Originally posted by: v8envy
Other reasons the HD2900 is not suitable for many people: the noise/heat means it will NOT be useful for homebrew DVRs. Many of those are based on SFF cases. The added noise and heat of a HD2900 and new monster power supply makes the integrated HD audio playback features moot.
The statement of 'nothing in the $399 price bracket can touch it' is patently false. The 640 meg 8800GTS, overclocked or not trades blows with the HD2900 on a title by title basis. Today's pricing is $330 AR vs $409. Those of you living in the future may find the HD2900 a better value, but those of us here today are in a completely different boat.
Lastly, there is Linux support, or the complete lack of it. Only a factor for a minority of people (myself included), but it is a factor.
I'm glad this seems like the perfect solution to you, apop. I can't understand why, but hey -- it takes all kinds. The HD2900 would have to be about 10% less than a 640M 8800GTS for me to consider it at all.