Thinking of moving to console gaming instead of bulding a new PC, suggestions are welcome.

[skulz87]

So, ive been thinking about building a PC since a long time (my PC is old by today's standards), but i have a low budget so ive been thinking switching to console gaming for that reason, and i realized there are many positive things consoles have to offer.

I will start with positive things.

Keep in mind that my goal is just playing games, so lets not mix other things e.g. surfing the web, using softwares, programs, photo/video editing, etc.

- Everyone knows consoles are a lot cheaper than a "gaming" PC, a PS4 is like $350 or something, a gaming PC costs at least $1000 without monitor to enjoy all the "PC" benefits (ultra/high graphics, at least 1080p and constant 60fps) sure you can make a PC for $400 but there is no way you could play on that graphic level that console offers for latest games.

- Another thing is the fact that i dont have to worry about the drivers, maintaining/cleaning the HDD, updating the OS, installing third-party softwares, etc. Just put the CD or boot up and jump to the game, online gaming is as simple as pressing a button too.

- I dont have to worry updating the hardware to keep up-to-date like PC for at least +5 years and no matter what, ever new title is going to play on it with full features and settings, and when a new generation comes, i can simply sell or just shove it somewhere and buy the next-gen console for $400 again.

- Also when i go to pick up a game, they are all 100% finished, and guaranteed to work, in PC i have all this broken early-access games, sure nobody is forcing me to buy them, but i cant think of a game that hooked me up playing for hours in recent years except some AAA titles and big successful games.

- When i decide to buy a game i dont have to worry about if the game is going to work on my PC, if it is optimized, if there are a lot of cheaters, etc.

- The fact that NOBODY is superior and have an advantage over me because they can afford expensive hardware, that being said a better mouse, a high-end $1500+ system and 144hz monitors, etc.

Now the negative aspects about console generally

- The bad part is the fact i cant play older generation games (afaik), im not sure if you can play PS2/3 games on PS4 while you can play 15 years old game even on newest PC.

- Games are more expensive, but again, they are %100 guaranteed to work out of the box (well probably 99% of the time), optimized and ready to play.

- No mouse/keyboard support, it will be very hard for me to play FPS games with controllers

So, i am tempted, and im looking for suggestions.

[rojimboo]

Publicado originalmente por swag cat:

Contrary to what the "glorious master race" says, pc gaming is actually more expensive because they never include the price of keyboards, mice and OSs in their "builds", not to mention a screen if you want to use your pc like a normal person. All in all, it's your choice, you shouldn't turn into the steam forums for such answers because it's a pc community.

So consoles include the price of TVs I suppose and extra peripherals? Online subscription?

I don't think it's an unreasonable assumption that you already have a non-gaming PC with an OS, keyboard and a mouse, possibly monitor.

Even so, add that extra 100-200+$, and then calculate how many games on PC does it take to get that cost back?

Let's assume a very modest discount on Steam like 20% off 60$? So you save 12$ per game. Buy a dozen or two games and you've gotten back that cost.

In addition, you are part of the PC Master Race, with all its benefits.

[WannabeNewtype]

I was starting to save up some money to get a good PC,but the more I thaught about it,the more I started losing interrest,because maintaining a gaming PC is alot of work.Im just sticking to my PS4 for now.

It all depends on how much you care about the PC and how much effort you are willing to put into it.If you feel you should get a console,just get it.Console gaming is easier than PC gaming.

[bear_1]

Publicado originalmente por rojimboo:

Publicado originalmente por swag cat:

Contrary to what the "glorious master race" says, pc gaming is actually more expensive because they never include the price of keyboards, mice and OSs in their "builds", not to mention a screen if you want to use your pc like a normal person. All in all, it's your choice, you shouldn't turn into the steam forums for such answers because it's a pc community.

So consoles include the price of TVs I suppose and extra peripherals? Online subscription?

I don't think it's an unreasonable assumption that you already have a non-gaming PC with an OS, keyboard and a mouse, possibly monitor.

Even so, add that extra 100-200+$, and then calculate how many games on PC does it take to get that cost back?

Let's assume a very modest discount on Steam like 20% off 60$? So you save 12$ per game. Buy a dozen or two games and you've gotten back that cost.

In addition, you are part of the PC Master Race, with all its benefits.

I see your point, but pretty much everybody has a TV now.
My main problem is with the keyboard/mouse. Sure, you can get them for like 20 E both, but in the end, they don't really have the quality of the controller, which comes in with the console. I'va had my 50 E keyboard for 2 years and it's space button is not working correctly, the little leg thingies are broken, etc. But my ps3 controller which I have had for 5 years still works perfectly.

Having to pay for online is pretty bad, but AT LEAST you're not in the mercy of the game developers.

P.S.: Steam isn't the only store to have sales

[skulz87]

Publicado originalmente por rojimboo:

I think there are many reasons to become a peasant.

Cost is certainly NOT one of them.

https://www.reddit.com/r/pcmasterrace/wiki/guide#wiki_.22isn.27t_pc_gaming_more_expensive_than_console_gaming.3F.22

That system is awfully weak, i would never recommend anyone buying that kind of PC.

CPU - Athlon X4 or Core i3 $80-$100
GPU - AMD R9 270 or NVidia GeForce 750Ti $100-$120
Motherboard - Same socket as CPU $50-$80
RAM - 4GB or 8GB highest-end DDR3 $20-$60
Storage - 1TB HDD or 128GB SSD $40-$60
Case - Whatever you want $10-$80
PSU - 420W or more $20-$40
Total $340-$510

I dont understand how could you play games on 1080p with console level graphics on latest titles with this PC, "Gtx 750ti" are these guys out of their minds, i have a GTX 570 and im complaining about the performance already on 1080p yet people suggesting these kind of hardware claiming "it is superior to consoles" well, yes its maybe a bit superior on the hardware level, but does that mean games are going to play better on it though? Unlike PC game, console games are heavily optimized to use every possible resource offered by the hardware.

I would never suggest anyone buying that PC, that thing will be useless next year, its awful with all the power supply, the CPU and everything, also they havent included mouse, keyboard, speakers, OS, etc.

[rojimboo]

Publicado originalmente por skulz87:

Publicado originalmente por rojimboo:

I think there are many reasons to become a peasant.

Cost is certainly NOT one of them.

https://www.reddit.com/r/pcmasterrace/wiki/guide#wiki_.22isn.27t_pc_gaming_more_expensive_than_console_gaming.3F.22

That system is awfully weak, i would never recommend anyone buying that kind of PC.

CPU - Athlon X4 or Core i3 $80-$100
GPU - AMD R9 270 or NVidia GeForce 750Ti $100-$120
Motherboard - Same socket as CPU $50-$80
RAM - 4GB or 8GB highest-end DDR3 $20-$60
Storage - 1TB HDD or 128GB SSD $40-$60
Case - Whatever you want $10-$80
PSU - 420W or more $20-$40
Total $340-$510

I dont understand how could you play games on 1080p with console level graphics on latest titles with this PC, "Gtx 750ti" are these guys out of their minds, i have a GTX 570 and im complaining about the performance already on 1080p yet people suggesting these kind of hardware claiming "it is superior to consoles" well, yes its maybe a bit superior on the hardware level, but does that mean games are going to play better on it though? Unlike PC game, console games are heavily optimized to use every possible resource offered by the hardware.

I would never suggest anyone buying that PC, that thing will be useless next year, its awful with all the power supply, the CPU and everything, also they havent included mouse, keyboard, speakers, OS, etc.

I guess you didn't bother to read the reddit post fully.

If you want console level performance, so that's likely never 1080@60fps, like the Witcher 3 XBone 900p@30fps (which it still can't maintain), you only need to go this far.

I wouldn't be caught dead with this setup either.

But then again, I demand a bit more from my games than what console gaming does.

[Spawn of Totoro]

Publicado originalmente por swag cat:

I see your point, but pretty much everybody has a TV now.

And those TVs can be used as a monitor these days as well.

I've tried the expensive keyboards and mice. I ended up giving them away and sticking with a $20 keyboard and a $40 mouse (both on sale). Keyboard is a Microsoft Ergonomic 4k, mouse is a Logitech G9x and is the only gaming peripheral of my computer.

Their life depends on how you use them, same with the PS3 controller. I've know people to go through PS3 controller every 6 months (left nub kept breaking as they were too aggressive while gaming), while I can use the same M & K for 5 years with no issues (have done so in the past).

Such a random factor as how long the controlls last wouldn't work when calculating the cost.

Publicado originalmente por swag cat:

Having to pay for online is pretty bad, but AT LEAST you're not in the mercy of the game developers.

Either way, you are at the mercy of the developers. PSN can still remove your games or a patch never get released or issues never fixed. Both are in the same kind of situation with that. PC has user made patches, so there is a way around it though.
-----
As for costs, I feel in the end they even out, reguardless if one goes for a Console or a PC. It is just a matter of preference and what one enjoys more. Obviously I enjoy PC gaming more then I do console gaming, but I have some friends that enjoy console more then PC.

If someone is looking at choosing one or the other, then they should go with what they feel they will enjoy the most, not the cost. You can't realy put a price on your own enjoyment.

[bear_1]

Publicado originalmente por Spawn of Totoro:

Publicado originalmente por swag cat:

I see your point, but pretty much everybody has a TV now.

And those TVs can be used as a monitor these days as well.

I've tried the expensive keyboards and mice. I ended up giving them away and sticking with a $20 keyboard and a $40 mouse (both on sale). Keyboard is a Microsoft Ergonomic 4k, mouse is a Logitech G9x and is the only gaming peripheral of my computer.

Their life depends on how you use them, same with the PS3 controller. I've know people to go through PS3 controller every 6 months (left nub kept breaking as they were too aggressive while gaming), while I can use the same M & K for 5 years with no issues (have done so in the past).

Such a random factor as how long the controlls last wouldn't work when calculating the cost.

Publicado originalmente por swag cat:

Having to pay for online is pretty bad, but AT LEAST you're not in the mercy of the game developers.

Either way, you are at the mercy of the developers. PSN can still remove your games or a patch never get released or issues never fixed. Both are in the same kind of situation with that. PC has user made patches, so there is a way around it though.
-----
As for costs, I feel in the end they even out, reguardless if one goes for a Console or a PC. It is just a matter of preference and what one enjoys more. Obviously I enjoy PC gaming more then I do console gaming, but I have some friends that enjoy console more then PC.

If someone is looking at choosing one or the other, then they should go with what they feel they will enjoy the most, not the cost. You can't realy put a price on your own enjoyment.

If you want to use your TV as a monitor, it'll come at the cost of, well, comfort. I tried it and it's awful. You can overcome this by using wireless keayboards/mice, but that comes at the cost of price and performance. Plus, what if you don't live alone and someone wants to watch the TV?

I am a supporter of PCs, but I believe it's a matter of preference rather than PC being absolutely better that consoles in every regard.

And on the last note, I'd like to say that the 50E you have to pay each year for the online is pretty normal. Why? This reddit PC build everyone has mentioned might be able to play games now as well as consoles, but will it do that in, say, 4 years? Think of it this way: GTA 4 and 5 both came out for the PS3, but the graphics are much better on the latter, because once developers figure out a way to use a console to its full potential, they can release stuff that wasn't possible years ago, on the same console. Such a thing is not possilbe with PCs, developers have to cover a wide range of audiences, and as games progress, you'll have to get a better PC. PS+ is 50E a year, which is 200E in 4 years, which is smaller than the amount you'll have to spend to upgrade said PC to play games that current gen consoles will be able to play in 4 years. This is a bit complicated to explain, have you got my point?

[Spawn of Totoro]

Publicado originalmente por swag cat:

If you want to use your TV as a monitor, it'll come at the cost of, well, comfort. I tried it and it's awful. You can overcome this by using wireless keayboards/mice, but that comes at the cost of price and performance. Plus, what if you don't live alone and someone wants to watch the TV?

Not realy much of a cost.

It is, if you have the right set-up. I can get USB extenders of about 16ft for cheap ($5 or so) so you can move the keyboard and mouse with out using wireless.

Even when using wireless, performance has improved a lot and price has come down as well, so that would be fine to use.

You would have to share using a console too, so that would still even out the field in that reguards.

Publicado originalmente por swag cat:

I am a supporter of PCs, but I believe it's a matter of preference rather than PC being absolutely better that consoles in every regard.

I believe I already said that in my previous post.

Publicado originalmente por swag cat:

And on the last note, I'd like to say that the 50E you have to pay each year for the online is pretty normal. Why? This reddit PC build everyone has mentioned might be able to play games now as well as consoles, but will it do that in, say, 4 years? Think of it this way: GTA 4 and 5 both came out for the PS3, but the graphics are much better on the latter, because once developers figure out a way to use a console to its full potential, they can release stuff that wasn't possible years ago, on the same console. Such a thing is not possilbe with PCs, developers have to cover a wide range of audiences, and as games progress, you'll have to get a better PC. PS+ is 50E a year, which is 200E in 4 years, which is smaller than the amount you'll have to spend to upgrade said PC to play games that current gen consoles will be able to play in 4 years. This is a bit complicated to explain, have you got my point?

Actualy, the same does apply to the PC. Developers are always finding way to push and improve as well, even with the same PC hardware, so I have no idea where you are getting that idea from.

PC's are always getting software update and improvements over consoles as well, that improve performance. Graphics improve with each new games from a developer, same with console, but PC isn't as limiting as users can upgrade the hardware if they choose (if they don't, they still get better graphics/performance then before, just not much better). Consoles have to wait 5-8 years for a new system to achive that.

I see no justification for PSN and XBL to charge the way they do. Look at Steam, for example. So many games, large platform with social features, a lot of sales on a regular basis and it is free.

XBL and PSN could be too, but Sony and Microsoft want to charge for it, because they can.

[Washell]

Consoles cheaper: Depends on how you spend your money. Upfront costs are higher for PC. If you buy games within 3 months of launch, lifetime costs of console will be higher. If you're willing to wait indefinitely for games, it becomes a toss up between sales on PC and second hand console games market.

PC maintenance: Virtually non-existent or automated.
Just put in the CD, boot up and jump to the game hasn't been true for consoles for 2 or 3 generations now. Lengthy startups, system updates, game updates, ads, menus and splash screens before you get in the game are the norm.

Updating hardware: the better you prepare your initial buy, the less of an issue it is. My PC is 6 years old now and I've only gotten the itch to upgrade due to (performance) issues in the past 6 months.

Games 100% finished. They're not. Games are released just as broken on a console as they are on a PC. Zero day updates are the norm across all platforms

Cheating, use google. You'll find plenty of threads about PS4 multiplayer being ruined by cheaters. As for optimized, see above about patches.

Superiority: there are plenty of (very) expensive aftermarket gamepads and peripherals available that give players an edge. Think of steering wheels (or even entire racing pits) for driving games, gamepads designed specifically for high precision in FPS games, and so on.

Older titles: A lot of old games are available on the PSN service.

Price: As mentioned earlier, the console has the benefit of working second hand and rental market.

Long story short: Consoles *are* PC's these days. Locked down, with no choice in hardware or OS, but with virtually all the pro's and cons of a regular PC. The choice for me is simply down to the game libraries available, and my taste runs toward PC exclusives like the Total War series, Civilization type games and heavily modded Bethesda RPG's.

[DarkStarClassic]

In 90's i bought a playstation just becouse Metal gear solid 1(for me best ever).

Then i bought N64 for Zelda:Ocarina of Time(Best game i ever played on console)

Then bought the Sega Dreamcast for Shenmue.

Was all awesome times with consoles specially N64 with then still amazing RARE making games for nintendo.

But in 1999 i discover Asherons call mmorpg and was hooked.

Slowly i started building my own rig and never went back to consoles.

But budget wise i can understands OP choice why switch to consoles.

Myself im still as in early days i bought PC it's just so much more and i think by LIGHTYEARS best platform for games.

Good luck whatever you choose PC or consoles.

Games forever!!!

[♠ZerØ♠]

Publicado originalmente por DarkStarClassic:

Good luck whatever you choose PC or consoles.

Games forever!!!

[skulz87]

Publicado originalmente por swag cat:

This reddit PC build everyone has mentioned might be able to play games now as well as consoles, but will it do that in, say, 4 years? Think of it this way: GTA 4 and 5 both came out for the PS3, but the graphics are much better on the latter, because once developers figure out a way to use a console to its full potential, they can release stuff that wasn't possible years ago, on the same console. Such a thing is not possilbe with PCs, developers have to cover a wide range of audiences, and as games progress, you'll have to get a better PC. PS+ is 50E a year, which is 200E in 4 years, which is smaller than the amount you'll have to spend to upgrade said PC to play games that current gen consoles will be able to play in 4 years. This is a bit complicated to explain, have you got my point?

You nailed it, a lot of people miss this very important point, those budget $400-500 PC builds will be useless in no more than 2 years, and people who have no knowledge about PC's and decided to go with those builds (because they believed in those posts) wont be able to play the latest games on console visual levels without decreasing their graphics settings, and finally they will be disappointed and probably get angry because of the fact theyve lost time and the money they planned to invest playing games. That is why i would never recommend anyone to get that kind of PC for gaming, if you decide to get PC to "game" then you should at least spend $1000 on your hardware, that way you get an entry level PC, unless your main goal is playing previous generation and classic games.

[rojimboo]

Publicado originalmente por skulz87:

Publicado originalmente por swag cat:

This reddit PC build everyone has mentioned might be able to play games now as well as consoles, but will it do that in, say, 4 years? Think of it this way: GTA 4 and 5 both came out for the PS3, but the graphics are much better on the latter, because once developers figure out a way to use a console to its full potential, they can release stuff that wasn't possible years ago, on the same console. Such a thing is not possilbe with PCs, developers have to cover a wide range of audiences, and as games progress, you'll have to get a better PC. PS+ is 50E a year, which is 200E in 4 years, which is smaller than the amount you'll have to spend to upgrade said PC to play games that current gen consoles will be able to play in 4 years. This is a bit complicated to explain, have you got my point?

You nailed it, a lot of people miss this very important point, those budget $400-500 PC builds will be useless in no more than 2 years, and people who have no knowledge about PC's and decided to go with those builds (because they believed in those posts) wont be able to play the latest games on console visual levels without decreasing their graphics settings, and finally they will be disappointed and probably get angry because of the fact theyve lost time and the money they planned to invest playing games. That is why i would never recommend anyone to get that kind of PC for gaming, if you decide to get PC to "game" then you should at least spend $1000 on your hardware, that way you get an entry level PC, unless your main goal is playing previous generation and classic games.

Oh look. Another chance to quote the Reddit.

https://www.reddit.com/r/pcmasterrace/wiki/guide#wiki_optimization.3A_as_time_goes_on.2C_consoles_don.27t_get_stronger_and_pcs_don.27t_get_weaker

[skulz87]

Publicado originalmente por rojimboo:

Oh look. Another chance to quote the Reddit.

https://www.reddit.com/r/pcmasterrace/wiki/guide#wiki_optimization.3A_as_time_goes_on.2C_consoles_don.27t_get_stronger_and_pcs_don.27t_get_weaker

Publicado originalmente por reddit:

a GPU in 2006 (during the 360 and PS3 launch) priced similar to the build price of those consoles is still very much usable today. The best GPU for this demonstration is NVidia's 8800 series. Not only are they still getting driver updates today, but they're also getting support from game developers. Here's an example of a modern PC game being played on a high-end desktop PC graphics card from 2006. If you look close, you'll notice it looks and runs exactly like the PS3 and Xbox 360.

These guys on Reddit knows how to manipulate things in order to fit and justify their PC master race ideology dont they?

But you know what, this is very misleading, afaik Geforce 8800GT alone was $250'ish or more in that time, thats half the price of a console.

Thats like buying a $1000 PC with a gtx 970 (at least) which also proves gaming PC requires a good hardware and $400'ish builds are going to be useless in no more than 2 years.

Its funny how theyve put a GTA V gameplay video, the Reddit article is claiming it plays "just like a PS3" well, i dont know about your eyes guys but i see day/night difference over there and many other people who have the card clearly saying that the game is actually suffering from poor framerates, and the fact that they dont give more information about what resolution is being played on makes it more cheesy.

Reddit Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEaQo6pcuNo

PS3 Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjFJHYU9gms

8800GT wont play Call of Duty: Black Ops III on PS3 visual level keeping steady +30 FPS without dipping all settings down, and a $400 PC isnt going to achieve Xbone or PS4 visual levels with 60 FPS either.

[76561198258988800]

$580 USD will get you a good PC with a Core i3 6100 and Gigabyte B150M motherboard with OEM Antec PSU and case if you're happy using a second hand video card while saving up for a much better video card.