Why are consols still so expensive

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BenSkywalker

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
9,140
67
91
Wait, what? I think you've lost me. Are you saying that a cpu (775, 1156, 1366, am2, am3, whatever) costs more than an entire console?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115223
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115226
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115212
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115224

Yes, I am saying that. Yes, you can get processors for less, but the closest ones performance wise are considerably more expensive performance wise.

You can't compare PC to console pricing, you can't compare PC to console CPUs. The only thing you could really compare would be PC to console GPUs and even that is grasping for straws. So why bother? Why even bring it up in a thread about console costs?

Why can't you compare them? Motherboard, optical drive, CPU, GPU, HD, PSU, Case, all parts of both systems. When looking at how much value there is, why wouldn't you compare it to something directly comparable on a component basis?
 

CountZero

Golden Member
Jul 10, 2001
1,796
36
86
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115223
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115226
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115212
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115224

Yes, I am saying that. Yes, you can get processors for less, but the closest ones performance wise are considerably more expensive performance wise.



Why can't you compare them? Motherboard, optical drive, CPU, GPU, HD, PSU, Case, all parts of both systems. When looking at how much value there is, why wouldn't you compare it to something directly comparable on a component basis?

Do you use your pc for other things? Do you include the cost of a tv for a console? Are we talking a computer that can run a game at 720p or at 1920x1200? Do we care about image quality at all? Since the only things that tax cpus are poor ports why should that even matter, that's lazy software work not platform issues.

You can't compare because they aren't the same thing. At best you could maybe say dollar per hour of enjoyment but it still begs the question as to what the baseline is. And there isn't an agreed upon baseline.

All trying to compare really does it expose a bias as it takes little effort to prove your point of view is correct no matter which point of view that is.
 

BenSkywalker

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
9,140
67
91
Do you use your pc for other things?

Yes, I do my consoles too. My consoles function as HTPCs and web terminals frequently.

Do you include the cost of a tv for a console?

No, you can use one display for both your PC and console without issue.

Are we talking a computer that can run a game at 720p or at 1920x1200?

Either way. The value prospect still isn't going to even out.

Since the only things that tax cpus are poor ports why should that even matter, that's lazy software work not platform issues.

What's the most popular paid for game in the world of PC gaming right now? WoW. What is the main limiting factor in WoW's performance? The CPU. Could you please link up the console original version of WoW ;)

You can't compare because they aren't the same thing. At best you could maybe say dollar per hour of enjoyment but it still begs the question as to what the baseline is. And there isn't an agreed upon baseline.

Which is why I talked about component comparison. Each individual is going to have differing priorities on what they think is most important and that is going to seriously impact the perception of value. When breaking it down and looking at the straight component costs, you eliminate those varriables and remove the personal leanings to figure out raw value from a cost/asset perspective. On this front, the console have a huge advantage as they are sold cost to/below cost which is a model that PCs couldn't support.

All trying to compare really does it expose a bias as it takes little effort to prove your point of view is correct no matter which point of view that is.

That is why I brought up component costs. There isn't a lot of bias involved there.
 

zerocool84

Lifer
Nov 11, 2004
36,041
472
126
Yes, I am saying that. Yes, you can get processors for less, but the closest ones performance wise are considerably more expensive performance wise.

Performance wise??? You cannot compare console processors to console processors. Console processors are made to do a very limited set of tasks which PC processors are general purpose and you just threw out the most expensive cpu's out there that you could find to try to compare them but it doesn't work at all. Also console games are played at very low resolutions. 99% of games are 720 or lower which is tiny.
 

Terzo

Platinum Member
Dec 13, 2005
2,589
27
91
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115223
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115226
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115212
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115224

Yes, I am saying that. Yes, you can get processors for less, but the closest ones performance wise are considerably more expensive performance wise.

Your first two examples are the same processor. Of the three different processors two are Extreme Editions which are generally overpriced. And honestly, I find it hard to believe that a 32nm 6 core processor with hyperthreading and turbo boost is inferior to processors designed 5 years ago, even if they were specifically for gaming.

And as I mentioned earlier, it doesn't matter how fast your processor is when the bottleneck is the GPU. Going with the cars analogy, it doesn't matter if you drive a Trueno or NSX when you're stuck in traffic thats only moving at 20 mph. At resolutions of 1900x1200 or 1900x1080 I would expect a gaming pc to be competitive with the capabilities of a console, without the need for a $1000 processor. Even with the old Wolfdales I believe you'll find yourself bottlenecked more by the video card rather than the processor.

All trying to compare really does it expose a bias as it takes little effort to prove your point of view is correct no matter which point of view that is.
While I am biased towards the pc, I haven't actually played games on mine in a few months. Right now, all of my (limited) gaming is on the ps3.
 

jlee

Lifer
Sep 12, 2001
48,518
223
106
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115223
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115226
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115212
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115224

Yes, I am saying that. Yes, you can get processors for less, but the closest ones performance wise are considerably more expensive performance wise.



Why can't you compare them? Motherboard, optical drive, CPU, GPU, HD, PSU, Case, all parts of both systems. When looking at how much value there is, why wouldn't you compare it to something directly comparable on a component basis?

If you're suggesting you need a $1000 CPU in order to compete with a console's performance, could you explain to me why my E5200 ran every console port I tried? Bioshock, Oblivion, etc? And at resolutions higher than 720P?
 

PieIsAwesome

Diamond Member
Feb 11, 2007
4,054
1
0
If you're suggesting you need a $1000 CPU in order to compete with a console's performance, could you explain to me why my E5200 ran every console port I tried? Bioshock, Oblivion, etc? And at resolutions higher than 720P?

Cuz the e5200 was an awesome bang for the buck cpu.

Back then:
Cheap $50~$60 e5200 + cheap $40 board + $20 4gb ram+ $40~$60 9600gso or 4830 = Cheap but effective gaming comp with OC'ability that can run console ports better than the consoles (unless it was a really bad port like GTA4 that needs a quad-core).
 

BenSkywalker

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
9,140
67
91
Performance wise??

Absolutely.

99% of games are 720 or lower which is tiny.

Which is a part of the reason why you won't see me use the GPU as a value bullet point :)

I find it hard to believe that a 32nm 6 core processor with hyperthreading and turbo boost is inferior to processors designed 5 years ago, even if they were specifically for gaming.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_Core_i7
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cell_(microprocessor)

You said you find it hard to believe so some links to give a basic overview. Cell has a lot of downsides when compared to i7, gaming performance isn't one of them.

And as I mentioned earlier, it doesn't matter how fast your processor is when the bottleneck is the GPU.

What's the most popular paid for game in the world on PCs? What is it limited by? The amount of total PC gaming revenue generated from MMOs is a very healthy percentage, most of them are frequently CPU limited. No, the latest shooter may not show that, but shooters are a rapidly dieing genre based on people playing.

[/quote]If you're suggesting you need a $1000 CPU in order to compete with a console's performance, could you explain to me why my E5200 ran every console port I tried? Bioshock, Oblivion, etc?[/quote]

Those were cross platform ports, of course they will run on PCs when they were made to run on PCs, what kind of question is that? Can you tell me why those same games ran on the crappy GPU in the consoles? Same type of question.
 

CountZero

Golden Member
Jul 10, 2001
1,796
36
86
Absolutely.



Which is a part of the reason why you won't see me use the GPU as a value bullet point :)

No, you don't have the GPU listed because you are biased, your choice of the most expensive CPUs available basically proves that out.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_Core_i7
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cell_(microprocessor)

You said you find it hard to believe so some links to give a basic overview. Cell has a lot of downsides when compared to i7, gaming performance isn't one of them.

Maybe it is great for gaming performance. How many modern games on consoles are cpu limited? How much of what is cpu limiting are things that would be offloaded to the GPU in a good PC port? You can't say the consoles have an awesome cpu and crappy gpu and say PCs must have them when the programming paradigm isn't the same. You can't take one piece of a system out and compare that alone and say that piece alone must match when how a competent programmer uses the system is different for each system. You are doing exactly what I said people do that fail to see you can't do a fair comparison, you are cherry picking a single component and acting like that alone does it.


What's the most popular paid for game in the world on PCs? What is it limited by? The amount of total PC gaming revenue generated from MMOs is a very healthy percentage, most of them are frequently CPU limited. No, the latest shooter may not show that, but shooters are a rapidly dieing genre based on people playing.
WoW, really? I run it all out on a cpu that was getting old when I bought it three years ago. It is cpu limited but does not require a high end cpu by any stretch. How fast you can run windows solitaire is also cpu limited that doesn't make it a good benchmark.

Those were cross platform ports, of course they will run on PCs when they were made to run on PCs, what kind of question is that? Can you tell me why those same games ran on the crappy GPU in the consoles? Same type of question.
That's the point, getting a comparable PC to a console is much cheaper than you imply because you don't have to match component for component.
 

BenSkywalker

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
9,140
67
91
No, you don't have the GPU listed because you are biased, your choice of the most expensive CPUs available basically proves that out.

Really? Look at my posting history, the overwhelming majority of the posts I have ever made here at AT have been in the vid forum as I mainly visit here to discuss PC GPUs, the GPU market and technology involved. That doesn't make me a complete moron. Fastest single GPU solution you can buy right now(if you can find it) will cost you at least $500. We are talking about a complete package(case, PSU, RAM, HDD, mobo, CPU, optical drive) that costs $300 total. The GPU in the consoles don't add much to the value proposition, they add a whole lot to the PC cost equation though.

Most expensive CPUs out?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-175-_-Product

Just a general example, I was trying to keep it within reasonable metrics using a CPU that targets gamers as its primary market, not posting the most expensive PC CPU I could find. Still, even if we use the Xeon it fails to match up for gaming performance to the top console CPUs, even if it were half of the high end i7's price it would still cost quite a bit more too. How is that not a valid value comparison?

How many modern games on consoles are cpu limited?

Bad way to phrase the question. Platform exclusive titles are coded to take advantage of the platform they are written on. UC2 as a general example is loading the CPU 100%, but it doesn't bog the game down. Anything cross platform isn't going to be able to be CPU limited on the consoles as it would be a slide show on the PC.

How much of what is cpu limiting are things that would be offloaded to the GPU in a good PC port?

Depends on what game, what effects and what GPU you are talking about. The physics load in GT5 would kill an i7, a modern GeForce based PC could handle it easily, but not one without it. Some of the vertex based effects on games on the consoles that are handled by the CPU could also be handled by a modern GPU.

You can't say the consoles have an awesome cpu and crappy gpu and say PCs must have them when the programming paradigm isn't the same.

We are talking about the value of a piece of hardware, that is what this thread is about. This isn't about PCs vs consoles, I was using PC processors as an example of a comparable device to help illustrate the point of why these machines may cost as much. Most of the people on this forum buy faster processors either for gaming, or for distributed computing. Either one of those tasks, the top console CPU is superior to the top PC CPU. You could point out the PC GPU is vastly superior, but that holds little relevance when we are talking about the value of a console at the $300 price point.

It is cpu limited but does not require a high end cpu by any stretch.

Really? What is you framerate when burning whelps on Ony in a 25man? My 4GHZ(OC) PD was getting sub 5FPS. Not 50, not 15, 5. That is OK by your standards?

That's the point, getting a comparable PC to a console is much cheaper than you imply because you don't have to match component for component.

When did I make that comparison? I compared a single component.
 

Terzo

Platinum Member
Dec 13, 2005
2,589
27
91
Absolutely.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_Core_i7
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cell_(microprocessor)

You said you find it hard to believe so some links to give a basic overview. Cell has a lot of downsides when compared to i7, gaming performance isn't one of them.

What's the most popular paid for game in the world on PCs? What is it limited by? The amount of total PC gaming revenue generated from MMOs is a very healthy percentage, most of them are frequently CPU limited. No, the latest shooter may not show that, but shooters are a rapidly dieing genre based on people playing.

I don't really understand the hardware past knowing what plugs into what. Those wiki links don't help me out.

As I said, I don't really play games much, and not on the PC. I'm assuming you're referring to WoW based on previous posts. I really didn't consider MMO's, but is that a fair comparison? Would a ps3 running WoW do better than an i7 or thuban?

Anyways, I'm giving up since I doubt you or I will convince one another, but I will say I don't really care which is "better" as long as the performance is good enough. I have a relatively low bar though, so anything ps2 (based on Okami) or newer would be fine with me.
 

BenSkywalker

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
9,140
67
91
Anyways, I'm giving up since I doubt you or I will convince one another, but I will say I don't really care which is "better" as long as the performance is good enough.

I'm not talking about which is better by any means, I'm talking about the consoles being a good value at $300. I brought up PC components as a general example of something comparable to illustrate that point.
 

zerocool84

Lifer
Nov 11, 2004
36,041
472
126
I'm not talking about which is better by any means, I'm talking about the consoles being a good value at $300. I brought up PC components as a general example of something comparable to illustrate that point.

but you tried comparing the two by tossing out $1000 processors. You don't make a good point. PC gamers pay more money to play at higher resolution/framerate/more eye candy than on consoles. Sure if you just want to play the game and don't care about the best visuals you could play it on a $300 console or you could play it on a low end PC also and since almost everyone owns a PC already they don't have to spend any money or spend less than $100 on a video card so your point is moot. 720p is tiny for a PC gamer, 30fps is low for a PC gamer, PC gamers pay a crap-load more to play the game with a crap-load more visuals.
 

BenSkywalker

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
9,140
67
91
but you tried comparing the two by tossing out $1000 processors.

No, I didn't. I compared the parts inside the two. If I compare MB's V12 to Cadillac's V8 it doesn't mean I am comparing particular cars. The rest of your post is just trolling PC vs console. This thread is about the value of a given device.