Thursday, May 15th 2014

AMD Radeon R9 Series Prices Cool Down

May 15th, 2014 08:11 Discuss (51 Comments)

AMD stabilized end-user pricing of its Radeon R9 series graphics cards, restoring them to their original launch prices in most cases, and even lower in some. Pricing of most AMD Graphics CoreNext architecture-based GPUs inflated over the past 6 months, due to the frenzy created by Cryptocoin currency miners, who leveraged the chips' GPGPU performance to 'mine' currencies such as Litecoin. Sensing that high prices are driving gamers away from Radeon, AMD swung into action by dealing with the problem at two levels. First, VP Global Channel Sales, Roy Taylor micro-managed the supply chain in China, and next, the company dealt with distributors and retailers.

At the time of preparing this article, most Radeon R9 series-based graphics cards, including high-end ones such as the R9 290X, and non-reference cards, are back to their original price-points on US retailer Newegg.com. The R9 290X can now be had for as low as US $519.99 (launch-price $549.99, was inflated to $750), the R9 290 for $379.99 (launched at $399.99, was inflated to $600), the R9 280X as low as $279.99 (launched at $299.99, was inflated to $400); the R9 280 as low as $229.99 (launched at $249.99, was inflated to $280); and the R9 270X at $199.99 (was inflated as high as $250).

Source: Forbes

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51 Comments on AMD Radeon R9 Series Prices Cool Down

Octavean

Nice to see that AMD is looking out for us.

The Markup was disheartening and frankly disgusting,....IMO.

the54thvoid

Intoxicated Moderator

Never really saw the inflation in the UK. This isnt an ethical move by AMD, it's a business move. It was retailers gouging and harming AMD's gaming market base. I figure that they have told the likes of Newegg to stop that practice.
Well, might have an effect on Nvidia prices but doubt it.

Sony Xperia S

They need to somehow modify the cooling solutions on those R9 290Xs.

Despite having three fans, their radiators or specifically the ribs are in vertical direction which means that when the fan blows, the hot air spreads in the case, instead of having those ribs in horizontal direction leading the hot air out of the case...

Razorfang

The inflated prices were part of the issue; they were sold out for a bit as well.

Yorgos

"people first, products and profit will follow!"

Walter Jeremiah Sanders III

Recus

Yorgos"people first, products and profit will follow!"
Walter Jeremiah Sanders III

Yes, first fire people and you will get more profit.

Sony Xperia S

RecusYes, first fire people and you will get more profit.

No, more people lose their jobs means they don't have money to spend. Or they will just sit and recieve social help which in some cases is better for them (because they get per month more than otherwise they are being payed at work).

Anyways, first goodness and values and then damn humans. :)

DRDNA

Some good news! It was always the retailer as I figured.

Prima.Vera

To little, to late. Bought a 780 Ti already, since here a 290X was the same price.

#10

Nordic

btarunr"Pricing of most AMD Graphics CoreNext architecture-based GPUs inflated over the past 6 months, due to the frenzy created by Cryptocoin currency miners, who leveraged the chips' GPGPU performance to 'mine' currencies such as Litecoin. Sensing that high prices are driving gamers away from Radeon, AMD swung into action by dealing with the problem at two levels. First, VP Global Channel Sales, Roy Taylor micro-managed the supply chain in China, and next, the company dealt with distributors and retailers.

Oh amd, you loved the attention like a fat kid in a rain of candy bars.

#11

Sasqui

At one point, they were fetching $900 on Newegg!

#12

Nabarun

I hope this price drop applies to non-reference models too, and nvidia follows suit (although seems unlikely :( )

I wonder when we will see this materialize in India...

#13

GhostRyder

I bought my Trio before the price hike happened and got them for the 550 price tag with 3 8 game bundles and 3 copies of BF4 (PowerColor gave away some leftover 7990 game coupons with them). Gave some of those to friends and sold some for cheap which made the value pretty nice at the time. Im glad the crypto-currency mining fad is finally dieing down.

#14

Casecutter

I don't see or say how/why AMD had much to do in fixing this, or why they're painted by this write-up as having any huge influence on its change? It plainly has to do with crypto-currency Litecoin mining with GPU’s no longer as lucrative due to the exchange-rate, and fears from Mt. Gox showing how insolvent the whole thing can become.

Pricing started to drop about beginning of April, but still sporadic with many retailers not wanting to believe the situation had moved. However in the last 2 weeks things have been getting crazy… Yesterday Egg had the Sapphire 290X Tri-X for $495 with code while no rebate! The Sapphire R9 280 has for a few days been at $200 after code and $10 rebate; even TigerD had the Diamond R9270XD52GXOCV2 R9 270X for $165 –AR$10.

Back to status normal citizens... meaning yes Nvidia will now need to cease their lucrative margins and compete, yea right!

#15

Slomo4shO

I am failing to see what Roy Taylor actually did on the retail and distribution side... Prices have dropped because supply has increased and demand has dropped... Is AMD now trying to take some credit for market pricing when they had no influence on the prices set by retailers?

#16

ironwolf

This makes me happy, my wallet not so much. :laugh:

#17

Casecutter

Slomo4shOI am failing to see what Roy Taylor actually did on the retail and distribution side... ?

btarunrAMD stabilized end-user pricing of its ... Sensing that high prices are driving gamers away... swung into action by dealing with the problem at two levels. First, VP Global Channel Sales, Roy Taylor micro-managed the supply chain in China, and next, the company dealt with distributors and retailers.

I think what we’re reading is more the authors hyperbolic liberty. There was not much anyone at AMD could or would have done to help the situation, and not sure he's taking credit, but it’s more this write-up is magnifying the modest things that had been at least attempted. Sure they could see as early December 2013 managing the production of which wafer starts to best tailor to what was an "abnormal" new demand was to bring. However those "starts" wouldn’t hit retailers for 6-8 weeks at best, and who could know if by that time the "frenzy" could’ve gone bust, and left with an overabundance? On the retail end AMD hardly could put the "screws to the retailers" and just at best keep AIB’s abreast of the chips flowing in the channel. I just think all AMD could do was hold-on and hope it worked down the way it did. Sure on one side it was effecting their "gaming initiative", but still they saw every bit of their production flowing out, and knew it could dry up in just a couple of weeks. I think they are just happy it worked its' self out as it has, in time frame it did. Any longer and it really would've ben disastrous effect on their core market.

#18

cadaveca

My name is Dave

Wow. Prices dropped locally, too. Too bad 290X locally cost more than 780 Ti, so I bought 780 Ti instead. Meh.

#19

Ja.KooLit

meh.... korean prices still has 500$ for 290 and 700$ for 290x

Im currently looking at Ebay for used 290x :clap::peace:

#20

Sasqui

night.foxmeh.... korean prices still has 500$ for 290 and 700$ for 290x

Im currently looking at Ebay for used 290x :clap::peace:

I was awaiting delivery of a sapphire 290x from an eBay purchase - $299.99 free S&H they attempted delivery today but it required a signature :ohwell:

If you could get from Newegg, they have open box for as low as $364: www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=4809&IsNodeId=1&Description=r9%20290x&name=Open%20Box&Order=BESTMATCH. The good thing there is you have a 30 day return for refund.

#21

ensabrenoir

Yorgos"people first, products and profit will follow!"
Walter Jeremiah Sanders III

OctaveanNice to see that AMD is looking out for us.

The Markup was disheartening and frankly disgusting,....IMO.

.......no.....no no no..... we are not that gullible.. are we? Amd had nothing to do with the price drop. Simple supply and demand with a side of fad & fickle. After mt. gox and the others got hacked and people saw how unsecured and un-guaranteed their get rich quick with gpu's scheme was the insanity started fading fast. Its just a return to normalcy

#22

Ja.KooLit

SasquiI was awaiting delivery of a sapphire 290x from an eBay purchase - $299.99 free S&H they attempted delivery today but it required a signature :ohwell:

If you could get from Newegg, they have open box for as low as $364: www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=4809&IsNodeId=1&Description=r9 290x&name=Open Box&Order=BESTMATCH. The good thing there is you have a 30 day return for refund.

thanks... ill look into it. ebay also has 30 days right? or 45 days cant remember. but i wouldnt dare return if it is working because ill pay return shipping.

ensabrenoir.......no.....no no no..... we are not that gullible.. are we? Amd had nothing to do with the price drop. Simple supply and demand with a side of fad & fickle. After mt. gox and the others got hacked and people saw how unsecured and un-guaranteed their get rich quick with gpu's scheme was the insanity started fading fast. Its just a return to normalcy

+1 on supply and demand.

#23

Sasqui

night.foxthanks... ill look into it. ebay also has 30 days right? or 45 days cant remember. but i wouldnt dare return if it is working because ill pay return shipping

Most sellers these days won't offer returns (I found very few, and it's typically 14 days), but almost all are covered by eBay guarantee, which is essentially insurance. If the item is not significantly as described, you first contact the seller and see if they'll offer a swap, refund or partial refund. If they won't play then you file a case with eBay. It's a pain in the ass but it works. They'll refund your money if you can prove the item isn't as described.

Here's where it gets tricky... make sure you find an auction that clearly states the item is in "perfect working condition" in the description. If you end up filing a case with eBay, the item description when sold will be how they judge the difference between what you bought and what is described. And could make the difference between getting a refund or not.

Hope all that helps!

Oh, and the caveat is that South Korean laws may be more or less stringent, I dunno. Think it varies state by state here in the US.

#24

Ja.KooLit

SasquiMost sellers these days won't offer returns (I found very few, and it's typically 14 days), but almost all are covered by eBay guarantee, which is essentially insurance. If the item is not significantly as described, you first contact the seller and see if they'll offer a swap, refund or partial refund. If they won't play then you file a case with eBay. It's a pain in the ass but it works. They'll refund your money if you can prove the item isn't as described.

Here's where it gets tricky... make sure you find an auction that clearly states the item is in "perfect working condition" in the description. If you end up filing a case with eBay, the item description when sold will be how they judge the difference between what you bought and what is described. And could make the difference between getting a refund or not.

Hope all that helps!

Oh, and the caveat is that South Korean laws may be more or less stringent, I dunno. Think it varies state by state here in the US.

wow man thanks alot for the tip.. truly appreciate it

#25

DarkOCean

OctaveanNice to see that AMD is looking out for us.

LOL ... All they care about is our $$$$$$, they dont care about any of us.They just did only what the market imposed them to do.

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AMD Radeon R9 Series Prices Cool Down

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