PC Gaming to average joe is a really hard sell right now when decent "console level" GPU experiences cost more for just the GPU than the whole console.
I have some of those in my watch list, but like some have already commented on they want new cards with warranty's. For instance it is about cost, how much is a warranty worth? The other day I was watching a 980 go for $200 and with shipping it would of cost something like $235, for that amount you can get a 1060 3gb with warranty new. I did not bid on that card, as to me spending $250 with no warranty is not worth it.
Another aspect is say you want to use the card with 4k UHD in the future, don't think many maxell cards will come that that support. I don't know about you but in a few years I would want maybe to buy a UHD optical drive and enjoy 4k support on a new monitor.
A while ago I was tempted to sell my gtx 1060 6 gb card, but decided not too as I enjoy using it for Boinc, and even if I did where is the card for it's replacement. 1070s, RX580s I would not be able to game as I only have really one modern card, and my r7 260x doesn't do 1440p very well. I guess for that matter neither does my 1060, but if I turn things down a bit it is manageable.
Used cards (not only 970&980, but even old HD 7xxx) increased in price too, sometimes drastically. You're acting like they've stayed "pre-mining" leveles unlike new GPUs and they did not.GTX 970s, GTX 980s, GTX 980 Tis haven't magically disappeared off the face of the planet.
Buying used GTX 970s, GTX 980s, or GTX 980 Tis nicely fill the gap of the cards that are hard to get, and if you need more power you can simply buy 1080 (until they sell out too) and 1080 Ti (which are highly unlikely to sell out at this point)
Used cards (not only 970&980, but even old HD 7xxx) increased in price too.
Rather than paying more for used cards that are often without or with short warranty, many budgetcustomers might either give up on uppgrading or go towards "non-pro" Xb1&PS4 which unlike used GPUs actually decreased in price. Both new & used ones.
Out of desperation, I picked up a used 970 (MSI gaming) for 190 off Ebay. Even the 3 GB 1060s are going for well over $200 wherever I look.
Once overclocked, its performance is very comparable to the 480/580/1060. The only downside is the VRAM, but I haven't run into issues with that yet. GTA V actually gets into the 3.5 - 4 GB range, and I haven't noticed much frame rate loss, if at all.
The clickbait articles about the GTX 970 stopped being relevant a few weeks after the issue popped up....... in 2014.
Nvidia changed how the card prioritized the memory pool and the problem is merely a figment of people's imagination now.
Or you can buy a Console and not worry about any of that stuff.
"Hey Joe, you can totally join #pcmasterrace. Just buy all these computer parts. And oh yeah, GPU prices spiked recently, but it's cool, just go on eBay and buy someone's used generation old equipment. Yeah, then just get it all put together, and configure it. Yeah, don't forget you have to patch it too. Oh, your GPU didn't work out? Sorry about that, just open a case with eBay and wait it out while they deliberate. Yeah, you don't actually get a replacement card, you just got some money back, now you have to go find another GPU to try out".
"Oh, you just want to go buy a PS4 Pro for $200 more than what that sweet 970 cost? Why would you want to do that Joe?"
People sure love circlejerks.
http://store.steampowered.com/hwsurvey/videocard/
Statistics don't care about what you "feel like" is going on .
Or you can buy a Console and not worry about any of that stuff.
"Hey Joe, you can totally join #pcmasterrace. Just buy all these computer parts. And oh yeah, GPU prices spiked recently, but it's cool, just go on eBay and buy someone's used generation old equipment. Yeah, then just get it all put together, and configure it. Yeah, don't forget you have to patch it too. Oh, your GPU didn't work out? Sorry about that, just open a case with eBay and wait it out while they deliberate. Yeah, you don't actually get a replacement card, you just got some money back, now you have to go find another GPU to try out".
"Oh, you just want to go buy a PS4 Pro for $200 more than what that sweet 970 cost? Why would you want to do that Joe?"
Or just go retro and forget everything... old games are still enjoyable.
Exactly. If I decide to move my new gaming over to a console, not only do I save on graphics card, I don't need much of power supply, or slots, or a giant case.
All of sudden something like Deskmini 110 (but preferably with Raven Ridge APU) become a serious possability:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/10404/asrock-deskmini-110-ministx-pc-review/7
Cheap, simple, small. The more I think about it, the more I am warming to the idea.
from: https://slickdeals.net/f/10407968-g...-8gb-newegg-ebay-apply-code-pcollege10-464-98Newegg via eBay has GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 8GB GDDR5X Video Card (GV-N1080WF3OC-8GD) for $509.99 - $50 w/ coupon code PCOLLEGE10 = $459.99 when you checkout via PayPal. Shipping is $4.99.
I'm still using my wonderful GTX980 and its fine for everything I've been playing.
No idea how it is in USA, but in Poland - majority of Desktop Gaming PCs are either DYI or custom made (customer chooses parts and provider assemble it for customer) by local/regional providers rather than pre-made desktop models from Dell, HP, etcForetelling the fall of of PC gaming due to the lack of retail mid-high end GPUs is a bit myopic.
I'd look to NAND and DRAM as a more likely culprit to falling PC sales, the DIY crowd is pretty small in comparison to ODM/OEM systems.