GTX 1660 Ti vs RTX 3050 for Video Editing
Content creators who select budget GPUs for video editing often analyze between two widely known popular models. The NVIDIA GTX 1660 Ti and the NVIDIA RTX 3050. While both offer solid performance at affordable prices. World-class video editors want to understand which graphics processing unit demonstrates both speed and performance. While yielding superior results during post-production tasks.
This article presents an evaluation of the GTX 1660 Ti and the RTX 3050. Users should evaluate render speed alongside hardware acceleration, software compatibility, and overall performance of Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, and After Effects.
1. GPU Overview
GTX 1660 Ti – Turing Architecture (No RT or Tensor Cores)
- CUDA Cores: 1536
- VRAM: 6GB GDDR6
- Base Clock: 1500 MHz
- Boost Clock: 1770 MHz
- Architecture: Turing (TU116)
- The 3050 RTX offers hardware disadvantages because it lacks ray tracing and DLSS features.
RTX 3050 – Ampere Architecture (RT & Tensor Cores)
- CUDA Cores: 2560
- VRAM: 8GB GDDR6
- Base Clock: 1552 MHz
- Boost Clock: 1777 MHz
- Architecture: Ampere (GA106)
- Ray Tracing with DLSS and AI-enhanced rendering capabilities form one of the main advantages of this GPU.
The RTX 3050 outperforms when comparing core numbers and VRAM capacity for current video editing applications.
2. Real-World Video Editing Performance
Adobe Premiere Pro
- NVENC (7th Gen) encoder and hardware-accelerated effects on the RTX 3050 decrease export and rendering times.
- The GTX 1660 Ti features an outdated NVENC version at 6th Gen. The H.265/HEVC and the AV1 codecs receive limited capacity from the current technology. Although they maintain standard levels of efficiency.
Results:
- The RTX 3050 process renders a 4K 10-minute video sequence faster, averaging between 12 and 20 percent.
- Strategic editing tasks (Lumetri Color and Warp Stabilizer) run more fluently through RTX 3050.
DaVinci Resolve
- The software depends on GPUs for its functioning.
- RTX 3050 features Tensor Cores, which enhance the performance. When noise reduction is applied, and smart reframe functionality is added, along with AI-based mask applications.
- Basic editing tasks pose no problems for GTX 1660 Ti, although it struggles when working with Fusion and AI functions.
The RTX 3050 achieves better speeds in Fairlight features and Fusion operations and faster export times than the GTX 1660 Ti model.
4. VRAM & Timeline Performance
- Running 1080p editing tasks and basic 4K workflows simultaneously works for the GTX 1660 Ti (6GB VRAM). Yet performance decreases when multiple layers are combined with visual effects.
- RTX 3050 (8GB VRAM) is more reliable because its advanced design allows the smooth operation of multi-layered 4K timelines and heavy color grading tasks without performance losses.
5. Power Consumption & Compatibility
- Customers who opt for more straightforward configurations benefit from the GTX 1660 Ti’s 120W power consumption.
- Because it uses the Ampere architecture, the RTX 3050 uses about 130W of power while offering higher efficiency than the GTX 1660 Ti.
6. Pricing & Value
- Available GTX 1660 Ti models in the secondhand market cost approximately $150 to $180.
- RTX 3050, launched recently, occupies a price range from $190 to $230 as of 2025 while delivering a broad set of improved features.
