Yeah, and they dedicated an entire microsite to prove how much general audience they want to target: http://www.gigabyte.com/MicroSite/265/x58a-oc.html. I mean, it's literally there: "The GIGABYTE X58A-OC is the world’s first motherboard designed specifically for overclocking."

Don't start playing a ton of BS cards now that turns out it's more expensive than we all anticipated. It just is. Why? Dino said this: "It was planned to be released even cheaper but some delays and changes have increased the cost of production unfortunately." Perhaps it's like you say and the sales people were too afraid. All I read on (different) hardware forums is that non-overclocking people simply digg the colors and would consider buying the board at a lower price point. And for fcks sake, no the general audience will not buy this board for stereo audio, a sata 6g port and a few usb holes.

Does this change everything that has been written about this board, as a concept or as a product? No. Each and everyone of us knew that a project like this comes at a (metaphorical) cost. After all, this type of board is something sales people do not see everyday. Compromises have to be made. It's upto each and every individual to decide whether the compromise is still worth the purchase. Are you horrified, but still want to 'support' this particular type of product, chances are great it'll be a painful-akward moment when you take out your credit card.

We can discuss this at length over and over again, but it won't change the facts. A solid, stable board with high-end pwm, feature-poor and at an interesting price point ... that's what not only overclockers, but plenty of enthusiasts want (yes, perhaps even need). Just like with many of my childhood paintworks, the theory was very good but the excecution could have been a bit better. Doesn't mean you have to throw away the theory, just means you have to learn now and improve next time. Lesson in this case being: don't create delays, don't make it a tad too expensive.