The GTX 660, one of NVIDIA’s most popular graphics cards, has cemented its place in computer gaming history, providing high-quality visuals and impressive performance. With its release date dating back to September 2012, this article aims to delve into the history of the GTX 660, exploring the impact it had on the gaming industry, its specifications, and the advancements it brought to the table during its prime.
The Rise Of NVIDIA In The Graphics Card Industry
NVIDIA has made significant strides in the graphics card industry since its inception in 1993. The company entered the market with the release of the NV1, which was the world’s first 2D/3D GPU. However, it was with the introduction of the GeForce 256 in 1999 that NVIDIA truly made its mark.
The GeForce 256 featured groundbreaking technology, including hardware transform and lighting, which greatly enhanced graphic rendering performance. This innovation revolutionized the gaming industry, setting a new standard for graphics quality and realism. The success of the GeForce 256 paved the way for subsequent releases, solidifying NVIDIA’s position as a leader in the industry.
Over the years, NVIDIA continued to innovate and push the boundaries of graphics technology. Each new generation of graphics cards, such as the GeForce 4 series, GeForce 6 series, and GeForce 9 series, further cemented NVIDIA’s dominance in the market. The company’s commitment to research and development allowed it to stay ahead of the competition and continually deliver cutting-edge graphics cards.
With a rich history of technological advancements and industry-leading products, NVIDIA has become synonymous with high-performance graphics cards. The rise of NVIDIA has forever changed the gaming and graphics card industry, establishing the company as a powerhouse in the market.
Introduction Of The GTX 660: Features And Specifications
The GTX 660 graphics card was introduced by NVIDIA on September 13, 2012. It was a mid-range card that quickly gained popularity among gamers and enthusiasts due to its impressive performance and competitive pricing. The GTX 660 was based on NVIDIA’s Kepler architecture and featured 960 CUDA cores, 2GB GDDR5 memory, and a 192-bit memory interface. It had a base clock speed of 980MHz and a boost clock speed of 1,033MHz.
One of the key features of the GTX 660 was its power efficiency. It consumed only 140 watts of power, making it an attractive choice for users looking for a balance between performance and energy efficiency. The card also supported NVIDIA technologies like PhysX and CUDA, enhancing its capabilities in gaming and other computationally intensive tasks.
In terms of connectivity, the GTX 660 offered two Dual-link DVI ports, one HDMI port, and one DisplayPort. This allowed users to connect multiple monitors and enjoy a multi-display setup for an immersive gaming experience.
With its impressive features and competitive pricing, the GTX 660 became a popular choice among gamers and remained relevant for several years. Its introduction marked a significant milestone in NVIDIA’s graphics card lineup and contributed to the company’s continued success in the industry.
Gaming Performance And Popularity Of The GTX 660
The GTX 660, introduced by NVIDIA, quickly gained popularity among gamers due to its impressive gaming performance. Released on September 13, 2012, this mid-range graphics card became a go-to choice for many gamers looking for a cost-effective solution without compromising on quality.
The GTX 660 boasted 960 CUDA cores and a base clock speed of 980 MHz, which could be boosted up to 1032 MHz in its Boost Clock technology. The card also featured 2 GB of GDDR5 memory with a 6 Gbps bandwidth, providing smooth and immersive gaming experiences. It supported DirectX 11 and offered excellent performance in most modern games.
What made the GTX 660 widely appreciated was its ability to handle demanding games at 1080p resolution with high settings, delivering consistent frame rates and crisp visuals. The card’s performance was especially notable in popular titles like Battlefield 3, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, and Far Cry 3.
Thanks to its affordability and strong gaming performance, the GTX 660 quickly gained popularity among budget-conscious gamers, ensuring its place in the market for several years.
Competition And Comparison With Other Graphics Cards From AMD
The release of the GTX 660 by NVIDIA marked a significant moment in the graphics card industry. However, it was not without fierce competition from rival AMD. During this time, AMD had its own line of graphics cards, such as the Radeon HD 7870, which directly competed with the GTX 660.
In terms of performance, the GTX 660 and the Radeon HD 7870 were fairly evenly matched. Both cards offered similar levels of performance in most games and applications, with slight variations depending on specific titles and drivers. The decision between the two cards often came down to personal preference, as well as the compatibility with other hardware components.
One area where the GTX 660 had an advantage over its AMD counterpart was power consumption. The GTX 660 was known for being more power-efficient, requiring less electricity to operate compared to the Radeon HD 7870. This made it a more appealing choice for users looking to build energy-efficient systems or those concerned about power consumption.
Ultimately, the competition between NVIDIA and AMD during this period pushed both companies to continuously innovate and release newer, more powerful graphics cards. Despite the rivalry, the GTX 660 stood out as a strong contender and a popular choice among gamers and PC enthusiasts.
Upgrades And Refreshes: Evolution Of The GTX 660 Series
The GTX 660, introduced by NVIDIA in September 2012, quickly gained popularity among gamers and computer enthusiasts for its excellent performance-to-price ratio. Over the years, NVIDIA made several upgrades and refreshes to the GTX 660 series to stay competitive in the market and provide users with enhanced gaming experiences.
One significant upgrade was the release of the GTX 660 Ti in August 2012, just a month after the original GTX 660. The Ti version featured an increased number of CUDA cores and higher clock speeds, resulting in improved performance and better overclocking capabilities.
In May 2013, NVIDIA launched a refreshed version called the GTX 660 2GB. This card offered the same performance as the original GTX 660 but with increased video memory capacity, allowing for smoother gameplay and better compatibility with newer games.
In terms of software, the GTX 660 series received regular driver updates from NVIDIA, optimizing performance and adding new features to keep up with the evolving gaming industry.
Overall, the upgrades and refreshes to the GTX 660 series ensured that NVIDIA maintained its competitive edge and continued to provide users with a reliable and powerful graphics card option for their gaming needs.
End Of Life And Legacy: What Happened To The GTX 660?
The GTX 660 had an impressive run in the graphics card market, but as with all technology, its end eventually came. NVIDIA officially discontinued the GTX 660 in October 2014, marking the end of an era for this popular graphics card.
The discontinuation of the GTX 660 was driven by NVIDIA’s commitment to pushing boundaries and introducing newer, more powerful graphics cards to meet the demands of evolving technology and increasingly demanding games. The GTX 660 had served its purpose in the mid-range market, and NVIDIA decided to shift its focus on newer models that could deliver enhanced performance and features.
During its lifespan, the GTX 660 left a significant legacy in the graphics card market. It was widely recognized as one of NVIDIA’s most successful mid-range offerings, providing exceptional gaming performance and value for money. Its success also contributed to NVIDIA’s overall dominance in the graphics card industry, solidifying its reputation as a trusted and innovative brand.
Although the GTX 660 may no longer be in production, its impact can still be felt in the gaming community. Many users continue to use the GTX 660, grateful for its reliable performance and affordability. It remains a viable option for budget-conscious gamers, showcasing the lasting impact of this popular graphics card.
Impact And Influence On The Graphics Card Market
The release of the GTX 660 had a significant impact on the graphics card market. It quickly became one of NVIDIA’s most popular mid-range GPUs, offering a balance of performance, affordability, and power efficiency. The GTX 660 was particularly well-received by gamers who were looking for a graphics card that could handle the latest games at 1080p resolution.
The success of the GTX 660 also influenced the pricing and performance of other graphics cards in the market. Its competitive pricing forced AMD to adjust the pricing of their own mid-range cards to remain competitive. Additionally, other manufacturers looked to the GTX 660 as a benchmark for performance and features, inspiring them to release their own iterations of mid-range graphics cards.
Furthermore, the popularity of the GTX 660 paved the way for subsequent releases in NVIDIA’s GTX 600 series, as well as future generations of graphics cards. It set a standard for mid-range performance and affordability that continues to be influential in the graphics card market today. Overall, the GTX 660 left a lasting impact on the industry, shaping the market’s expectations for mid-range graphics cards.
FAQs
1. When was the GTX 660 released?
The GTX 660 graphics card was released by NVIDIA on September 13, 2012. It was launched as a mid-range option in the Kepler series.
2. How did the GTX 660 perform compared to other graphics cards at the time?
The GTX 660 received positive reviews for its performance when it came out. It offered competitive gaming performance and provided a noticeable upgrade over its predecessor, the GTX 560 series.
3. Did the GTX 660 gain popularity among gamers and PC enthusiasts?
Yes, the GTX 660 gained popularity among gamers and PC enthusiasts due to its excellent price-to-performance ratio. It offered a good balance between performance and affordability, making it a popular choice for budget-conscious gamers.
4. When did the GTX 660 become outdated?
As technology progressed, the GTX 660 started to become outdated after a few years. With the release of newer graphics cards, it struggled to keep up with the demand for more advanced graphics capabilities in modern games. However, it continued to serve as a viable option for entry-level gaming setups for quite some time.
Final Verdict
In conclusion, the release of the GTX 660 by NVIDIA marked a significant milestone in the realm of graphics cards. Introduced in September 2012, it quickly gained popularity among gamers and computer enthusiasts for its exceptional performance and affordability. Over the years, it has continued to be a reliable choice for individuals seeking a powerful graphics card that can handle demanding tasks and provide an immersive gaming experience. While newer models have since been released, the GTX 660 remains a notable benchmark in the evolution of NVIDIA’s graphics card technology.