A lot of that was exchange rate. When the 4870 was launched we had over $2 to the pound. When the 5870 was launched it was $1.4. There was only $80 or about £50 in it ignoring exchange changes.
No, it was £469 at launch list price inc VAT. Anything more than that was price gouging. And to compare it to older cards when they were launched at $2:£1 it would have been only £351 inc VAT.
I have posted often that contrary to popular belief, the fastest high end cards by both Nvidia and ATI are no more than in the past and quite often less. It is only the poor exchange rate which makes us think they are more expensive. Factor in that $449 10 years ago was a hell of a lot more in real terms than $449 today, and they are quite cheap relatively.
List price at launch in US dollars.
x1950xtx $449
8800 GTX $599
8800 Ultra $799
gtx 280 $649
9800 GX2 $599
HD 4870 $299
HD 5870 $379
HD 5970 $599
GTX 480 $499
So the gtx 480 is only $50 more expensive than a x1950xtx was and $100 cheaper than a 8800GTX at launch.
To me, if the 6 series is a killer performance wise, then I can see them putting the 6870 out at $399 and the lower range priced accoringly under it.
Thanks, saves me posting the same thing. I'm noticing though that despite all the evidence, some people will ignore you and carry on with their "predictions" and "educated guesses", and tell us to stop with the "wishful thinking".
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