Spend my $200 now or wait til Christmas?

[darkewaffle]

Thanks, but these are both dead deals. Newegg isn't offering the MSI card for that much now, and the coupon code is dead.

Just double checked it, it's still working. There are however two entries for the Galaxy 470 on TD (Model # 70XKH3HS8GUX) and the coupon only works with the card that does not include the SC2 trial.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

There is always something better/cheaper coming around the corner. While your waiting for it I'll be enjoying my gaming.

 

[ZimZum]

Definitely the second.

In that case wait.

 

[Barfo]

I'll wait then. Perhaps SOuthern Islands will bring something good for me.

 

[Skurge]

Dont hit me if im off 5%-10% though, i could be.

WTH is that?

 

[betasub]

5 to 10 percent. Stupid forums software.

 

[RaistlinZ]

There is always something better/cheaper coming around the corner. While your waiting for it I'll be enjoying my gaming.

True. There's always a reason to wait. If you wait until December there will be a reason to wait until early Feb. and so forth. Just buy the best value you can find and be happy.

 

[Lonyo]

WTH is that?

That's the forums taking a dump on some characters.

 

[jvroig]

I'll wait then. Perhaps SOuthern Islands will bring something good for me.

Best option right now. Latest news has promised that AMD will actually cut prices in the near future, in anticipation of the release of SI.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2097255

 

[Keysplayr]

True. There's always a reason to wait. If you wait until December there will be a reason to wait until early Feb. and so forth. Just buy the best value you can find and be happy.

^ This.

 

[RaistlinZ]

Best option right now. Latest news has promised that AMD will actually cut prices in the near future, in anticipation of the release of SI.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2097255

True, then he'll probably want to wait for SI prices to come down. :hmm: Two months ago we all said wait on buying the 5850 until the GTX460 is realeased. Now that it's out we're saying don't buy, wait until "XYZ" is out.

Anyway, I give up. It's Friday. I'm going to go game now.

 

[Lonyo]

^ This.

Only "^ This" when NV already have some products out.

"The proper response to the OP's question is:
If you absolutely need a card right now, get one. If you don't need one right this second, then wait. "

"All those saying that they can't wait any longer? Well, that's fine if your current video card exploded and renders your current gaming ability non-existant, or your current card is barely scraping by at low settings pulling minimum frames in your fav game. Other than those two situations, I really can't see how anybody can say they "can't" wait any longer.

Oh, I need to add this. Buy what you want, when you want, if you want. "


I would suggest waiting until closer to Christmas. Currently prices are already going down. AMD might release new products later, towards Christmas time, but they should be lowering prices as well. That means with both companies lowering prices, your $200 will do more, or might even grow to $more than 250.
Buying now just because you want to isn't the best reason to upgrade, especially if it's a long term upgrade (something you want ot last for say another 2+ years) when if you hold off you can get better value.

How long do plan on keeping this upgrade for? If it's something that's supposed to last another 2+ years, then waiting will mean that you might be able to get something to last longer, or which will do better towards the end of its life.
If it's a year or so that you plan to keep it, then spending $200 now isn't such a bad decision because it doesn't have to last you as long.

 

[jvroig]

True, then he'll probably want to wait for SI prices to come down. Two months ago we all said wait on buying the 5850 until the GTX460 is realeased. Now that it's out we're saying don't buy, wait until "XYZ" is out.

Hahaha, yeah, that's one way to look at it I suppose :thumbsup:

Here's another: if your mind is not yet made up to get a card at certain prices (like the OP), then buying right at the time that price cuts are announced to happen soon (sort of) does not make sense at all. It's new information. "Price cuts soon". It changes the game. It's a whole different thing when you are just guessing with no info at all ("Maybe SI will come. Maybe there will be a price war. Maybe there will be a better deal. And etc.")

Before the news about impending price cuts, nobody knew if prices will go down or go up or stay the same at Christmas. Now we know better. With new information, it changes the decision-making process, and quite possibly the end-result (the decision itself) as well.

But, as I said, that's just another way to look at it. Not like it's the law or anything

 

[dug777]

I couldn't help but wait for SI at this stage, nothing worse than buyer's remorse...

 

[Keysplayr]

Only "^ This" when NV already have some products out.

"The proper response to the OP's question is:
If you absolutely need a card right now, get one. If you don't need one right this second, then wait. "

"All those saying that they can't wait any longer? Well, that's fine if your current video card exploded and renders your current gaming ability non-existant, or your current card is barely scraping by at low settings pulling minimum frames in your fav game. Other than those two situations, I really can't see how anybody can say they "can't" wait any longer.

Oh, I need to add this. Buy what you want, when you want, if you want. "


I would suggest waiting until closer to Christmas. Currently prices are already going down. AMD might release new products later, towards Christmas time, but they should be lowering prices as well. That means with both companies lowering prices, your $200 will do more, or might even grow to $more than 250.
Buying now just because you want to isn't the best reason to upgrade, especially if it's a long term upgrade (something you want ot last for say another 2+ years) when if you hold off you can get better value.

How long do plan on keeping this upgrade for? If it's something that's supposed to last another 2+ years, then waiting will mean that you might be able to get something to last longer, or which will do better towards the end of its life.
If it's a year or so that you plan to keep it, then spending $200 now isn't such a bad decision because it doesn't have to last you as long.

No. That's you're response. I happen to agree with RaistlinZ. You can play the waiting game forever, or you can game now happily. You can disagree with me all you want, but don't tell me what I "should" have responded with.
/cheers.

 

[maddie]

Rather new here. Here goes.

The MAIN reason cards were so cheap last year was the fear that inventories would destroy profits in the recession. Bad economic times are returning (if they ever left) and companies will have to drop prices to sell. Unemployment is terrible and will continue to be this way or get worse.

If you can wait, WAIT. Almost certain to get bargains.

 

[GaiaHunter]

No. That's you're response. I happen to agree with RaistlinZ. You can play the waiting game forever, or you can game now happily. You can disagree with me all you want, but don't tell me what I "should" have responded with.
/cheers.

The thing is the OP said he isn't having problems playing now.

One thing is not being happy with current performance or building a new machine - in this case if prices are affordable buying is great as you get satisfaction for your money.

If someone is happy with the current performance, waiting is more interesting as the satisfaction by upgrading now will be less.

 

[SlowSpyder]

No. That's you're response. I happen to agree with RaistlinZ. You can play the waiting game forever, or you can game now happily. You can disagree with me all you want, but don't tell me what I "should" have responded with.
/cheers.

But I'm pretty sure those are some of your responses before Fermi released...

Now that someone is considering a 460, even though they clearly stated that they don't 'need' a new card, the best value in his stated budget is the 460, so you agree that he should buy. I remember before Fermi was launched you suggested that people wait to see what it can do, to not buy that Radeon right now.

To the OP, it sounds like your current card is fine, you're in no rush. So unless you just want to play with new tech I would wait in your case. Generally I'm not one for waiting, but based on what you've said it seems to me that you really aren't in dire need for a new card. But then again, new technology is always fun to play with...

 

[Lonyo]

No. That's you're response. I happen to agree with RaistlinZ. You can play the waiting game forever, or you can game now happily. You can disagree with me all you want, but don't tell me what I "should" have responded with.
/cheers.

Actually the first two quotes in speechmarks were your responses from a few months before GF100/Fermi came out.
Since it's potentially a similar timescale for Southern Islands, I felt they were somewhat appropriate.

 

[Grooveriding]

Actually the first two quotes in speechmarks were your responses from a few months before GF100/Fermi came out.
Since it's potentially a similar timescale for Southern Islands, I felt they were somewhat appropriate.

Yeah it was that and something along the lines of 'we're in for a great surprise' Hah, 10 percent faster over 5870, big surprise there. I think the surprise must of been not needing to turn on the furnace this winter.

To the OP, definitely wait, while there is always something new, there are key moments that are worth waiting for and buying at.

For instance, buying a 5870 or 5850 at release date, was the best choice and value in a long while, as you would have had the best of performance for a year now, vs waiting for nvidia and getting the same performance for more money, for only five months.

Southern Islands will be out in two to three months and will again be the best and fastest and a good time to buy as nvidia has no new cards coming out, just refreshes.

If you don't want to get SI, it will still push the price down on everything else available, whether it be an ATI or nvidia card.

 

[Keysplayr]

But I'm pretty sure those are some of your responses before Fermi released...

And you said you aren't an Nvidia marketer. Now that someone is considering a 460, even though they clearly stated that they don't 'need' a new card, the best value in his stated budget is the 460, so you agree that he should buy. I remember before Fermi was launched you suggested that people wait to see what it can do, to not buy that Radeon right now.

To the OP, it sounds like your current card is fine, you're in no rush. So unless you just want to play with new tech I would wait in your case. Generally I'm not one for waiting, but based on what you've said it seems to me that you really aren't in dire need for a new card. But then again, new technology is always fun to play with...

n/m. Took different route.

 

[Madcatatlas]

What does n/m mean? I could guess but just hit me with it. And its interesting to note that you dont want to debate being called out on previous recommendations Keys!

 

[Keysplayr]

What does n/m mean? I could guess but just hit me with it. And its interesting to note that you dont want to debate being called out on previous recommendations Keys!

If you say so. Shall we all go back and play the past recommendations game? I can play. And what is your current recommendation? Oh look, pretty much the same as mine. So what's the problem?

 

[jvroig]

What does n/m mean?

It means "nevermind", usual alternatives commonly seen around here are "nvm" and "nm".

Quit baiting Keys. I hope you all realize that, no matter what your intention and how good/noble they might be, he is still a super moderator and mod-callout is still a violation. Don't let DrPizza catch you. Most of you feel very strongly about this issue, take it up in Moderator Discussions please.


------------------

That being said, going back on topic, I am still of the opinion that "waiting" right now is acceptable and makes a little more sense:
1.) Card is not urgently needed; OP was merely wondering what 200-250 dollar card could be a reasonable upgrade.
2.) Waiting for Christmas (a viable option included by the OP himself) seems to be a productive option, now that AMD has reportedly promised 5xxx price cuts in the near future, which most likely will be before Christmas since 6xxx timeline was "Oct announcement, Nov release".

Since the facts on the ground changed when AMD made the price cut promise, it made the "waiting" option more attractive, while making the "buy now" option less attractive. Whether the effect is significant enough to cross the threshold of one's personal preference to buy or wait is a very individual thing.

For me, it has crossed the "waiting" threshold, so I am sitting tight. I do not wish to buy any card now (I still have a reliable gaming card) when in two months the price could drop significantly.

So it is not about "well, you can wait forever with that logic" - rather, it is looking at what is the best time to make a purchase (hint: not when prices are about to be cut), and when facts on the ground change, so does the decision-making process. Something is wrong with the decision-making process when it is never affected by a change in the facts or new input / information.

 

[betasub]

I don't see Keys posting in his capacity as a mod, so why do you feel special rules apply, jvroig?