Are Nvidia's board partner's ruffled about Founder's Edition?

[DigDog]

Weren't the 'founder' cards advertised as the golden samples, hand picked for overclocking? Or am I misremembering that?

no, no binning of any sort. or, at least, that is the info i have. from here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJ0AoYSH01g

 

[S.H.O.D.A.N.]

I guess I just made that up then. Sorry and thanks for correcting me.

 

[railven]

No apparently they're just reference cards, but Nvidia wants to turn that on its head and remake them as the "gold" standard. Back in the day when u heard "reference card" ud think an OEM card & be like "who da fuk would want to own that?" cause it was no frills. Now, they want us to rethink it going! "wow, it's a reference card!" Supposedly it has a better quality PCB & cooler. But what eva.

Are people really thinking that?

Outside of slapping a "Founder's" tag on it, they've been charging a premium for their branded cards for years. Most people just ignored em. As I assume most people will continue to do. It becomes almost a niche product.

 

[showb1z]

But they never made a big deal about it before.
So yes, the founders edition name and the craftmanship talk (whatever that means) have led a good portion of the uninformed masses to believe that the reference 1080 is sporting a premium cooler and robust PCB/power delivery.

 

[flopper]

So yes, the founders edition name and the craftmanship talk (whatever that means) have led a good portion of the uninformed masses that the reference 1080 is sporting a premium cooler and robust PCB/power delivery.

Absolutly PR at its best

 

[Udgnim]

my impression of Founder's Edition during the 1080 reveal was that the GTX 1080 were going to be higher clocked cards than non-Founder's Edition, but it looks like founder's edition = Nvidia marketing term for early access

AIB cards are going to have a cheaper MSRP and come with a better cooling solution

 

[DamZe]

I don't see how AIB Cards could sport superior cooling solutions + components and still be cheaper than the FU-edition, unless the profit margin for each sold card doesn't drop off into unacceptable levels, deemed by board partners, but yeah it will be interesting to follow. I just can’t imagine a 599$ EVGA ACX 3.0 SC + backplate card.

 

[Arachnotronic]

I don't see how AIB Cards could sport superior cooling solutions + components and still be cheaper than the FU-edition, unless the profit margin for each sold card doesn't drop off into unacceptable levels, deemed by board partners, but yeah it will be interesting to follow. I just can’t imagine a 599$ EVGA ACX 3.0 SC + backplate card.

They won't. The good aftermarket cards are probably going to be >$700.

 

[railven]

Welps, was posting this in the other thread but it got locked midway my post. Posting my answer here since they're similar threads/topics:

If both are available on the same day, who would pay $100 more for the FE?

Same people who buy premium products? /shrug Value is subjective.

Again, they've been doing it for years. Just no one really cared or noticed because it wasn't announced at a launch or slapped with a label, and was originally exclusive to Best Buy.

EDIT:

I don't see how AIB Cards could sport superior cooling solutions + components and still be cheaper than the FU-edition, unless the profit margin for each sold card doesn't drop off into unacceptable levels, deemed by board partners, but yeah it will be interesting to follow. I just can’t imagine a 599$ EVGA ACX 3.0 SC + backplate card.

That card wouldn't have been $700 if the MSRP were that, it be closer to +$30-40 over MSRP.

I'd predict that card to be around ~$640 assuming no gouging from AIBs.

 

[Arachnotronic]

Again, they've been doing it for years. Just no one really cared or noticed because it wasn't announced at a launch or slapped with a label, and was originally exclusive to Best Buy.

It's true, when I was at my local Best Buy the other day, I happened to be in the gaming peripherals section and saw much to my surprise NVIDIA-branded GTX 970/980 cards on the shelves.

 

[boozzer]

Are people really thinking that?

Outside of slapping a "Founder's" tag on it, they've been charging a premium for their branded cards for years. Most people just ignored em. As I assume most people will continue to do. It becomes almost a niche product.

it is pretty crazy when we think about it right?
http://www.techradar.com/us/news/computing/apple/apple-evokes-religious-response-from-fans-957163
a simple google reveals a ton of articles on the topic. These types doesn't even need PR anymore. They will buy any and all FE versions.

 

[Grooveriding]

The reference cards have been at MSRP for every major launch. I've bought 780ti, Titan, 780 and Titan X all reference at MSRP. I've bought Titan X straight from nvidia as reference for MSRP. ACX EVGA cards have been at reference prices + $10. The founders card is a joke, it's a reference card, bare bones PCB design and the noisy blower. Even EVGA Classified cards have only been MSRP + $50 and that is the best of the best. :sneaky:

Revisionist history at work in this thread.

 

[railven]

Revisionist history at work in this thread.

More like reading comprehension failure on your end. The priced up NV branded cards was exclusive to Best Buy.

I even dug up a HardOCP article where they reviewed the $300 Nvidia GTX 460.

Nvidia branded GTX 970 cost $370 at Best Buy, well over MSRP.

EDIT:
Here you go:
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2010/10/05/nvidia_enters_retail_direct_sales_at_best_buy#.VzyB01DxqMM

Cost

The cards that we bought today here in North Texas were priced fairly high compared to some others on the shelf. The GTX 460 was $299, the same price as PNY, but $100 higher than Galaxy.

MSRP for the GTX 460 1GB was $230

 

[Grooveriding]

More like reading comprehension failure on your end. The priced up NV branded cards was exclusive to Best Buy.

I even dug up a HardOCP article where they reviewed the $300 Nvidia GTX 460.

Nvidia branded GTX 970 cost $370 at Best Buy, well over MSRP.

A couple mid tier cards that received direct from nvidia branding for a big box store don't change the revisionist attempts. Reading comprehension showed the attempts at revisionist history at work here.

480, 470, 580, 570, 680, 670, 780, 770, 780ti, Titan, 980, 980ti, Titan X. All came in reference form from AIBs at MSRP. Titan X & 980ti came in reference form direct from nvidia for MSRP.

Then the 970 which only came from AIBs in aftermarket designs got a reference version from nvidia direct at bestbuy for a markup.

 

[railven]

A couple mid tier cards that received direct from nvidia branding for a big box store don't change the revisionist attempts. Reading comprehension showed the attempts at revisionist history at work here.

480, 470, 580, 570, 680, 670, 780, 770, 780ti, Titan, 980, 980ti, Titan X. All came in reference form from AIBs at MSRP. Titan X & 980ti came in reference form direct from nvidia for MSRP.

Then the 970 which only came from AIBs in aftermarket designs got a reference version from nvidia direct at bestbuy for a markup.

The price up also included the GTX 470, GTX 560, GTX 560 Ti, and the latest I found was the GTX 970. These were all NV braded "reference" cards sold at a premium at Best Buy. On the same shelves as AIB custom cards (some even reference) for less.

As I said, NV has been charging a premium at Best Buy for years. No one noticed, no one cared. There is no revisionist history there.

 

[Grooveriding]

The price up also included the GTX 470, GTX 560, GTX 560 Ti, and the latest I found was the GTX 970. These were all NV braded "reference" cards sold at a premium at Best Buy. On the same shelves as AIB custom cards (some even reference) for less.

As I said, NV has been charging a premium at Best Buy for years. No one noticed, no one cared. There is no revisionist history there.

You dug up a premium on some mid tier cards at best buy... The fact still is all the cards I listed sold at MSRP, including nvidia 'braded' cards. The reference model being pumped at a premium and only available at that premium is something new.

 

[railven]

You dug up a premium on some mid tier cards at best buy... The fact still is all the cards I listed sold at MSRP, including nvidia 'braded' cards. The reference model being pumped at a premium and only available at that premium is something new.

It seems NV said they'd only sell through Best Buy, at least their branded cards. I'll assume that changed at some point since you said you've bought their branded cards through them.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/05/nvidia-starts-selling-own-brand-gpus-at-best-buy-aib-partners-l/

The company's official response to these revelations has been to say that Best Buy will be the only place the own-brand cards can be purchased and that the effort is intended as a "complement" to products from its partners.

http://www.tomshardware.com/news/aic-gpu-video-india-gtx-460,11444.html

"We have no plans to do that outside Best Buy stores [in the U.S.]. It is a unique marketing initiative with Best Buy," said Bryan Del Rizzo of Nvidia PR

Either way, like I said - they've been charging a premium for their branded reference cards at Best Buy for years. No one noticed. No one cared.

 

[Dribble]

As I understand it contrary to what most seem to discuss on this forum the founders edition was never really aimed at enthusiasts buying cards. It was primarily there for boutique pc builders who want a reliable source of GTX 1080's using a standard design that will never change.

Hence yes that will effect board partners as now those boutique pc builders will use the founders edition and not some partners card so they loose money.

 

[railven]

As I understand it contrary to what most seem to discuss on this forum the founders edition was never really aimed at enthusiasts buying cards. It was primarily there for boutique pc builders who want a reliable source of GTX 1080's using a standard design that will never change.

Hence yes that will effect board partners as now those boutique pc builders will use the founders edition and not some partners card so they loose money.

My speculation is that the Founder's version will carry a premium even to AIBs. IE they will probably end up having to pay more for the whole product, I'd even say maybe $100 more, that them selling it marked up wouldn't make extra profits.

Which is why I'd see them push their own products more. And the majority of buyers will end up with a custom card anyways (at least I'd think so). Only a select few require the reference blower to begin with.

EDIT: Actually, I'd love to see a poll down of who actually buys a reference model versus custom cooler. And those buying reference are probably doing it for specific reasons, ie putting them on water of SLI.

 

[Grooveriding]

Either way, like I said - they've been charging a premium for their branded reference cards at Best Buy for years. No one noticed. No one cared.

Because no one with any sense would have bought them there ? And we are not just talking about direct from nvidia branded cards, we are talking about all reference cards, whether from nvidia or an AIB. With all them having a $100 premium attached.

You must be confused, because what you're discussing is not what this thread is about; reference cards now being called 'founders cards' and having a +$100 premium no matter if you buy them from nvidia, evga, best buy or the pope.

 

[railven]

Because no one with any sense would have bought them there ? And we are not just talking about direct from nvidia branded cards, we are talking about all reference cards, whether from nvidia or an AIB. With all them having a $100 premium attached.

And most consumers will ignore them, just like they did IF they had to buy from Best Buy.

You must be confused, because what you're discussing is not what this thread is about; reference cards now being called 'founders cards' and having a +$100 premium no matter if you buy them from nvidia, evga, best buy or the pope.

I'm aware of that. And I even said it's something they've been doing for years at Best Buy. You jumped in with a revisionist history claim as if I was wrong. I wasn't. No one cared when it was exclusive to Best Buy. I'd argue no one will care once custom cards are plentiful.

The only people who would care are most likely a niche buyer that needs a reference blower for a reason.

Hell, this place is a great example of "wait for custom cards" or "I need reference PCB to put it on water, why don't they just sell it without the cooler?" Now, if you could buy a reference PCB with a cheap cooler strapped on and pay $100 less for the purpose of putting on water, why would you complain?

 

[littleg]

Wouldn't OEMs (boutique builders) deal directly with Nvidia? And why the special marketing name? And why sell to consumers if that's the purpose?

Just seems a weird decision to me. If it's an early access thing because yields aren't so good then you can understand it but with AIBs getting cards out at the same time it just seems nonsensical.

 

[Grooveriding]

And I even said it's something they've been doing for years at Best Buy. You jumped in with a revisionist history claim as if I was wrong. I wasn't. No one cared when it was exclusive to Best Buy. I'd argue no one will care once custom cards are plentiful.

Why I assume you are confused because Best Buy selling a few inflated cost mid tier cards is not what is happening here. You were making a mistaken parallel.

Some reviewers and potential consumers do care as far as I've read and seen. I don't recall seeing reviewers complain about Best Buy having some overpriced cards, of course, that is a totally different situation not related to this.

 

[railven]

Why I assume you are confused because Best Buy selling a few inflated cost mid tier cards is not what is happening here. You were making a mistaken parallel.

Or you missed my correlation. "NV has done this for years at Best Buy, seems they are just going to do it every where."

Some reviewers and potential consumers do care as far as I've read and seen. I don't recall seeing reviewers complain about Best Buy having some overpriced cards, of course, that is a totally different situation not related to this.

Which is why I said it wasn't an issue until it was announced at a launch and made the standard. I mean:

Same people who buy premium products? /shrug Value is subjective.

Again, they've been doing it for years. Just no one really cared or noticed because it wasn't announced at a launch or slapped with a label, and was originally exclusive to Best Buy.

That's rather explicit.

I'd argue if people were going to replace the reference cooler or not even going to buy it from the start, if they can get the option they wanted cheaper, they wouldn't complain. However, those that require that specific blower - ouch.

 

[Grooveriding]

Or you missed my correlation. "NV has done this for years at Best Buy, seems they are just going to do it every where."

Which changes this to a new situation.