[Hardocp]GeForce GTX 1080: Most Bizarre Secret Paper Launch Ever

[Keysplayr]

Because apparently OP thinks it's the bad kind of paper launch, or that all cases where reviews are allowed before release date are bad:



Why would anyone need to "call out" allowing reviews before the announced ship date?

The call outs I can recall were for the bad kind of paper launches like the GTX 580 where it was supposedly "available now" but not in real quantities. A fake launch to stifle competition.

So, OK, I accept there are 2 definitions for paper launch, but so far this is the kind that does not matter, and is not a sane reason to bash nvidia.

Edit: or is someone really going to claim that nvidia should have embargoed all reviews until May 27th? That it would have been better somehow, more ethical?

Yeah, like I mentioned earlier, I can't wrap my "evolved" mind around why number 1, this is being called a paper launch, and 2, why it's considered "bad" by the OP and a few others.
I say "evolved" because I do remember that I used to think this way a long time ago. I just can't think of why I thought that way. At least in this instance. I could see if may27 comes and goes and nobody can buy the GPU. But that is unlikely as I've heard yields of 16nm finfet are very good.

You may be onto something with the "sane" comment because what I am looking at, and believe me it's right on schedule and doesn't miss a beat or opportunity, is anything and everything that can be even half- as*ed used to bash Nvidia for this "launch" is underway.

The ONLY thing I can see anyone legitimately complaining about "within reason" is pricing for the 1080. But the market will support what the market will support. Nvidia is a business after all. The goal is to make money.

The 1070 seems like it will be the new 970 as far as sweet spot bang fer buck goes.
I remember the 6800Ultra and 6800GT launch. I remember paying 399.00 plus tax at a brick and mortar COMPUSA for a 6800GT. 2nd Tier. So, It's all not SOOO different. Yes we have different release models these days, starting with GTX680 as mid range posed as high end at the time, and it seems this will be the norm from now til the foreseeable future. Just, some folks cannot handle change very well. I myself don't mind paying 379 to 400 for a 2nd tier (from what is currently available) GPU that will most certainly kick some butt. I don't mind paying that. I do mind paying 700 though. Even 600 is way up there. So I'm with you all there.

 

[Ranulf]

From the PR release showcase on the 6th, it is 21 days or 3 weeks till the 1080 FE/Reference card is out and only the 1080. Custom cards and the 1070 look to be June 10th. Who knows for sure when they'll hit shelves.

Its a paper launch compared to the 900 cards. On top of that we don't have 1070 "professional" reviews yet to make good comparisons (well better than extrapolation from the specs) or user results. Then you have the cost of the cards.

Is it all bad? No. But it is suspicious. Toss in the long term heat issues of the reference card version that is $100 more... yeah, I'm gonna call it a paper launch in progress. I'd be happy to be wrong.

 

[Keysplayr]

From the PR release showcase on the 6th, it is 21 days or 3 weeks till the 1080 FE/Reference card is out and only the 1080. Custom cards and the 1070 look to be June 10th. Who knows for sure when they'll hit shelves.

Its a paper launch compared to the 900 cards. On top of that we don't have 1070 "professional" reviews yet to make good comparisons (well better than extrapolation from the specs) or user results. Then you have the cost of the cards.

Is it all bad? No. But it is suspicious. Toss in the long term heat issues of the reference card version that is $100 more... yeah, I'm gonna call it a paper launch in progress. I'd be happy to be wrong.

So, what does it mean to paper launch? What does it signify? How is it meaningful?

 

[DaveSimmons]

From the PR release showcase on the 6th, it is 21 days or 3 weeks till the 1080 FE/Reference card is out and only the 1080. Custom cards and the 1070 look to be June 10th. Who knows for sure when they'll hit shelves.

Its a paper launch compared to the 900 cards. On top of that we don't have 1070 "professional" reviews yet to make good comparisons (well better than extrapolation from the specs) or user results. Then you have the cost of the cards.

Is it all bad? No. But it is suspicious. Toss in the long term heat issues of the reference card version that is $100 more... yeah, I'm gonna call it a paper launch in progress. I'd be happy to be wrong.

1070: has nothing to do with the 1080 being a (new definition) "paper launch."

Suspicious? How so? nvidia gave an exact date for release of May 27th not "real soon now."

Alleged heat issues: even if this turns out to be true, it has nothing to do with the availability of the GPU.

Also, it sounds like you're trying to create yet a third definition of "paper launch," with it meaning something like: "I don't like stuff about the card."

 

[jpiniero]

The 1080 is definitely going to be a paper launch by the real definition of the word simply because of GDDR5X availability. I would definitely recommend ordering ASAP if you want a card, and you will be paying $699 or more for it. It might be some time before the shortage ends.

The 1070 OTOH will probably have some shortages initially but availability should be good by the end of June. You figure that the ramp up of GP104 started in March and 3 months later is of course June.

 

[Arachnotronic]

The 1080 is definitely going to be a paper launch by the real definition of the word simply because of GDDR5X availability.

NVIDIA's Tom Petersen said on the PCPer stream that GDDR5X availability wouldn't constrain GTX 1080 availability.

 

[maddie]

NVIDIA's Tom Petersen said on the PCPer stream that GDDR5X availability wouldn't constrain GTX 1080 availability.

HA, he got you there.It won't be GDDR5X, but TSMC wafer supply that does the damage.

Only kidding.

 

[wingman04]

I like the old definition product launch, how do you launch paper to the public, O that is a paper launch, you just get paper instead of a product.

 

[Redentor]

 

[Cookie Monster]

Maybe for the well being of various internet forums, nVIDIA should have just released reviews on the 27th instead of presenting us with more information/benchmarks/reviews before its product availability date.

Imagine if smartphone fanboys perceived launches the same way as video card enthusiasts..

 

[ShintaiDK]

Paper is when you launch and claim availability but there is none. Its always been so.

So no, the GTX1080 isn't a paper launch. Unless there is no cards to buy the 27th.

 

[Keysplayr]

Shintai is correct, but.....

It really doesn't matter folks. Can you get the proverbial "grip" ?

Though I say poster 184 is rather dedicated and commited to the cause.

 

[railven]

<snip>

When it what? When it WHAT?

 

[Wall Street]

Paper is when you launch and claim availability but there is none. Its always been so.

I disagree. A paper launch is when you launch a product that isn't available for immediate purchase. For the GTX 1080 there has been a press trip to Texas, marketing slides distributed, and the NDA lifted. The GTX 1080 has been launched. You can't buy one yet - that makes it a paper launch.


From an Ars Technica article in 2004:

It's been a while since everyone was fully riled up about paper launches and the like, which means it's a good time to have a level-headed discussion about the topic. What is a paper launch? In general, the phrase is used to denote product announcements that explicitly compare the "new product" with other actually available products, despite the fact that the newly announced product is not actually available to consumers.

 

[Keysplayr]

I disagree. A paper launch is when you launch a product that isn't available for immediate purchase. For the GTX 1080 there has been a press trip to Texas, marketing slides distributed, and the NDA lifted. The GTX 1080 has been launched. You can't buy one yet - that makes it a paper launch.


From an Ars Technica article in 2004:

Then what do you call it when the launch date has little to no stock available?
See, 1080 hasn't been "launched" yet. That date is May 27th 2016. Full disclosure. No
promise of cards on the date of NDA release, but on a stated date.

Nobody, btw, is stating why any of this is important to them, even when asked..

Probably because it really isn't.

 

[Despoiler]

Nvidia paper launched to 1080. Even Wikipedia has the definition.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paper_launch

 

[tnt118]

That makes just about every piece of tech equipment ever produced a paper launch.

 

[Keysplayr]

Nvidia paper launched to 1080. Even Wikipedia has the definition.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paper_launch

Anybody could have entered that definition just for the sake of linking to it and winning this pointless argument. Says it was added May2015

 

[Keysplayr]

Nvidia paper launched to 1080. Even Wikipedia has the definition.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paper_launch

"Even" Wikipedia?

Anybody could have entered that definition just for the sake of linking to it and trying to win this pointless argument.

Seems to be an age old argument. Regarding what Wiki "says" here, I don't agree with it.

 

[lilltesaito]

I agree that this is a paper launch, but I dont understand why people think that paper launches are bad. I think they are a way to build value to a product. It allows people to see what they are getting and lets them get ready to buy the product.

 

[Keysplayr]

I agree that this is a paper launch, but I dont understand why people think that paper launches are bad. I think they are a way to build value to a product. It allows people to see what they are getting and lets them get ready to buy the product.

I disagree. If Nvidia or AMD or Intel, whoever, claims to launch on review day, and there is ample stock, that is a hard launch. If they review and state the launch date later, that is still a hard launch for the stated date. If in either case stock isn't there and purchasing is difficult to non-existent, then that is a paper launch. This is all I will ever agree with. makes the most sense. Logical.

 

[lilltesaito]

I disagree. If Nvidia or AMD or Intel, whoever, claims to launch on review day, and there is ample stock, that is a hard launch. If they review and state the launch date later, that is still a hard launch for the stated date. If in either case stock isn't there and purchasing is difficult to non-existent, then that is a paper launch. This is all I will ever agree with. makes the most sense. Logical.

I know it is the internet, but if the reviews were in a magazine showing the spec, isnt that were the term paper launch came from? Wouldnt that be a "soft launch" at that point? Seems like people are just trying to fight paper launch because they think it is a bad term, but it is a good way to bring hype and get people behind the product.

Paper launch leads to your "hard launch". Not having enough product for launch is something different and with a good paper launch, you could just sale out of the product fast.

 

[Paratus]

Well if this isn't the same fight we've been having for over a decade now:

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?p=18935129&highlight=ati+paper+launch#post18935129

Mainly we care because of the great faith that was put into NV and their Hard Launches. ATI was thourghly ridiculed for previewing the X1000 series and setting later launch dates that they mostly met.

I for one don't care for NVs "Mushroom" style of press releases and launches, (you know keep us in the dark, feed us on S... until they hard launch)

So I for one don't mind if NV wants to show us what this card can do and then release it

Or 2008

I do understand what a paper launch is. I am saying that this is not vaporware like you indicated. I actually PREFER paper launches. Start selling it as soon as it is ready rather then building up stock in stores, I don't go to stores anyways, I order online. And yes, online stores will ALSO run out of stock, so what, those who check diligently can get lucky and score a card weeks before it would have been available otherwise. While some impatient whiners cry about spending all that time searching and not findind a unit...
If it is a paper launch I often times simply wait a few weeks before even LOOKING for the item. Unless it is something I really want, in which case I scour the place and find one.

Well I guess I wasn't clear enough with my post. What I meant to say was:

Paper Launch (that's right Paper Launch) a possibly faster card 9800GTX+

I never said it was vaporware . It exists and it's coming in a few weeks, but when a manufacturer allows hardware sites to bench a card that we the customer cannot buy yet it's a paper launch, which is what the GTX+ is. If we could buy it now then it would be a hard launch (or if supply was low, a weak launch like the 7800GTX 512).

As it is I agree with you about preferring paper launches as I would rather know as soon as possible what's coming so I can make an informed decision rather than buying a card and having it eclipsed a week later.

So have a :beer:

1080 was paper launched and that's fine. I'd rather know the specs as soon as possible rather than wait for availability.

 

[airfathaaaaa]

I agree that this is a paper launch, but I dont understand why people think that paper launches are bad. I think they are a way to build value to a product. It allows people to see what they are getting and lets them get ready to buy the product.

because not a single popular site addressed the fact that whoever got a FE wont be able to overclock it(not to the point of the aftermarket ones with 2 mosfets) even if they solve the whole vapor chamber desing from hell

 

[maddie]

Anybody could have entered that definition just for the sake of linking to it and winning this pointless argument. Says it was added May2015

A paper launch, but if available on the 27th in enough quantities to satisfy demand then nothing negative.

One whole year in the planning.

Some serious paranoia in your post there.