Will Nvidia's Fermi bring ATI's Prices Down?

[clockjunkie]

I'm looking forward to nvidia's fermi release solely because I'm looking to buy an ati HD 5000 series card soon and was hoping to grab one at a reduced price. If the prices do get reduced on current ati cards, will it be immediate or gradual? And what would be the approximate price cut difference?
Any thoughts?

 

[zerocool84]

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2060109

 

[lifeblood]

This has been a major question on everybody's mind. We'll know in a week or two (or three, or more).

 

[nenforcer]

Well currently it looks like Fermi will be competitive with or at least slight faster than ATI 5800 series but the prices appear to be equal or greater than.

Since ATI's have been on the market for about 6 months now they may do a price drop on the 26th when Fermi drops to really stick it to nVidia. I would definitely wait at least 1 more week but more likely into early April to see how things shake out.

 

[waffleironhead]

It all depends on their performance and release price TBH. Regardless of that though, Fermi will sell at whatever price they set for the first month or so, it could even rise as retailers increase the retail price due to demand(what some call gouging, but is actually classic supply and demand). One thing to consider as well is most nV products carry a premium over competing ATI hardware due to their reputation. So, unless there is some huge performance gap between the 408/470 and the 5870/5850, dont expect prices to drop for the first month.

 

[Sylvanas]

I'd put my money on a slight price drop on the 5xxx series, at least maybe closer back towards RRP. Nvidia will not be able to engage ATI in a price war this time, Fermi is just too big and too low yeilding to do that.

 

[nyker96]

I don't think there will be a price drop if NV parts has so so performance. ATI will have to drop price if NV can bring a part that is quite a bit faster while just a little more expensive. but from initial reports the 480s and 470s will not be too fast plus will be power hoggers.

 

[dcavici]

I'd put my money on a slight price drop on the 5xxx series, at least maybe closer back towards RRP. Nvidia will not be able to engage ATI in a price war this time, Fermi is just too big and too low yeilding to do that.

I would agree with this, we'll just have to wait 1 more week to find out

 

[Borealis7]

perhaps it will be like the 4850 release all over again when ATI basically forced nVidia to cut prices on its 9800GTX/GTS250.

 

[Apocalypse23]

Around 2011 perhaps...This year seems done for ATI, and it's not a bad thing I think..they need to milk those 58xx/57xx for a good while, I predict many will be crossfiring the ATi's, it's cash collecting time for AMD.

On a side note, the Thubans (6 core phenom II X6's are on their way at the end of April), this year is a good one for AMD/ATI...I still think Nvidia's pricing scheme is bad for their end, ATI ftw...Now if AMD starts pricing the Thuban's at $200 marks, then I think AMD may win against Intel even...

 

[Rezident]

In Europe it's still practically impossible to get an ATI Vapor-X 5XXX card, they are all sold out, almost immediately, whenever they appear, even though they are already priced at a high premium. As long as that huge demand is there, ATI would be foolish to drop their prices.

Dropping prices would not even steal any Fermi-buyers away from Nvidia, as the brand loyalty is so great. Even if Fermi was only slightly faster than 5870, but priced at €600-€700 I know people that will buy it anyway!

 

[Grooveriding]

Dropping prices would not even steal any Fermi-buyers away from Nvidia, as the brand loyalty is so great. Even if Fermi was only slightly faster than 5870, but priced at €600-€700 I know people that will buy it anyway!

What he said. Just take a look at some posters feelings in this forum. There are hardware enthusiasts who have waited 6 months, balking at buying a 5870 available for that 6 month stretch, due to wanting to buy nvidia.

I use cards from either side, but why wait 6 months for a minimal performance increase for likely a bit more money ? Obviously brand loyalty.

I've more than got my money's worth already from my cards. And when ATI releases 6XXX at the end of this year, I will buy ATI again, unless nv has a release out that exceeds it by that point or one coming very soon, ie. launch date announced no later than 1 month following

 

[SunnyD]

Other than the USED market, which is awesome right now with everybody dumping their 5870's cheap in wait for Fermi... why would it? Current pricing looks like the GTX470 @ $349 and GTX480 @ $499. Those price points, even at ATI's current higher MSRP's, are resoundingly bodyslammed by ATI's lineup. If ATI has 5% performance parity, they've clearly got the superior product.

 

[Skott]

I'm hoping for a price reduction but I have a sneaking suspicion it won't be a large drop and it will be more gradual than immediate. It depends on how well Fermi performs and how well supplied they are. Sometimes I wonder if ATI and nVidia are purposely price fixing their products on the consumer by way of low supply as their excuse. Anyway I'm more inclined to go with small and gradual price adjustments at this point.

 

[solofly]

On a side note, the Thubans (6 core phenom II X6's are on their way at the end of April), this year is a good one for AMD/ATI...I still think Nvidia's pricing scheme is bad for their end, ATI ftw...Now if AMD starts pricing the Thuban's at $200 marks, then I think AMD may win against Intel even...

One of these unlocked and I may get one down the road... (if the price is right AMD, you hear me...?)

 

[Martimus]

One of these unlocked and I may get one down the road... (if the price is right AMD, you hear me...?)

http://www.techpowerup.com/118139/AMD_Working_on_Black_Edition_Phenom_II_X6_Part.html

The unlocked (black edition) version is supposedly $295 USD (tray price). That price is right for me at least, and if it comes out around $300 USD retail, I will pick up one of those 6 core 3.2GHz processors.

I hope that by that time, the 5800 series prices will come down quite a bit, so I can pick one up as well.