NVIDIA has discontinued several budget-friendly graphics cards that once dominated the value segment. The lineup includes the GeForce RTX 2060 Super, the GeForce RTX 2060, the GeForce GTX 1660 Super, and the GeForce GTX 1660. These models carved out a space for gamers and creators who wanted respectable gaming performance without paying top-tier prices. Released in 2019, they arrived at a time when the market was starved for affordable, capable GPUs, and they quickly became go-to choices for many who were building or upgrading their rigs in North America. The appeal was simple: solid 1080p performance, decent 1440p headroom in some titles, and features that mattered to enthusiasts who weren’t chasing the latest and greatest hardware.
Across those years, the RTX 2060 family stood out for offering ray tracing at a price point that felt accessible. While the original RTX 2060 brought real-time ray tracing into the hands of more players, the GTX 1660 line delivered good traditional rasterization performance with low power draws. This balance was particularly attractive as graphics cards became scarce and prices for premium models surged. In many Canadian and U.S. households, these cards represented an entry into modern gaming experiences without pushing budgets past comfortable limits. Communities of PC builders, budget-conscious gamers, and hobbyists often relied on the 1660 series for reliable performance in popular e-sports titles and mainstream titles that did not demand the absolute latest features. Over time, the market recognized these cards as dependable, easy-to-maintain options that could still handle a broad library of games at modest settings with smooth frame rates.
Today, NVIDIA is steering focus toward newer generations, with the GeForce RTX 3050 and RTX 3060 models taking the central role in the affordable segment. The shift reflects both the rapid advancement in GPU technology and the ongoing demand for efficiency, feature sets, and improvements in memory bandwidth. A forthcoming iteration for the RTX 3060 Ti includes a change in memory type, moving from GDDR6 to GDDR6X in some configurations. The practical impact of this change is still being evaluated by reviewers and players. Early indicators suggest potential gains in memory bandwidth and overall throughput, especially in memory-intensive workloads, but real-world differences depend on game titles, resolution, and overall system balance. For purchasers in North America considering an upgrade, this means looking beyond sticker prices and assessing the complete package, including driver support, cooling solutions, and availability at local retailers.
Despite the market shift, the GeForce RTX 2060 Super, GeForce RTX 2060, GeForce GTX 1660 Super, and GeForce GTX 1660 will continue to be present in supply chains while stock lasts. Retailers may still offer these models as new-old-stock or refurbished options, and second-hand markets may feature competitive prices as demand evolves. For buyers keeping an eye on value, these cards can still deliver dependable gaming performance in many titles, provided expectations are aligned with their era of release and architectural capabilities. In regions across Canada and the United States, informed consumers are encouraged to compare power efficiency, driver maturity, and game performance at common resolutions to gauge how well these cards fit current needs. This approach helps buyers maximize the return on investment while transitioning to GPUs built on newer architectures. Retail dynamics and ongoing price adjustments mean the window to purchase these models at a favorable price can vary, but the core principle remains: assess performance against the cost and plan for future upgrades as part of a long-term gaming or creative setup.