Here is another POV on the $3/month difference. If you got the card for $200 and you keep it for 2 years then it's like you would have paid $260 for the card.I happen to be one of those people that would be quick to dismiss the subject as much ado about nothing.
$33/year for electricity is super silly cheap entertainment in my book.
You already paid how much for the video card? And how much for the computer that houses said video card? And how much are you paying rent/mortgage for the square-footage you are allocating to said computer area? How much to light said computer area? heat? AC? Electricity for everything related to powering up the computer, LCD's, lights etc so you can play your video games? And the expenditures for acquiring said video games?
Add all that up and you still want to make a big deal about a measly $3 a month extra cost that goes towards enhancing the gaming experience that cost you how much once you total up everything I listed above?
Do you analyze/scrutinize every source of power-consumption in your lifestyle? Take super-short showers so your water bill is a few pennies less, heat your food by sunlight instead of using that microwave or oven?
My monthly electric bill is right around $200-$300 month depending on the time of year (higher in the winter). For me an extra $3 a month is unnoticeable.
Heck I spend $3 just buying one gallon of gas that might move me and my mini-van about 16 miles, and my daily driving is around 20 miles.
Not everyone lives the same "luxurious" lifestyle, I'll admit, but from my point of view if your economic situation is such that you can't easily afford an extra $3 month in electricity then you probably have more pressing needs to be spending money towards instead of buying a computer and a GTX460 to game with to being with.
Not that good deal after all.
