price war or price gouge? place your bets here.

[taltamir]

So which do you think will happen? vote with your bet here and lets see if we are all the market analysts / tech gurus / psychics we claim to be...

 

[pcslookout]

I don't know but I sure hope we get even more price wars soon!

 

[WhipperSnapper]

This is a two-firm oligopoly. For that reason, I'm voting for a price gouging.

 

[njdevilsfan87]

I think the 256MB models... maybe. But as far as the 512MB models - I'm not seeing it. The 8800GT may drop slightly but instead of $300 I'm guessing it'll fall to $280.

 

[Lonyo]

Um, where you live it might be gouge.
But when the HD3850 is £105 (pre-order, £117.50 in stock) and the 8800GT 256MB is £122 (pre-order), the HD3870 is £139 and the GT 512MB is £175, it's war.
The GT 512MB needs to come down a bit though.

 

[taltamir]

wow, the score was perfectly even at 16 votes for each option...

So... anyone care to say which won? or is it still inconclusive?

 

[Earfoam]

All I can say is COMPETITION IS GOOD for the consumer.....................

AMD should go for the jugular, drive prices on the 3870 lower ($150) and promote the heck out of Crossfire FTW!

OK, I just woke up now 😛

 

[bryanW1995]

I think that price war will win out as long as both sides can meet demand. if either side falls short on supply side then prices will end up rising for both camps noticeably...which is what's happened thus far. realistically with xmas on the horizon, we're looking at 08 before prices really settle down to more expected levels. it's up to nvidia and amd to determine whether that happens in jan 08 or jun 08 unfortunately 🙁

 

[mindless1]

As always, cards carry a dispropotionately high price upon first market entry then the price falls, we see rebates, etc.

 

[taltamir]

Originally posted by: mindless1
As always, cards carry a dispropotionately high price upon first market entry then the price falls, we see rebates, etc.

except last year AMD had nothing to offer so prices NEVER went down... in fact all the 8 series geforces still costs as much today as it did when it was first released. And instead of prices going down due to the GT... the price of the GT rose to meet last years prices on the rest of the 8 series.

 

[bryanW1995]

gt is a unique case b/c nvidia was SO dominant from nov 06 to nov 07 that the market never dropped, plus the gt had barely any stock. it's still just trickling in here and there. smart/bargain shoppers have found a couple here and there under $250, but VERY few actually have those in their hands yet. It looks like the first-day adopters will win out again. Don't be surprised to see a lot of pissed off people canceling their 8800gt orders from dell etc in the next month or so b/c they are still "waiting on shipping" or "backordered". Same thing with cheapie 3870's. If you can get 3870 or 8800gt for a number that's reasonably close to msrp and it's "in stock and available for shipping right now" then jump on it b/c I have a feeling that the availability woes will only continue indefinitely 🙁

 

[Puffnstuff]

Why would nvidia release a refresh to their outgoing line if they plan to introduce new cards in Feb? I would think that the new gpu would get priority on the tooling and production lines instead of a refreshed core. Could this just be an attempt by nvidia to cash in on x-mas sales to further line their pockets before the next gen arrives?

 

[muns786]

I say it's a price war once they get everything in stock.

 

[Belles Toaster]

What do you all think Nvidia's going to charter Airbus A-380's to fly in 8800 GT's:
maybe but you'll pay the the air freight , lamely hidden in the the sudden markup:
most likely its in container ships chugging through the waves. As the market heats
up the salty sea captains are told to steam on in. If the market cools off they are told
to donuts in the Pacific. ( These shenanigans were used during the first oil crisis
embargo in 1973 where supertankers lay in wait so that pump prices could be
driven up). The intent was to create hype on launch for early bird adopters and
move up the price. The local big box claims the msrp is 349. Small local online
resellers also have stock @349. At the same time I have heard that alot unsold
Nvidia stock has to be dealt with. I remember when I worked in hi-fi audio,
major manufacturers would sweeten close outs with free incentive products to
help heavy discounting. Remember the factories in China bend over backwards
to keep humming. Who knows maybe allottments of 8800GT's are doled out in this manner.
While we are all "know-it-alls" in these forums, the market place has not yet
reacted to the changing of the guard or crown, most people will not wait to finish
their PC and will buy whatever the kid behind the counter's boss
told him to sell. If you can hold of to find out about the CES show then you would
not regret purchases. ( I am waiting for SLI on a stick /or crossfire on a stick).
We are not going to see any price war til the old stuff is significantly gone.