The NVIDIA GTX 1660 Super remains a popular mid-range GPU choice for gamers, offering excellent 1080p performance at an affordable price point. With Windows 11 bringing new optimizations and features, properly configuring your system can unlock significant performance gains for this capable graphics card.

Understanding the GTX 1660 Super in 2023

The GTX 1660 Super, launched in October 2019, features:
- TU116 Turing architecture (without RT cores)
- 1408 CUDA cores
- 6GB GDDR6 memory (14Gbps speed)
- 192-bit memory interface
- 125W TDP

While not supporting hardware-accelerated ray tracing like RTX cards, its excellent price-to-performance ratio makes it ideal for budget-conscious gamers running Windows 11.

Windows 11 Compatibility and Requirements

Before upgrading, ensure your system meets these requirements:
- TPM 2.0 enabled
- Secure Boot capable motherboard
- DirectX 12 compatible GPU (GTX 1660 Super supports DX12 Ultimate)
- UEFI firmware

Microsoft's DirectStorage API, while primarily designed for NVMe SSDs, can still benefit SATA SSD users with reduced CPU overhead.

Essential Driver Configuration

Latest NVIDIA Drivers

Always install the most recent Game Ready drivers from NVIDIA's website or GeForce Experience. Key settings to adjust:

  1. NVIDIA Control Panel Optimizations:
    - Power Management Mode: Prefer Maximum Performance
    - Texture Filtering Quality: High Performance
    - Threaded Optimization: On
    - Low Latency Mode: Ultra (for competitive games)

  2. Windows 11 Graphics Settings:
    - Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling: Enabled
    - Variable refresh rate: Enabled if using compatible monitor
    - Game Mode: Enabled

Performance Tweaks for Windows 11

System-Wide Optimizations

  • Disable unnecessary background apps
  • Set power plan to "Ultimate Performance"
  • Update chipset drivers
  • Disable memory integrity in Core Isolation (may improve performance)

Game-Specific Settings

For optimal 1080p gaming:
- Target 60-144 FPS depending on monitor
- Use NVIDIA's Optimal Power setting
- Enable DLSS where available (though GTX cards use integer scaling)
- Adjust in-game settings: High textures, medium shadows, FXAA instead of TAA

Benchmark Comparisons: Windows 10 vs. 11

Recent tests show:
| Game | Win 10 FPS | Win 11 FPS | Improvement |
|------|----------|----------|------------|
| Fortnite | 112 | 118 | +5.4% |
| Apex Legends | 126 | 131 | +4.0% |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 58 | 61 | +5.2% |

The performance uplift comes from Windows 11's improved scheduler and memory management.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

  1. Stuttering in Games:
    - Disable MPO (Multiplane Overlay)
    - Clean install drivers using DDU
    - Check for thermal throttling

  2. Driver Timeouts:
    - Undervolt GPU slightly
    - Increase power limit if possible
    - Disable GPU acceleration in browsers

  3. Low GPU Utilization:
    - Check CPU bottleneck
    - Disable Xbox Game Bar
    - Update BIOS

Future-Proofing Your Setup

While the GTX 1660 Super won't last forever, these steps extend its viability:
- Pair with a capable CPU (Ryzen 5 5600 or i5-12400F)
- Use 16GB+ dual-channel RAM
- Upgrade to PCIe 4.0 motherboard if possible
- Consider NVIDIA's Image Scaling for performance boost

Conclusion

With proper configuration, the GTX 1660 Super remains a competent 1080p gaming card in Windows 11. By optimizing drivers, system settings, and game configurations, users can squeeze every last frame from this affordable GPU.