GTX 1660 Ti vs RX 6500 XT
Too close to call. At 1440p there is only about 4% between them — buy whichever is cheaper.
The gap changes with resolution.
Graphics card differences grow with resolution, because higher resolutions load the GPU harder.
| Resolution | GTX 1660 Ti | RX 6500 XT | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p | 28 | 32 | -12% |
| 1440p | 27 | 26 | +4% |
| 4K | 29 | 27 | +7% |
In a real build with a Ryzen 5 9600X.
Specs alone don’t tell you which to buy. Here is what each one does when it’s actually paired up, at 1440p.
GTX 1660 Ti + Ryzen 5 9600X
35% GPU-bound
GPU is the limit — the healthy case, with CPU headroom to spare.
Full verdict for this pairing →RX 6500 XT + Ryzen 5 9600X
35% GPU-bound
GPU is the limit — the healthy case, with CPU headroom to spare.
Full verdict for this pairing →| Game (1440p, paired with the Ryzen 5 9600X) | GTX 1660 Ti | RX 6500 XT |
|---|---|---|
| League of Legends | 209 fps | 207 fps |
| Counter-Strike 2 | 189 fps | 187 fps |
| Grand Theft Auto V | 81 fps | 80 fps |
| Elden Ring | 55 fps | 54 fps |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 45 fps | 44 fps |
| Starfield | 48 fps | 47 fps |
Modelled from benchmark data, not measured for every pairing. Our published error rate is 21.6% mean absolute error.
So which should you buy?
Whichever is cheaper on the day. There is roughly 4% between them at 1440p, which you will not notice in a game.
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Common questions.
Straight answers on the GTX 1660 Ti versus the RX 6500 XT.
Is the GTX 1660 Ti better than the RX 6500 XT?
They are close enough to call a tie. At 1440p the GTX 1660 Ti scores 27 on our index against 26 for the RX 6500 XT — a gap of about 4%, which is inside the margin where you would not feel a difference while gaming. Buy whichever is cheaper or easier to find.
Does the GTX 1660 Ti or RX 6500 XT bottleneck a Ryzen 5 9600X?
Paired with a Ryzen 5 9600X at 1440p, the GTX 1660 Ti build comes out 35% GPU-bound, and the RX 6500 XT build comes out 35% GPU-bound. Being GPU-bound is the healthy outcome — it means the graphics card is the part working hardest.
Is it worth upgrading from the RX 6500 XT to the GTX 1660 Ti?
No. A 4% index gap will not be visible in games, and the money is better spent on the other side of the build — usually the GPU.
Which is better value, the GTX 1660 Ti or the RX 6500 XT?
On performance per dollar at MSRP, the RX 6500 XT wins. The GTX 1660 Ti lists at $279 for an index of 27, and the RX 6500 XT at $199 for 26.
Check either one against your build.
Pick a GPU and its counterpart, and get a verdict at all three resolutions in under 30 seconds.