If you like playing video games and can afford it you should always diversify your gaming platforms. Let the hardware/platform arguments be the white noise that they are and just focus on playing games. Your PC will work fine for a long while yet and adding a console to the mix will be a plus.
- Status
Yes, the "why not both?" answer is the best answer for those who can afford it.
I'll get a PS4 and/or X1 when they have enough exclusives that I care about. Until then I'll keep my 360, PS3 and my gaming PC.
Also, you don't need to "constantly update" a PC unless you want to. For example graphics driver updates are mostly only needed for those with muli-card SLI/Crossfire setups or if you want an extra couple of frames in new-game-X. With a single-card PC you can be lazy about updates and still have it work better than the console version.
sweenish
Diamond Member
- May 21, 2013
- 3,656
- 60
- 91
While we're backdoor bragging, I'll go SNES, DSi, 3DS XL, PS3 (works with my PSX library), 360, Wii (includes my GCN games), Wii U and gaming PC (which also runs PS2 emulator duty).
Although I do have to say that at this moment in time, neither the One nor PS4 interest me in the least.
- Nov 30, 2005
- 50,231
- 118
- 116
Majcric
Golden Member
- May 3, 2011
- 1,393
- 55
- 91
So OP, you'd rather have console developers turn the settings down for you when they can no longer cope with a particular game. Console gamers often refer to this as opitimization, I call it tradeoffs. When a console can no longer play a particular game the developer will start sacrificing resolution, framerates, draw distance, textures, etc, etc, etc
To be clear rather than play Watch Dogs on a mix of High-Ultra settings you'd rather have an inferior PS4 version that will probably be equal to medium settings on the PC. Is this correct?
I never could understand the thinking of people that insist every setting on the PC must be set to max or its not playable. Yet the same folks will go buy an inferior product and play at far lesser quality.
To be clear rather than play Watch Dogs on a mix of High-Ultra settings you'd rather have an inferior PS4 version that will probably be equal to medium settings on the PC. Is this correct?
I never could understand the thinking of people that insist every setting on the PC must be set to max or its not playable. Yet the same folks will go buy an inferior product and play at far lesser quality.
Last edited:
cmdrdredd
Lifer
- Dec 12, 2001
- 27,052
- 357
- 126
No...the PS4 game will be closer to just running everything on High. Since there is no overhead from drivers and directx.
The reason I think playing a PC game without everything maxed out is not optimal is because the whole point for me is to use settings that you can't achieve on a console. If you're just gonna turn stuff down then you aren't benefiting from the PC version's strengths IMO. Not every game can be modded, not every game can use custom AA(some don't even support proper AA), but every game on PC has a setting that is higher than what a PS4 can render. The things a PS4 can do is much closer to what a PC can than the PS3 and 360 were. People need to remember that. Just look at some of the real time demos out there of game engines running on the PS4 to see the quality achievable and honestly very few PC games come close.
So the difference is not as huge as you think right now, basing it on what the PS3 and 360 did. The capabilities of the hardware is pretty much the same, but the ability to render the scene at a high frame rate and always keep 1080p is not there. The console hardware can do nearly all the effects available to game developers on a windows platform working with DX11. Again the limitation is the frame rate and the resolution which are the first two options to be dropped down it seems. For some people the resolution isn't a big deal because they are playing on a huge TV screen with powerful surround sound system anyway, and the framerate being 30fps doesn't always detract from the game. I think 60fps is superior and for some game types it makes a real difference like shooters, action games, fighting games, and racing games. Adventure games, platformers and such don't feel sluggish when they don't hit 60fps for me, which is why I still max out every game I play on PC, unless I'm trying to be competitive in a shooter or something I usually don't feel dipping below 60fps is so bad. That's my choice anyway.
Last edited:
Todd33
Diamond Member
- Oct 16, 2003
- 7,842
- 2
- 81
Not really. I too have a gaming PC, i5 GTX 670, etc. But what a pain. I tried to play a game the other day.
1. Windows updates start right away.
2. Nvidia nagging about new driver. Ignore.
3. Steam needs restarting after update.
4. Click game in steam, goes full screen, asks for code.
5. Back to Steam, get code.
6. Start playing.
7. Game gets minimized, now Windows is telling me update is ready.
Don't get me started when I want to play a game that needs Origin or Uplay, double the hassle.
After like 15 minutes of crap I finally got to play. This is all in a home theater, so every time I need to use the keyboard or mouse I have to stand up. I don't want to stand, I want to sit and play.
chimaxi83
Diamond Member
- May 18, 2003
- 5,457
- 63
- 101
Yes, because you have to go through all 7 steps EVERY time you want to play, right? I can cherry pick a situation or 20 where a console takes just as long just to get in game.
cmdrdredd
Lifer
- Dec 12, 2001
- 27,052
- 357
- 126
That wasn't the point. There are times when people can't even play games they bought on the PC due to some problem with third party software not accepting their key or some other glitch. No it doesn't happen all the time but if it happened to you, it would be highly annoying no?
I've never had issues with any steam, origin, or uplay software luckily enough. That doesn't mean it's a bed of roses all around. People have real issues with these at times. I have had games be unplayable because the GPU drivers are broken for that title. Since it's not a high profile game, fixes don't come along quickly and I scour the net looking for solutions. This has only happened a handful of times sure, but I can tell you I was not happy when it did happen.
I get that on my PS3 too when there are updates. I need an OS update, with long download and mandatory reboot. Then a game update too.
<vader> Nooooooooooo!!! </vader>
I just do the updates and move on. I don't say I'm going to switch to Atari 2600 cartridge gaming to make sure there's never an update
chimaxi83
Diamond Member
- May 18, 2003
- 5,457
- 63
- 101
No, you just didn't get my point. The guy describes something and makes it seem like that's on the permanent to do list when you want to play a PC game. Of course it's annoying when it happens. I've had my fair share of devs releasing broken games and/or having to Google for hours to fix their mess up, but PC gaming absolutely isn't the chore some people try and make it out to be.
I guess my opinion really stems from the dummies I know in real life who think you need to be a codemaster wizard 10th dan jedi hacker to play on a computer. /shrug
ImpulsE69
Lifer
- Jan 8, 2010
- 14,946
- 1,077
- 126
LMAO. As if that doesn't happen damn near every time I get on my PS3. I leave Steam running all the time. Nothing more fun than getting ready to play a game on the PS3 and oh look..gotta wait for an update. Same with the 3DS. Really the "omg pc is so hard and expensive" comments are so out of touch and ignorant and really really dated. All it really shows is that people are lazy and uninformed. Get used to it because the consoles are just PC's with pretty much all the same hassles these days but without the freedoms or benefits.
Seriously, pretty much all the pluses for consoles have gone the way of the dodo. For years I said, you don't want consoles on the internet for "these" reasons..and lo and behold we are here. The "they are so much cheaper" comments are laughable too considering everyone keeps talking about top end graphics card prices. Since you are so "not" concerned with top of the line graphics, how is that comparable? Just buy a cheap card and play on console settings and you are no worse and tons of money cheaper. Even at the same graphics settings that match a console, you still have lots of other pluses and you didn't spend $500 on a card (which for some reason anyone who gives an opinion on seems to think they all cost that).
Unless the PS4 and Xbone sales suddenly drop off (cause they won't be happy with just 10-15 million sales each) then the consoles will continue to drive (or lack of drive) advances. There will be no reason in 2-3 years or later to upgrade cards except for top end PC games.
Seriously, pretty much all the pluses for consoles have gone the way of the dodo. For years I said, you don't want consoles on the internet for "these" reasons..and lo and behold we are here. The "they are so much cheaper" comments are laughable too considering everyone keeps talking about top end graphics card prices. Since you are so "not" concerned with top of the line graphics, how is that comparable? Just buy a cheap card and play on console settings and you are no worse and tons of money cheaper. Even at the same graphics settings that match a console, you still have lots of other pluses and you didn't spend $500 on a card (which for some reason anyone who gives an opinion on seems to think they all cost that).
Unless the PS4 and Xbone sales suddenly drop off (cause they won't be happy with just 10-15 million sales each) then the consoles will continue to drive (or lack of drive) advances. There will be no reason in 2-3 years or later to upgrade cards except for top end PC games.
Last edited:
zerocool84
Lifer
- Nov 11, 2004
- 36,041
- 472
- 126
Why game on PC if you're just going to play it at the same graphic fidelity as console? The main reason to game on PC is the ability of better graphics. If you're not getting better graphics you should just play on consoles since you can actually play with friends or play on a desk.
ImpulsE69
Lifer
- Jan 8, 2010
- 14,946
- 1,077
- 126
You missed so many points of that post I don't even know where to begin.
Also, how old are you? I don't have any friends who play online on consoles. I'm not calling you out, just thinking might be a difference in age.
The main point was, no you don't need top of the line SLI / Crossover bleeding edge cards to play 99% of the games out higher than their console counterparts. If you can sit there and say graphics mean nothing to you, then you don't even need a "good" card to match that quality and you get it all for much cheaper than consoles provide these days. Graphics are NOT the only/main reason to game on PC, that is just another "opinion".
I've honestly found PC gaming to be much less intrusive in the last year than console gaming. Why? I expect consoles to be faster w/o hassles. They are no longer that, made even more annoying by their tied down format that forces you to do what it wants before you can do anything else. It doesn't stop me from using them, but defnitely lowers my perceived value of them.
Also, how old are you? I don't have any friends who play online on consoles. I'm not calling you out, just thinking might be a difference in age.
The main point was, no you don't need top of the line SLI / Crossover bleeding edge cards to play 99% of the games out higher than their console counterparts. If you can sit there and say graphics mean nothing to you, then you don't even need a "good" card to match that quality and you get it all for much cheaper than consoles provide these days. Graphics are NOT the only/main reason to game on PC, that is just another "opinion".
I've honestly found PC gaming to be much less intrusive in the last year than console gaming. Why? I expect consoles to be faster w/o hassles. They are no longer that, made even more annoying by their tied down format that forces you to do what it wants before you can do anything else. It doesn't stop me from using them, but defnitely lowers my perceived value of them.
HeXen
Diamond Member
- Dec 13, 2009
- 7,832
- 37
- 91
It's not a streamlined or unified system, heck it's not really designed for any sole purpose but rather a huge plethora or potential purposes. Therefore it is to be expected from it's own infrastructure of open hardware to the OS as well as open development that input from the user can and will be needed at random.
Consoles are built from ground up to be gaming centric where app functionality is at their discretion as the maker can and does create a platform based on standards that must be adhered to.
They are two completely different market segments. PC never had the infrastructure to market to a specific target consumer base nor have the ability to restrict development to adhere to a standard that consumers could rely on. The similarities are a result of modern game development..patches..etc. No way around that other than to unify that experience into larger update "chunks" automatically.
That's why they are two different experiences. Pro's and Con's aside, the only people who care are the likes of us niche geeky groups. That's why some others will use "last gen" examples to counter your experience because that's just all they have for that particular argument.
In reality PC centric consumers are jealous of console's "pro's" and console centric consumers are jealous of PC's "pro's" despite all the cons of either. Then you have the fanbois that are of course very obvious that overlay everything in favor of their most heavily invested interest....At least until every game is via streaming cloud onto any device at least, face it, it's gonna happen eventually whether anyone likes it or not. It provides too many benefits for it not too as Gaiki has shown up Onlive in performance by a pretty good margin, give it another decade or so and the hardware wars are gone.
Last edited:
Yeah, but a big key difference is that when problems happen on your PC, there's usually something you can do about it. It might not be fun, but a solution is probably out there. On a Console? You're probably boned.
Majcric
Golden Member
- May 3, 2011
- 1,393
- 55
- 91
I doubt any PC gamer will be gaming at console IQ, unless they're on the lowest settings.
The reason to play on PC is not because it has better graphics, at least to me. I play on PCs for many reasons (but I also have a PS3 and play it too). Basically:
- Different types of games. In consoles, you have mostly shooters, sports games, 3rd person action, brawlers and platformers. In PC you have other genres that are lacking in consoles, like strategy games, MMOs, tactical games, adventure games.
- Cost. First, to play online you pay extra $50 or more a year in consoles. Games are also more expensive (with the price of one console game I can buy like 5 games in Steam).
- Mods. I love mods (and free mods at that).
But like I said, I also have a console and play games there too. Sometimes I spend the afternoon playing some console game, sometimes I spend the afternoon playing a PC game.
- Different types of games. In consoles, you have mostly shooters, sports games, 3rd person action, brawlers and platformers. In PC you have other genres that are lacking in consoles, like strategy games, MMOs, tactical games, adventure games.
- Cost. First, to play online you pay extra $50 or more a year in consoles. Games are also more expensive (with the price of one console game I can buy like 5 games in Steam).
- Mods. I love mods (and free mods at that).
But like I said, I also have a console and play games there too. Sometimes I spend the afternoon playing some console game, sometimes I spend the afternoon playing a PC game.
sze5003
Lifer
- Aug 18, 2012
- 14,285
- 665
- 126
Those are all good points but any game at release is about $60 bucks here in US. But many on pc like you say play different genres on pc and buy pc games during major steam sales.
I prefer to have both a ps4 and powerful pc. In the case of watchdogs I don't want to play it on pc because I prefer that type of game on console and I also don't want to run the game on lower settings since I've been spoiled cranking everything up on pc with this card.
Like others said if you play a game on pc that's on console it's most likely because you would want to crank extra features up or it would be better with a mouse.
HeXen
Diamond Member
- Dec 13, 2009
- 7,832
- 37
- 91
The lines are a little less obvious this time around than last gen. So far the only differences are typically the use of AF and frame rates. Though there are several PS4 games running 1080p/60fps. Xbone has fewer but developers say more time is needed. All the comparison pics clearly show the new consoles are better than PC's medium (which is not a standard of settings for all games you know)
In other words, PC at high settings only reigns higher in frame rate potential and the use of AA/AF if you have the hardware requirements to do it which of course will vary depending what games you refer to.
-game producer Stephen Roy
Obviously PC has more compute power but how it translates over onto games is still completely up to the developer. They know not many gamers use Titans or SLI so obviously there is little incentive to push beyond the consoles other than to provide some glitter options leaving gamers to tweak or make mods for. There's not a lot about the subject to dwell on, all the multi platform games look very similar, have the same amount of polygons, A.I. sounds...etc.
ImpulsE69
Lifer
- Jan 8, 2010
- 14,946
- 1,077
- 126
That's because they aren't trying to. It will start to show a few years down the road. It was already stated that they didn't want to make any platform look significantly better than another, so the only place you are going to see any advances is in exclusives or made for PC games.
Last edited:
And in some cases, console games actually affect PC games. One example is Crysis. Crysis 1 in PCs actually looks better than Crysis 2, because Crysis 1 was PC-only while Crysis 2 was multi-platform, so it had to be scaled down so consoles could play it.
Golgatha
Lifer
- Jul 18, 2003
- 12,310
- 790
- 126
1) Start up X360 and it needs a system update right away.
2) Game has mandatory install to HDD so wait some more.
3) Have to restart console due to day 1 game patch.
4) Back to the dashboard and greeted by a bunch of advertisements, video auto-plays and blares through the speakers I forgot to turn down.
5) Back to launching the game....requires EA Origin account. Get out my laptop, boot to Windows, launch KeePass, and get login and password for Origin account.
6) Enter 20 character password on tiny chicklet keyboard attached to my controller after I dig it out of one of the entertainment center drawers.
7) Sync XBox Live Gold and EA Origin accounts after accepting EULA terms. Wait 10 minutes.
8) Sync up with a large player base of 10 years olds that have their Kinect mic set to open and begin playing on a 4 vs 4 map of Plants vs Zombies Garden Warfare.
Not theoretical unfortunately...true personal experience.
- Status
TRENDING THREADS
-
Discussion Zen 5 Speculation (EPYC Turin and Strix Point/Granite Ridge - Ryzen 9000)- Started by DisEnchantment
- Replies: 23K
-
Discussion Intel Meteor, Arrow, Lunar & Panther Lakes Discussion Threads
- Started by Tigerick
- Replies: 19K
-
-
-
Intel processors crashing Unreal engine games (and others)- Started by BFG10K
- Replies: 2K
Facebook
Twitter