NVIDIA GTX 660 2GB Review

EVGA GTX 660 SC & MSI GTX 660 Twin Frozr OC

Within this review, we will actually be covering three cards in parallel instead of the usual reference-only approach. Naturally, the GTX 660 2GB reference card shows up but this time it is in the form of an EVGA GTX 660 Superclocked with a reflashed stock BIOS. Unfortunately, our testing has shown that simply downclocking overclocked Kepler cards does not result in reference-matching performance so we needed to take the BIOS flashing route in order to ensure complete accuracy.

The Superclocked will also be represented at its default speeds, which aren’t that high when compared to NVIDIA’s base specifications but it should still grant a few extra FPS here and there. The real selling point of this card will likely be its transferable warranty and a price of just $229. This is the first time this generation we are seeing EVGA come to the table with a pre-overclocked card that doesn’t cost any more than the base MSRP.

MSI also makes an appearance in this review with their GTX 660 Twin Frozr OC. While it may not have the the Power Edition’s upgraded component stack or clock speeds that are as high as EVGA’s, the OC still has higher than reference speeds and a great heatsink design. Unlike the EVGA Superclocked, this card will be priced at a $10 premium but according to MSI, a mail in rebate program will be running at launch which brings the Twin Frozr OC’s cost down by $10.

EVGA GTX 660 2GB Superclocked

Part Number: 02G-P4-2662-KR
Warranty: 3 Years (transferable)


EVGA has based their GTX 660 Superclocked off of the reference design and barring a few extremely minor differences, it could be the GTX 660 Ti’s doppelganger. The GTX 660 uses a classic blower-style heatsink design that exhausts hot air outside of a case’s confines and at just 9 ½” long EVGA’s card should have no issue fitting into most enclosures. We also happen to like the understated tone on tone design used here since it should be able to blend seamlessly into any environment.


With a typically power draw only 117W and a TDP of 140W, NVIDIA didn’t need to get fancy with the GTX 660’s power connectors and as a result this card only has a single 6-pin input. This should make it compatible with most existing power supplies but should your PSU come up short, EVGA has included a Molex to 6-pin adaptor. Meanwhile, only a single SLI connector is included which means the GK106 is compatible with 2-way SLI, a step down from the GXT 660 Ti’s Tri-SLI certification.


As one might expect, the real differences between the GTX 660 and its bigger brother –the GTX 660 Ti- aren’t evident by just looking at the PCB’s underside. However, we can see that NVIDIA’s reference PCB comes in at an extremely short 6 ¾” while the remainder of this card’s length is taken up by the heatsink / fan shroud’s overhang.


The backplate connectors are a carbon copy of those found most other Kepler-base cards: lone DisplayPort and HDMI outputs and dual DVIs. However, EVGA has changed things up a bit by using their custom high airflow bracket which is supposed to allow for increased exhaust capacity and lower internal temperatures.

MSI GTX 660 Ti 2GB Twin Forzr OC

Part Number: N660-TF-2GD5/OC
Warranty: 3 Years


MSI’s GTX 660 Ti Twin Frozr uses the iconic heatsink its name is derived from but with a length of 8 ¾”, it is actually shorter than the reference design. Unlike the GTX 660 Ti Power Edition, this card doesn’t incorporate a revised and upgraded PWM design but it does feature slightly higher end components than the reference card.



The Twin Frozr heatsink uses a pair of 70mm fans, a large internal aluminum fin array and three large heatpipes which are attached to a nickel plated base plate. MSI has also included a secondary aluminum stiffener in order to maintain PCB rigidity.


The card’s single 6-pin power connector is all that’s needed in order to keep the Twin Frozr OC fed with current, despite its higher clock speeds and ability to overclock even further. This power connector is attached to a large blank area of the PCB which is completely devoid of components as the PWM section has been pushed in closer to the GK106 core.


As with nearly every GTX 660 we are bound to see, the MSI card uses a reference I/O panel with two DIV connectors and outputs for HDMI and DisplayPort, allowing for native NVIDIA Surround + accessory display compatibility.