Even though Nvidia GeForce 8800 has grabbed the performance leader crown and can provide better image quality amid higher speed compared to competing Radeon X1950 XTX, the demand towards Nvidia’s new product is still not high, as the general market expects more cost-efficient offerings.

Taiwanese manufacturers of graphics cards indicate that Nvidia’s launch of its GeForce 8800 graphics processing units (GPUs) earlier this month have failed to significantly stir up demand for high-end graphics cards, reports DigiTimes web-site. The graphics boards producers did not reportedly elaborate on the term “failed” and whether the demand towards the GeForce 8800-series was lower or higher compared to products in $449 - $649 price-range in the past.

One of the reason for lower than expected demand towards the GeForce 8800 GTX model could have been the recall of a batch, or, according to some sources, all of the boards, after a production flaw was discovered. Given that, computer system makers may be cautious to employ the GeForce 8800-series right now into their systems. On the other hand, system makers have no choice: ATI has yet to release its new code-named R600 GPU-series to compete against Nvidia’s code-named G80.

In the mean time, the web-site reports that there are two more DirectX 10-compliant chips in Nvidia’s roadmap: G84 and G86, which are rumoured to be supplied to Taiwanese graphics board makers as samples in January or February of next year.

Currently Nvidia’s add-in-card partners sell GeForce 8800 GTX 768MB (575MHz clock-speed, 128 stream processors at 1350MHz , 32 texture mapping units, 24 raster operation units, 384-bit memory bus) and GeForce 8800 GTS 640MB (500MHz clock-speed, 96 stream processors at 1200MHz , 24 texture mapping units, 20 raster operation units, 320-bit memory bus) graphics cards for $599 and $449 recommended price-points.

Nvidia did not comment on the news-story.