GTX 1660 SUPER vs RTX 3060 for Blender
Compare GTX 1660 SUPER and RTX 3060 12 GB for Blender Cycles. See benchmark performance, VRAM, power ratings and checked prices side by side. RTX 3060 12 GB leads the Blender benchmark score by 193.7%.
Fastest in Cycles
RTX 3060 12 GB
194% faster than GTX 1660 SUPER
Most VRAM
RTX 3060 12 GB
100% more VRAM than GTX 1660 SUPER
Lowest power draw
GTX 1660 SUPER
26% lower rating than RTX 3060 12 GB
Cheapest
GTX 1660 SUPER
57% cheaper than RTX 3060 12 GB
Best value for money
RTX 3060 12 GB
27% better value than GTX 1660 SUPER
GPU comparison
Key specifications for Blender rendering.
| Spec | GTX 1660 SUPER | RTX 3060 12 GB |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest price | $194.99 Checked Oct 19, 2026 | $449.82 Checked Oct 19, 2026 |
| Value for money | 3.47 | 4.42 +27% |
| Blender benchmark score | 677.34 | 1,989.05 +194% |
| VRAM | 6 GB Below Blender’s recommended VRAM | 12 GB Meets Blender’s recommended VRAM+100% |
| System PSU | 450 W Manufacturer requirement | N/A |
| Performance | ||
| CUDA cores | 1,408 | 3,584 +155% |
| Boost clock | 1785 MHz +<1% | 1.78 GHz |
| RT cores | N/A | 28 |
| Tensor cores | N/A | 112 |
| Memory | ||
| Memory bandwidth | 336 GB/s | 360 GB/s +7% |
| Memory type | GDDR6 | GDDR6 |
| Memory bus | 192-bit | 192-bit |
| Memory speed | N/A | 15 Gbps |
| Platform | ||
| Architecture | Turing | Ampere |
| Render support | OptiX, CUDA | OptiX, CUDA |
| TDP | 125 W −26% | 170 W |
| Release year | 2019 | 2021 |
Blender Cycles benchmarks
Estimated seconds / frame Lower is faster
GTX 1660 SUPER
Blender 5.2.0 · OptiX · 25 runs
RTX 3060 12 GB
Blender 5.2.0 · OptiX · 101 runs
Junkshop
Monster
Classroom
Which GPU should you choose for Blender?
GTX 1660 SUPER (6 GB) meets Blender’s 2 GB VRAM minimum but is below its 8 GB recommendation. Check scene memory needs and GPU compatibility.
Cycles rendering performance
RTX 3060 12 GB leads by 193.7% in the Renderjuice Blender benchmark model (1,989 vs 677). GTX 1660 SUPER (6 GB) meets Blender’s 2 GB VRAM minimum but is below its 8 GB recommendation. Check scene memory needs and GPU compatibility.
VRAM and scene capacity
GTX 1660 SUPER (6 GB) meets Blender’s 2 GB VRAM minimum but is below its 8 GB recommendation. Check scene memory needs and GPU compatibility.
Power ratings and cooling
GTX 1660 SUPER is the lower-power option at 125 W TDP, compared with 170 W for RTX 3060 12 GB. If render speed is close, that can make GTX 1660 SUPER easier to cool and run quietly.
Is the upgrade worthwhile?
GTX 1660 SUPER (6 GB) meets Blender’s 2 GB VRAM minimum but is below its 8 GB recommendation. Check scene memory needs and GPU compatibility.
Comparison summary
RTX 3060 12 GB leads the Blender benchmark score by 193.7%.
Fastest in Cycles: RTX 3060 12 GB 194% faster than GTX 1660 SUPER.
Most VRAM: RTX 3060 12 GB 100% more VRAM than GTX 1660 SUPER.
Lowest power draw: GTX 1660 SUPER 26% lower rating than RTX 3060 12 GB.
Cheapest: GTX 1660 SUPER 57% cheaper than RTX 3060 12 GB.
Best value for money: RTX 3060 12 GB 27% better value than GTX 1660 SUPER.
GTX 1660 SUPER (6 GB) meets Blender’s 2 GB VRAM minimum but is below its 8 GB recommendation. Check scene memory needs and GPU compatibility.
If you are deciding between these cards for Blender, focus first on Blender benchmark score, VRAM capacity, memory bandwidth, and whether your scenes are likely to benefit more from raw speed or extra memory headroom. The comparison table above keeps those tradeoffs in one place.