Let me get this started by saying I dont like the MSRP either. You're basically getting a 5700 XT for 5700 XT prices. This is not generation to generation progress.

But... In the current market we're in, MSRP is almost meaningless. All the negative reviews and comments from everyone on launch for the 6600 XT seemed to have forgotten that the 3060 and 3060 Ti are virtually impossible to get for MSRP. The 3060 founders doesnt exist and I have yet to see anyone get one for its MSRP price. I have seen the occasional 3060 Ti for below 500, but they're extremely rare.

At the end of the day, it wouldnt have mattered if AMD set the MSRP at $379 or $250, the price is dictated by the supply and demand. What we have here is a realistic MSRP which matches the current market.

By the looks of it (at least here in the UK, the sapphire pulse has been sitting at £375 in stock all day at overclockers) the 6600 XT has immense supply. Many retailers have received more 6600 XT's than all Nvidia cards put together over the last week.

Everyone was saying the 6600 XT is the end of the budget card. But I would argue otherwise. The 6600 XT has been by far the easiest card to buy at near its "MSRP". To the point where it will start pushing down RTX 3060 prices. Even if the 6600 XT only matched the 3060's performance, the fact that almost everywhere it can be found for $100-200 less is definitely taking away some of demand from the 3060.

Right now, we simply need prices to drop. Not crazy low MSRP's that wont be achieved. And the 6600 XT is the card doing that.

Sure, lets say 6 months from now the 3060 and 3060 Ti can easily be had for MSRP, yes the 6600 XT is bad value. But who honestly thinks it wont drop in price? Remember what happened with Vega? A $400 Vega 56 and $500 Vega 64 were going for as low as $250 and $300 respectively, just over a year after release. I would not be surprised if we see this happen. Heck, I managed to pick up a Vega 64 Nitro brand new from scan for £250 in 2019.

The reason as to why the 5700 XT never dropped in price was because it was so competitive to start with. It punched in the same performance tier as the 2070 Super, a card which cost more than $100 more. The 5700 XT had no reason to be cheaper.

TLDR: The 6600 XT is currently our saviour. Not the enemy.