1. Introduction
One more! Slowly but surely, NVIDIA disclaims Kepler architecture. After a GeForce GTX 660 Ti subdued, now the Nvidia proposes a new variant form of the GeForce GTX 660.
In fact, NVIDIA is launching not one but two references with the Geforce Gtx 660 and GeForce GTX 650. But then, the brand has decided not to share that around the GeForce GTX 660, its new solution aimed at players whose budget graphics card is less than 300 euros.
The Kepler architecture, you will show it convincingly at this price? What performance can I expect? And how this positioning GeForce GTX 660 to compete and other references NVIDIA? These questions will lead us in the following pages!
2. GeForce GTX 660 : new chip GK106 and characteristics
GeForce GTX 660 specifications
We will not here the details of the Kepler architecture, our folder on the GeForce GTX 680 will be largely devoted (see NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680, the Radeon HD 7970 in response?). For GeForce GTX 660, NVIDIA launches a new chip DirectX 11.1, GK106, so unlike the GeForce GTX 660 Ti which is in turn based on the GK104 chip including animating the GeForce GTX 680.
NVIDIA GK106 chip
With GK106, NVIDIA tightens bolts logically lowering a number of specifications. And thus while the GeForce GTX 660 Ti launched in mid-August is a GeForce GTX 670 which sweetened the most visible change is a memory bus limited, non declination Ti separates a number of calculation units. Thus it has only two GPC (Graphic Processor Cluster) complete within the chip, with a third to half GPC implemented. In total, there are 960 CUDA processors that can work on the instructions of our 3D games. The number of texture units is also mast into account since no more than 80.
The diagram of the chip GK106 in its configuration GeForce GTX 660
In contrast, no change on the side of the memory, at least against the GeForce GTX 660 Ti. Was therefore entitled to a 192-bit memory bus that will drive, and it is singular enough, 2GB of video memory. To achieve this, two 64-bit memory controller chip have 512 MB on two chips when the third memory controller manages over four 1GB chips. The consequence of this arrangement is only 1.5 GB is available at full speed of 192 bits while the chip has a memory pool of 512 MB that can qualify for slow puisqu'accessible only 64 bits. Please note that NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 offers its with GDDR5 memory. In all cases, the amount of second level cache chip from 512 KB to about 384 KB GK104 GK106 on.
| Radeon HD 7850 | Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition | GeForce GTX 660 | GeForce GTX 660 Ti | GeForce GTX 670 | |
| Interface | PCI-Ex. 16x - Gen3 | PCI-Ex. 16x - Gen3 | PCI-Ex. 16x - Gen3 | PCI-Ex. 16x - Gen3 | PCI-Ex. 16x - Gen3 |
| burning | 0,028 µ | 0,028 µ | 0,028 µ | 0,028 µ | 0,028 µ |
| Transistors | 2.8 Milliards | 2.8 Milliards | 2,54 Milliards | 3,54 Milliards | 3,54 Milliards |
| T&L | DirectX 11.1 | DirectX 11.1 | DirectX 11.1 | DirectX 11.1 | DirectX 11.1 |
| Stream Processors | 1024 | 1280 | 960 | 1344 | 1344 |
| ROP units | 32 | 32 | 24 | 24 | 32 |
| Texture units | 64 | 80 | 80 | 112 | 112 |
| Onboard memory | 2048 Mo | 2048 Mo | 2048 Mo | 2048 Mo | 2048 Mo |
| Memory interface | 256 bits | 256 bits | 192 bits | 192 bits | 256 bits |
| bandwidth | 153 Go/s | 153 Go/s | 144,2 Go/s | 144,2 Go/s | 192,26 Go/s |
| GPU frequency | 860 MHz | 1000 MHz | 980 MHz (base) 1033 MHz (GPU Boost) | 915 MHz (base) 980 MHz (GPU Boost) | 915 MHz (base) 980 MHz (GPU Boost) |
| Stream Processors frequency | 860 MHz | 1000 MHz | 980 MHz (base) 1033 MHz (GPU Boost) | 915 MHz (base) 980 MHz (GPU Boost) | 915 MHz (base) 980 MHz (GPU Boost) |
| Memory frequency | 1200 MHz - GDDR5 | 1200 MHz - GDDR5 | 1502 MHz - GDDR5 | 1502 MHz - GDDR5 | 1502 MHz - GDDR5 |
The GeForce GTX 660 GK106 alias seen by drivers
A final word on the chip is engraved in 28nm by TSMC. The latter has 2.54 billion transistors against 3.54 billion for the GK104. The die size is logically reduced.
3. GeForce GTX 660 : reference card and Asus TOP model3
GeForce GTX 660 : reference card .
For this test, NVIDIA sent us a reference card. No surprise, since we find a similar design to the GeForce GTX 660 and GeForce GTX 670 Ti in particular. The card, which will occupy two slots in your lap, then measure 24 centimeters while its PCB shortcut does not exceed 17.2 centimeters.
The cooling system is always composed of a large radiator based on the graphics chip while a plastic housing together with the cover at its end a fan squirrel cage expelling hot air outside of the tower. Note the appearance of gills under the fan, novelty of this design is likely to improve the air intake.
The power stage of the GeForce GTX 660 provides the graphics chip four phases while the PCB is very similar to that of the GeForce GTX 660 Ti has actually little nuances, especially at the design of memory chips . Chips GDDR5 Samsung signed.
With a single SLI connector, the card is powered by a single PCI-Express 6-pin. Level connectivity, we will rely on two DL-DVI ports, an HDMI and a DisplayPort socket 1.2. Frequencies are unsurprisingly those enacted by NVIDIA with 980 MHz for the chip, targeted for 1033 MHz and 1502 MHz Boost memory, all in a thermal envelope of 140 Watts. In fact, the frequency varies over boost raised between 1058 and 1045 MHz.
Boost frequency operation
Asus GeForce GTX 660 DirectCU II TOP
Asus is definitely for all launches! The manufacturer is the first to be able to provide a test sample of the GeForce GTX 660 in a popular version revisited by its engineers. While we look on the recent edition of the TOP GeForce GTX 660 Ti, a card with benefits for the less convincing, the TOP edition of the GeForce GTX 660 does not really surprise.
There are indeed a custom PCB, far from the standard NVIDIA. Black, it measures 25 centimeters anyway, so it will provide a space of 25.7 inches to accommodate the card in your camera. It is interesting to note that Asus delivers a PCB and cooling system different from what we saw with the GeForce GTX 660 Ti. Thus, the PCB is longer while the DirectCU II cooling system is shorter, always in relation to the model discussed.
Cooling side, no great change since we have a right heart copper-based graphics chip and connected to a finned heatsink with five heat-pipes, also copper. The whole is surmounted by two low-profile fans that are rather quiet.
TOP Edition requires the operating frequencies of the card is far superior to what NVIDIA calls. And the graphics chip runs at 1071 MHz while the memory provides a small boost to 1527 MHz 2 GB GDDR5 Samsung shipped. Our GPU, which has here a power stage six phases, operates in the 1175 MHz made ??GPU Boost. It is interesting to note here the rest Boost frequency of the chip is kept constant at 1175 MHz during our test sessions.
Boost frequency operation
For the rest, with one SLI connector, the card is powered by a PCI-Express 6-pin with a diode showing good power. We find the usual connectors output with twice DL-DVI, an HDMI socket and a DisplayPort.
4. Performances
At the heart of this test, we find as usual the topic of performance. Here is the configuration used:
- Motherboard Asus Maximus IV Extreme Rampage (BIOS 1202),
- Intel Core i7 3960X,
- 16GB (4x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Corsair @ 1600
- Samsung SSD 830 256 GB Serial
On this platform, we test various mid-range cards. Thus we focus on the performance of the Radeon HD 7750, Radeon HD 7770, Radeon HD 7850 2 GB Radeon HD 7870 Edition GHz. NVIDIA side, we focus on the GeForce GT 640, GeForce GTX 660 Ti and GeForce GTX 670. We add two references rather old for comparison: GeForce GTX 460 1024 MB and GeForce GTX 560 Ti. And of course we will return to the performance of GeForce GTX 660 reference card and the Asus in its TOP. Drivers side, we use the AMD Catalyst 12.8 and GeForce 306.02 drivers for GeForce, always under Windows 7 Ultimate Service Pack 1 x64.
3DMark 11 - How Far
We start with 3DMark 11 which enshrines our master standard, the GeForce GTX 670. The new GeForce GTX 660 ends of hair to the Radeon HD 7870 Edition GHz. Facing the GeForce GTX 560 Ti, GeForce GTX 660 proves 46% faster at 1680x1050. We note in passing that if the GeForce GTX 460 1024 MB is better than the GeForce GT 640 at 1680x1050, the trend reversed sharply in 1920x1080.
Dirt 3 - Ultra - 4x
Dirt racing game puts the GeForce GTX 660 to the Radeon HD 7850 with 12% higher performance at 1680x1050. These performances, however, are not sufficient to worry the Radeon HD 7870 Edition GHz which ends in all cases on the third step of the podium. We note here that the Asus overclocking practiced by its TOP model boosts performance by 11% in 1680x1050 face model.
Mafia II - AA - 16x AF
In Mafia II, the Radeon HD 7870 Edition GHz confirms its superior performance in the new GeForce GTX 660. At 1920x1080, the performance of the Radeon are 10% higher than the GeForce GTX 660. We note a performance gap of 21% between the GeForce GTX 660 and GeForce GTX 660 Ti. Facing the Radeon HD 7850, the GeForce GTX 660 is 11% faster at 1680x1050. Facing the GeForce GTX 460 1024 MB, GeForce GTX 660 shows 52% better scores at 1680x1050.
Unigine 3.0 - Heaven - High - AF 16x
The very synthetic Unigine up also the GeForce GTX 670 at the top of our rankings. The GeForce GTX 660, which interests us today proves 21% faster than the Radeon HD 7850 2GB then it displays performance virtually identical to the Radeon HD 7870 Edition GHz. 1680x1050, the GeForce GTX 660 Ti is 21% faster than the GeForce GTX 660. We note an increase of 9.4% basic performance of GeForce GTX 660 via overclocking practiced by Asus on its TOP model. Facing the Radeon HD 7770, the GeForce GTX 660 proves 85% faster in 1650x1050 ... anyway!
Batman Arkham City - FXAA - MVSS - HBAO
In Batman, here tested in DirectX 11, the GeForce GTX 670 is no surprise relentless. The GeForce GTX 660 is doing pretty well with the exercise performance 12% higher than the Radeon HD 7870 Edition GHz and 29% better than the Radeon HD 7850 2GB at 1680x1050. Facing the GeForce GTX 560 Ti, the performance gain is 36%, whereas peaks at 67% against the GeForce GTX 460 1024 MB The overclocking practiced by Asus TOP model for its GeForce GTX 660 saves 7% performance 2560x1600 face model.
Crysis 2 - DirectX 11 - Ultra - HR Textures
In Crysis 2, we use FRAPS to measure the performance of our various graphics cards. We use the same scene with natural movements as similar as possible. The GeForce GTX 660 is pretty well defended. Fourth place in its reference, it offers performance slightly higher than the Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition while the gap with the Radeon HD 7850 2GB rises to 19%. 1680x1050, the performance of the GeForce GTX 660 Ti are 14% higher than the youngest of NVIDIA. As for the overclocked Asus site it logically crossfire performance with 8% above the reference GeForce GTX 660.
Battlefield 3 - Ultra - AA 4x / 16x AF - Kaffarov
Battlefield 3 puts the GeForce GTX 660 and Radeon HD 7870 Reference Edition GHz quasi-equality, the latest NVIDIA has a slight advantage. Recall that we test performance in Battlefield 3 using FRAPS. 1680x1050, the GeForce GTX 660 is 24% faster than the Radeon HD 7850 2 GB, while its performance is almost two times higher against the Radeon HD 7770.
STALKER - Call Of Pripyat - Extreme
In STALKER, the GeForce GTX 660 reference continues to convince us. Its performance is superior to the Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition by almost 10%, while the difference with the Radeon HD 7850 2 GB up to 34%. For its part, the GeForce 660 overclocked by Asus shows 6% faster than the reference design. Finally, the new GeForce GTX 660 Ti, it is still 13% faster than the new GeForce GTX 660.
