Nvidia is striking while the iron is hot. The more upper/mid buyers it can entice with the GTX 460 prior to SI's release the smaller the market for AMD once it does come out.
cash flow – The cash flow in a business plan is the change in the cash balance. For example, the cash flow for a month would be a positive $10,000 if the balance was $10,000 at the beginning of the month and $20,000 at the end of the month. It is important to distinguish cash flow, which is the change in the balance, from cash or cash balance, which is the resulting ending balance. More formally, cash flow is an assessment and understanding of cash coming into and flowing out of the venture in specific periods of time. This can be based on projections or actual cash flow.
Since the GTX 470 dropped $80, it can now be had at the same price as a 5850. It outperforms the 5850 by a greater margin than the 5850 outperforms the 1GB 460. On that even price level, I'd say its greater performance (and avoidance of ATi drivers) largely negates that it uses 90 watts more under load and that it's a bit louder. (Although if I was given $280 under the condition that I had to spend all of it on one card, it would be the 5850. [an 8800 GTS will noticeably increase the room temperature in my unairconditioned computer room. An additional ~120 watts over that card that a 470 represents would be unacceptable.])
Nvidia is striking while the iron is hot.
You don't lower the price of a hot product. You lower the price of a cold product.
Under most circumstances, but this isn't most circumstances. Think of all the glowing reviews, think of all the posts from people who've bought one or are contemplating buying one. Nvidia is trying to move as many as it can because its a window of opportunity, not because the GTX 460 is "cold".
Even Honda had regular clearances even though its cars were selling well. 😉 Sometimes its about volume.
There are a few typical reasons for what nVidia is doing. One is cash flow. Someone in another thread was equating cash flow with profit. One has absolutely nothing to do with the other.
Cash flow is what meets your monthly (or daily, if you prefer) expenses. If you have a payable acct.
Im in no need for a video card but the 480 GTX can be priced at 250 dollars. That would get them big time sales. Thanks
With all those glowing reviews you don't devalue your product and your brand by cutting its price if it is selling well.