The "sale" does not come close to offsetting the insane GPU prices. I am in the market to build a new PC, and I have a ryzen penciled-in as the CPU, but I will hold off on buying until the GPU market improves. (Which I realize, may be a LONG time)
it won't be, crypto mining profitability dictates that it's not currently viable to purchase new hardware (and hasn't been for a few weeks) don't expect a dump of secondhand cards, but expect stock levels for new cards to return over the next month
It's not just GPU prices but also memory prices that are inflating the cost of PCs. I'm not expecting prices to return to semi-normal levels until 2019, but hopefully I'm wrong about that.
We'll be lucky if it's 2019, The memory producers are collaborating again on controlling production to inflate prices. This is like the 5th time they've done it in the last 20 years. I wish the FTC would open an investigation.
...or the rise in price of memory modules. The memory cartel really deserves a few dozen years in the cooler. Shame they have too much money for any real conviction!
It's cheaper to get a prebuilt system now. Last month, there was an Acer desktop on dealnews (Ryzen 1700X, GTX 1070, 256GB SSD, 1TB HDD, 16GB Ram) for $1,050.
16GB of slow RAM. A locked-down junk mainboard. Weak PSU, cheap fans. A chassis that I loathe. Sign me up bro. :D
Not gonna lie, I get tempted to buy OEM systems sometimes but then I remember all the ones I've had to work on. I grimace and build another system. The boutiques are better, but I still chafe at their mainboard, chassis, fan, etc selection for the somewhat affordable builds. Especially chassis... I'm really particular about cases these days. I've had too many that are a pain to build in, have piss-poor cable management, poorly thought out or inadequate cooling provisions, or are difficult to service (clean, upgrade, etc after you've got everything installed). Sometimes it's more-or-less a form factor problem, so I understand. But in many cases it's largely due to bad design choices.
Then again you could buy an OEM machine, steal the GPU, shove your old GPU in it, and resell it. In some cases it might still be cheaper than paying WTFBBQ prices for a 1080 or whatnot.
The cases aren't that bad. If you don't like what the OEM provides, you can get a decent Phanteks case for like $50. The PSU isn't weak but the power efficiency won't be there, if you want a nice Gold or Platinum power supply you're gonna dish out around $200 or more anyways. The cable management isn't that bad and the cooling is just stock OEM Ryzen Wraith Cooler. The RAM is 2400 speed but if you want 3200 you're gonna have to pony up a lot more with RAM prices these days. You can always sell the ram and use the difference to get faster speeds. There are diminishing returns for Ryzen past 3200 speed.
In theory GPU prices can improve next month , how fast and by how much depends on GPU makers but could take a few more week - worse only if crypto jumps. Not that it is worth buying a GPU anytime soon, given how perf per $ has evolved since 2016, even at normal prices. Memory prices are a pain in GPU too and those are unlikely to get much better for a number of years.
Micro Center has sold every CPU on that list with a release date from 2017 for significantly less than the prices listed here, for quite some time. You can buy a 1950x for $729 right now, and I've seen them for as little as $699.
I love it when people bring up Micro Center and their CPU prices. It seems like a great store, but it is hard to consider it when there are only 25 stores in the United States and the only way to get the amazing CPU prices are in store locations only. Until there are more locations or the deals can be picked up online it is hard to take under consideration.
I got my 1700x from Micro Center in Oct 2017 for $230 minus $30 discount when combined with mobo! The 500gb Samsung Evo M.2 for $200 was a nice bonus when it was selling for $280 online ;o)
All told I got $800 in hardware (online prices) for $540. Been a loyal fan ever since!!
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Death666Angel - Monday, March 19, 2018 - link
"the first time when a Ryzen-branded CPU is available for less than $100 in retail."Does the 99USD Ryzen 3 2200G not count as a CPU? :)
iter - Monday, March 19, 2018 - link
Nah, its an APU :PImSpartacus - Monday, March 19, 2018 - link
Somewhere, an AMD marketing guy sees this and starts pumping his first going, "We did it! We finally got people to use APU!"iter - Monday, March 19, 2018 - link
Thank you, come again!GreenReaper - Tuesday, March 27, 2018 - link
Nah, it's an AMD Ryzen™ 3 2200G Processor with Radeon™ Vega 8 Graphics.mfeller2 - Monday, March 19, 2018 - link
The "sale" does not come close to offsetting the insane GPU prices. I am in the market to build a new PC, and I have a ryzen penciled-in as the CPU, but I will hold off on buying until the GPU market improves. (Which I realize, may be a LONG time)drexnx - Monday, March 19, 2018 - link
it won't be, crypto mining profitability dictates that it's not currently viable to purchase new hardware (and hasn't been for a few weeks) don't expect a dump of secondhand cards, but expect stock levels for new cards to return over the next monthstephenbrooks - Monday, March 19, 2018 - link
--[The "sale" does not come close to offsetting the insane GPU prices.]--Assuming you don't want the Ryzen 5 2400G, then the GPU is very cheap indeed.
putneg - Monday, March 19, 2018 - link
why not get one with the APU in it for a few bucks more? This way you can start gaming now and buy a GPU the moment you find a great deal.Stochastic - Monday, March 19, 2018 - link
It's not just GPU prices but also memory prices that are inflating the cost of PCs. I'm not expecting prices to return to semi-normal levels until 2019, but hopefully I'm wrong about that.rahvin - Tuesday, March 20, 2018 - link
We'll be lucky if it's 2019, The memory producers are collaborating again on controlling production to inflate prices. This is like the 5th time they've done it in the last 20 years. I wish the FTC would open an investigation.nagi603 - Monday, March 19, 2018 - link
...or the rise in price of memory modules. The memory cartel really deserves a few dozen years in the cooler. Shame they have too much money for any real conviction!Shlong - Monday, March 19, 2018 - link
It's cheaper to get a prebuilt system now. Last month, there was an Acer desktop on dealnews (Ryzen 1700X, GTX 1070, 256GB SSD, 1TB HDD, 16GB Ram) for $1,050.Alexvrb - Monday, March 19, 2018 - link
16GB of slow RAM. A locked-down junk mainboard. Weak PSU, cheap fans. A chassis that I loathe. Sign me up bro. :DNot gonna lie, I get tempted to buy OEM systems sometimes but then I remember all the ones I've had to work on. I grimace and build another system. The boutiques are better, but I still chafe at their mainboard, chassis, fan, etc selection for the somewhat affordable builds. Especially chassis... I'm really particular about cases these days. I've had too many that are a pain to build in, have piss-poor cable management, poorly thought out or inadequate cooling provisions, or are difficult to service (clean, upgrade, etc after you've got everything installed). Sometimes it's more-or-less a form factor problem, so I understand. But in many cases it's largely due to bad design choices.
Then again you could buy an OEM machine, steal the GPU, shove your old GPU in it, and resell it. In some cases it might still be cheaper than paying WTFBBQ prices for a 1080 or whatnot.
Shlong - Tuesday, March 20, 2018 - link
The cases aren't that bad. If you don't like what the OEM provides, you can get a decent Phanteks case for like $50. The PSU isn't weak but the power efficiency won't be there, if you want a nice Gold or Platinum power supply you're gonna dish out around $200 or more anyways. The cable management isn't that bad and the cooling is just stock OEM Ryzen Wraith Cooler. The RAM is 2400 speed but if you want 3200 you're gonna have to pony up a lot more with RAM prices these days. You can always sell the ram and use the difference to get faster speeds. There are diminishing returns for Ryzen past 3200 speed.jjj - Monday, March 19, 2018 - link
In theory GPU prices can improve next month , how fast and by how much depends on GPU makers but could take a few more week - worse only if crypto jumps.Not that it is worth buying a GPU anytime soon, given how perf per $ has evolved since 2016, even at normal prices.
Memory prices are a pain in GPU too and those are unlikely to get much better for a number of years.
StevoLincolnite - Monday, March 19, 2018 - link
So happy I bought my Radeon RX 580 when I did, before the prices increased by 50%.Sad that I can't buy anything better though... Because said Radeon RX 580 isn't enough for my needs.
mode_13h - Tuesday, March 20, 2018 - link
First, I think this has more to do with burning down inventories before Ryzen+ hits.Second, GPU prices are already falling. Compare to 1 month ago.
AbRASiON - Monday, March 19, 2018 - link
Ryzen 5 2600, that's the one they need to drop. 160$ US and it'll be THE CPU to buy.techguymaxc - Monday, March 19, 2018 - link
Micro Center has sold every CPU on that list with a release date from 2017 for significantly less than the prices listed here, for quite some time. You can buy a 1950x for $729 right now, and I've seen them for as little as $699.Razneu - Monday, March 19, 2018 - link
I love it when people bring up Micro Center and their CPU prices. It seems like a great store, but it is hard to consider it when there are only 25 stores in the United States and the only way to get the amazing CPU prices are in store locations only. Until there are more locations or the deals can be picked up online it is hard to take under consideration.lazarpandar - Monday, March 19, 2018 - link
refurbforless (which sells new items btw) on ebay has been selling the 1700 for like $250 for months now.I'm seeing some for $240, brand new, 99%+ sellers. These CPUs have been available for a lot less than this sale for a very long time.
putneg - Tuesday, March 20, 2018 - link
yeah i paid 240$ free shipping on ebay for my 1700 6 months ago.Lolimaster - Monday, March 19, 2018 - link
Talk about mining BTC with a pair 1950X systems at that $699sfcampbell19 - Thursday, March 22, 2018 - link
Preach brother!I got my 1700x from Micro Center in Oct 2017 for $230 minus $30 discount when combined with mobo! The 500gb Samsung Evo M.2 for $200 was a nice bonus when it was selling for $280 online ;o)
All told I got $800 in hardware (online prices) for $540. Been a loyal fan ever since!!
nagi603 - Monday, March 19, 2018 - link
Amazon.de is also on the roll. e.g.: 1920X is sold for 606€: https://www.amazon.de/AMD-YD192XA8AEWOF-RYZEN-THRE...Major_Rant - Monday, March 19, 2018 - link
Inventory clearance in advance of product upgrade.... Nothing to see here ... Move along.If they had to write them down: That would be news.
Lolimaster - Monday, March 19, 2018 - link
Ryzen 7 1700 was $269 for MONTHS after may.Lolimaster - Monday, March 19, 2018 - link
The only gpu's you can buy at MSRP are the gpu's integrated on the Ryzen APU's.2400G, the gaming PC of 2018.
BTW, 2200G & 2400G + B350mobo are selling like hotcakes on hungry fat police officers.
msroadkill612 - Tuesday, March 20, 2018 - link
Where did you get the sales numbers please? I am curious how the apuS are selling.msroadkill612 - Tuesday, March 20, 2018 - link
~OT, but have been reflecting on the counter arguments to the apuS, & re the extra cost of 16MB of fast memory, & am finding it less plausible.I have an 8GB system w/ dgpu, and frankly, even for my minimal needs, no way would I settle for 8GB in either case.
Secondly, the saving for slower memory is a pittance - $20~ - a premium well worth paying in either case.
APUs simply encourage you to make a decision you SHOULD make, and won't regret, for either system.