Nvidia

[TheMastersSon]

Regarding prices for Nvidia cards lately, and certain other PC hardware in general, I've rarely seen such clear disparity between an official corporate line ("bitcoin mining blah blah blah") and what everyone else in the known universe knows are artificially created supply shortages from component manufacturers. Supply has been an issue with Nvidia for how many years now, I've honestly lost track of the number of their cards we've gone to purchase over the years but couldn't find anywhere in stock. Pretty much everything worth buying and with any amount of future-proofing is either out of stock or NLA everywhere and has been for years.

 

IMO the timing and targets of these artificial shortages aren't coincidental, they would be another effective if not required tactic to destroy PC computing as a popular/financially viable hobby, and relegate PC hardware to internet buying portals, cable TV decoder boxes and as little else as humanly possible. Not much video power is needed for web browsing and watching videos, and isn't it amazing how bitcoin miners seemingly have no interest in anything other than video cards that offer the performance required for VR and hardcore PC gaming. No apparent shortages that we could find anywhere of Nvidia's lower and even midrange cards, just the ones required for higher-end VR (an increasing amount of this technology now requires 1080Ti or better).

 

Given Nvidia's financial condition for the last 10+ years they've had and still have the capability to solve any supply issues they want to solve. But again this problem with Nvidia has been one forever now, and imo it will continue being an issue as long as the company enjoys cartel control over most of the PC graphics industry. Their product rollouts the last several years have bordered on predatory imo, and wringed every last drop of blood from the bleeding edge with every major or even minor release. I could start with selling 12GB Titans as "gaming cards", when the performance sweet spot for gaming on most PC platforms is only 16GB. Etc. Maybe legal but it also predates on ignorance.

Edited February 23, 2018 by TheMastersSon

[HeyYou]

You are aware that 16 is greater than 12, right?

 

For 99% of people, a 4 or 6 gig card will be more than adequate to the task for gaming, for several more years yet.

 

Bitcoin miners (like gamers....) want performance, so, they buy the high end cards. In all reality, their investment usually pays for itself in a few short months......

 

Also notice that RAM is getting stupid expensive as well......

 

On the other hand....... :) Having the supply of high end cards 'run out', shortly before they release their 'next gen' cards, really isn't a bad marketing strategy either.

[TheMastersSon]

You are aware that 16 is greater than 12, right?

 

Of course. I'm also aware that Windows must map the entirety of video memory into its own address space. If you continue your math project, 16 less 12 is 4. A fully buffered 12GB card leaves a grand total of 4GB for the operating system, and ALL programs including your games. Buried deeper than it should be is Nvidia's own spec, which recommends a minimum of 24GB system RAM for the 12GB Titan. Last I checked.

[HeyYou]

 

You are aware that 16 is greater than 12, right?

Of course. I'm also aware that Windows must map the entirety of video memory into its own address space. If you continue your math project, 16 less 12 is 4. A fully buffered 12GB card leaves a grand total of 4GB for the operating system, and ALL programs including your games. Buried deeper than it should be is Nvidia's own spec, which recommends a minimum of 24GB system RAM for the 12GB Titan. Last I checked.

 

That should only become an issue if your vid card runs out of VRAM. Otherwise, it shouldn't need system ram.