Last month, I upgraded my PC to Windows 11, which was earlier on 10, and I wondered if the GeForce GTX 1660 Super GPU could handle it. Of course, another question was about my favorite games’ compatibility issues, missing drivers, or performance drops.
With over six years of experience in PC hardware, gaming, and software tutorials, I’ve seen how OS upgrades can sometimes cause unexpected headaches. So, if you’re wondering whether the GTX 1660 Super is compatible with Windows 11, you’re in the right place.
In this article, I’ll explain everything you need to know about using the GTX 1660 Super with Microsoft’s Windows 11 operating system, from compatibility basics to performance considerations and troubleshooting tips.
Windows 11 System Requirements: Does the GTX 1660 Super Meet Them?
Before discussing the GTX 1660 Super’s specifics, let’s review what Microsoft requires for Windows 11 compatibility. Unlike previous Windows updates, Microsoft took a much stricter approach with Windows 11, implementing several hardware requirements that left many users concerned about their existing setups.
The core Windows 11 requirements include:
- Processor: 1 GHz or faster with two or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or System on a Chip (SoC)
- RAM: 4 GB or greater
- Storage: 64 GB or larger storage device
- System firmware: UEFI with Secure Boot capability
- TPM: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0
- Graphics card: Compatible with DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver
- Display: High definition (720p) display is more significant than 9″ diagonally, 8 bits per color channel.
Many users are concerned about the GPU requirement. Windows 11 requires a graphics card that supports DirectX 12 and WDDM 2.0 (Windows Display Driver Model) or higher. This is a significant step up from Windows 10’s requirements and immediately excludes many older GPUs.
Is GTX 1660 Super Compatible with Windows 11?
The short answer is yes: the NVIDIA GTX 1660 Super is fully compatible with Windows 11.
Having personally installed Windows 11 on multiple systems, including the one running the GTX 1660 Super, I can confidently confirm that this GPU meets all the requirements. As we have seen, Windows 11 requires a graphics card that supports DirectX 12 and WDDM 2.0 (Windows Display Driver Model) or higher to run smoothly, and the GTX 1660 Super fully supports DirectX 12 and even DirectX 12 Ultimate for better graphical enhancements.
Furthermore, the GTX 1660 Super can run on WDDM 2.7 drivers or later, exceeding Windows 11’s WDDM 2.0 requirement. Since the GTX 1660 is based on the newer Turing architecture (TU116 processor without the RTX-specific cores for ray tracing), it’s designed to work with modern Windows display driver requirements. Although released in October 2019, it remains a relatively modern GPU. As we can see, it can meet all the requirements needed for Windows 11 to run.
Note: WDDM (Windows Display Driver Model) is just a Framework; hence, it is not a driver but a driver model that defines how GPU drivers interact with Windows.
NVIDIA Driver Support for Windows 11
We have already solved the issue of whether Windows 11 is compatible with GTX 1660. Now, what about the Nvidia driver? While writing this article, Nvidia officially offered its drivers for GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER to be compatible with Windows 11 to ensure smooth operations. That sounds great because driver issues are often the root cause of compatibility problems.
NVIDIA has proactively provided Windows 11 support, releasing dedicated driver packages optimized for the new operating system. These drivers include specific optimizations for the latest Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM) 3.0 that Windows 11 implements.
We have confirmed the drivers’ availability on the official Nvidia website search page, from which anyone can download the drivers according to their graphics card.
To update your GTX 1660 Super drivers for Windows 11:
- Visit the official NVIDIA driver download page or use GeForce Experience
- Select “GeForce” under Product Type
- Choose “16 Series” under Product Series
- Select “GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER” under Product
- Select your operating system (Windows 11)
- Download and install the recommended driver package.
You will see a page showing the availability of Nvidia driver-supported GeForce GTX 1660 Super on Windows 11. The screenshot below shows the result page we got upon searching for the driver for the 1660 Super GPU. In addition, I recommend that PC users or gamers also use the Nvidia App/GeForce Experience application for driver management. It automatically detects your GPU and operating system version, ensuring you always have the latest compatible drivers. In my testing across multiple systems, the automatic driver detection has been nearly flawless with Windows 11.
It’s particularly important to check for new driver versions after major Windows updates. I’ve encountered sporadic issues with older driver versions after certain Windows 11 updates, but installing the latest drivers has consistently resolved these problems.
Performance of GTX 1660 Super on Windows 11
Many users wonder if upgrading to Windows 11 will impact their gaming performance with the GTX 1660 Super. The question can be debatable depending upon the purpose of having GPU and what titles of Games you want to play at what level. Nevertheless, having run extensive benchmarks across multiple games before and after upgrading several systems, I can share some real-world insights.
In most cases, the performance difference between Windows 10 and Windows 11 with a GTX 1660 Super is minimal. This is because, in functioning, both Windows 10 and 11 are similar. However, some games perhaps show minor improvements (1-3% better framerates), while others may see a slight decrease in performance. The differences are generally within the margin of error for most benchmarks.
However, Windows 11 does introduce some gaming-specific features that can benefit GTX 1660 Super users:
- DirectStorage: While primarily designed for NVMe SSDs, this technology can reduce CPU overhead during game asset loading, potentially improving overall system responsiveness during gaming sessions.
- Auto HDR: If you have an HDR-capable monitor, Windows 11 can automatically enhance supported games with HDR effects, even if they weren’t initially designed for HDR.
In my testing of popular titles like Fortnite, Apex Legends, and Cyberpunk 2077, the GTX 1660 Super maintained similar performance profiles across both operating systems. The card excels at 1080p gaming with high settings in most modern titles, typically delivering 60+ FPS in demanding games and well over 100 FPS in competitive esports titles. Remember, 1660 Super is 4K Ready, so 1080p is not a problem.
Note: I haven’t tested the 1660 GPU at overclocking, so whatever I am saying is tested using the GPU’s default settings via the Nvidia application and whatever game I have played.
One area where I’ve noticed improvement is in system responsiveness during multitasking. When running a game alongside Discord, browsers, and streaming software, Windows 11 handles the workload distribution more efficiently than Windows 10 does with the same hardware.
What to keep in mind before upgrading to Windows 11 with GTX 1660 Super
If you’re planning to upgrade to Windows 11 with your GTX 1660 Super, here’s a step-by-step guide based on my experience with multiple successful installations:
- Check complete system compatibility: While your GTX 1660 Super is compatible, also ensure your CPU, RAM, and motherboard meet Windows 11 requirements.
- Back up essential data: Always create a full system backup before major OS upgrades.
- Update your current Windows 10 installation: Install all available updates before upgrading.
- Update your NVIDIA drivers: Install the latest drivers for your GTX 1660 Super before proceeding.
- Use the Windows 11 Installation Assistant: This is the safest method I’ve found for upgrading. Download it from Microsoft’s official website.
- Follow the installation prompts: The process is largely automated, but you’ll need to make some choices regarding privacy settings and preferences.
- After installation, update drivers again: Once Windows 11 is installed, check for a newer GPU driver version specifically for Windows 11.
- Verify 3D acceleration and DirectX functionality: Run the DirectX Diagnostic Tool. In your Windows 11 search box, type—dxdiag, and open it. When it appears, confirm that your GTX 1660 Super is being detected and functioning correctly.
One tip I always share from personal experience: If you face any graphics issues after upgrading, try installing a clean driver. For that, users can use tools like DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller) in safe mode to completely remove the existing NVIDIA drivers before installing the latest version. This has resolved unusual display behavior in about 90% of post-upgrade issues I’ve encountered.
Common Issues and Fixes
Despite the GTX 1660 Super being fully compatible with Windows 11, you might encounter some issues. Here are the most common problems I’ve helped troubleshoot and their solutions:
Black Screen After Login
This is often driver-related. Boot into safe mode and use DDU to remove the current driver, then reinstall the latest version from NVIDIA’s website. I’ve encountered this issue twice; both times, a clean driver installation resolved it.
Performance Drops in Certain Games
If you notice performance issues in specific games after upgrading to Windows 11:
- Check that Game Mode is enabled in Windows 11 settings
- Verify that Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling is turned on
- Update the game to the latest version
- Try running the game with the NVIDIA overlay disabled\
GTX 1660 Super Not Detected After Update
This rare but concerning issue can occur after a major Windows update. If Windows 11 suddenly doesn’t recognize your GTX 1660 Super:
- Check if the card is seated (attached) correctly in the PCIe slot
- Verify in Device Manager that the card appears (even if with a warning icon)
- Try a different PCIe slot if available
- Boot into safe mode and use DDU to remove drivers, then reinstall
I’ve only encountered this issue once, and it was resolved by resetting the BIOS to default settings and then reinstalling the NVIDIA drivers, but in your case, it might take some additional effort.
NVIDIA Control Panel Missing
If you can’t find the NVIDIA Control Panel after upgrading to Windows 11:
- Right-click on the desktop and select “Show more options” (a Windows 11 quirk)
- Check if it appears in the extended menu
- If not, install it from the Microsoft Store or reinstall your NVIDIA drivers
This issue stems from a change in Windows 11’s context menu system and is quickly resolved once you understand the new “Show more options” step.
Expert Recommendations
Based on our team’s extensive experience with different GPUs, including the GTX 1660 Super on Windows 11, here are our recommendations:
- You should absolutely upgrade if you’re using a GTX 1660 Super. The card is fully compatible and performs well under Windows 11, so you won’t encounter any compatibility roadblocks.
- Consider a clean installation over an upgrade: While upgrades typically work fine, I’ve found clean installations of Windows 11 provide slightly better performance and fewer random issues later on.
- Use the latest Game Ready drivers: Don’t rely on Windows Update for GPU drivers. Always get them directly from NVIDIA’s website or GeForce Experience.
- Enable Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling: This Windows 11 feature provides a small but noticeable performance boost in many games with the GTX 1660 Super.
- Don’t worry about TPM requirements: While Windows 11 requires TPM 2.0, this doesn’t affect your graphics card compatibility. The GTX 1660 Super works perfectly even on systems using software TPM.
- Consider using MSI Afterburner: This utility works well with the GTX 1660 Super on Windows 11 and can help you optimize performance with a mild overclock.
- Keep an eye on Windows 11 updates: Microsoft has been fine-tuning gaming performance with each update, so make sure you’re running the latest version for the best experience.
Conclusion
After extensive testing across multiple systems and games, I can confidently say that the GTX 1660 Super is fully compatible with Windows 11 and continues to be an excellent mid-range GPU option. The upgrade process is straightforward, and performance remains comparable to Windows 10, with some games even showing slight improvements.
If you’re hesitating about upgrading to Windows 11 because of concerns about your GTX 1660 Super’s compatibility, don’t worry; you can proceed confidently. The card meets all technical requirements, has excellent driver support, and maintains its performance profile under the new operating system.
Have you already upgraded to Windows 11 with your GTX 1660 Super? I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the GTX 1660 Super fully supports DirectX 12, which is required for Windows 11 compatibility. It supports DirectX 12 Ultimate features, exceeding Microsoft’s minimum requirements.
After upgrading, the differences are generally minimal and won’t significantly impact your gaming experience. In most cases, gaming performance with the GTX 1660 Super remains very similar between Windows 10 and 11. However, you may see minor improvements (1-3%), while others might experience slight decreases.
Yes, installing the latest NVIDIA drivers specifically optimized for Windows 11 after upgrading is highly recommended. These drivers include specific optimizations for the new operating system and can resolve potential compatibility issues.
Absolutely. The GTX 1660 Super meets the minimum requirements for Windows 11 and exceeds them by a significant margin. It handles the Windows 11 interface smoothly, including all the new visual effects and transparency features.
No, the GTX 1660 Super remains a viable mid-range GPU option and will continue to be supported by both NVIDIA and Microsoft for years. Because lately, Windows 11 hasn’t introduced any requirements that would accelerate the obsolescence of this card.
Multi-monitor setups work perfectly with the GTX 1660 Super on Windows 11. I’ve tested configurations with up to three monitors without any issues; however, per the official specification, it can support up to 4 simultaneous displays.
In our testing, Windows 11 does seem to handle shader compilation more efficiently in some titles, resulting in reduced stuttering during first-time gameplay. However, this varies significantly from game to game and isn’t a universal improvement.
