I think the point is you could get similar performance for less money. The 690 gives you more than just FPS though. It's easily the most elegant solution for the type of performance it gives. Some people could care less about that. People who can generally afford to buy "nice things" though understand and appreciate the overall package.
There are people who buy AMG Mercedes and there are people who supe up Subaru's.
Disclaimer: Owners of suped-up Subaru's... nothing personal.
Imho,
Let me preface my views about lack luster price/performance as a whole with 28nm considering these are substantial and significant node and arch changes, while the price/performance ratio is more-so evolutionary and incremental. Really feel the HD 7970 and GTX 680 were 349-399 price-points more-so than the higher price-points they were initially offered --- 549-499. Gamers were paying more steeper premiums for performance, imho. Probably because of added costs for materials, constraints, lower than expected yields, market conditions, competition ramifications and both being more of a predator and aggressor with 28nm.
That said -- if GTX 680 can command 499 dollars for a product sku -- how can a product sku that offers 95 percent of the performance of GTX 680 SLi, with lower power efficiency, lower acoustics, improved thermals, one slot design, looks like some potential with hardware frame metering -- not worth the same as GTX 680 SLi based on current pricing, market conditions and competition?
Personally feel that the product sku may never of been planned originally to be a 999 MSRP but more so in the 699-799 price point range but pricing is what it is.. This was one of my fears when I did see AMD raise prices by 50 percent and set the market for 28nm pricing. The days of the consumer receiving this outstanding price/performance may fade to be distant memories from both nVidia and AMD, but also hope this is more-so an exception to the rule and not a new premium rule moving forward. Time and maturity of 28nm may tell the story.
Gamers may have to pay more premium for performance for 28nm, sadly, at this time.
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