What’s the difference between an RTX 3060 laptop and a GTX 1660 Ti? Using 7 different games, I’ve compared the two laptops side-by-side.
SPECIFICATIONS: RTX 3060 vs GTX 1660 Ti
| GTX 1660 TI | RTX 3060 | |
| GPU | TU116-12NM | GA106-8NM |
| CUDA CORES | 1536 | 3840 |
| BOOST CLOCK | 1335-1590MHZ | 1283-1703MHZ |
| TGP | 60-80W | 60-115W |
| MEMORY | 6GB GDDR6 | 6GB GDDR6 |
| MEMORY SPEED | 12 GBPS | 14 GBPS |
| MEMORY INTERFACE | 192-BIT | 192-BIT |
| MEMORY BANDWIDTH | 288 GB/S | 336 GB/S |
| RELEASE DATE | APRIL 2019 | FEB 2021 |
However, even though both cards have 6GB of DDR6, the newer RTX 3060’s is more powerful than the older one. The 3060 also has a higher maximum power limit range, which means better performance but also more heat.
TEST LAPTOP SPECIFICATIONS
| LEGION 5 (2020) | LEGION 5 (2021) |
| GTX 1660 TI 80W | RTX 3060 115W |
| RYZEN 7 4800H | RYZEN 7 5800H |
| 16GB DDR4-3200 | 16GB DDR4-3200 |
| CHECK PRICE | CHECK PRICE |
There are a lot of similarities between these two laptops, so I’m comparing them using a Lenovo Legion 5. In this comparison, I’m using the most powerful 1660 Ti versus the most powerful 3060.
The 1660 Ti is only compatible with processors from the previous generation. I don’t think it’ll be possible to find one with either the Ryzen 5000 or the Intel 11th generation, so some of the differences we’ll see in this comparison will be due to CPU differences.
Memory kit, Windows updates, and Nvidia drivers were identical on both laptops. Optimus was disabled for the best results.
GAMES PERFORMANCE: RTX 3060 vs GTX 1660 Ti
I have tested 7 games at 1080p with every available setting presets.
1. Red Dead Redemption 2
The game benchmark was used to evaluate Red Dead Redemption 2. At medium settings, the 1660 Ti is still producing acceptable results, with FPS above 60; however, at ultra settings, where we’re more GPU bound, the 3060 was achieving a 65 percent higher average FPS.
2. Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077 was tested on both laptops with the same run through the game, and it immediately reveals the 1660 Ti’s limitations.
3. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, on the other hand, had a much smaller difference at the highest setting level; the 3060 was only 9% ahead, or 4 FPS, which isn’t a huge difference.
4. Control
Control is a GPU-intensive game, so the differences at high settings are among the largest of any game we’ve tested. When compared to the 1660 Ti, the 3060 achieved a 66 percent higher average FPS.
5. Watch Dogs Legion
Watch Dogs Legion also had some big differences. At ultra settings, the 3060 achieved a 60 percent higher average FPS, though the difference is only 15% with the low setting preset.
6. Fortnite
Fortnite was tested on both laptops with the same replay, and the 3060 laptop outperformed the 1660 Ti, averaging 57 percent higher average FPS at the highest epic setting preset.
7. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
Another esports game is CS:GO, but the differences were much smaller in this one because the GPU doesn’t seem to make as much of a difference as the CPU. At maximum settings, the 3060 laptop had a 17 % higher average FPS.
SHOULD I BUY A LAPTOP WITH GTX 1660 TI OR RTX 3060?
To be honest, if you can find an RTX 3060 Laptop on sale, you should buy it. On sale, It will cost you around $1400 USD, which is about 17% more than the Legion 5 with 1660 Ti, and it provides a much better performance boost, as we’ve seen. Even its not on sale, the RTX 3060 model costs about 30% more than the Legion 5 with the 1660 Ti.
The 1660 Ti is by no means dead; as we’ve seen, it can still perform admirably in a variety of modern games; you’ll just have to reduce the settings in a few of them.
