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Why do people build very expensive gaming machines?

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Originally posted by: vegetation
Xbox's processor is only PIII 733MHz, 64MB system RAM and custom video processor. A PC w/ PIII 1GHz and 64MB of system RAM can't run games anything like the Xbox.

Remember that xbox runs at 640x480. I can play a ton of games at 640x480 on even very old systems. Looks like cr@p on a PC monitor, but the majority output xbox onto .51 dot pitch interlaced tv, so the shocking lack of detail isn't so apparent.

What he said.
 
"Why do people build very expensive gaming machines?"

because they can. duh. why do people buy BMWs when you could get a honda that gets better mileage, is safer, and more reliable?
 
Originally posted by: Mik3y
Originally posted by: NeoPTLD
When consoles with specific optimization will beat a PC?

Xbox's processor is only PIII 733MHz, 64MB system RAM and custom video processor. A PC w/ PIII 1GHz and 64MB of system RAM can't run games anything like the Xbox.

pls explain why you think their better first. a system wtih higher specs will obviously cream the xbox, and there is an obvious reason why it's so.

I was comparing Xbox with a similar spec PC to show that PCs need a whole lot more resources to even match Xbox.

Emulator, DVD playback, etc will tell you that PC makes much less efficient than slower, highly optimized hardware based solution. You run the program through Windows, which makes it more or less like emulation.

How well do you suppose you can capture 30fps , 500 ish lines of resolution video into MPEG in real time on a sub 366MHz PII machine? Probably not very well, but the processor in MiniDV or DVD-RW camcorder takes image from the CCD and record it as MPEG realtime. The processor in camcorder is probably not very fast.


 
Originally posted by: NeoPTLD
When consoles with specific optimization will beat a PC?

Xbox's processor is only PIII 733MHz, 64MB system RAM and custom video processor. A PC w/ PIII 1GHz and 64MB of system RAM can't run games anything like the Xbox.
I hate it, but I must say: use search.

There are very good reasons for it, not the least of which being stuck using a gamepad, low resolution for most people (640x480 interlaced at best), low framerate (60 FPS interlaced, 30 full), and limited customizability. Also, most multiplayer sucks, while we accept good multiplayer as standard for PC games.

The gamepad alone is enough to rule out any strategy and/or FPS games.
 
Console games are expensive. CD-Rs are not. =]

Any gaming pc will out perform an XBox... plus I don't like the way the controller feels, computers are way more fun... why buy a pc and an XBox when you can do mostly everything on pc?

PC > Consoles, especially for multiplayer and the new hot titles.
 
On a PC I can do way more than an xbox. In one night I can play a MMORPG with thousands of other people from around the world, do my homework, browse the net, chat on MSN, listen to music, watch a movie and a crap load of other stuff I can do with a PC all from the comfort of the one place. And many of those things I can be doing at the same time. Advanategs a PC also holds in games are far superior multiplayer experiances, MODs, PC games look a shitload better and the mouse/keyboard which is far superior to a gamepad for most types of games except maybe sport/racing.
 
Why do people build very expensive gaming machines, when all they do is help you to waste time? I would pay to stop myself from wasting time.
 
Because PCs are MUCH better for gaming unless you like sports or RPGs.

I want FPS and RTS and I could care less about all other forms of gaming.

When I see Doom 3 for the xbox that looks as good and runs as good as on my PC, then I will consider a console. However, It needs to have a keyboard and mouse ssince gaming pads suck for FPS and RTS games.
 
Originally posted by: BurnItDwn
Because PCs are MUCH better for gaming unless you like sports or RPGs.

I sorta agree on sports, though the PC does have some nice sports games, but I'm not sure with RPGs... all of the FF's are available on PC, MMORPGs are mostly pc-only, except for FFXI which can be played on the ps2 as well, adn there are plenty of other good rpgs that are on the pc in addition to consoles or are pc-only; diablo 1 & 2, Baldur's Gate 1 & 2, and SpellForce (underrated game) to name a few off the top of my head. I think it comes down to individual titles. Some are console only, and if there happens to be one you *must* play, that's the only reason for a console for a PC owner. For those who don't own a PC or who are on an extremely tight budget, it's entirely different, of course. Doesn't matter how much better a PC can be if the most you can afford is ~$500; at that price a $300 web surfing Dell + a console and a couple games is probably the better choice
 
if you're really building yourself an very expensive pc for gaming than that must mean that you like gaming a lot. and if you really like it that much, it makes sense to have two of the leading consoles along with a good gaming pc (wont put that huge of a dent in your poket, 149 for ps2/xbox). the reason being that there are actually games out for consoles that are spectacular and will never make it to the pc. so if you're an enthusiast my feeling is you should have the best of both worlds.
 
Whats sad is you can almost buy 4 PS2s or X-Boxs for the price of a 1 6800U...

Somethings not right at all...
 
Originally posted by: sharkeeper
Because consoles cannot run 1920x1200.

Cheers!

not quite true

"The Matrix" is the only xbox game that supports 1080i HD so it runs at ~1900x1080

The xbox is the only console to support HD, most 720p and Widescreen 480p.

Being able to see my wideouts in NFL2k5 at the line without tipping my hand to my opponent by zooming out is very nice.
 
Originally posted by: 302efi
Whats sad is you can almost buy 4 PS2s or X-Boxs for the price of a 1 6800U...

Somethings not right at all...

Sad that the consoles cost that much? Yes it is 😛 A 6800 is what, about 50 times as fast? So the consoles should only cost 1/50th, or 2% of what the card costs 😉

Originally posted by: Dravic
Originally posted by: sharkeeper
Because consoles cannot run 1920x1200.

Cheers!

not quite true

"The Matrix" is the only xbox game that supports 1080i HD so it runs at ~1900x1080

The xbox is the only console to support HD, most 720p and Widescreen 480p.

Being able to see my wideouts in NFL2k5 at the line without tipping my hand to my opponent by zooming out is very nice.

Yes, but consoles can't run most games at more than 640
 
Originally posted by: Dravic
Originally posted by: sharkeeper
Because consoles cannot run 1920x1200.

Cheers!

not quite true

"The Matrix" is the only xbox game that supports 1080i HD so it runs at ~1900x1080

The xbox is the only console to support HD, most 720p and Widescreen 480p.

Being able to see my wideouts in NFL2k5 at the line without tipping my hand to my opponent by zooming out is very nice.

I thought 1080i was 1024x768, 1080p was 1920x1080ish
 
Originally posted by: 302efi
Whats sad is you can almost buy 4 PS2s or X-Boxs for the price of a 1 6800U...

Somethings not right at all...

MS takes a huge loss on the sale of Xboxs, so does sony on the PS2 and nintendo on GC.

They make up for it with game licensing fees and sales of their own titles, as well as accesories and (coming soon!) console upgrades.
 
Originally posted by: BFG10K
When consoles with specific optimization will beat a PC?
But they won't.

A PC w/ PIII 1GHz and 64MB of system RAM can't run games anything like the Xbox.
It will at 640x480 @ 30 FPS running hideously reduced content and texture detail.

BFG is right, lets compare Doom III Xbox to Doom III on a 6800 based PC @ 1600x1200 high/ultra settings.
 
Originally posted by: Acanthus
Originally posted by: BFG10K
When consoles with specific optimization will beat a PC?
But they won't.

A PC w/ PIII 1GHz and 64MB of system RAM can't run games anything like the Xbox.
It will at 640x480 @ 30 FPS running hideously reduced content and texture detail.

BFG is right, lets compare Doom III Xbox to Doom III on a 6800 based PC @ 1600x1200 high/ultra settings.
Yeah, that's a great idea. Can we also compare the price between the two?
 
Originally posted by: JackBurton
Originally posted by: Acanthus
Originally posted by: BFG10K
When consoles with specific optimization will beat a PC?
But they won't.

A PC w/ PIII 1GHz and 64MB of system RAM can't run games anything like the Xbox.
It will at 640x480 @ 30 FPS running hideously reduced content and texture detail.

BFG is right, lets compare Doom III Xbox to Doom III on a 6800 based PC @ 1600x1200 high/ultra settings.
Yeah, that's a great idea. Can we also compare the price between the two?

Yes we can, it looks better and you pay more.

Which answers the OPs question.
 
Originally posted by: Gurck
Originally posted by: 302efi
Whats sad is you can almost buy 4 PS2s or X-Boxs for the price of a 1 6800U...

Somethings not right at all...

Sad that the consoles cost that much? Yes it is 😛 A 6800 is what, about 50 times as fast? So the consoles should only cost 1/50th, or 2% of what the card costs 😉


Well the consoles come with everything to play...just hook it up and go. Remember that $600 for the 6800u in only buying you the video aspect or your system... and in the price of your mother bpard, FX-53 chip...2 gigs of high $ ram...case...$200 sound card...$50 mouse...$50 keyboard...$300 flat screen...$100+ hard drive...$60+ power supply...$30 Cd-Drive...now add another $100+ for all the fan and cables to hook it ....

I would reconsider you console statement 🙂
 
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