
Final Thoughts
Before we wrap up, here are a few final thoughts to keep in mind:
- DX12 is the future of graphics rendering: With its improved performance, lower power consumption, and more detailed graphics, DX12 is the future of graphics rendering. If you want to stay up-to-date with the latest technology, you’ll need a graphics card that supports DX12.
- The GTX 1660 is a great value: With its impressive performance, affordable price point, and advanced features, the GTX 1660 is a great value for anyone who wants to play the latest games at high frame rates and resolutions.
- Keep an eye on driver updates: To get the most out of your GTX 1660, make sure to keep an eye on driver updates from NVIDIA. New drivers can often improve performance, fix bugs, and add new features, so it’s worth checking for updates regularly.
We hope this article has been helpful in answering your questions about the GTX 1660 and its DX12 support. If you have any more questions or need further clarification, feel free to ask!
What is the GTX 1660 and what are its key features?
The GTX 1660 is a popular mid-range graphics card from NVIDIA, released in 2019. It is based on the TU116 architecture and features 1408 CUDA cores, 6 GB of GDDR6 memory, and a 128-bit memory bus. The GTX 1660 is designed to provide smooth performance for 1080p and 1440p gaming, as well as support for popular technologies like ray tracing and artificial intelligence.
In terms of performance, the GTX 1660 is positioned between the GTX 1650 and GTX 1660 Ti, offering a balance between price and performance. It is also relatively power-efficient, with a TDP of 125W, making it suitable for use in a wide range of systems.
What is DX12 and how does it relate to the GTX 1660?
DX12, or DirectX 12, is a low-level graphics API developed by Microsoft. It is designed to provide a more efficient and flexible way for developers to create games and other graphics-intensive applications. DX12 allows for better multi-threading, reduced CPU overhead, and improved performance on multi-core processors.
The GTX 1660 supports DX12, which means it can take advantage of the API’s features to provide improved performance and efficiency in DX12-enabled games and applications. This is good news for gamers and content creators who want to get the most out of their hardware.
How does the GTX 1660 perform in DX12 games?
The GTX 1660 performs well in DX12 games, thanks to its support for the API and its relatively powerful hardware. In many cases, the GTX 1660 can deliver smooth frame rates and high levels of detail, making it a great option for 1080p and 1440p gaming.
However, the performance of the GTX 1660 in DX12 games can vary depending on the specific title and the system configuration. In general, the GTX 1660 is best suited for games that are optimized for DX12 and that do not require extremely high levels of graphics fidelity.
Can the GTX 1660 handle 4K resolution with DX12?
The GTX 1660 is not well-suited for 4K resolution with DX12, as it does not have enough VRAM or processing power to handle the demands of 4K gaming. While it may be possible to play some DX12 games at 4K with reduced graphics settings, the GTX 1660 is generally best suited for 1080p and 1440p gaming.
That being said, the GTX 1660 can still provide good performance at 4K with reduced graphics settings or with the help of technologies like NVIDIA’s DLSS (deep learning super sampling). However, for smooth 4K gaming, a more powerful graphics card is generally recommended.
How does the GTX 1660 compare to other graphics cards in terms of DX12 support?
The GTX 1660 is one of many graphics cards that support DX12, and its performance in DX12 games is generally competitive with other mid-range graphics cards. However, the GTX 1660 may not be the best option for DX12 gaming, as other cards like the AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT or the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti may offer better performance.
That being said, the GTX 1660 is still a great option for DX12 gaming, especially for those on a budget or with limited power supply capacity. Its relatively low power consumption and affordable price make it a great value for those who want to play DX12 games without breaking the bank.
Are there any specific system requirements for running DX12 games with the GTX 1660?
To run DX12 games with the GTX 1660, you will need a system with a 64-bit version of Windows 10, as well as a processor that supports DX12. You will also need at least 8 GB of RAM, although 16 GB or more is recommended for smooth performance.
In terms of specific hardware requirements, the GTX 1660 requires a PCIe 3.0 x16 slot, as well as a power supply that can deliver at least 125W of power. You will also need a monitor that supports the desired resolution and refresh rate, as well as any other peripherals you need for gaming.
Is the GTX 1660 still a good option for DX12 gaming in 2023?
The GTX 1660 is still a good option for DX12 gaming in 2023, although it may not be the best option for those who want the latest and greatest technology. The GTX 1660 is an older graphics card, and it may not support some of the latest features and technologies, such as ray tracing or variable rate shading.
However, the GTX 1660 is still a great value for those on a budget or with limited power supply capacity. It is also a great option for those who want to play older DX12 games or who do not need the latest and greatest graphics features.