GTX 660 2GB vs 3GB

[Blue_Max]

I seem to recall the GTX 660 had a memory issue with its 192-bit bus and could only use 1.5GB of the 2GB equipped.

If that's the case, would the 3GB version be a perfect fit? (Tempting to snag one second-hand!)

 

[LTC8K6]

There was an OEM 660 with 1.5gb or 3gb and more cuda cores, but I don't recall anything bad about the regular 2 or 3gb versions.

 

[SPBHM]

Nvidia used this memory config for a few cards, and it can access the full memory size, it's just that a portion was slower, they used it on the 550 Ti, 660 Ti, 660, 460SE...

like 3 64bit memory controllers, 1 with more memory than others...

I remember seeing some reviews of the 3GB 660 Ti and it didn't make much of a difference, so I think the performance penalty was not to great...

but having 3GB is better than 2GB anyway

 

[Headfoot]

Unless its $75 or lower it's a bad buy second hand. You can find 7950/R9 280s for $100 and they have 3GB plus the grunt to actually use it. Quite a bit faster than the 660.

 

[Leyawiin]

It doesn't matter with that GPU. It'll run out of steam before it fills the VRAM anyway. Here's a Tom's Hardware review from three years ago. Didn't make any difference then, doubt it will now (for a single card).

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gtx-660-ti-memory-bandwidth-anti-aliasing,3283.html

Oops - just noticed its a GTX 660 Ti review. Might still broadly apply to both.

 

[Blue_Max]

Unless its $75 or lower it's a bad buy second hand. You can find 7950/R9 280s for $100 and they have 3GB plus the grunt to actually use it. Quite a bit faster than the 660.

Good point. Found a used 2GB a lot cheaper than the 3GB version so I'm aiming in that direction. The 660 uses only one 6-pin vs. 2 so it's perfect for the build I have in mind. And only 25-30% of the price of a new 960.

 

[Headfoot]

I wouldn't get a 660, at all. They're not very fast and I think you'll end up replacing it sooner rather than later. A $100 R9 280 / HD7950 is a really good buy. They overclock quite well too, not unusual to get another 25% FPS out of it at the end of the day.

 

[Blue_Max]

I wouldn't get a 660, at all. They're not very fast and I think you'll end up replacing it sooner rather than later. A $100 R9 280 / HD7950 is a really good buy. They overclock quite well too, not unusual to get another 25% FPS out of it at the end of the day.

True, but this is going into the smallest ITX cube I can build so the Radeon's power & thermals are too high.

The 960 would be perfect for my needs but the price is a little higher than it should be for the performance. Waiting for a good sale. (A 970 would rock!)

 

[LTC8K6]

Isn't a 750Ti SC pretty close to a 660 in performance?

It's smaller and uses way less power.

But it may be too $$ if you are going with used?

 

[SPBHM]

yes, if power is the main concern the 750 TI is a better choice, if performance is more important AMD also have some good options