Pricing on x1900 cards by Mar/April?

[Washoe]

I am in need of a video card upgrade. I'm running 1920x1200 reso on a Dell 2405 with a 128mb AGP 6800nu card, and it isn't holding up any more, even with unlocked pipes (16). I have to play Quake 4 on medium settings and even that is laggy. Same issue with other games I play (EQ2, FEAR for example).

So I'm pretty much decided on the x1900XT card. Not XTX because the performance for the extra cash I do not think is worth it. It's just a matter of when I make the purchase at this point, more than anything else.

The thing is, I've always kept my video card expenses under $300 and even that seemed like a lot to me. Now I'm looking at the HIS X1900XT from newegg which currently has a $50 mail-in rebate, bringing the total to $509. I know when I bought my Dell 2405 I was moving up in terms of the class of video cards required to play the latest games. Still, $500+ seems like a standard I just don't want to cross (yet).

My question - I'm wondering what you all here think the price on the X1900XT gpu will fall to within the next couple months and the release of 7900 in a matter of weeks. Will the X1900XT fall significantly lower than where it is now? $509 is a good deal, relatively speaking at the moment. If I wait for, say, another month, would I still be facing the prospects of having to fork over $500 or should I just bite the bullet now because I really really have to upgrade and I don't want to wait much longer!

 

[drum]

this is pure speculation of course, but i see it being at least 500 in a month

 

[M0RPH]

There will be a lower priced X1900XL coming soon if you really don't like the idea of spending $500 on a video card. Not sure what it'll sell for but I imagine it'll be at least $100 cheaper than the XT.

 

[Washoe]

Thx I have not heard of the XL card - will research it.

Ha, I now see the thread floating this video forum, "X1800 GTO & X1900 XL coming"

Thanks again!

 

[beggerking]

it should fall below $500 since 7900 will be out. Competition = lowered price for consumers.

 

[Matthias99]

Originally posted by: beggerking
it should fall below $500 since 7900 will be out. Competition = lowered price for consumers.

However, it takes time for prices to adjust, and if the 7900GTX launches at $600... it won't exert much pricing pressure anyway. Especially if there are supply issues (don't know if there will be, nor what the final specs will actually look like). I wouldn't hold out hope for massive price cuts on these cards in the short term, unless the 7900GTX is very fast, widely available, AND affordably priced.

If the latest rumored specs on the 7900GT are correct (and these sound a lot more reasonable), that card probably won't be beating the X1900XT in terms of performance, so unless it is a *lot* cheaper, that card won't have much impact on pricing of the X1900s.

I'd also hold out for an X1900XL if you're looking for something cheaper. I also saw something about there possibly being some 256MB X1800XTs, which could be cheaper than the 512MB versions but would perform about the same.

 

[Ackmed]

The X1900XT is, and has been under $500 for a while now. Monarch had the HIS retail XTX for $525 until yesterday.

edit, just checked, and they've extended the rebate time till 2/28, it was 2/21. Now the HIS XTX is $550 after $50 rebate. It was $525 after $50 rebate, but they raised the price up $25. The XT is still $475 after $50 rebate. According to the AT article, HIS is using the AC Silencer fan, which is quieter than the stock fan.

 

[Washoe]

Originally posted by: Matthias99 I wouldn't hold out hope for massive price cuts on these cards in the short term, unless the 7900GTX is very fast, widely available, AND affordably priced.

If the latest rumored specs on the 7900GT are correct (and these sound a lot more reasonable), that card probably won't be beating the X1900XT in terms of performance, so unless it is a *lot* cheaper, that card won't have much impact on pricing of the X1900s.

That's what my thinking is too. I can't see it go under $450 for at least a couple of months, can you? And if that's the case - I may as well get the card now because this dang 6800 is killing me!! (don't get me wrong, I think it was a great card at one time)

btw I am sold on the 1900 gpu and decided against the x1800 series but thx for the suggestion.

 

[Washoe]

Originally posted by: Ackmed
The X1900XT is, and has been under $500 for a while now. Monarch had the HIS retail XTX for $525 until yesterday.

edit, just checked, and they've extended the rebate time till 2/28, it was 2/21. Now the HIS XTX is $550 after $50 rebate. It was $525 after $50 rebate, but they raised the price up $25. The XT is still $475 after $50 rebate. According to the AT article, HIS is using the AC Silencer fan, which is quieter than the stock fan.

Thanks for checking that Ackmed. I may be compelled to jump on that deal now. This is what I'm talking about, too! I mean, will the 1900XT be significantly lower than $475 for the next couple of months? I really doubt it but wanted to hear some feedback from others who watch this stuff more closely.

Anyone know if newegg matches competitor prices?

 

[Ackmed]

No, newegg doesnt price match. However, they have a X1900XTX for $500, with no rebates. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814125008

Its a typo, the pic of the box shows a XT, but the part number newegg lists is for a XTX. Perhaps they will honor it? In any event, $500 with no rebates is a good price anyhow. And no I dont think the price will drop a lot in the next month or so. But who knows, $450 may be common by then.

 

[Paratus]

Nice price.

They are still 650/600 at Fry's.

Boy it sure is a nice night here in video, would'nt you say Ackmed ?



posted via Palm Life Drive

 

[Ackmed]

Yes, yes I would say that.

Even nicer if I had a Fry's around here.

 

[SynthDude2001]

Originally posted by: Ackmed
Yes, yes I would say that.

Even nicer if I had a Fry's around here.

I have a Fry's within (reasonable) driving distance...but no money with which to purchase a video card

 

[Washoe]

Originally posted by: Ackmed
No, newegg doesnt price match. However, they have a X1900XTX for $500, with no rebates. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814125008

Its a typo, the pic of the box shows a XT, but the part number newegg lists is for a XTX. Perhaps they will honor it? In any event, $500 with no rebates is a good price anyhow. And no I dont think the price will drop a lot in the next month or so. But who knows, $450 may be common by then.

Doh, it's now listed correctly as a XT

 

[Paratus]

Originally posted by: Ackmed
Yes, yes I would say that.

Even nicer if I had a Fry's around here.

We just had one go up last year about 3 miles from where I live.


O(n)T Heck it still a good deal even if it's "just" the XT.

 

[yacoub]

If 7900GT comes out at $300 like the latest rumor as opposed to the $400 initially rumored, that means the 7900GTX cannot be more than $500.

Either way, once they are released and tested in the next two weeks, the X1900XT will probably hit $475. Then in about three more weeks when the X1900XL comes out, the XT should have dropped to around $450 and the XL will probably come out around $350.

 

[Washoe]

Thanks again all, I think I will wait for the XL and see how prices work out by then.