This whole pricing thing has been bumming me out since last week. I can't spend over 200 bucks for a video card and I was hoping the 8800 gt was going to be the card for me, whether it's the 256 or 512 version. I don't upgrade very often, it's been a couple of years- I'm still on the 6 series so that might say something. I can't justify spending $200+ every year so I've sucked it up and played on lower resolutions with a lot of the eye candy turned off. Now, I can't play any of the newer demos that have come out unless I go down to *gasp* 800 x 600, and even then the FRs are getting pretty bad. So I can't put this off anymore.
I almost bought an 8600 earlier in the year, but the difference in performance between that and the 8800GTSs was too great for me to feel comfortable buying one. Not to mention all the hype I was reading about the new "affordable" card that was going to fill that gap between the $100-150 8600s and the $300+ 8800GTSs. Well, this thing may still be a great deal at $280-300 for those who are used to spending $300+ every year, but it isn't that great for those on a budget. XBox 360s are hitting the $279 mark for the holidays, at this point I'd almost rather spend the same for that whole system as I would on an 8800GT. At least then I know I wouldn't have to buy an XBox 720 just to play Crysis 2 or Bioshock 2 when they come out next year.
I read somewhere that the 256 version comes out tomorrow. Who knows at what price, but with the way things are going it will probably debut at the price the 512 version was supposed to be offered at ($250). All I want is a 200 dollar card with good performance that will last well into next year, so I hope the prices drop on these soon- I'd hate to have to wait until after the newyear. I'd even take the lesser performance of a 8800GTS if nVidia would just lower the price on that card until they come out with the newer version. I also think nVidia should also offer free upgrades to the newer version for the poor folks that purchased 8800GTSs in the last few months, but that's a whole 'nother topic.