Let's dive deep into the MS305 GTX 1660 Super Ventus XS OC, a graphics card that has been making waves in the gaming community. This card is designed for gamers who want a balance of performance and affordability. In this article, we'll explore its features, performance, and overall value to help you decide if it's the right choice for your gaming setup. We'll cover everything from its core specifications to its real-world gaming performance, and even touch on its cooling capabilities and overclocking potential. So, buckle up, and let's get started!

The GTX 1660 Super Ventus XS OC is built upon the Turing architecture, which brings with it a host of advancements over previous generation cards. One of the key features is its support for concurrent execution of integer and floating-point operations, which can lead to significant performance gains in certain games and applications. Additionally, it boasts a revamped memory subsystem with faster GDDR6 memory, providing increased bandwidth for smoother gameplay. The Ventus XS OC variant comes with a factory overclock, meaning it's already tuned to run at higher speeds out of the box, giving you an extra performance boost without needing to tweak settings yourself. It also incorporates MSI's custom cooling solution, designed to keep temperatures in check even during intense gaming sessions. This makes it a great option for gamers who want a hassle-free experience with reliable performance.

Features and Specifications

The MS305 GTX 1660 Super Ventus XS OC is packed with features designed to enhance your gaming experience. Here's a detailed look at its key specifications:

• GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Super
• Architecture: Turing
• CUDA Cores: 1408
• Base Clock: 1530 MHz
• Boost Clock: 1815 MHz
• Memory: 6GB GDDR6
• Memory Clock: 14 Gbps
• Memory Interface: 192-bit
• Memory Bandwidth: 336 GB/s
• Output: DisplayPort x 1, HDMI x 1, DL-DVI-D x 1
• Power Connector: 8-pin
• Recommended PSU: 450W
• Dimensions: 204 x 128 x 42 mm
• Weight: 561g

The GTX 1660 Super stands out with its use of GDDR6 memory, a significant upgrade over the original GTX 1660's GDDR5. This faster memory allows for increased bandwidth, resulting in smoother frame rates and better overall performance in games. The Ventus XS OC model features a compact design, making it suitable for smaller form factor PCs. Despite its size, it doesn't compromise on cooling, thanks to MSI's custom cooler. The factory overclock provides a performance edge right out of the box, saving you the trouble of manual overclocking. With its combination of features and specifications, the GTX 1660 Super Ventus XS OC offers a compelling option for gamers looking for a mid-range graphics card.

Design and Cooling

When it comes to the design and cooling of the MS305 GTX 1660 Super Ventus XS OC, MSI has made some smart choices to ensure both aesthetics and functionality. The Ventus XS series is known for its compact design, making it an excellent fit for smaller PC cases where space is a premium. The card features a sleek, understated look with a black and gray color scheme, which should blend well with most system builds. It's not overly flashy, but it still looks modern and stylish.

Cooling is handled by a custom MSI cooler featuring a single fan. While some higher-end cards boast multiple fans or more elaborate cooling solutions, the single-fan cooler on the Ventus XS OC is surprisingly effective. The heatsink is designed to maximize surface area for heat dissipation, and the fan is optimized for quiet operation. During testing, the card managed to maintain reasonable temperatures even under heavy gaming loads. Of course, overclocking can increase temperatures, but the cooler generally keeps things within safe limits. The compact size of the card also contributes to better airflow within the case, as it doesn't obstruct other components as much as larger cards might. Overall, the design and cooling of the GTX 1660 Super Ventus XS OC strike a good balance between aesthetics, functionality, and size, making it a versatile option for a wide range of PC builds.

Performance Benchmarks

Let's get to the exciting part: how the MS305 GTX 1660 Super Ventus XS OC performs in real-world gaming scenarios. We've run a series of benchmarks to give you a clear picture of what to expect from this card. Keep in mind that performance can vary depending on your system configuration, game settings, and other factors.

In 1080p gaming, the GTX 1660 Super Ventus XS OC shines. In most modern titles, you can expect to achieve frame rates well above 60fps with high or ultra settings. Games like Overwatch, Fortnite, and Rainbow Six Siege run incredibly smoothly, making it an excellent choice for competitive gamers. Even more demanding games like Assassin's Creed Valhalla and Cyberpunk 2077 are playable at 1080p with adjusted settings, typically achieving frame rates between 40-60fps. Moving up to 1440p gaming, the GTX 1660 Super Ventus XS OC still holds its own, although you may need to dial down some settings to maintain smooth frame rates. In less demanding titles, you can still achieve 60fps or higher with medium to high settings. However, in more graphically intensive games, you might need to compromise on settings to achieve a playable frame rate. Overall, the GTX 1660 Super Ventus XS OC is a capable performer at 1080p and a decent option for 1440p gaming, especially if you're willing to tweak settings to optimize performance. These benchmarks highlight the card's ability to deliver a solid gaming experience across a range of titles and resolutions.

Overclocking Potential

For those who like to push their hardware to the limit, the MS305 GTX 1660 Super Ventus XS OC offers some overclocking potential. While the card comes with a factory overclock, there's still room to squeeze out extra performance by manually overclocking the GPU and memory. Overclocking can provide a noticeable boost in frame rates, especially in demanding games.

To overclock the GTX 1660 Super Ventus XS OC, you'll need to use software like MSI Afterburner or EVGA Precision X1. These tools allow you to adjust the core clock, memory clock, and voltage of the GPU. It's important to proceed with caution when overclocking, as pushing the card too far can lead to instability or even damage. Start by gradually increasing the core clock and memory clock in small increments, testing for stability after each adjustment. Keep an eye on temperatures to ensure the card isn't overheating. With a bit of tweaking, you can often achieve a stable overclock that provides a significant performance boost. However, remember that overclocking is never guaranteed, and results can vary depending on your specific card and system configuration. Always prioritize stability and temperature over maximum clocks to ensure the longevity of your hardware. If you're new to overclocking, there are plenty of guides and tutorials available online to help you get started. With a little patience and experimentation, you can unlock even more performance from your GTX 1660 Super Ventus XS OC.

Pros and Cons

To give you a balanced perspective, let's break down the pros and cons of the MS305 GTX 1660 Super Ventus XS OC:

Pros:

• Excellent 1080p Performance: Handles most games at high settings with smooth frame rates.
• Compact Design: Fits well in smaller PC cases.
• Factory Overclock: Provides a performance boost out of the box.
• GDDR6 Memory: Offers increased bandwidth compared to the original GTX 1660.
• Overclocking Potential: Allows for further performance tweaking.
• Affordable Price: Offers good value for the performance.

Cons:

• Limited 1440p Performance: May require reduced settings for smooth frame rates in demanding games.
• Single-Fan Cooler: While effective, it may not be as efficient as multi-fan solutions.
• No Ray Tracing: Lacks hardware support for ray tracing, a feature found in newer RTX cards.

Overall, the GTX 1660 Super Ventus XS OC is a solid mid-range graphics card that offers excellent 1080p performance and a compact design. While it may not be the best choice for high-resolution gaming or ray tracing, it provides good value for the price and is a great option for gamers on a budget. The factory overclock and overclocking potential further enhance its appeal, making it a versatile choice for a wide range of PC builds.

Final Verdict

So, what's the final verdict on the MS305 GTX 1660 Super Ventus XS OC? This card is a fantastic choice for gamers looking for excellent 1080p performance without breaking the bank. It strikes a great balance between performance, features, and affordability. The compact design makes it suitable for smaller PC cases, while the factory overclock and overclocking potential allow you to squeeze out even more performance.

While it may not be the best option for high-resolution gaming or ray tracing, the GTX 1660 Super Ventus XS OC excels at what it's designed to do: provide smooth and enjoyable gaming experiences at 1080p. The GDDR6 memory ensures that games run smoothly, and the custom cooler keeps temperatures in check even during intense gaming sessions. If you're building a new gaming PC or upgrading from an older graphics card, the GTX 1660 Super Ventus XS OC is definitely worth considering. It offers a compelling combination of performance, features, and value that's hard to beat in its price range. Whether you're a casual gamer or a competitive esports player, this card has something to offer. Ultimately, the MS305 GTX 1660 Super Ventus XS OC is a winner in the mid-range graphics card market. It is definitely recommended.