PC vs. Console gaming

[Xavier434]

Originally posted by: warcrow
This thread is going to so freak'n awesome! :laugh:

:laugh:


OP, you said that we are to assume that both options cost the same. However, unless you are getting some out of this world deal, they will not both cost the same assuming you are building a rig from scratch. These days you need a lot of expensive hardware to build a gaming rig which is comparable to a console. Otherwise, what you should really be considering is the games more than platform. Figure out which games are more important to you and choose the platform which supports those games the most. If the games you like are almost always multi-platform then that is when you need to heavily consider the differences between those platforms. Everything else that you need to know has already been stated in this thread so I will not bother repeating it.

 

[SpunkyJones]

I have been a hardcore pc gamer since about 1991, so it pains me to admit that I picked up a PS3 a month ago, and have spent more time with it than on my pc. I would have called you an idiot if you told me even just two months ago I'd be playing on a console more than a pc.

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: SpunkyJones
I have been a hardcore pc gamer since about 1991, so it pains me to admit that I picked up a PS3 a month ago, and have spent more time with it than on my pc. I would have called you an idiot if you told me even just two months ago I'd be playing on a console more than a pc.

I made a similar comment to a co-worker at my first job out of college. He was talking about playing his PS1 while I was talking about playing on my PC. I immensely enjoyed long sessions of playing Civ II, Tribes and Everquest at the time. He enjoyed the quick pick up and play of the PS1 games.

Things gradually changed however and now I've gotten to a point in my life where I just don't have the time to invest in long play sessions like I used to. Plus, I got tired of the PC upgrade cycle. So now I keep a decent enough PC and mostly play games on consoles.

 

[jdport]

Coming from a hardcore PC gamer from the mid-80's to the late-90's, I've switched to a 360. It was simply becoming too much of a headache to keep up hardware-wise on the PC side. It's definitely more expensive. On top of that, but as I grew up and got a real job, I simply didn't have the time anymore. I don't even build my own computers anymore, I did build my HTPC, but that was a project that stretched over the course of a year.

This is exactly my same reasoning for switching to consoles (though not exclusively). I still love my PC for playing certain games like MMORPG's which may never work out on consoles... but I got sucked into the console world by Guitar Hero and Rock Band which I couldn't get on the PC (yea there is a PC version of GHIII now but I got hooked on GH1 and bought a PS2 just for that). Now I have an xbox360 and I love it. The games I want to play are either on the Xbox or are on both PC and Xbox and I really was sick of pouring more money into my computer trying to keep up with technology. With the Xbox 360, the games are great with the level of performance that the xbox has to offer... I don't have to turn video options on and off to get the level of performance I need, or go out and buy another video card to run them. And I just don't have the time to mess with it anymore, though I probably will continue to build my own PC's if I get around to upgrading mine in the near future.

 

[EvilComputer92]

The costs associated with keeping a PC are somewhat exaggerated. People assume you need a top of the line computer to keep up with games but that's really not true. $200 for a 8800gt graphics upgrade will easily last you for 3 or more years. Processors no longer matter as much and anything from the last couple years will work fine. Games on the PC are cheaper as are accessories.

The biggest advantage I find in my 360 is that most of my friends are on it and it's really easy to go start a game with them. For single player games PC dominates any console.

 

[Xavier434]

Originally posted by: EvilComputer92
The costs associated with keeping a PC are somewhat exaggerated. People assume you need a top of the line computer to keep up with games but that's really not true. $200 for a 8800gt graphics upgrade will easily last you for 3 or more years. Processors no longer matter as much and anything from the last couple years will work fine. Games on the PC are cheaper as are accessories.

The biggest advantage I find in my 360 is that most of my friends are on it and it's really easy to go start a game with them. For single player games PC dominates any console.

It's still a lot more expensive than a console if you are building your first gaming rig even if it isn't cutting edge. You just can't go cheap anymore on any parts with exception of things like the DVD-RW. Otherwise, you will just be bottlenecking yourself a lot. That plus PCs often require more time to configure and maintain properly. Regardless, I could never be a happy gamer unless I had the best of both worlds. 🙂

 

[EvilComputer92]

Originally posted by: Xavier434

Originally posted by: EvilComputer92
The costs associated with keeping a PC are somewhat exaggerated. People assume you need a top of the line computer to keep up with games but that's really not true. $200 for a 8800gt graphics upgrade will easily last you for 3 or more years. Processors no longer matter as much and anything from the last couple years will work fine. Games on the PC are cheaper as are accessories.

The biggest advantage I find in my 360 is that most of my friends are on it and it's really easy to go start a game with them. For single player games PC dominates any console.

It's still a lot more expensive than a console if you are building your first gaming rig even if it isn't cutting edge. You just can't go cheap anymore on any parts with exception of things like the DVD-RW. Otherwise, you will just be bottlenecking yourself a lot. That plus PCs often require more time to configure and maintain properly. Regardless, I could never be a happy gamer unless I had the best of both worlds. 🙂

You don't really have to buy a whole new machine though. A simple graphics upgrade will allow you to play today's games, which is cheaper than buying a console. One person I know had an $500 HP from 2005 and just stuck an 8800GTS into it and started playing Crysis. It worked fine.

It is true that PC gaming requires a lot more knowledge of the general platform though. I don't want to have to give up either PC or console gaming. I think they both have their places and restricting myself to one platform would do no good.

 

[SpunkyJones]

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: SpunkyJones
I have been a hardcore pc gamer since about 1991, so it pains me to admit that I picked up a PS3 a month ago, and have spent more time with it than on my pc. I would have called you an idiot if you told me even just two months ago I'd be playing on a console more than a pc.

I made a similar comment to a co-worker at my first job out of college. He was talking about playing his PS1 while I was talking about playing on my PC. I immensely enjoyed long sessions of playing Civ II, Tribes and Everquest at the time. He enjoyed the quick pick up and play of the PS1 games.

Things gradually changed however and now I've gotten to a point in my life where I just don't have the time to invest in long play sessions like I used to. Plus, I got tired of the PC upgrade cycle. So now I keep a decent enough PC and mostly play games on consoles.

Aha, you have hit the nail on the head. The Civ series, WOW, and RPG's that I typically enjoy I simply do not have time for now, with a wife and two kids. I remember crawling into bed at 5am on the weekends and my wife would mumble about something about me being bad man. 🙂

 

[Xavier434]

Originally posted by: EvilComputer92

Originally posted by: Xavier434

Originally posted by: EvilComputer92
The costs associated with keeping a PC are somewhat exaggerated. People assume you need a top of the line computer to keep up with games but that's really not true. $200 for a 8800gt graphics upgrade will easily last you for 3 or more years. Processors no longer matter as much and anything from the last couple years will work fine. Games on the PC are cheaper as are accessories.

The biggest advantage I find in my 360 is that most of my friends are on it and it's really easy to go start a game with them. For single player games PC dominates any console.

It's still a lot more expensive than a console if you are building your first gaming rig even if it isn't cutting edge. You just can't go cheap anymore on any parts with exception of things like the DVD-RW. Otherwise, you will just be bottlenecking yourself a lot. That plus PCs often require more time to configure and maintain properly. Regardless, I could never be a happy gamer unless I had the best of both worlds. 🙂

You don't really have to buy a whole new machine though. A simple graphics upgrade will allow you to play today's games, which is cheaper than buying a console. One person I know had an $500 HP from 2005 and just stuck an 8800GTS into it and started playing Crysis. It worked fine.

It is true that PC gaming requires a lot more knowledge of the general platform though. I don't want to have to give up either PC or console gaming. I think they both have their places and restricting myself to one platform would do no good.

That logic works if your current rig is already upgradeable, but for those who are making their first plunge it can be a lot of money. For starters, this means the rig already has an adequate motherboard and power supply. If not, then it can get much more expensive. There is no doubt that the graphics card is the most important part, but it also has a lot to do with the expectations of the individual. Some gamers feel that it's a waste of money to upgrade their rig to a point which only allows you to play most new games at medium to low settings without running into performance issues. Some also find it a waste if you are bottlenecking that graphics card by not purchasing that faster memory stick or processor. To take it to that next level means you need to spend more money. Other gamers are more flexible in terms of satisfaction.

When it comes to consoles, most consumers are satisfied at least during the first 2-3 years of its release and it all comes in a simple plug and play box. No need to separately purchase parts, assembly, configuration, worrying about individual warranties, and no need to keep up with which parts are quality and compatible with each other (huge mess if done right). Consoles are less flexible in terms of customizing what you want out of a gaming platform but they are also much easier and much less time consuming. Again, I have to have both and I am geeky enough to enjoy the challenges that come with a PC, but I can understand those who feel PC gaming rigs are just too much of a hassle to be worth the price.

 

[zixxer]

In general the 'better' games tend to come out on console first, but are eventually released (typically with MUCH better graphics) on PC.

I've always stuck with a 360 and let my PC specs slide, but as of recently I've upgraded and am having a lot of fun with team fortress, assasin's creed, etc.

Nothing beats wsad+mouse...

 

[randay]

3) High end computer for gaming and general computing and console for games and general consoling.

 

[Baked]

Some games are better played on PC. But generally I like console gaming 'cause I can just switch it on and go.