Modern Graphics Cards vs. Game Consoles

[daRkKon]

all my friends want me to get an xbox 360 and i go why when my computer is generations ahead of that old technology

 

[cmdrdredd]

not really. The GTX8800 came out 3 days before the PS3, the 8800 series was much more powerful, producing better graphics, and cost less money. Since then the gap only grew, such that they are now pathetically obsolete. A 100$ video card will greatly outperform them.
And did you know that the xbox360 has only 512MB of ram? that is the same amount as modern CELL PHONES! (example, the nexus S)



Yep.
PC games had greater than 1080p resolution since ~2000
and slightly greater than 720p resolution sometimes in the early 1990s.

@OP: Don't delude yourself to thinking consoles could ever compare to the PC in terms of graphics, or freedom of input (PCs don't FORCE you to use a mouse+keyboard, you can use a console controller or a joystick or whatever, I for example have an xbox360 controller for my PC for those console ports whose keyboard controls suck due to bad porting).
That isn't to say that consoles have no place at all, a lot of people are computer illiterate and "put disk in slot" is as complicated as they can handle, and plugging in a computer to a TV (or a projector) is a little too hard for them... so a console lets them get games on TV easily. Its not the best quality or price, but it fits their desires. You might consider 720p DX9 style graphics "good enough" while others desire more.

elitism at its finest.

 

[taltamir]

elitism at its finest.

its not elitism, its facts. Do cellphones NOT have more or equal ram to current consoles?
did video cards not totally outperform consoles the day they were released and only widened the gap since?
do PCs NOT allow the use of a controller (such as my xbox 360 controller)?
do consoles allow the use of keyboard + mouse?
did PCs not have more than 1080p resolution for about 10 years and more than 720p for about 20?
are consoles NOT producing inferior graphics?
don't consoles only require you to put the disk in?
don't PCs require you to install, then manually download and apply a patch, then configure settings for optimal/desired performance/image quality?
is it not more complicated to set up a PC on your TV?

I said only facts. And I avoided the more incriminating ones. like the predatory practices of buying companies, making their games exclusive, and charging extra for the games on a console (MS & Sony). like shoddy design (RROD on MS), like how their OS is crippled and DRM laden (MS & Sony), like how sony just removed features with each version (support of PS2 games, then for linux booting). Like how you have to buy an overpriced and under performing HDD from the console maker or they will ban your console (MS). Like how MS only provides patches for games if you have a pay subscription to live (edit, this bit is wrong, you must have a live account, but a free account has patch access). And more

 

[A5]

Like how you have to buy an overpriced and under performing HDD from the console maker or they will ban your OS. Like how MS only provides patches for games if you have a pay subscription to live. And more

This part isn't true (Sony explicitly supports HDD replacement, MS hasn't banned anyone who's done the replacement properly, and free XBL accounts can download patches), but the rest of it (though the wording is loaded with your opinion) is true.

 

[Ben90]

I didn't know about Sandy Bridge's IGP being that powerful, and although I highly doubt it, could I have the links that show this?

From what I've seen of Sandy Bridge, and how the 5450 performs roughly equivalent to a 4550, it is in roughly the same performance bracket as a X1800, the closest thing to the Xenos GPU

Yes lol, that is way too many comparisons. We also don't know if turbo was working on Anand's SB ES. Either way its impressive how technology has been advancing on the lowend even if SB doesn't quite beat out the Xenos.

 

[taltamir]

This part isn't true (Sony explicitly supports HDD replacement, MS hasn't banned anyone who's done the replacement properly, and free XBL accounts can download patches), but the rest of it (though the wording is loaded with your opinion) is true.

Sony doesn't, and I didn't mean to imply they do. sony does other things (removal of features).

AFAIK MS does ban people for using a HDD that hasn't gone through them, they call them "counterfeit" HDDs and ban consoles that use them. This is a problem if you buy a new drive on ebay, its most likely a "counterfeit". (its not really counterfeit, just third party. for example, using non honda/GM/whatever oil in your car is a legally protected right, it is illegal for them to penalize you in any way for doing so; but MS doesn't have such a legal restriction, so they do penalize you)
They also block the use (AND corrupt the data on) any non MS branded USB sticks (which are sold are a ridiculously high price through MS)

I stand corrected about the patch issue, you must have a live membership to download patches, but a free account works just as well for downloading game patches.

 

[cmdrdredd]

its not elitism, its facts. Do cellphones NOT have more or equal ram to current consoles?
did video cards not totally outperform consoles the day they were released and only widened the gap since?
do PCs NOT allow the use of a controller (such as my xbox 360 controller)?
do consoles allow the use of keyboard + mouse?
did PCs not have more than 1080p resolution for about 10 years and more than 720p for about 20?
are consoles NOT producing inferior graphics?
don't consoles only require you to put the disk in?
don't PCs require you to install, then manually download and apply a patch, then configure settings for optimal/desired performance/image quality?
is it not more complicated to set up a PC on your TV?

I said only facts. And I avoided the more incriminating ones. like the predatory practices of buying companies, making their games exclusive, and charging extra for the games on a console (MS & Sony). like shoddy design (RROD on MS), like how their OS is crippled and DRM laden (MS & Sony), like how sony just removed features with each version (support of PS2 games, then for linux booting). Like how you have to buy an overpriced and under performing HDD from the console maker or they will ban your console (MS). Like how MS only provides patches for games if you have a pay subscription to live (edit, this bit is wrong, you must have a live account, but a free account has patch access). And more

No it's elitism. It doesn't matter how good your PC is if the games aren't there. Consoles have better quality games at the moment. What you are talking about is "why bother with a console when it only has the equivelant of a 1900xt video card." That's elitism.

I'll play anything that is good. I will buy a console version of a game if it's less buggy than a PC version or vice versa. I might like shooters on the PC better but I don't only play shooters and a console has a very wide variety that the PC does not have. I'm not going to sit here and bash consoles because of their hardware and the fact that they are a closed platform. That's dumb because I have them for games, and that's what matters to me.

Furthermore, resolution doesn't mean a whole lot when the art style and textures are bland. There's a lot of very good looking console games that have a very unique style and that's appealing in its own way. Besides, I never heard anyone say that Uncharted 2 looked like crap and it's a console exclusive. There are some very good games out there if you're not going to sit around and hate on Sony or Microsoft all day. That's a waste of time to me.

 

[narsnail]

When games are tailored to a specific platform using the same hardware for multiple years, developers can take advantage of prior knowledge to create game that couldn't normally run on said hardware. This is why consoles are for more casual gamers, the longevity of the console itself.

I own both a PS3 and gaming pc, even at 1080p games are noticeably less sharp on the PS3. I find most PS3 games look pretty good, but lack of/low AA becomes super noticeable when playing on a high res, and probably even more so on lower resolutions. Consoles do not and will not have the power and ability a PC does for gaming, but I still enjoy playing PS3.

 

[cmdrdredd]

When games are tailored to a specific platform using the same hardware for multiple years, developers can take advantage of prior knowledge to create game that couldn't normally run on said hardware. This is why consoles are for more casual gamers, the longevity of the console itself.

I own both a PS3 and gaming pc, even at 1080p games are noticeably less sharp on the PS3. I find most PS3 games look pretty good, but lack of/low AA becomes super noticeable when playing on a high res, and probably even more so on lower resolutions. Consoles do not and will not have the power and ability a PC does for gaming, but I still enjoy playing PS3.

Exactly right. Technically speaking they are not equal and never will be for reasons you mentioned. I don't like the term casual gamer when referring to consoles in general. Casual gamers are like Grandpa who plays Wii Bowling, or your sister's friend who plays Dance Central once in a while. There's a lot of very "hardcore" gamers on both the PS3 and Xbox. I agree though, while it's not as crisp looking when you compare things side by side you have fun with the console just the same. It's also a difference of a 24" monitor vs a 50" Plasma, a couch vs a cramped PC chair in front of a desk, a 7.1 2,000watt surround sound system vs very weak by comparison PC speakers. Sometimes sitting in front of my PC is not what I want to do for hours and hours. It's alright for games that are taking advantage of specific PC features but lately it's not the way developers are making their games.

 

[toyota]

and I highly doubt the typical console user has a 50 inch plasma and 7.1 sound. there are probably way more of those users hooked up to an old crt than have that kind of setup.

 

[RussianSensation]

and I highly doubt the typical console user has a 50 inch plasma and 7.1 sound. there are probably way more of those users hooked up to an old crt than have that kind of setup.

7.1 sound is probably pushing it. Out of all my friends I am the only PC gamer, but everyone who owns a PS3/360 is already running a 32-50 inch LCD/Plasma and some have it paired with $1000 5.1 receiver+speakers setup. Actually I don't know anyone with a powerful desktop anymore (one of my friends has an 8800GT but doesn't play any games on it at all).

Almost everyone I know has now converted to laptops + console on an LCD/Plasma setup. One of my friends is now upgrading his 5 year old laptop and he wants to buy another laptop only.

For the ancient hardware in consoles, the graphics are actually pretty good. The many times I have played call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 on the 360, we usually sit so far away, my eyes can't even notice aliasing. Consoles do have blurry textures though.

 

[Voo]

There's a lot of very "hardcore" gamers on both the PS3 and Xbox.

Yeah and even I who by god is by far not the best FPS player out there could probably give the best players on a PS3 or XBOX a hard time just by using keyboard and my old trustworthy high dpi mouse. I'm pretty sure I remember MS banning people for not using the controllers, which speaks for itself..

It's also a difference of a 24" monitor vs a 50" Plasma, a couch vs a cramped PC chair in front of a desk, a 7.1 2,000watt surround sound system vs very weak by comparison PC speakers.

Yeah too bad that it's impossible to use good a surround system on PCs or hook them up to a modern plasma TV.. wait, what do I hear there? Ah right, you can do both things.


The couch is a plus obviously (though there's no better investment than a good, comfy chair and desk, don't start talking about monitors or SSDs before you've got that one sorted out imho ) and rl-multiplayer with several friends on a PC just doesn't exist. Also there are more games on the consoles, but then that also depends on your favorite genre (hi Civ5 or SC2 or every popular MMORPG ever made).
Also if a game is released for both XBOX and PS3 there's usually also a PC port around I think, so to get all those console unique games you more or less need both consoles, which is still cheaper than a PC.

Oh and I think I've spent more time waiting for updates on my PS3 to finish than I needed to finish some games.

 

[Skurge]

No it's elitism. It doesn't matter how good your PC is if the games aren't there. Consoles have better quality games at the moment. What you are talking about is "why bother with a console when it only has the equivelant of a 1900xt video card." That's elitism.

I'll play anything that is good. I will buy a console version of a game if it's less buggy than a PC version or vice versa. I might like shooters on the PC better but I don't only play shooters and a console has a very wide variety that the PC does not have. I'm not going to sit here and bash consoles because of their hardware and the fact that they are a closed platform. That's dumb because I have them for games, and that's what matters to me.

Furthermore, resolution doesn't mean a whole lot when the art style and textures are bland. There's a lot of very good looking console games that have a very unique style and that's appealing in its own way. Besides, I never heard anyone say that Uncharted 2 looked like crap and it's a console exclusive. There are some very good games out there if you're not going to sit around and hate on Sony or Microsoft all day. That's a waste of time to me.

Most of your post is pretty good, except the part about better quality games. I have to disagree with that. You can say consoles have games like uncharted or final fantasy or GT5, but then PC has games like Starcraft, Stalker, WOW, GTR. The Best games are multiplatform anyway and those look better on the PC. Mass effect, Dirt 2, BC2, etc.

Uncharted 2 looks okay, but its badly let down by some of the textures. FF13 looks better.

Also you can mod PC games. So quality can be improved. My mod folder for GTR evolution is larger than the game folder.

This is going off topic anyway, Hardware and graphics wise, the consoles lose badly.

 

[piasabird]

Modern computer games would be a lot better if you did not have to have the disk in the drive to play the game.

 

[Skurge]

Modern computer games would be a lot better if you did not have to have the disk in the drive to play the game.

You don't have to for almost all of them.

 

[pw38]

Modern computer games would be a lot better if you did not have to have the disk in the drive to play the game.

Well, then buy games off steam or gamesforwindows.com.

 

[Skurge]

Well, then buy games off steam or gamesforwindows.com.

Oh I forgot to mention how awesome steam is, not only are the games cheaper, you don't have to pay to use it either.

 

[toyota]

Oh I forgot to mention how awesome steam is, not only are the games cheaper, you don't have to pay to use it either.

the dirt cheap prices of pc games is what keeps me playing on the pc. the money I save allows me more money for other things including buying a new pc to play those games.

 

[Skurge]

the dirt cheap prices of pc games is what keeps me playing on the pc. the money I save allows me more money for other things including buying a new pc to play those games.

True, like mafia2 is only $12.50 on steam right now, that game is only a few months old. Buy a few games and you would have saved enough money to upgraded your PC if you wanted to.

 

[Bearach]

Exactly right. Technically speaking they are not equal and never will be for reasons you mentioned. I don't like the term casual gamer when referring to consoles in general. Casual gamers are like Grandpa who plays Wii Bowling, or your sister's friend who plays Dance Central once in a while. There's a lot of very "hardcore" gamers on both the PS3 and Xbox. I agree though, while it's not as crisp looking when you compare things side by side you have fun with the console just the same. It's also a difference of a 24" monitor vs a 50" Plasma, a couch vs a cramped PC chair in front of a desk, a 7.1 2,000watt surround sound system vs very weak by comparison PC speakers. Sometimes sitting in front of my PC is not what I want to do for hours and hours. It's alright for games that are taking advantage of specific PC features but lately it's not the way developers are making their games.

Them comparisons are a little stupid, 24 inch monitor vs a 50 inch plasma... you know that a computer too can be attached to that plasma?

Mediocre sound? You know that you can use the sound card outputs to put into a sound system like you can the XBOX and PS3?

You can also as long as game has ability to use gamepads even use a gamepad sat on that sofa with a PC...

It's more about the ease of use, nothing more that makes consoles better to some. Though I agree "hardcore" gamers are on both platforms.

 

[themodernlife]

i think you broke the op's heart when you told him how horrifically slow and poor his graphics card is even compared to something that sells for under 50$ nowadays. (8xxx series) ;p

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Lol @ consoles. I have my pc hooked up to my 7.1 home theatre system and LCD btw son.
Sound is fed through a creative x-fi via toslink optical cable too.

 

[Rezist]

Well to be fair most of the best games release on consoles and if there is a PC port it's usually buggy.

Which is really a shame cause I like playing on the PC better.

 

[toyota]

Well to be fair most of the best games release on consoles and if there is a PC port it's usually buggy.

Which is really a shame cause I like playing on the PC better.

yeah the only reason I would consider a console is for the exclusive games. unfortunately 7 or 8 games is not a good enough reason to buy 2 consoles.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Them comparisons are a little stupid, 24 inch monitor vs a 50 inch plasma... you know that a computer too can be attached to that plasma?

Mediocre sound? You know that you can use the sound card outputs to put into a sound system like you can the XBOX and PS3?

You can also as long as game has ability to use gamepads even use a gamepad sat on that sofa with a PC...

It's more about the ease of use, nothing more that makes consoles better to some. Though I agree "hardcore" gamers are on both platforms.

Yeah but then how do you use the mouse and keyboard? uncomfortably that's how...

Does your receiver have analog inputs? Many of the new ones remove that because of HDMI connectivity...

I would not use a gamepad on a PC for a game I buy for PC. I buy PC games over console games because there's times when mouse is superior (FPS games).