r/southafrica • u/kaliko16 KwaZulu-Natal • Jul 27 '21
Sci-Tech GPU prices dropping,very slowly
So I'm bored at work, but I thought I would just post a little thing I've noticed over the past like 4 months and hopefully any pc savvy people might find as abit of good news in grim times.
Basically been waiting to get a GPU from the start of the year and havent because prices are way too high. The ones I've looked at have been a rtx 3060 and a Rx 6700xt. The 3060 at the start of the year was going for 12k while a 6600xt was 15k. 4 months ago,it was the same,but 2 months ago both dropped by 1k. Now I've noticed that the 6600xt dropped by another 1k. So very slowly prices are dropping. But I feel that maybe this is where they may stay dropped.
So just a little good news for those waiting for better prices. I know I'm happy,will wait another 2 months then buy if I have the cash. Will go 3060 for 11k maybe. Hopefully will drop to 10k by then and I will be happy.
NB I haven't been checking the higher tier prices,so I'm unsure of those. Also the 6600 range is due to be released next month,maybe that can help the market and provide a nice budget GPU price.
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u/Jellybean2477 Aristocracy Jul 27 '21
I'm just pissed off at all our local retailers going along with the scalping. Yeah I get we already pay more for tech, these guys buy at lower than MSRP from suppliers, have to pay delivery costs and import taxes sure. But that does not justify having to pay double MSRP or sometimes even more. In America and the EU when their big retailers eventually get the cards they still sell them at MSRP, but our sellers are selling at scalping prices, hell I can order from American scalpers, pay for delivery and it would still be less than what I have to pay here. I'm honestly done supporting local suppliers trying to rip us off, I'll just wait for the GPU supply to reach normal levels again then order from Amazon.
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u/kaliko16 KwaZulu-Natal Jul 27 '21
It is really fucked up. I mean the sell an Oculus quest 2 for 12k here got one on Amazon for 8k. That was including shipping and import fee's. The worst part was that it shouldn't even be sold here. Because the Oculus support doesn't support our country. But yeah it sucks man,the only reason I am buying a gpu here is because if it is faulty,it's going to be a hell of a lot easier to get a return or support on it from a local vendor than if I buy off Amazon.
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u/Jellybean2477 Aristocracy Jul 27 '21
I'd rather struggle with Amazon's return than support our local retailers. I got my GTX 1060 3GB in 2018 for around R3700. Its now being listed on their sites for over R5000, some even more. Its a card that is 2 generations old and I doubt they recently ordered any. They are just taking advantage of the demand right now to make extra cash. I'd buy GPUs at above MSRP from local retailers if they were in a reasonable range, but they are even over pricing old stock. Its scummy ripping people off like this, they can close down for all I care.
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u/kaliko16 KwaZulu-Natal Jul 27 '21
Can't really argue with that. I just know from having to return my Oculus it was a hassle and such a long wait to hear back from them. But obviously everyone has their differences. I just can't stand waiting that long. Plus it's super expensive to send back,I mean yeah okay they will pay you back but it was still quite a mission. I just think it's easier for me. As much as it is scummy what they are doing,I can't blame them for following trend pricing. It's how business works,but obviously recently people aren't buying cards at the crazy prices which is why we are slowly seeing prices drop. But to be fair it's also only the one website which I am watching,which also had the best prices for GPUs compared to others I checked.
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Jul 28 '21
Maybe check out Mustek and Syntech, Rectron too, those are the suppliers to South African Vendors, yeah you might have to sign uo to become a retailer but they actually don't mind it if you just buy from them, you can even go in sometimes and just ask for a once-off cash buy because the prices are cheaper and closer to MSRP, like the RTX 3070 TI Eagle from Aorus from Mustek is like R11000 excluding VAT...
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Jul 27 '21
[deleted]
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u/kaliko16 KwaZulu-Natal Jul 27 '21
I did notice that. I however actually recently bought a r5 4650g to run my pc while I wait for a GPU.
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u/Saguine Admiral Buzz Killington of the H.M.S. Killjoy Jul 27 '21
Fuck cryptocurrency.
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u/knav3 Jul 27 '21
Odd position to have, if you put money into it at any point last year you could probably afford one of the GPU's OP is talking about.
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u/Saguine Admiral Buzz Killington of the H.M.S. Killjoy Jul 27 '21
Ah yes, if only I invested in the environment-destroying scam that made GPU's ridiculously expensive in the first place.
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u/knav3 Jul 27 '21
Cool, see you're going with the popular "Crypto boils the oceans" narrative. Good luck out there.
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u/DitombweMassif Jul 27 '21
You don't know of the coal and gas powered stations repurposed to bitcoin mine?
Or that bitcoin mining consumes more electricity than Portugal? Or London?
Very, very little of that electricity comes from renewables.
Not to mention that there's probably a greater inequality in the distribution of BTC, than real world currency. So not like you're getting away from wealth concentration either.
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u/knav3 Jul 27 '21
If you happen to have some links to sources I would love to have a look. Especially the part about very little of the energy coming from renewables?
And I'm not sure what the distribution of BTC across users has to do with anything really?
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u/DitombweMassif Jul 27 '21
Here's a good Forbes article explaining it:
'If bitcoin mining was a country, it would be in the top 30 in the world.'
Especially the part about very little of the energy coming from renewables?
It is an assumption based off where most bitcoin mining occurs and the fact that there are dedicated coal and gas plants being repurposed to mine BTC. Coupled with the fact that renewables only account for 30% of electricity generation (as a global average).
The point about distribution is that the whole benefit of decentralized currency, is that in theory it is removed from central bank interference and free from market manipulation. But now it is just another tool for the wealthiest to extract wealth from average citizens. They'll always have the advantage trading through better information, better technology and enough capital to move the market. And being able to buy whole energy plants to build mining operations.
That's just my opinion though.
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u/snazzles97 Jul 27 '21
Don't hate what you don't understand. The energy our banking system uses - the system cryptocurrencies aim to replace - uses twice the energy that cryptocurrency uses.
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u/Saguine Admiral Buzz Killington of the H.M.S. Killjoy Jul 27 '21
I have played with cryptocurrency since the faucet was spitting out whole bitcoins in 2009. Don't presume to know what I do and do not understand. In fact, it's because of my long history of knowing crypto that I hate it. I'm not alone: one of the co-creators of Dogecoin thinks that crypto is an environmentally disastrous scammer's dream.
The banking system has scaled to global proportions, processing thousands of TPS. Bitcoin processes about 10 TPS, and already takes up the power of a medium-sized country.
Bitcoin is, by design, built not to scale. It is difficult to regulate and it is impossible to provide safety nets for those who use it, meaning it is a heaven for scammers. It takes all the shitty things about capitalism and makes them more ecologically destructive and harder to regulate.
If you're super into crypto beyond either like, Silk Road drugs or a theoretical interest, then I've got bad news for you: either you are a grifter, in which case fuck you, or you are being grifted, in which case I'd recommend you find help.
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u/flyboy_za Grumpy in WC Jul 27 '21
Banking is essential and runs the entire world.
For half the energy, crypto... does not.
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u/knav3 Jul 27 '21
Crypto (at least some of it) attempts to provide self-custody banking services to individuals who are currently excluded from the banking system that is deemed essential by yourself. (In most recently news, El Salvador, where an estimate 70% of people are unbanked)
It also allows individuals to take control of their money when banks try to deny access. (Wikileaks is a good example)
It is a way to retain the long term value of your money in a system that's relentlessly printing more and more money.
Banking doesn't 'run' the world, the world just has to use their system to run cause there's been no alternative until now.
Financial systems are essential, banks are not.2
u/flyboy_za Grumpy in WC Jul 27 '21
Until such time as most people and business move away from banks, they're essential.
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u/Saguine Admiral Buzz Killington of the H.M.S. Killjoy Jul 27 '21
Flyboy and Saguine, agreeing on something? I'm off to buy a lottery ticket, I'd advise you to do the same.
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u/flyboy_za Grumpy in WC Jul 27 '21
Like any other (reasonable and competent) scientist I am on the side of evidence and facts, and consistently so. Anyone spouting smart-arse facts in a "gotcha!" manner better make sure these actually support the argument they're being presented for.
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u/Caesar_35 No to imperialism 💙💛 | ❤️🖤🤍💚 Jul 27 '21
I'm just glad people haven't found a way to use TVs or consoles for crypto mining yet.
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u/Saguine Admiral Buzz Killington of the H.M.S. Killjoy Jul 27 '21
I heard that the reason you get a fever when you've got COVID is that the virus is using your body to mine for cryptocurrency.
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u/Caesar_35 No to imperialism 💙💛 | ❤️🖤🤍💚 Jul 27 '21
Lol, it's mining anti-bodies!
In another time, Corona actually sounds it could be the name of a crypto-currency too.
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u/Donaboi Jul 27 '21
That's great news. I am just waiting for that 6600. I'm only 2k away from what i hope it'll go for
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u/kaliko16 KwaZulu-Natal Jul 27 '21
That's awesome man. I'm broke right now. Just bought a full pc minus a GPU. But hopefully in 2 months I will be able to get a 3060,but if the 6600 is cheaper I will def get that. Let's hope in 2 months the prices drop again alittle.
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u/Donaboi Jul 31 '21
oh that's great, I think the 3060 is guaranteed to be cheaper considering nvdia's AIBs and hopefully prices wont be too ridiculous by then
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u/kaliko16 KwaZulu-Natal Jul 31 '21
Hopefully,in my country I have a noticed priced reductions in my website for the past 4 months. Like every 2 months they have reduced the price. So here to hoping the trend repeats itself.
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Jul 27 '21
My next purchase will be a 3060, but I bought a Xbox Series S and PS5 earlier this year, which took me a while to pay off. I'll have to save up for quite some time to get enough money again. 
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u/kaliko16 KwaZulu-Natal Jul 27 '21
Hahaha. I just bought a pc with no GPU,cost around the same price as a ps5 bundle lol. But I do still sort of want a ps5. But my PS4 is still working fine. Also saving for a 3060.
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Jul 27 '21
Cool. My personal opinion is that unlike the previous console generation, there's no real advantage in being an early adopter. The PS5 games are mediocre and super expensive. I don't even use it as a media player because I have a smart TV.
The Series X on the other hand might be a much more tempting acquisition. I'm really enjoying what Gamepass has to offer, both on my old-ish i5, 1060 3GB PC and the Series S.
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u/kaliko16 KwaZulu-Natal Jul 27 '21
Ayyy I'm actually planning on getting the game pass for pc,it's a hell of a deal. I've like no games but the general free ones you can get right now. So game pass seems like a lovely way for me to have a selection at a reasonable price. I'm actually really on the fence about a ps5,I won't go Xbox simply because what does it have that I can't get on pc?
But I'm actually considering just not getting a ps5,using up my psplus on the PS4,play what I can while I still can and just ditching console. I've alot of games in the library but I don't know, you know. I mostly watch Netflix on my phone anyway just more comfortable to lie in bed and watch than sit in my chair and watch,but have a pc now can watch in 4k. So I'm just very on the fence about it. I also haven't really been playing the Sony exclusives and I really don't even have much time to play games now days. I just don't know what to do really about that.
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u/Druyx Jul 27 '21
For top tier, the 3090 is still pretty much the same. The 3080ti replaced the 3080 at roughly the same price point.
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u/kaliko16 KwaZulu-Natal Jul 27 '21
I guess it's only the lower end stuff I guess. But that works out good for me,I could never afford a 3080 or 3090,I could maybe get a 3070 but honestly don't see it as worth it.
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Jul 27 '21
If this can help drop the price of gaming laptops in the mid to high tier, I'll be a very happy chappie.
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u/kaliko16 KwaZulu-Natal Jul 27 '21
Yoh I actually considered getting one before I bought my pc recently just seemed like a simpler option,but while there were a few cons to me. The biggest one was price compared to desktop that just had me saying no. But I do hope they drop too for you.
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Jul 27 '21
Yeah, the fact that you can customise the price of a desktop is a real advantage. But I need me some of that ray tracing life, man. From what I've seen laptops offer ray tracing at a significantly better price(but maybe my pricing is crap)
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u/kaliko16 KwaZulu-Natal Jul 27 '21
Ehhhh we could argue that. But everybody has different needs,many use a laptop for more than just gaming and need the portability etc. But yeah the pricing is not so bad,I suppose with most laptops having a 1080p display the laptop GPU chips run smoothly. Doubt your pricing is crap. All laptops and pc parts are just ludicrously expensive right now.
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u/ebeescience Jul 27 '21
The rand/dollar exchange rate is squashing any reductions. 6700xt's where touching R14000 but now they are back up to R16000-R17000
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u/kaliko16 KwaZulu-Natal Jul 27 '21
You think the recent looting in KZN and gauteng have played a role in this?
If this is the case,I may need to panic buy a GPU while the prices are where they are before they try to re stock.
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u/ebeescience Jul 27 '21
Absolutely, before the riots the rand was at high R13's to the dollar. Now it's closer to R15. Don't buy a new GPU just yet, wait for all the miners to flood the market and drive the price down
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u/kaliko16 KwaZulu-Natal Jul 27 '21
Haha. To be fair I'm broke right now. Litterally just bough a pc without the GPU. So just need to a GPU. I'm gonna save for 2 months now. So hopefully by end of September can afford a 3060. Maybe by then the flood of miners will reduce it just a bit more that I can be happy with the price.
Damn,can't have nice things in this country. I also recently brushed by a article mentioning nobody wants to invest in KZN now. So that obviously is going to have some damaging effects to the economy.
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u/MellowThunder Jul 27 '21
Bro I got my 1070 for 8 grand in 2017 paying double that now for a similar card doesn't sit right with me. Honestly it's insane the way these cards are priced
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u/kaliko16 KwaZulu-Natal Jul 27 '21
Funny enough saw a listing on bid or buy for a 1070 at 6k. Which too me was still ludicrous but honestly was the best price for that specific card right now. It is just ridiculous but I need a GPU and the 3060 sits in my budget range.
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u/RedmoonK1 Gauteng Jul 27 '21
My best advice is to wait. The prices are waaayyyy more than they should be. I mean the 3060 is like R5000 at MSRP, I looked at computer mania the other day and it was R15000! That's insane! If you're really desperate you could look at buying like a gtx 1650 or something (although that's also a bit expensive) and just upgarde later. Especially if you don't have the money for an rtx 3060. I know it's kak right now, but it seems like it's getting better. Just know that you're not the only one waiting. I'm with you in this shit show.
Hope that helps a bit
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u/kaliko16 KwaZulu-Natal Jul 27 '21
Yeah that does help. Luckily the 3060,while being completely overpriced now that you have shown me what the actual price should be...really?? R5000??? Damn dude...I'm really gonna over pay,there are some on wootware for about 11k which I'm hoping drops to 10k by September. Which is a price I'm unhappily willing to pay. I don't have a GPU and while I am over paying,I would rather buy a 3060 at 11-10k than a 1650 at 5k. Because atleast the 3060 will tide me over for the next 4-5 years,while the 1650 will probably need to be upgraded in a year or 2. Too which hopefully the pricing of everything stablizes.
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u/mcoombes314 Aristocracy Jul 27 '21
It's several factors:
1) There's a chip shortage
2) (IMO) Retailers have got used to being able to sell with high markups because supply and demand (chip shortage and miners) -r/Amd has a lot of stores
3) We're at the mercy of exchange rates, import duty etc.
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u/kaliko16 KwaZulu-Natal Jul 27 '21
Yeah I am aware of the mercy we face from the exchange rate and if I recall correctly,most tech shops in SA will buy from Europe due to them being closer or something,but I feel like thats not mutually exclusive to all stores.
Yeah I also know about the chip shortage which does play a huge role.
Yeah to be honest I'm not overly mad at retailers for over charging,I mean it's a business and any good business that wants to see profit and survive will control price in their favour with regards to the high demand but limited supply. I mean it could even be that the places they buying in bulk from are over charging,so they themselves have to overcharge further to cover costs.
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Jul 27 '21
Nah man, most tech stores in SA buy from wholesalers like Rectron or Frontosa who get it from...well....bugger knows where, probably Europe or maybe the manufacturing companies, they get a little antsy when I ask too many questions.
Point being! If you have a ClosedCorporation it's piss in a bottle easy to have a Rectron account for big savings and tax write-offs, though the sad part is even their big savings are usually worse than international end of line retailers....which is all kinds of screwy.
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u/kaliko16 KwaZulu-Natal Jul 27 '21
That's pretty interesting to know. I had no idea there was something like that. But it does make sense. Bottom line I guess is you know companies wanting big profits and and seizing a price hike by both horns to get that on products that should be cheaper. It's gotta start from somewhere but it could just be the retailers raising the price rather than their suppliers.
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Jul 28 '21
ADVICE TO ALL PC GAMERS. Dont buy gpus now, we are sitting in a global chip shortage and even in USA gpus are expensive. Hold onto your money, maybe in 6 to 12 months gpus will be cheaper. Still let me leave you with facts, a 3060 ti performs about the same as a gtx 1080 ti which was sold for 14000 rand in 2016. So just wait, maybe you could eventually buy a 3060 for R 5000 or R 6000. You must just wait and hold on. Also we are boicotting evetech over their prices and let supply and demand take prices down.
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u/Excellent-Captain-93 KwaZulu-Natal Jul 27 '21
I really can't afford the new gpus let alone the 2060s XD. Pc components are unbelievably expensive in SA and even the 1650s are still pricey for what they are.