This is my first post. I was a regular at the IGN PCGB for around 7 years. I'm sure there's a section for introductions, so I will search that out.
I have been itching all week to buy a new video card. I had some good overtime on my pay check, and I wanted to upgrade. My 4850 has been the best card I've ever had. Its performance has been acceptable to me longer than I expected.
I decided that I wanted to get the Asus 6850 at first thought. After researching more that same day, Monday, I decided that the extra bones for a GTX460 FTW was worth it. I found what I thought was a great deal, so I was going to get that on Friday. I was mistaken, however, and realized the model number of the "great deal" was the wrong one. The price difference between the GTX460 FTW and the 6850 was back to $50. I changed my mind -again- to get the 6850 and save some cash (ended up buying BF:BC2 for my cousin with the saved dough).
The new problem became availability. I could not find the Asus 6850 anywhere at a reasonable price. It was $20 and $30 more expensive than Newegg at other locations. As I waited each day for Newegg to get more Asus 6850's in stock, other brands became out of stock as well. My secondary choices fell through as well.
I found tonight that ++++US had the Asus 6850 for $195.14 + shipping. Because Newegg's price went up earlier this week, Newegg's price to my door was going to be ~$192. My decision now was: should I wait for Newegg to get Asus back in stock so I can save somewhere around $8, or should I just spend that little extra?
Before I paid the premium for Asus, I had to consider the other brands. Could I find other brands cheaper and in stock? I found MWAVE. They had the Gigabyte 6850 for $178. They have two promotions. One is if you are an MWAVE member (which is free), it's $4 off. The second is if you pay with eBillme for the first time, it's another $10 off. Shipping was $2.99. The grand total, to my door, was $166.99. At this point, the $30+ difference between the Asus and the Gigabyte was too large. I bit the bullet on the Gigabyte. Woohoo! I wonder if anyone else has gotten such a good deal on a 6850 so far.
On top of that, I have a buyer to pay $45 for my 4850. Yes!
I have been itching all week to buy a new video card. I had some good overtime on my pay check, and I wanted to upgrade. My 4850 has been the best card I've ever had. Its performance has been acceptable to me longer than I expected.
I decided that I wanted to get the Asus 6850 at first thought. After researching more that same day, Monday, I decided that the extra bones for a GTX460 FTW was worth it. I found what I thought was a great deal, so I was going to get that on Friday. I was mistaken, however, and realized the model number of the "great deal" was the wrong one. The price difference between the GTX460 FTW and the 6850 was back to $50. I changed my mind -again- to get the 6850 and save some cash (ended up buying BF:BC2 for my cousin with the saved dough).
The new problem became availability. I could not find the Asus 6850 anywhere at a reasonable price. It was $20 and $30 more expensive than Newegg at other locations. As I waited each day for Newegg to get more Asus 6850's in stock, other brands became out of stock as well. My secondary choices fell through as well.
I found tonight that ++++US had the Asus 6850 for $195.14 + shipping. Because Newegg's price went up earlier this week, Newegg's price to my door was going to be ~$192. My decision now was: should I wait for Newegg to get Asus back in stock so I can save somewhere around $8, or should I just spend that little extra?
Before I paid the premium for Asus, I had to consider the other brands. Could I find other brands cheaper and in stock? I found MWAVE. They had the Gigabyte 6850 for $178. They have two promotions. One is if you are an MWAVE member (which is free), it's $4 off. The second is if you pay with eBillme for the first time, it's another $10 off. Shipping was $2.99. The grand total, to my door, was $166.99. At this point, the $30+ difference between the Asus and the Gigabyte was too large. I bit the bullet on the Gigabyte. Woohoo! I wonder if anyone else has gotten such a good deal on a 6850 so far.
On top of that, I have a buyer to pay $45 for my 4850. Yes!