Is there a shortage of GTX 295 cards?

[AnMig]

Thought I was lucky and found one for $477 shipped and taxed at MICROCENTER, then 2 days later got an e-mail stating it was on back-order. I wish they stated that it was OOS like other sites do.

Just an observation almost all the stores that I buy from (Amazon, Newegg, ZIPZOOM fly, buy.com) are OOS for this card.

Its pushing the 4870 x2 prices up, I was willing to settle for the 4870x2 but now most of the prices are almost >450$( no rebates).

So whats the deal worldwide shortage? or I just suck at online shopping?

I may just lower my sights to a core 216 and then later on upgrade to a SLI board and get another one. But it seems too much work and rather get the 295 now.

Cant SLI or crossfire.

 

[techboie]

get a 4850X2 sub $250, best bang for buck. CF >>> GTX 295

 

[schneiderguy]

I think I read somewhere that the 295 is a limited run card because nvidia can't get enough gt200 cores that will operate under the thermal limits.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

nothing special about the gtx295, get a 4850x2 or a 4870x2 which will give it comparable performance for a much better price! WERE IN A RECESSION HERE!

 

[primosavant]

I got one on TigerDirect not long ago. I use ms cash back and got it for $475.00. They also had a special shipping deal when I got it for $2.99 or something. Here is a link to one.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/app...pNo=4385446&CatId=3669

 

[AnMig]

Thanks for the link primosavant, I guess TIGER Direct has redeemed itself in these forums. I remember maybe 3-4 years ago that the mere mention of TIGERDIRECT would create an uproar.

I have been debating this GTX 295 vs 4870 x2 for the past 2 weeks. The 295 is a bit faster and the $100 price difference that everybody seems to mention is non existent (at least for the past 2 weeks. Its more a $50 difference. Have you guys seen EBAY people are bidding on used 4870 x2 for ~$460.

Now the 4850 x2 is indeed tempting just saw the reviews its about as fast as a GTX 280-285 for around ~250-260. The thing is I want to game at 1900 x 1200 and I want the card to stay for at least 2 years. I bought my GT8800 about a year ago (middle card then) and now I have been pining to replace it for the past 2-3 months. I haven't even played thru Crysis yet because I felt I was cheating myself of the gaming experience by turning down the resolution and effects.

I have a non SLI or crossfire Dell System (XPS 420) bought it from a hot deals here in this forum and have since upgraded the PSU so it should be ready.

The noise level reported by the reviewers and users of the 4850 x2 scare me as I dont want a leaf blower going on when I am not gaming. I am not sure how bad it is but it is making me hesitant.

Thanks again for the responses and suggestions and LINK.

At the very least I am pissed at MICROCENTER for offering the GTX 295 for $430 (+tax and shipping) then making me wait until its in stock, Its like bait and switch without the switch. I will cancel my order on Tues and order from tigerdirect if they don't have a clear shipping date.

peace

 

[Zap]

Is there a shortage of GTX 295 cards?

Short answer: Yes.

How they were in stock everywhere on release date was that NVIDIA stockpiled for at least a month (I believe, don't have proof though). Now, cards are just trickling out - when comparing volumes with other products that ship by the thousands.

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS
WERE IN A RECESSION HERE!

Which is why if you have the money, USE IT!

Originally posted by: AnMig
I guess TIGER Direct has redeemed itself in these forums. I remember maybe 3-4 years ago that the mere mention of TIGERDIRECT would create an uproar.

Well, Tiger Direct was notorious for offering shady rebates (which are negotiated between vendor and manufacturer).

They also do not bother properly packaging merchandise for shipping. If you want OEM hard drives shipped to you without any padding, just order from Tiger Direct. :Q

video showing how they pack

Many people have verified that their hard drives arrived this way. This means your video card will arrive this way too.

 

[Viper GTS]

I had a hard time finding mine. I specifically wanted XFX for the double warranty, but nobody had it in stock. I finally found one at NCIX, I literally got their last one. Had it shipped internationally, & they haven't had any in stock since.

Viper GTS

 

[ghost recon88]

Originally posted by: techboie
get a 4850X2 sub $250, best bang for buck. CF >>> GTX 295

This. OP get yourself a HD 4850x2 and save yourself some money.

 

[legcramp]

OP you said you have a dell, with probably zero overclocking. Is it wise to throw a GTX 295 in there unless you have the top of the line cpu.

 

[NoStateofMind]

Originally posted by: RIFLEMAN007
OP you said you have a dell, with probably zero overclocking. Is it wise to throw a GTX 295 in there unless you have the top of the line cpu.

Or a PSU to power it.

 

[Puffnstuff]

Nobody seems to have 295's in stock even the company stores have bare shelves. I considered buying one but now I'm considering just sticking with sli and getting two 280/285 instead besides they perform better.

 

[AnMig]

Originally posted by: RIFLEMAN007
OP you said you have a dell, with probably zero overclocking. Is it wise to throw a GTX 295 in there unless you have the top of the line cpu.

This is my system specs
Quick Specs

Dell XPS 420 desktop
Intel Core 2 Q6600 Quad-Core (8MB L2 cache,2.4GHz,1066FSB)
* Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Digital Cable Support
* 3GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz - 4 DIMMs
* 512MB Nvidia GeForce 8800 GT
* 500GB - 7200RPM, SATA 3.0Gb/s, 16MB Cache
* Blu-ray Disc Combo (DVD+/-RW + BD-ROM)
*Xi-FI Soundcard
*Winfast TV tuner
*Dell 24 flat panel Native resolution 1920X1200
Upgraded the PSU to a 750watt PC power and cooling

I know I will probably be CPU limited and might try the hard mod (black tape or conductive pen trick) to get it up to 2.9ghz I think.

You guys are making me re-think this again, maybe a 4870 x2 or the 4850 x2 will serve my system better.

Then again the irresponsible non thinking part of my brain may kick in and say what the "H" I haven't bought anything significant (CPU related) in the pat 1 year, my wife buys $400 to $600 handbags without blinking, I deserve this.

Another option is to get a EVGA Core 216 and step up in 3 months when the GTX295 supply have become more abundant and the prices have come down a bit.

Peace

 

[KaRRiLLioN]

I just finished building a new system and of course can't find the GTX295 I want to go into this beast.

Intel Core i7 Extreme 965 Nehalem 3.2gz
ASUS P6T Deluxe X58 mobo
Silverstone FT01 Fortress Case
3GB Corsair Dominator DDR3 1600 RAM
Corsair 1000HX PSU
WD 300GB Velociraptor
HT Omega Claro Plus Sound card

Seems a travesty to put anything but the fastest vid card.

 

[allies]

Seems a travesty that you have 3x1 GB of ram in your system.

OP, spring for the X2...

 

[blanketyblank]

That is assuming you are doing a single video card.
The BEST performance with an i7 would be through SLI especially considering that's one of the biggest selling points of the x58.
2 x GTX 280s will beat a single 295 easily.
http://www.guru3d.com/article/...-gtx-295-review-bfg/15

Imagine what 3 x GTX 285s can do...
or don't they actually have a review of that too.
http://www.guru3d.com/article/...85-review--3way-sli/17

You probably already know, but you can only do GTX 295 SLI not x3 SLI, and x3SLI with 3 285s will be faster. Costwise 2 x 285s will be slightly more expensive than 1 295 though you'll probably be fine with just one for now. 280s have really gone down in price though so you could do 2 x 280 for less than the cost of a 295 and still have faster perfomance.

Another site that compares quad SLI and x3 performance.
http://www.tweaktown.com/artic...ps_examined/index.html

 

[KaRRiLLioN]

@allies -- I'm still using XP 32bit. I hate Vista so there's no reason to go with more than 3GB since XP can't see it.

@blanketyblank - you're right, but I'm not interested in SLI. Been there, done that. Wasn't worth it IMO. I know--ironic coming from the guy who just bought a CPU that probably still won't be fully utilized with games. LOL.

I have a GTX 280 in my current machine and a 4870X2 in my shuttle box. Hrm. Choices.

 

[OCGuy]

Originally posted by: techboie
get a 4850X2 sub $250, best bang for buck. CF >>> GTX 295

Care to back this up? I'm looking for something to read anyway.

 

[ronnn]

So whats the verdict, is this just a review card or what?

 

[Cookie Monster]

Its because of the recent recession, nVIDIA partners are opting to only buy up to one and a half month of inventory, not the usual 2~3 months. Fuad seems to think that the GTX295 are selling pretty good atm, so I think its the partners themselves that made a mistake in predicting sales for this card, i.e not meeting the unexpected demand for such a high end card.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: AnMig
my wife buys $400 to $600 handbags without blinking, I deserve this.

Putting stuff into perspective is always a good thing.

Originally posted by: AnMig
Another option is to get a EVGA Core 216 and step up in 3 months when the GTX295 supply have become more abundant and the prices have come down a bit.

In another forum someone mentioned that the queue for EVGA's GTX 295 Step-Up program was almost 500 people. I don't think you should hold your breath.

Alternately, BFG's Trade-Up program has 10 more days than EVGA, not that your chances of getting a GTX 295 is any better.

Originally posted by: ronnn
So whats the verdict, is this just a review card or what?

No. I don't know about other partners, but I think BFG shipped quadruple digits worth of GTX 295 cards. However, after the initial bunch, more cards are barely trickling in.

Originally posted by: Cookie Monster
Fuad seems to think that the GTX295 are selling pretty good atm, so I think its the partners themselves that made a mistake in predicting sales for this card, i.e not meeting the unexpected demand for such a high end card.

For such a high end card, yes they are selling well. As for making a mistake in not ordering enough, I'm not sure that is accurate. All partners are waiting on NVIDIA for existing orders, so not like they didn't order enough. This is typical of all higher profile and higher demand products at launch. Think 8800 GT. Heck, think PS3 and Wii. I'm fairly certain that NVIDIA stockpiled cards for a month or so because the initial launch quantities were enough so that people couldn't bitch about it being a "paper launch." Nowadays we're just getting allocations on a weekly basis. I'm thinking NVIDIA is cranking these out as fast as they can. Just think about it. For every GTX 295 they make, that's two fewer GTX 285/260 that they make. Alternately, if made at the same rate the final output is half the other cards.

 

[AnMig]

I gave in and canceled my order with Microcenter, I will think twice before I order from them. I mean at least mention in your site that its back ordered.

I ordered it from TIGER direct, I called first to make sure its not a 1 month waiting time. The CSR told me that they where expecting shipment this week and expect to ship it out this week. Will give it a week if it does not ship I will cancel it and take it as a sign from above that I was not meant to have this card and might just wait for a good deal on a 4870x2 these seem to be in stock but most of them are over $450.

I kind of remember having a bad experience with Tiger direct but that was like >5 years ago when I was still building my own systems. I think they kind of won some people over in this forum over so I am giving them another shot.

Peace

 

[Cookie Monster]

Originally posted by: Zap
For such a high end card, yes they are selling well. As for making a mistake in not ordering enough, I'm not sure that is accurate. All partners are waiting on NVIDIA for existing orders, so not like they didn't order enough. This is typical of all higher profile and higher demand products at launch. Think 8800 GT. Heck, think PS3 and Wii. I'm fairly certain that NVIDIA stockpiled cards for a month or so because the initial launch quantities were enough so that people couldn't bitch about it being a "paper launch." Nowadays we're just getting allocations on a weekly basis. I'm thinking NVIDIA is cranking these out as fast as they can. Just think about it. For every GTX 295 they make, that's two fewer GTX 285/260 that they make. Alternately, if made at the same rate the final output is half the other cards.

Well during the Q4 conference call, nVIDIA stated that they are sitting on a rather big pile of inventory due to its partners not ordering as much chips compared to previous years (This took effect roughly around oct/nov time frame which sales dropped sharply and has been since iirc). They also claimed that they will cut wafer orders during Q2, because of this unusual problem with the larger than normal inventory.

Q4 conference call

Marvin D. Burkett

I think that they went from two-and-a-half to three months worth of inventory down to between one and one-and-a-half months of inventory.

(talking about channel inventory ala its partners)

Well, let me take the inventory issue first. We have significantly cut back our [wafer] starts. I don?t think that?s a surprise to anyone. When you have this inventory level we don?t need a lot more wafers. So based on the inventory that we have, if you look into Q1 I see a significant inventory reduction coming. I can?t give you the magnitude of that until you give me the revenue number. But I would say something significantly reduced in Q1.

Jen-Hsun Huang

nearly every computer company in the world or in just about every electronics company in the world that for whatever reason October was a reasonable month, but November fell off a cliff. November was the beginning of our quarter and so we experienced three consecutive difficult months.

 

[chizow]

Sounds like partners have been stockpiling parts for their water cooling launch.
Guru3D news about BFG, EVGA, Zotac preparing water cooled GTX 295s.
More recent news bits about 295 water cooled editions

It does sound like Nvidia underestimated the popularity of the GTX 295 though, and its understandable they're having trouble meeting demand as both the 55nm 260 and 285 are outselling the 4800 series according to Fudzilla: People simply want the faster one, and at the moment, it's Nvidia.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: Cookie Monster
Well during the Q4 conference call, nVIDIA stated that they are sitting on a rather big pile of inventory due to its partners not ordering as much chips compared to previous years

Right, but I don't think that affects highly allocated parts like the GTX 295. Trust me on this. If BFG can get 10x the number of cards we are allocated for next week, we'd do it. It wasn't a matter of "whoops didn't forcast and got caught OOS."

Nvidia has too many chips

Nvidia is stuck with probably more than 50 percent of chips they were hoping to sell in Q4 and to add to this equation, they have more 65nm parts than they hoped for. The good news is that most of the sales is 55nm.

For GT200 they seemed to have moved away from 65nm pretty quickly. Besides current GT200 products, the only other exclusive 55nm product is the 9800 GTX+. So, if they're sitting on a big pile of 65nm chips, I'm thinking G98/G96/G94/G92 (but not G92b).