Best Time to Buy a New Video Card

[WhipperSnapper]

With talk about nVidia releasing its next generation G70 cards soon, I am wondering:

If wanted to buy a new card and didn't need one immediately, at what time, within the next six months, would the best value-for-the-buck card be available? In other words, when to buy. (Of course, the simple answer is, "at the very end of the six months", but assume that having the card sooner rather than later also has a value.)

In other words, can we expect big price drops on nVidia's 6xxx line soon? Will the 6800 GT fall to $250 or even $200 in the near future? Will the 6600 GT come down to $120 or even $100 within the next couple months?

 

[imported_Kensai]

As soon as the 24 pipeline cards some out, the 16 ones will fall. 😉

 

[BillyBobJoel71]

which is too long for me to wait. im impatient.

 

[Budarow]

Originally posted by: SuperTyphoon
which is too long for me to wait. im impatient.

And you'll pay more for it in the end🙂

 

[LostInLine]

I don't believe we will see the 6800 series fall too much. It is more likely they will be replaced by 7xxx series with 8/12/16 pipes. I read that the new series will be fabbed on a smaller geometry process making it cheaper to produce in volume.

Has anyone tracked the 5900/5950 or 9800 series? I remember a short blip where they dropped and then went back up before they finally settle down. Of course, the 6800 and x800 series of cards were in short supply.

If the next series of cards are not supply limited, that could certainly point to a fast drop in the current series prices.

BTW, I think we are seeing prices drop now, in anticipation. The x800xl cares have dropped about $60 for name brand cards (PowerColor, MSI, ASUS). 6800GT?s are dropping below $400.

Now you just have to determine if new cards will be ready and shipping in volume on time.