Thursday, March 29th 2012
Radeon HD 7970 Price Cuts Not Any Time Soon: Report
A lot of prospective buyers of new generation GPUs were counting on the US $499 launch price of NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 to result in reactionary price-cuts in the red camp, particularly with the $549 Radeon HD 7970. NVIDIA's GPU is faster, more efficient, and under normal circumstances, should leave AMD with no other option, but to cut prices of HD 7970 to stay competitive. However, that hasn't happened, and according to a HardwareCanucks report, will not happen any time soon.
NVIDIA's GeForce GTX 680 launch wasn't just on paper, there was market-availability on launch-day, although like every other new GPU launch, stocks have been quite limited. Before this launch, AMD and its partners managed to replenish inventories of Radeon HD 7970, making it generally available, while not budging from its ~$549 price. Sources told HardwareCanucks and this situation won't change unless NVIDIA has a more full-fledged lineup of new-generation GPUs against AMD's, or unless the availability of GeForce GTX 680 drastically improves.
AMD can't cut prices of HD 7970 without disturbing prices of its other HD 7000 SKUs, namely HD 7950, HD 7870, and HD 7850. The company is able to command relatively high prices for these SKUs, because they offer relatively high performance in their market segments. Until NVIDIA has new products to compete with these three SKUs, it makes sense for AMD to overlook, and even sacrifice the competitiveness of one SKU, the HD 7970. Besides, with AMD AIB partners out with a bouquet of non-reference design products based on the HD 7970 without charging too high premiums, AMD has a chance of attracting buyers awaiting availability of GTX 680 away from it.
Source:
HardwareCanucks
NVIDIA's GeForce GTX 680 launch wasn't just on paper, there was market-availability on launch-day, although like every other new GPU launch, stocks have been quite limited. Before this launch, AMD and its partners managed to replenish inventories of Radeon HD 7970, making it generally available, while not budging from its ~$549 price. Sources told HardwareCanucks and this situation won't change unless NVIDIA has a more full-fledged lineup of new-generation GPUs against AMD's, or unless the availability of GeForce GTX 680 drastically improves.
AMD can't cut prices of HD 7970 without disturbing prices of its other HD 7000 SKUs, namely HD 7950, HD 7870, and HD 7850. The company is able to command relatively high prices for these SKUs, because they offer relatively high performance in their market segments. Until NVIDIA has new products to compete with these three SKUs, it makes sense for AMD to overlook, and even sacrifice the competitiveness of one SKU, the HD 7970. Besides, with AMD AIB partners out with a bouquet of non-reference design products based on the HD 7970 without charging too high premiums, AMD has a chance of attracting buyers awaiting availability of GTX 680 away from it.
114 Comments on Radeon HD 7970 Price Cuts Not Any Time Soon: Report
Then GK100 wasn't coming out like Nvidia had hoped, and with the price increase it was going to be an albatross. I think they even had the "Clock-Speed Nanny" being looked at to tame the GK100, but that chip with the added components to rein it in, plus 384-bit; because I don’t believe even the most ardent fan would slap down $650+ to schlep with only 256-Bit. All that was way outside what the market would pay for... What to do. :rolleyes:
Nvidia found the GK104 with Boost had great results and by November knew they could compete with Tahiti and could price it to sell. A little delay to get a new spin on a GK104 and PCB readied. They saved-face and then the comments of how "disappointing" Tahiti turn out started being flouted. That worked out good for them, but now they need good production and scavenge the cream of those chips to use on the first GTX680. That where TSMC lets all of us down, and why a longer delay than we were first looking at.
This is where it's now a little strange. If they get say 15% GTX680 of a 28Nm wafer why would Nvidia now waiting till May to start capitalizing on those GK104. I’d think they’d have plenty still to deliver as the GTX670 sitting in a bin. To me the PCB and all the things to bring that product didn’t completely stop, with all resources going to delierer the GTX680... or did they? Maybe that was what the congratulatory letter was all about from Jen-Hsun?
www.anandtech.com/show/5703/jenhsuns-email-to-nvidia-employees-on-a-successful-kepler-launch
Regarding the thread, I agree with Yo Wattup's comment. It's really fun to watch so many comments justifying a higher price on a product that is inferior to another one, even if only by 5% average. In every past generation in the last 5+ years Nvidia has had competing cards that were consistently 15%-25% faster and its price was only increased by just as much, except for the absolute fastest one which had a $50 premium over the perf/$ that would be expected, no more. This made Nvidia the evil one, but now that the tables have turned on pricing policies (not on who has the fastest card), it's OK to even price an inferior product higher. Funny.
1.8% -6% faster is not a few steps head. At best on par, maybe half-a-step ahead.
Casecutter, I'm just looking at TPU's review. Says 3% average access all resolutions and 1% at 2500x1600. Are you saying TPU's review is wrong?
tpucdn.com/reviews/ASUS/GeForce_GTX_680_SLI/images/perfrel.gif
tpucdn.com/reviews/ASUS/GeForce_GTX_680_SLI/images/perfrel_2560.gif
They do stock and overclocked tests and surround tests. The 7970 overclocked fares well against the 680 (until that is overclocked obviously). The GTX 680 loses a lot of ground at surround resolution but still tends to win.
The tell all is power consumption. At full OC on both cards the Liquid cooled 7970 draws 50 watts more and performs generally worse. But the caveat is it wins on most reviews on Metro 2033, AVP and Crysis (tells a bit about it's power).
Scary thing is, I might just buy a 7970 LCS tomorrow. Why? because it'll hump my current card (a 580) and I've waited long enough to complete my loop. And i plan on getting GK110(or 100) when it comes out. This is my expensive stop gap until then. :rolleyes: erm no. 60fps:. 3 fps faster is 5% (10% of 60 = 6, therefore 3 = 5%). 10 fps faster would be 10/60 x 100 = 16.6%
www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/nvidia_gtx680/
www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/powercolor_lcs_hd7970/
You can call it overclo-mania you can call it whatever. IMO the HD7850 is a better card then the GTX570\HD6970 for example.
I'm not going to deny it, Nvidia have a fantastic card. It is faster according to reviews overall. But I still disagree that its a few steps ahead. Even in non SLI TPU shows 6% accross all resolutions and 4% on 2500x1600. Which puts it on par in the same performance bracket.
tpucdn.com/reviews/NVIDIA/GeForce_GTX_680/images/perfrel_2560.gif
tpucdn.com/reviews/NVIDIA/GeForce_GTX_680/images/perfrel.gif
Now the question is. Why would the "average" consumer pay for an ATI card when the Nvidia (the brand the know and trust) is $50 less. For competition reasons (not performance reasons) ATI should lower their price IMO.
Funniest shit i read in a while, if Nvidia was any shadier they'd be Marshall Mathers :cool:
But right now, as it stands, the price is too high for the HD 7970 regardless.
What I meant was, the average customer have heard of Nvidia - They are seen to be the best in the noob community. ATI is seen as second best or second class. 9/10 if a customer is left to their own devices they'll buy a PC with an Nvidia 560ti than ATI 7970. Ask them why? They'll say Nvidia is better *shrugs* Why 25%? TPU "official" review proves that upto 6% seperate the two cards.
and as far as i can see in the uk 7970's range from 414 -465 quids ,a 680 can be had for 419 - 455 so what are you on about thats a pie and a pint, and both are refference spec at the min price ,which is ideal if you have a waterblock in mind:)
bring on the next round please this ones boreing me now :rolleyes:
prices from aria this we agree on :)
If you guy's are happy to pay $500+ for a GFX card and $450+ for a MOBO go right ahead i'll be :laugh: at you all the way to the bank when i go to collect my dividend's on the $$$ i lent you to pay for those over priced piece's of "tech" that will be outdated in 3 month's anyways :o
/Rant
Sorry bta and anyone else not interested in my cynical ranting :o
That was a time when i had epeen envy, i actually remember spending $300 for 1gb of dual channel RAM :banghead: :laugh:
Thankfully i'm smarter now, i think? :confused: :p