How is an 8800GT 256MB DDR3 card with a 600 Mhz core clock high end?

I was expecting to see maybe the 512MB version clocked at 650Mhz or maybe an announcement of the G92 8800GTS. But this is a solid mid range card at best, definitely not something a high end enthusiast would have in their PC as an 8800GTX would toast this.

I would call it high end for enthusiasts.

since when enthusiasts is exactly the same as huge money expender?

This card can probably run ALL current games at medium-high settings at resolution of 1280x1024, which is the resolution for most 17' and 19' lcds.

I would consider mid range everything below HD 3850 in terms of pricing...

You have to go back a while to call this card "high end." Unless I'm missing something this is a solid mid-range card at best by just looking at the specs given. Think about the ATI 2600pro 512meg card which is on newegg right now. It looks pretty dang comparable to this card and it's selling for $108!

Look at Tom's review of these cards. It's only about 10% slower than the 8800gtx for half the price (512mb version). This beats anything ATI has out right now in most benchmarks with perhaps the exception of the 2900xt. It's not an announcement about a new card, just another manufacturer making their version of an existing card.

NVIDIA calls the GTs mid-range because the GTX/Ultra prices are absurdly bloated. To label the GT's cards as high end would be uncovering the truth that NVIDIA can run a monopoly now. So by that, they have to keep the GTX as high end and the GT's as midrange to justify the pricing. In actuality, the GT IS INDEED a high end card, NVIDIA is just covering up the truth that the GTX line should have been priced as the GT is now.

Hazan:
Glad to see you removed your foil helmet long enough to post your comment. I know; Intel, MS, and now nVidia are trying to control your life and steal your soul. It's horrible, I know...

Your big revelation of 'truth' is nothing more than common sense. Since when have we NOT paid
100% more for that extra 5% performance that pushes us to the bleeding edge? What do you want these tech companies to do; do you the favor of not releasing these interstitial technologies?

Absurdly bloated? Look, comrade, people have been more than happy for months now dishing out $500 - $600 for these GTX/ULTRA cards. Think waaaay back (to around a year ago) to when these 8800 cards hit the scene. Name one card that even came close to competing with them. What cards compete with them now? The 8800GT comes very very close, but at a much nicer price (and process size, power req's). So, would you feel better if they priced these 8800GT's for $400-450 instead of the $275 - $300? The fact is, the 8800GTS/GTX have some pretty long legs on them, longer than most, in fact.

The point is, that if you want to have the best gear around you are going to pay a premium for it. Or put your money where your mouth is, and drop $450 for an HD2900XT. That'll show evil old nVidia who's boss. How dare they effectively design and implement a good product, smartly reinvest their profit in R&D, and continue to develop winning technologies. This must not stand!

If you don't like it, well, I guess you could make your own graphics card. If you are interested, I have some VLB cards lying around that you can use for parts....

should belong to "Digitimes", they are the ones that posted a Press Release as "News". Leadtek is fishing for the gullible amongst the masses who don't know the difference between an apple core and a memory core. 256 MB and 600 Mhz makes it a mid-range card when compared to other 8800gt's