MS305 GTX 1660 Super Ventus XS OC: Review & Performance

by Alex Braham 56 views

Hey guys! Today, let's dive deep into the MS305 GTX 1660 Super Ventus XS OC. We're going to break down everything you need to know about this graphics card, from its performance and features to whether it's the right choice for your gaming rig. So, buckle up and let's get started!

Overview of the GTX 1660 Super Ventus XS OC

The GTX 1660 Super Ventus XS OC is a graphics card designed by MSI, based on NVIDIA's Turing architecture. It's part of the GTX 1660 Super series, which is known for providing a sweet spot between price and performance. This particular model, the Ventus XS OC, comes with a compact design and a slight factory overclock, making it a compelling option for gamers looking for a boost without breaking the bank.

Key Features

  • Turing Architecture: Based on NVIDIA's Turing architecture, it brings improvements in performance and efficiency compared to older generations.
  • 1660 Super: The 'Super' variant offers faster GDDR6 memory, providing a significant performance uplift over the original GTX 1660.
  • Ventus XS Design: MSI's Ventus XS design focuses on a compact form factor, making it suitable for smaller PC cases.
  • Factory Overclocked: The 'OC' in the name indicates that the card comes with a factory overclock, offering slightly higher clock speeds out of the box.
  • Cooling Solution: Equipped with a dual-fan cooling solution to keep temperatures in check during intense gaming sessions.

Performance

When it comes to performance, the GTX 1660 Super Ventus XS OC shines in 1080p gaming. It can handle most modern titles at high settings with smooth frame rates. You can expect to see frame rates well above 60fps in many popular games. Let's get into more detail.

  • 1080p Gaming: This card is perfect for 1080p gaming. You'll be able to enjoy most games at high or ultra settings without any major compromises.
  • 1440p Gaming: While it's primarily a 1080p card, the GTX 1660 Super Ventus XS OC can also handle some 1440p gaming, especially if you're willing to tweak the settings a bit.
  • Ray Tracing: It's important to note that while the Turing architecture does support ray tracing, the GTX 1660 Super isn't really powerful enough to handle ray tracing in most games at playable frame rates. However, it does support other Turing features like Variable Rate Shading (VRS).

Pros and Cons

To give you a balanced view, here’s a quick rundown of the pros and cons of the GTX 1660 Super Ventus XS OC:

Pros

  • Excellent 1080p Performance: Handles most games at high settings with ease.
  • Compact Design: Fits into smaller cases, making it a versatile option.
  • Factory Overclock: Provides a performance boost out of the box.
  • Affordable Price: Offers great value for the performance you get.
  • GDDR6 Memory: Faster memory improves overall performance compared to the original GTX 1660.

Cons

  • Limited Ray Tracing: Not suitable for ray tracing in most games.
  • 1440p Limitations: May require settings adjustments for smooth 1440p gaming.
  • Cooling Performance: The compact cooler might struggle with very demanding workloads or overclocking.

Design and Build Quality

The design and build quality of the MS305 GTX 1660 Super Ventus XS OC are crucial factors for potential buyers. The Ventus XS series is designed with a focus on a compact form factor, making it suitable for smaller PC builds where space is a constraint. Let's break down what you can expect.

Aesthetics

The card features a minimalist design with a black and gray color scheme. It’s not overly flashy, which can be a good thing if you prefer a more understated look. The cooler shroud is made of plastic, but it doesn’t feel cheap. The overall aesthetic is clean and simple, making it easy to integrate into various build themes.

Cooling Solution

  • Dual-Fan Design: The Ventus XS OC is equipped with a dual-fan cooling solution. Two fans work to dissipate heat from the heatsink underneath. The fans are designed to be relatively quiet, but they can become audible under heavy load.
  • Heatsink: The heatsink is made of aluminum and covers the GPU and memory chips. It’s designed to efficiently transfer heat away from these components. However, given the card's compact size, the heatsink is not as substantial as those found on larger, higher-end cards.
  • Temperature Performance: In terms of temperature performance, the Ventus XS OC generally keeps the GPU within acceptable limits. Under normal gaming conditions, you can expect temperatures to stay below 75°C. However, in very demanding workloads or if you're pushing the card with overclocking, temperatures may rise higher. Adequate case airflow is essential to help the cooler perform its best.

Build Quality

The overall build quality of the GTX 1660 Super Ventus XS OC is decent. The card feels solid, and the components are well-assembled. However, it's worth noting that the backplate is made of plastic, which is a common cost-saving measure in this price range. A metal backplate would have provided additional rigidity and heat dissipation, but it's not a major drawback.

Size and Dimensions

One of the key advantages of the Ventus XS OC is its compact size. It’s shorter and smaller than many other graphics cards, making it ideal for small form factor (SFF) builds. If you’re building a mini-ITX system or have limited space in your case, this card is a great option.

Performance Benchmarks

To give you a clear picture of what to expect from the GTX 1660 Super Ventus XS OC, let's look at some performance benchmarks in popular games. These benchmarks provide a general idea of the card's capabilities, but keep in mind that actual performance can vary depending on your system configuration and game settings.

1080p Gaming Benchmarks

  • Assassin's Creed Valhalla: In Assassin's Creed Valhalla, you can expect to see average frame rates around 55-65fps at high settings. Lowering the settings to medium can push the frame rates above 60fps for a smoother experience.
  • Cyberpunk 2077: Cyberpunk 2077 is a demanding title, but the GTX 1660 Super Ventus XS OC can still deliver playable frame rates. At medium settings, you can expect around 45-55fps. Tweak the settings further to achieve a consistent 60fps.
  • Fortnite: Fortnite is a less demanding game, and the GTX 1660 Super excels here. You can easily achieve frame rates above 100fps at high settings, making it perfect for high refresh rate monitors.
  • Call of Duty: Warzone: In Warzone, you can expect to see frame rates around 70-80fps at medium to high settings. Adjusting the settings can help you maintain a stable 60fps or higher.

1440p Gaming Benchmarks

  • Assassin's Creed Valhalla: At 1440p, you'll need to lower the settings to achieve playable frame rates. Expect around 30-40fps at medium settings.
  • Cyberpunk 2077: Cyberpunk 2077 is very demanding at 1440p. You'll need to use low settings to get playable frame rates, around 30fps.
  • Fortnite: Fortnite is still playable at 1440p, with frame rates around 60-70fps at high settings.
  • Call of Duty: Warzone: Expect frame rates around 40-50fps at medium settings in Warzone at 1440p.

Synthetic Benchmarks

  • 3DMark Time Spy: The GTX 1660 Super Ventus XS OC typically scores around 6,000-6,500 in 3DMark Time Spy.
  • Unigine Heaven: In Unigine Heaven, expect a score of around 2,500-3,000 at 1080p with high settings.

Cooling and Noise Levels

Cooling and noise levels are critical factors for any graphics card, especially for those who value a quiet gaming experience. The MS305 GTX 1660 Super Ventus XS OC features a dual-fan cooling solution designed to keep temperatures in check. Let's take a closer look at how it performs in this area.

Cooling Performance

The dual-fan cooler on the Ventus XS OC does a decent job of dissipating heat. Under normal gaming conditions, you can expect GPU temperatures to stay below 75°C. This is generally acceptable and won't cause any performance issues. However, it's important to note that the cooler is not as robust as those found on higher-end cards, so it may struggle with very demanding workloads or if you're pushing the card with overclocking.

Adequate case airflow is essential to help the cooler perform its best. Make sure your case has good ventilation to allow heat to escape efficiently. This will help keep the GPU temperatures down and prevent thermal throttling.

Noise Levels

In terms of noise levels, the Ventus XS OC is relatively quiet under normal gaming conditions. The fans spin at a reasonable speed and don't produce excessive noise. However, under heavy load, the fans can become more audible. They're not excessively loud, but you will notice them. If you're particularly sensitive to noise, you may want to consider a card with a more robust cooler or invest in aftermarket cooling solutions.

Fan Control

The fan control on the Ventus XS OC is handled by MSI's Afterburner software. This allows you to customize the fan curve to balance cooling performance and noise levels. You can set the fans to spin faster for better cooling or slower for quieter operation. Experimenting with the fan curve can help you find the optimal balance for your needs.

Overall

Overall, the GTX 1660 Super Ventus XS OC offers decent cooling performance and reasonable noise levels. It's not the quietest card on the market, but it's also not excessively loud. The dual-fan cooler does a good job of keeping temperatures in check under normal gaming conditions. If you're looking for a quiet gaming experience, you may want to consider a card with a more robust cooler or invest in aftermarket cooling solutions.

Overclocking Potential

For those who like to push their hardware to the limit, the GTX 1660 Super Ventus XS OC offers some overclocking potential. While it's not designed for extreme overclocking, you can still squeeze some extra performance out of it with a bit of tweaking. Let's explore what you can expect.

Overclocking Tools

To overclock the Ventus XS OC, you'll need to use software like MSI Afterburner or EVGA Precision X1. These tools allow you to adjust the GPU clock speed, memory clock speed, and voltage. They also provide monitoring tools to keep an eye on temperatures and performance.

Overclocking Results

With some moderate overclocking, you can typically achieve a 5-10% performance increase. This can translate to a few extra frames per second in games, which can make a noticeable difference. However, keep in mind that overclocking results can vary depending on your specific card and system configuration.

Risks and Considerations

Overclocking always carries some risks. Pushing the card too far can lead to instability, crashes, or even permanent damage. It's essential to proceed with caution and monitor temperatures closely. If temperatures get too high, you'll need to reduce the overclock or improve cooling.

Alternatives to the GTX 1660 Super Ventus XS OC

If the GTX 1660 Super Ventus XS OC doesn't quite fit your needs or budget, there are several alternatives to consider. Here are some options:

  • NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050: The RTX 3050 offers similar performance to the GTX 1660 Super and includes support for ray tracing and DLSS. It's a good option if you want to future-proof your system.
  • AMD Radeon RX 6600: The RX 6600 is another excellent alternative that offers similar performance and features to the RTX 3050. It's often available at a competitive price.
  • Used NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070/1080: If you're on a tight budget, you may be able to find a used GTX 1070 or 1080 for a good price. These cards still offer decent performance and can be a great value.

Conclusion

The MS305 GTX 1660 Super Ventus XS OC is a solid graphics card that offers excellent 1080p gaming performance. It's compact, affordable, and comes with a factory overclock. While it's not suitable for ray tracing and has some limitations at 1440p, it's still a great option for gamers on a budget. If you're building a small form factor PC or just want a reliable card for 1080p gaming, the GTX 1660 Super Ventus XS OC is definitely worth considering. Remember to weigh the pros and cons and consider your specific needs before making a decision. Happy gaming!