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The economics behind GFX cards?

Tommy B

Tommy B

Tommy B

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I take it we have ATI to thank for Nvidia dropping the prices of their GTX. Did they honsetly think that most users would be willing to pay £450 for the 7900GTX?

Is that the reason for the sudden price drops of the 7900GTX?

I've never understood why Nvidia charged so much more when most reviewers state the X1900XTX is better in terms of performance?
 
A hefty price is usually charged in the beginning because there may be limited supply and early adopters will still pay the price almost regardless, also graphics cards(more than almost any other component) have a limited lifespan so a high entry price makes sense when looking to re-coup investment and then lower the price to help gain more market share.

That would be the basics as I see them, ATI this time around came into the market with a very low price on their graphics cards which is a little unusual.
 
semi-pro waster said:
A hefty price is usually charged in the beginning because there may be limited supply and early adopters will still pay the price almost regardless, also graphics cards(more than almost any other component) have a limited lifespan so a high entry price makes sense when looking to re-coup investment and then lower the price to help gain more market share.

That would be the basics as I see them, ATI this time around came into the market with a very low price on their graphics cards which is a little unusual.
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Yes, and now my respect for ATI has substantially risen. They've also sold huge quantities of the card due to the low price.
 
I can't see that being the reason, its OcUK who have dropped the price, they would have got a good deal of Nvidia, they will still be £450+ everywhere else, and Nvidia know they can charge £450+ as it doesn't matter to them, they know ppl will still buy them in their droves, regardles of how much they are. :)
 
Tommy B said:
Yes, and now my respect for ATI has substantially risen. They've also sold huge quantities of the card due to the low price.
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I wouldn't bet on them doing it again though unless they need to increase their market share, as I'm sure you know ATI won't be doing it out of the kindness of their hearts, it is a business so anything will be done with their profits first in mind. It happens to benefit consumers but really it is just a fortunate side-effect.
 
Tommy B said:
I take it we have ATI to thank for Nvidia dropping the prices of their GTX. Did they honsetly think that most users would be willing to pay £450 for the 7900GTX?

Is that the reason for the sudden price drops of the 7900GTX?

I've never understood why Nvidia charged so much more when most reviewers state the X1900XTX is better in terms of performance?
Click to expand...

Hi there

NVIDIA have not changed the prices at all, so no price drop!

The price drops have come from several other areas, such as both NVIDIA partners and the Etailors actually lowering margin due to the fact the product is now in good supply or at least it is for OcUK. Also plus the fact that the exchange rates have improved greatly in the UK's favour over the last two weeks which can have quite a big impact on price too. :)
 
prices are high because people are willing to pay!!

in the last 5 years, top end gfx cards have doubled in price and more people than ever are buying them nowdays. it wouldnt be easy for customers to get the prices to drop either, since how would you get everyone in the world to make a stand and refuse to buy the cards untill they hit £200 again? currently ATI are the only people that can get nvidia to make significant price drops.
 
There is no graphics card monopoly!

I don't understand why it doesn't just follow the laws of economic competition. Nvidia release the X card for £300, ATI then release the equivalent Y card for £250 and thus Nvidia drop the price of their X card to £249 etc.

As Elmo says, the producer surplus is HUGE and unfortunately people are so in love with their PCs they will go out and pay the big bucks. I'd expect that ATI and Nvidia have suffered due to the release of the Xbox 360. Last Xmas, I know a lot of you put your foot down and said you were fed up.

To conclude, IMO, the fate of the PC gaming industry (which effectively keeps OCUK a thriving business) is controlled by the GFX industry. If prices of new cards begin to exceed ridiculous prices, I think Nvidia & ATI will both find their high prices not only have an adverse effect, but also completely destroy the PC gaming industry.

At Xmas, Nvidia could be clever and decide to sell their new cards for £270 or something. They'd see a surge in sales, and thus both consumer and producer would be happy. This is what ATI did this time round, according to you guys.

Do you agree?
 
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Tommy B said:
There is no graphics card monopoly!

I don't understand why it doesn't just follow the laws of economic competition. Nvidia release the X card for £300, ATI then release the equivalent Y card for £250 and thus Nvidia drop the price of their X card to £249 etc.

As Elmo says, the producer surplus is HUGE and unfortunately people are so in love with their PCs they will go out and pay the big bucks. I'd expect that ATI and Nvidia have suffered due to the release of the Xbox 360. Last Xmas, I know a lot of you put your foot down and said you were fed up.

To conclude, IMO, the fate of the PC gaming industry (which effectively keeps OCUK a thriving business) is controlled by the GFX industry. If prices of new cards begin to exceed ridiculous prices, I think Nvidia & ATI will both find their high prices not only have an adverse effect, but also completely destroy the PC gaming industry.

At Xmas, Nvidia could be clever and decide to sell their new cards for £270 or something. They'd see a surge in sales, and thus both consumer and producer would be happy. This is what ATI did this time round, according to you guys.

Do you agree?
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yup, its well known that you could sell 1000 items for £270, making £270,000. compared to 500 items for £400, making £200,000. not only will they make more money by selling more items cheaper, but they also get more of their products into peoples computers.
 
Its basic supply and demand.

High demand, limited supply= High prices.

Its that simple.

300 quid gets you a 7900 GTX now.

when the new cards come this will drop further.
 
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