ATI phasing out cards?

[sligdude]

I went about looking for a decent ATI video card, possibly to crossfire at a later date. I finally found a 2 models I like - either Saphires; Vapour 4870 1GB or 4890 2GB .

However, when i chased it up with my supplier, He said that there is a shortage of ATI cards at the moment (at least here in Australia), and that i should delay purchase because, he suggested, that ATI might be coming out with a new market of card to compete with Nvidia's new line. Apparently, if i buy now, ATI may cease with the Saph 4800 series, thus inhibiting a later purchase for bridging.

I've many questions in mind, but mostly:

Is ATI phasing out currant cards?
If all is true, would the Saphire 4800's become a rare retailing 6 - 12 months from now anyway?

[stopthekilling77]

4800 series is already way phased out for a performance video card. the 5870 is on top at the moment and the x2s will be the 6870 (5870x2) and the 6850 (5850x2) and we should be seeing them within a few months. I'd hold off for the 5870x2 if you want the best you can get otherwise I'd just say go with a 5870

[ibleet]

I just noticed today that the XFX 4890 has been phased out on Newegg. People are trying to sell their used ones at every computer forum I use.

[sligdude]

The 5800 series right now is a little bit out of my budget at $600 and the x2 can't even be found. The Sapphire 4890 is in a decent price range with all the specs i need. I don't know how old it is, but it has pretty decent specs and it was reviewed by Legit only last moth. So how could the 4800 series be facing a phased out so fast?

[InspectahACE]

The 5800 series right now is a little bit out of my budget at $600 and the x2 can't even be found. The Sapphire 4890 is in a decent price range with all the specs i need. I don't know how old it is, but it has pretty decent specs and it was reviewed by Legit only last moth. So how could the 4800 series be facing a phased out so fast?

They've been out for quite awhile actually. The one reviewed last month was just another vendor pretty much( I didnt read it so that all the difference i know of)

[Apoptosis]

I heard that Apple bought the entire available inventory up recently prior to when they announced that Radeon 4000 series cards would be used in their new systems. I wrote about this here - http://www.legitreviews.com/news/6674/

That is where all the 4850's went. The 4890's and 5000 series cards are sold out due to strong sales and the fact that the yields at TSMC suck... Nothing against NVIDIA or ATI on this one, because the yields are bad across the board. It's so bad that the CEO of NVIDIA went to visit TSMC this week if the rumors are true. To combat the low inventory many places are raising prices and it is rumored that AMD might have to raise the MSRP due to the high demand and low availability...

A real crappy situation for everyone... AMD needs sales and revenue and we need cards...

[sligdude]

Wow. So I guess if I want a Sapphire 4800 series, I should probably buy while it's still cheap... or even available? BTW if anyone has any information the Manli 4870, specs, reviews and links would be greatly appreciated. This card is cheap and readily available to me, but no background. It is any good?

Thanks guys.