Considering that the 7xxx was due out Q3 2011, I'm kinda surprised the official specs haven't been released yet.

Specs are usually released at 6 months ahead of launch schedule.

Does this mean that they will be delayed? We are already in Q2.


I heard a rumor from a wholesale supplier about the shortage of 6990 cards. He said something to the effect of:
"In general, the manufacturers don't produce too many high end video cards like the 6990 because they aren't for the mass market but only for high-end gamers. Combine this with the earthquake in Fukushima, and there is a shortage of high-end transistors that can ONLY be found from the Japanese companies"

If so, I'm only guessing that:
1) natural shortage of high-end cards to begin with
2) shortage of transistors due to Fukushima
3) bit mining demand surge


If all factors of the above are true, it makes sense why the 6990 card is a bitch to find.

If we combine this factor with the possibility that the 7xxx card may not even include SHA-2 (still unconfirmed) and thus, not ideal for mining, we could be facing a HUGE short-squeeze in 6990 cards for at least another year.

Any comments to the above?