Because it would have beaten the 9800 pro, that's why 😉 I really hope they didn't think that the value 5900 xt was the competitor for the 9800 pro. The 5800 Ultra would have beaten the 5900 xt I believe, and that was the first competitor for the 9800 pro from Nvidia, but I think that the 5900 Ultra is what Nvidia designed to go up against the 9800 pro.