Where to buy ATI AIW 9800 Pro?

[Fallen Kell]

Just wondering, since ATI released it last week to the public (and announced it 3 months ago) if anyone knew where one is available (other then the one store I saw which is completely ripping people off for $600 when its retail is $450 with an eta of 2-3 weeks as well.

 

[jm9843]

I'd keep checking ati.com's store if I were you. Although the pre-orders ended 2 or 3 days ago, they may have extra. I have experience buying direct, and they are very fast shipping.

 

[Fallen Kell]

I didn't pre-order because they had a "Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery" in their small print on the deal. This led me to believe that they didn't really have the cards and were not going to actually get any for another month.

 

[Fallen Kell]

bump to see if anyone ran across a site/store today...

 

[sumrtym]

Originally posted by: Fallen Kell
I didn't pre-order because they had a "Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery" in their small print on the deal. This led me to believe that they didn't really have the cards and were not going to actually get any for another month.

So if ATI, the source of the chip and the only manufacturer of AIW cards, doesn't have one (according to what you were led to believe), WHY would you expect someone else to have it? That's why they held the pre-order....if you wanted it first, that's the only way to get it because they'll go out before they go to stores.

 

[jm9843]

Hot off the presses.

 

[Rilescat]

Originally posted by: jm9843
Hot off the presses.

Excellent....

So what are the big feature upgrades vs. the 9700 AIW? I read the whitepaper link, but what are the real benefits of the 9800 over the 9700?

 

[Fallen Kell]

The difference is the fact that the chip is based off the R350 processor and not the R300 processor. It also has updated versions of all their video capture technology (well software at least). Basically, its the difference between buying a 9700 Pro and a 9800 Pro. If you already own a 9700 Pro it probably isn't worth the expense to get the 9800, but if you don't already have that, you should get the 9800. Especially since the 9700 AIW is still selling at $390 so $60 more isn't all that much for the benefits (just go look at the benchmarks comparing a 9700 Pro and a 9800 Pro and you will see what I mean).

 

[Fallen Kell]

Originally posted by: sumrtym

Originally posted by: Fallen Kell
I didn't pre-order because they had a "Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery" in their small print on the deal. This led me to believe that they didn't really have the cards and were not going to actually get any for another month.

So if ATI, the source of the chip and the only manufacturer of AIW cards, doesn't have one (according to what you were led to believe), WHY would you expect someone else to have it? That's why they held the pre-order....if you wanted it first, that's the only way to get it because they'll go out before they go to stores.

The reason I expect other store to have the card first is because shop@ATI is notorious for being LATE to market. It took them over a month to list the 9800 Pro, that is a month AFTER many other stores had already been selling the cards. Even through it is "direct" from ATI, this does not mean that ATI perfers to sell their products this way. This is one of the reasons ATI is no longer going to even be manufacturing their own cards (excluding the AIW series) in the future. ATI sees a better business plan to sell bulk to resellers who then sell to consumers, not sell direct to consumers. The only benefit for going through shop@ATI is you should have less hassle getting a defective product repaired/replaced in the warrenty period.

Again, like I said shop@ATI is notorious for been a month or more to market with ATI's products. Which would mean that if I pre-ordered with the 4-6 week delay, I would get my card faster by buying it through another store that doesn't have at least a 1 month delay in getting the product (i.e. assume worse case, 6 week delay, assuming the normal 4 week delay in shop@ATI even with the pre-order, I am a minimum 2 weeks longer in getting the card from shop@ATI). And also note, the 4 to 6 weeks was for after the product was released. Other stores usually have the product AT release, not 6 weeks after release... Again like I said, it is rediculous to have a 4-6 week delay on a pre-order. A pre-order means they have your name and address on the box and the box in the mail the day the products are "released" to be shipped, not 4-6 weeks later.

 

[sumrtym]

Originally posted by: Fallen Kell

The reason I expect other store to have the card first is because shop@ATI is notorious for being LATE to market. It took them over a month to list the 9800 Pro, that is a month AFTER many other stores had already been selling the cards.

Well, congratulations, because they were released today and I received my order confirmation and tracking number today as well (it's leaving tomorrow, delivery in 4-6 business days via standard ground).

Originally posted by: Fallen Kell
This is one of the reasons ATI is no longer going to even be manufacturing their own cards (excluding the AIW series) in the future.

This is wrong as well. You're quoting the Inquirer and Xbitlabs, both of which flubbed this story. ATI confirms that this is NOT the case, that they are continuing with built by ATI cards for the US and Canadian markets.

Originally posted by: Fallen Kell
Again, like I said shop@ATI is notorious for been a month or more to market with ATI's products. Which would mean that if I pre-ordered with the 4-6 week delay, I would get my card faster by buying it through another store that doesn't have at least a 1 month delay in getting the product (i.e. assume worse case, 6 week delay, assuming the normal 4 week delay in shop@ATI even with the pre-order, I am a minimum 2 weeks longer in getting the card from shop@ATI). And also note, the 4 to 6 weeks was for after the product was released. Other stores usually have the product AT release, not 6 weeks after release...

Good, tomorrow I'll expect you to be able to post links to tons of stores with them IN STOCK if all that's the case. I'll be looking forward to your post.
:evil:

 

[NicColt]

I'm an AIW fan but jeeez... On April 7th they announce the AIW 9800 Pro, on June 26th they announce shipment of AIW 9800 Pro which means that it will take box stores about 8 weeks to get em..... I wonder if they will put out another press release in two months saying that stores are starting to receive the AIW 9800 Pro ? C'mon already.

Next thing you know they'll announce a card and take a year to get to the store.

 

[jm9843]

I too received my tracking #/shipping confirmation yesterday. I should have it on Tuesday!