1. Introduction
Slowly but surely, NVIDIA continues to decline its latest generation graphics architecture. If Kepler found first place in the premium segment with the GeForce GTX 670 and GeForce GTX 680, and even in the niche of high quality with the GeForce GTX 690, the Nvidia focuses on the present mid-range market by offering the GeForce GTX 660 Ti.
3. GeForce GTX 660 Ti: Asus and PNY cards
4. AMD on the offensive: Radeon HD 7950 v2
5. Performances
At the heart of this test, we find as usual the topic of performance. Here is the configuration used:
On this platform, we test several mid-range cards. Thus we focus on the performance of the Radeon HD 7850, Radeon HD 7870 Edition GHz but the GeForce GTX 560 Ti with GeForce GTX 660 Ti is somehow successor. The launch of the Radeon HD 7950 v2 obliges us to also integrate the Radeon HD 7950 in its original version, but the v2 and the Radeon HD 7970 and Radeon HD 7970 Edition GHz position for all. Side we include the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 Ti Xlr8 PNY GeForce GTX 660 and Ti TOP from Asus. The first is the NVIDIA reference design, the second is overclocked Asus. We will also figured the GeForce GTX 670. Drivers side, we use the AMD Catalyst 12.8 and GeForce 305.68 drivers for GeForce, always under Windows 7 Ultimate Service Pack 1 x64.
3DMark 11 - How Far
We start with 3DMark 11. First surprise, the GeForce GTX 660 Ti TOP Asus rises on the second step of the podium in front of the GeForce GTX 670 and a Radeon HD 7970 the cable GHz Edition. It hurts but it is relative puisqu'Asus do not go with the back of the spoon level overclocking. The GeForce GTX 660 Ti by PNY which represents the reference model is 4% faster than the "new" Radeon HD 7950 v2. The latter, through its overclocking performance shows 6% higher than the Radeon HD 7950 baseline. Note that face the GeForce GTX 560 Ti, GeForce GTX 660 Ti is 78% faster at 2560x1600.
Dirt 3 - Ultra - 4x
Back in the game running DirectX 11 Dirt 3. The GeForce GTX 660 Ti TOP Asus always behaves to great effect as mounting on the third step of the podium with performance above the 3% reference GeForce GTX 670 at 1920x1080. The reference design GeForce GTX 660 Ti embodied by our PNY is logically down. While the Radeon HD 7950 teases first name, it is slightly behind the Radeon HD version 2 7950. The latter offers performance 5% higher than the base model released at the end of last year. As the performance gap between GeForce GTX 660 Ti reference and overclocked it reached 12%. Note that face the GeForce GTX 560 Ti, GeForce GTX 660 Ti by PNY is 59% faster.
Mafia II - AA - 16x AF
In Mafia II, the GeForce GTX 660 Ti by PNY Xlr8 its performances vary slightly depending on the resolution. If it is better than our Radeon HD 7950 at 1920x1080 first name, it takes the advantage at 2560x1600. Nevertheless, in all cases, the GeForce GTX 660 Ti is better than the Radeon HD 7850 and 7870: 30% faster than the Radeon HD 7850 and 10% faster than the Radeon HD 7870 at 1920x1080. His side the overclocked Asus shows performance 9% higher than the PNY card allowing ahead Radeon HD 7950 and Radeon HD 7950 v2. If the advantage of the GeForce GTX 660 Ti TOP Asus 1920x1080 is therefore against the Radeon HD 7950 v2 it collapses and 2560x1600 both cards are almost equal. As for the GeForce GTX 670 is still 13% faster than the youngest of NVIDIA.
Unigine 3.0 - Heaven - Normal - High - AF 16x
Unigine and its intensive use Tessellation features do not disrupt our hierarchy. The Radeon HD 7970 Edition GHz remains at the top, followed by the Radeon HD 7970 and GeForce GTX 670. TOP edition of the GeForce GTX 660 Ti Asus wins fourth place with 10% performance superior to the model Xlr8 PNY. If it is before the Radeon HD 7950 at 1920x1080 v2, the situation is reversed at 2560x1600 while the Asus card supersedes in all cases the new deal proposed by AMD for Radeon HD 7950. At 1920x1080, the GeForce GTX 660 Ti Xlr8 PNY is 14% faster than the Radeon HD 7950 and offers 64% better performance against the GeForce GTX 560 Ti.
Batman Arkham City - FXAA - MVSS - HBAO
Some changes in classification with Batman. The GeForce GTX 670 takes pole position in front of the Radeon HD 7970 Edition GHz. The edition of the TOP GeForce GTX 660 Ti Asus wins third place with 5% of performance over the reference card signed PNY 1920x1080. The Radeon HD are somewhat battered and 1920x1080, the GeForce GTX 660 Ti Xlr8 PNY proves 12% faster than the Radeon HD 7950 v2. The latter displays performance 5% higher than the first generation model, the frequency was limited to 800 MHz.
Slowly but surely, NVIDIA continues to decline its latest generation graphics architecture. If Kepler found first place in the premium segment with the GeForce GTX 670 and GeForce GTX 680, and even in the niche of high quality with the GeForce GTX 690, the Nvidia focuses on the present mid-range market by offering the GeForce GTX 660 Ti.
Aimed at gamers, the Geforce Gtx 660 Ti arrives while AMD messes with its range somewhat unexpected appearance of a Radeon HD 7950 with Boost accompanied by widespread price decline on the family of Radeon HD 7000. The youngest of the San Jose firm succeed in it you get a place in the sun?
2. Geforce GTX 660 Ti: Specifications
At the heart of the GeForce GTX 660 Ti beats GK104
It's a surprise! Contrary to usual practice, this new reference midrange signed NVIDIA is not based on a new graphics chip. Found in the heart of the GeForce GTX 660 Ti chip GK104, ie the same graphics chip DirectX 11.1 that already equips the GeForce GTX 670, GeForce GTX 680 and others 690. We do not return elsewhere in the lines that follow the details of the architecture Kepler, preferring to refer you to our article on the GeForce GTX 680.
It does not need more followers to conspiracy to revive the thesis that the GK104 was originally intended for mid-range and it was finally found on the high end by a combination of factors: good performance or the lack of real competition from AMD and may be a delay or cancellation of a beefier GPU.
If the GeForce GTX 660 Ti has the same chip GK104 as its predecessors, the characteristics of the latter differ logically. But not necessarily in large proportions: the number of computational units of GeForce GTX 660 Ti is it identical to the GeForce GTX 670 (CUDA processors 1344) as also the operating frequencies with 915 MHz core frequency and 980 MHz frequency Announced GPU Boost. So simple copy / paste the GeForce GTX 670?
Obviously not. And the fundamental difference is to be sought in the memory, and more specifically the memory bus. While the GeForce GTX 670 and 680 have a 256 bit memory bus, it will settle for a 192-bit memory bus on the new GeForce GTX 660 Ti. A choice that will actually affect the theoretical memory bandwidth, by detaching 25%.
In its first iteration, the GeForce GTX 660 Ti with 2 GB of GDDR5 video memory. But traditionally, according to the bus type selected, the card should be equipped with either 1.5 GB of video memory, which is too little given the targeted segment, or 3 GB, which would increase the price too. NVIDIA uses here a memory architecture asymmetrical already seen with the GeForce GTX 550 Ti but instead of using memory chips of different density, the brand simply increases the number of plays and partitioning. Topology with three 64-bit memory controllers, two controllers each have 512 MB (two on each chip) when the third driver 1 GB (of 4 chips). Finally, on the 2GB of video memory, 1.5 GB only be accessed at full speed 192-bit 512 MB, while still available, but only 64 bits.
The GeForce GTX 660 Ti seen by NVIDIA
Other more subtle differences also exist: for example if the number of texture units is identical between GeForce GTX 670 and GeForce GTX 660 Ti, the number of ROP units is lowered for the last small with only 24 units against 32 for big sister. A direct consequence of the amputation of the memory bus.
| Radeon HD 7950 | Radeon HD 7950 v2 | Radeon HD 7970 | 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 | 4,3 Milliards | 4,3 Milliards | 4,3 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 | 1792 | 1792 | 2048 | 1344 | 1344 |
| ROP units | 32 | 32 | 32 | 24 | 32 |
| Texture units | 112 | 112 | 128 | 112 | 112 |
| Onboard memory | 3072 Mo | 3072 Mo | 3072 Mo | 2048 Mo | 2048 Mo |
| Memory interface | 384 bits | 384 bits | 384 bits | 192 bits | 256 bits |
| bandwidth | 240 Go/s | 240 Go/s | 264 Go/s | 134 Go/s | 192,26 Go/s |
| GPU frequency | 800 MHz | 850 MHz (base) 925 MHz (Boost) | 925 MHz | 915 MHz (base) 980 MHz (GPU Boost) | 915 MHz (base) 980 MHz (GPU Boost) |
| Stream Processors frequency | 800 MHz | 850 MHz (base) 925 MHz (Boost) | 925 MHz | 915 MHz (base) 980 MHz (GPU Boost) | 915 MHz (base) 980 MHz (GPU Boost) |
| Memory frequency | 1250 MHz - GDDR5 | 1250 MHz - GDDR5 | 1375 MHz - GDDR5 | 1502 MHz - GDDR5 | 1502 MHz - GDDR5 |
3. GeForce GTX 660 Ti: Asus and PNY cards
Asus GeForce GTX 660 Ti TOP
Asus, GeForce GTX 660 Ti comes from the outset in an overclocked version, this version is TOP. Since this overclocked version stands out from the start of the recommendations of NVIDIA in terms of operating frequencies in particular, it is not surprising that we find a custom PCB and a cooling system house, the famous DirectCU II. Extended, the PCB of the card measures 23 centimeters while the cooling system beyond generous. This will require a location 27 cm to install the card, always double-slot format.
On the cooling system, Asus DirectCU II offers the radiator consists of a very large heatsink with aluminum fins and resting on the heart of the GPU. Not less than three 8 mm heat pipes conduct heat along the heater while there are two types of low profile fans. Found on the side of the card tabs as well as SLI PCI-Express 6-pin, each with an LED indicating good power supply. A note on the edge of the presence of a metal bar hit the Asus logo whose role is to stiffen the assembly.
The power supply stage of the card is more sturdy than the reference model with six phases for one graphics chip. Side operating frequencies, Asus offers a chip operating at 1059 MHz core frequency, which aims for a Boost officially 1137 MHz. In fact, with the second BIOS that Asus sent us, our sample behaves excellently as the frequency boost when testing changes between 1267 and 1280 MHz and at worst down around 1240 MHz. I must say that the BIOS in question passed the limit of consumption covered by the GPU Boost technology 130 Watts to 143 Watts, is the increasing frequency boost. Good point for the cooling system remains in all cases particularly quiet.
The frequencies of the observed charge card
Output, the card provides two ports DL-DVI, one HDMI 1.4a and DisplayPort 1.2 port, or the same connectors as the reference design.
GeForce GTX 660 Ti by PNY Xlr8
The French PNY NVIDIA partner of long standing, is logically go for the release of GeForce GTX 660 Ti. No surprise, since the manufacturer provides a reference design NVIDIA refuses to deliver to the press. Reference design that we had already seen in the past with the GeForce GTX 670.
The GeForce GTX 660 TI Xlr8 is a double card slot 24 centimeters while the PCB does not exceed 17.2 cm. Plastic shroud cooling system withdraws indeed the fan squirrel cage outside the PCB while the hot air is exhausted outside the system. On the graphics chip, a simple finned radiator cools the processor. Signed Hynix memory chips are exposed to them, while the power stage to four phases for the GPU is covered by a radiator.
No frills therefore excessive GeForce GTX 660 Ti this Xlr8 which has two power connectors PCI-Express 6-pin to a thermal envelope of 150 Watts announced. There are two tabs SLI and two output ports DL-DVI, one HDMI 1.4a and DisplayPort 1.2 outlet. It goes without saying that complies with the PNY NVIDIA advanced frequency: 915 MHz for the graphics chip, 980 MHz and 1503 MHz boost mode for 2 GB of GDDR5 memory interfaced 192 bits.
In operation, our sample had obviously already turned tends to warm up a little. We were able to tease the 80 ° C temperature for the graphics chip actually causing some discomfort in the cooling system is so noisy. Side frequency Boost reached in our tests, it is higher than 980 MHz recommended by NVIDIA and changes between 1019 MHz or 1110 MHz to generally stabilize at around 1045 MHz.
Frequencies in charge of the GeForce GTX 660 Ti Xlr8 PNY
A final word on the card bundle, consisting of two dual Molex Y cables to PCI-Express 6-pin and a dongle DVI / VGA and more CD drivers and the short notice.
The output of the GeForce GTX 660 Ti is probably not the taste of AMD. The brand operates a barrage literally coming out of his hat a Radeon HD 7950 v2. A few weeks ago, AMD Radeon HD already proposed GHz 7970 Edition. At the time the brand assured us it would not be possible to transform non GHz Edition cards to this new model via a simple BIOS update. And now the same AMD proposes a BIOS update our Radeon HD 7950 v2 reference to the model that includes also PowerTune technology with Boost.
With the Radeon HD 7950 v2, AMD has revised upwards the operating frequencies of the card. We take advantage of a GPU and 925 MHz operating at 800 MHz against previously. On paper, the gain is not negligible even if it gets through PowerTune with Boost. We can therefore fear increased consumption while the thermal envelope of the card increases again from 200 to 225 Watts.
PowerTune technology introduced with the Radeon HD 6900 thus continues to evolve. If it was initially certify that all products reach good GPU frequencies announced, technology now allows to estimate the consumption of the chip and its temperature with the avowed purpose of dynamically overclock the chip when possible. With the Radeon HD 7950 v2, the chip can reach the Boost mode 925 MHz with a guaranteed minimum frequency 850 MHz. In all cases, the increase of the frequency is parallel to an increase of the supply voltage and therefore the GPU consumption.
Drivers AMD Catalyst 12.8 and the Radeon HD 7950 v2
If all of the Radeon HD 7950 can benefit from this update BIOS and performance gain resulting according to AMD, it will ensure you have a card whose power level is sufficiently sized to collect the higher TDP. Remains an unknown manufacturer of your graphics card will he bother to offer free this new BIOS? And in this game, it is not clear which horse to bet ...
The other open fire against AMD is pricing side since the brand announced price cuts significant enough to all of its Radeon HD 7000.
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 several mid-range cards. Thus we focus on the performance of the Radeon HD 7850, Radeon HD 7870 Edition GHz but the GeForce GTX 560 Ti with GeForce GTX 660 Ti is somehow successor. The launch of the Radeon HD 7950 v2 obliges us to also integrate the Radeon HD 7950 in its original version, but the v2 and the Radeon HD 7970 and Radeon HD 7970 Edition GHz position for all. Side we include the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 Ti Xlr8 PNY GeForce GTX 660 and Ti TOP from Asus. The first is the NVIDIA reference design, the second is overclocked Asus. We will also figured the GeForce GTX 670. Drivers side, we use the AMD Catalyst 12.8 and GeForce 305.68 drivers for GeForce, always under Windows 7 Ultimate Service Pack 1 x64.
3DMark 11 - How Far
We start with 3DMark 11. First surprise, the GeForce GTX 660 Ti TOP Asus rises on the second step of the podium in front of the GeForce GTX 670 and a Radeon HD 7970 the cable GHz Edition. It hurts but it is relative puisqu'Asus do not go with the back of the spoon level overclocking. The GeForce GTX 660 Ti by PNY which represents the reference model is 4% faster than the "new" Radeon HD 7950 v2. The latter, through its overclocking performance shows 6% higher than the Radeon HD 7950 baseline. Note that face the GeForce GTX 560 Ti, GeForce GTX 660 Ti is 78% faster at 2560x1600.
Dirt 3 - Ultra - 4x
Back in the game running DirectX 11 Dirt 3. The GeForce GTX 660 Ti TOP Asus always behaves to great effect as mounting on the third step of the podium with performance above the 3% reference GeForce GTX 670 at 1920x1080. The reference design GeForce GTX 660 Ti embodied by our PNY is logically down. While the Radeon HD 7950 teases first name, it is slightly behind the Radeon HD version 2 7950. The latter offers performance 5% higher than the base model released at the end of last year. As the performance gap between GeForce GTX 660 Ti reference and overclocked it reached 12%. Note that face the GeForce GTX 560 Ti, GeForce GTX 660 Ti by PNY is 59% faster.
Mafia II - AA - 16x AF
In Mafia II, the GeForce GTX 660 Ti by PNY Xlr8 its performances vary slightly depending on the resolution. If it is better than our Radeon HD 7950 at 1920x1080 first name, it takes the advantage at 2560x1600. Nevertheless, in all cases, the GeForce GTX 660 Ti is better than the Radeon HD 7850 and 7870: 30% faster than the Radeon HD 7850 and 10% faster than the Radeon HD 7870 at 1920x1080. His side the overclocked Asus shows performance 9% higher than the PNY card allowing ahead Radeon HD 7950 and Radeon HD 7950 v2. If the advantage of the GeForce GTX 660 Ti TOP Asus 1920x1080 is therefore against the Radeon HD 7950 v2 it collapses and 2560x1600 both cards are almost equal. As for the GeForce GTX 670 is still 13% faster than the youngest of NVIDIA.
Unigine 3.0 - Heaven - Normal - High - AF 16x
Unigine and its intensive use Tessellation features do not disrupt our hierarchy. The Radeon HD 7970 Edition GHz remains at the top, followed by the Radeon HD 7970 and GeForce GTX 670. TOP edition of the GeForce GTX 660 Ti Asus wins fourth place with 10% performance superior to the model Xlr8 PNY. If it is before the Radeon HD 7950 at 1920x1080 v2, the situation is reversed at 2560x1600 while the Asus card supersedes in all cases the new deal proposed by AMD for Radeon HD 7950. At 1920x1080, the GeForce GTX 660 Ti Xlr8 PNY is 14% faster than the Radeon HD 7950 and offers 64% better performance against the GeForce GTX 560 Ti.
Batman Arkham City - FXAA - MVSS - HBAO
Some changes in classification with Batman. The GeForce GTX 670 takes pole position in front of the Radeon HD 7970 Edition GHz. The edition of the TOP GeForce GTX 660 Ti Asus wins third place with 5% of performance over the reference card signed PNY 1920x1080. The Radeon HD are somewhat battered and 1920x1080, the GeForce GTX 660 Ti Xlr8 PNY proves 12% faster than the Radeon HD 7950 v2. The latter displays performance 5% higher than the first generation model, the frequency was limited to 800 MHz.
Crysis 2 - DirectX 11 - Ultra - HR Textures
Tested with FRAPS, Crysis 2 powers the Radeon HD 7970 Edition GHz in top of the list followed by the Radeon HD 7970 standard. The GeForce GTX 670 is not far away with performance 13% higher than the GeForce GTX 660 Ti Xlr8 PNY. The overclocked Asus is doing rather well developed tease the GeForce GTX 670 at 1920x1080. The Radeon HD 7950 v2 can do nothing against 1920x1080 the GeForce GTX 660 Ti TOP Asus while a hair ahead of the reference model. The PNY displays performance 16% higher than the Radeon HD 7870 Edition GHz and 35% higher than the Radeon HD 7850 2 GB, still 1920x1080.
Battlefield 3 - Ultra - AA 4x / 16x AF - Kaffarov
It is no longer Battlefield 3 as we test with FRAPS. The GeForce GTX 670 finished second behind the Radeon HD 7970 Edition GHz. The edition overclocked GeForce GTX 660 Ti's finds himself in fourth position behind the Radeon HD 7970 core. The performance gain achieved by overclocking Asus is around 6% against the reference card signed PNY. In its basic version, the GeForce GTX 660 Ti is 11% faster than the Radeon HD 7950 at 1920x1080 and 3% faster than the Radeon HD 7950 v2. The latter offering 7% higher performance reference model. We note that the GeForce GTX 660 2560x1600 Ti and low memory bandwidth can no longer resist and if the PNY card remains face a hair Radeon HD 7950, it leaves the Radeon HD 7950 v2 him pass. Facing the Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition, GeForce GTX 660 Ti is 16% faster at 1920x1080.
STALKER - Call Of Pripyat - Extreme
