For a stock 1Ghz this is... We know AMD is letting AIB's build customs (like that XFX shown) so more first run offerings will be OC'd. While again is this just smoke and AMD sand-bagging on Nvidia, if "for a little later this month" but it a little late if the release is tomarrow or is it? Nvidia had been trying to find what Cape Verde is capable of so they can finalize what spec’s AIB's should start building GK104’s. Nvidia has to be in production now to have product for end of March (6 weeks). Nvidia knows what Tahiti can do, and if they got a good feel for what Cape Verde is capable of they've a pretty good idea what Pitcairn will accomplish using the new Graphics CoreNext architecture.
I think MSRP for reference 7770 cards will be $180 and those will perform right above a 6850, while OC's will approach 6870’s and there's nothing wrong with that. I've been saying based on the TSMC 28Nm price bump mostly, and against past MSRP of 5770 and 6850/6870 it will all be what it is. There's no use crying especially given Nvidia will also be passing along the TSMC pricing when they show.
While we have no idea what GK106 parts have in store; figure by end of summer nicely appointed OC'd 7770 could be $140 –AR, and that’s the way it goes...