Why Build/Buy a Gaming Computer?

[johnnymk]

when it's cheaper to buy a Playstation, Xbox, Wii?

Are there more games available for PC's?

[Prngr44]

There's lots more (some would argue better) games for the PC than a console.

Ever try to play a first person shooter (effectively) on a console? Nothing beats mousing...

[Cubsfan]

It's not quite right to compare the price of a "gaming PC" with a PS3 or xBox 360. I would venture to say that when people build a "gaming PC", that it's also their everyday PC as well. So if you want to compare price, someone would have to buy a PS3 + a PC capable of meeting their other needs.

[MikeD]

It's simply personal preference.

I'd rather play the 360 on an HDTV. Looks amazing on my 720p 56" DLP. To me, that alone trumps playing a PC game on a regular LCD monitor. :shrug:

[Grafalgar]

There's lots more (some would argue better) games for the PC than a console.

Ever try to play a first person shooter (effectively) on a console? Nothing beats mousing...

I quick glance at my local EB / WalMart / BestBuy / GameStop / etc shows otherwise. Console games far outnumber PC games.

[gear02]

I play both console and PC games. I think we're shouldn't compare platforms but the games on them.

Console games dominate with action, RPG, sports, fighting, and now FPS. PC games have strategy, MMORPGs, sims, and FPS. Yes, both platforms have everything, but I feel that each is ideal for some genres but subpar in others. I can't imagine playing World of Warcraft on an Xbox 360.

If no game on the PC appeals to you, then don't spend the extra money to build a gaming PC. However, many people equate gaming PC with their regular PC. It's just that their regular PC is upgraded to play games at a high level. I think there aren't that many people with dedicated gaming computers out there.

If you want, you can even segment the consoles up if you want. Here's what I play on each platform at the moment (along with my favorite game of all time in parenthesis).

PC: Company of Heroes, World of Warcraft, (Counterstrike)
Xbox 360: NCAA Football 2007, Rainbow Six Vegas, Gears of War, Winning Eleven (Most baseball, football, basketball, hockey sports games)
PS3: Nothing right now but that's because this thing is a piece of sh1t
PS2: Final Fantasy 12, Guitar Hero 2 (Final Fantasy 10, Amplitude)
Wii: Zelda, Trauma Center
Gamecube: (Zelda, Mario Kart)

[DarkFury]

One of the main issues between console games and PC games is "level of control" and "depth of details".

On simple control games, the consoles work great... however the more complex a game is to control, the more an edge a PC would have over the game (this will stay valid until they introduce a keyboard/mouse type gaming appliance for a console).

Graphically, PCs still can blow consoles away... however the main limitation here is, even with an HDTV, you can't display the full resolution that a CRT or LCD monitor can display. There is a reason why a 24" LCD monitor still costs like $800 while for a few dollars more you can buy a 48" LCD TV. Resolution is the key here.

I admit that I still like fighting and sports games better on a console, but for now MMOGs and other more complex strategy games are still better on the PC. (I played Halo2 on the Xbox and after about an hour of play, the controller was killing my wrists... however with keyboard and mouse, those aliens woulda gotten an @ss kickin' that they would have to send back to the mothership. :D )

[Prngr44]

Makes me really wonder why they DON'T market a keyboard/mouse combo for consoles.

:confused:

[zippyjuan]

It seems to me that more of the PC games these days are ported from the consoles- that the game makers are designing their products for that market. They know what hardware will be used and do not have to worry about trying to be compatable (playable) over a wider range of hardware like for PCs so it costs less in development. From the user side, it can be cheaper to buy a console than upgrade to a top video card every few years (although right now the XBox 360 and PS3 are more expensive than most video cards). I think that PC gaming is on the decline for now.

[Jeffbx]

Makes me really wonder why they DON'T market a keyboard/mouse combo for consoles.

:confused:

http://xbox.gamespy.com/articles/565/565000p1.html

They've actually been around for a while.

Personally, I don't see why anyone would shell out big $$ for a 'gaming' machine like Alienware or a Dell XPS. You can get the same guts in just about any other machine for much less $$. I'm still using a 3 yr old PowerEdge 400SC as a gaming machine, and it cost me all of $300 when I bought it new. Sure, I've added on some upgrades (Raptor, more RAM & decent video card) but I'm certainly nowhere near the $2k+ that some people spend on a gaming rig.

[DarkFury]

It seems to me that more of the PC games these days are ported from the consoles- that the game makers are designing their products for that market. They know what hardware will be used and do not have to worry about trying to be compatable (playable) over a wider range of hardware like for PCs so it costs less in development. From the user side, it can be cheaper to buy a console than upgrade to a top video card every few years (although right now the XBox 360 and PS3 are more expensive than most video cards). I think that PC gaming is on the decline for now.
Not necessarily...

According to the current issue of Maximum PC (March 2007), they state that when the Xbox/PS3 game is ported to the PC, they actually add additional content and control to the game to make it even more enjoyable on the PC. The example they used of this is the difference between the Ghost Recon games and the new Rainbow 6 game that are ported to the PC after they were introduced on console.

I know one thing... I'm chompin' at the bit waitin' for them to release a FPS game that can be played online by both consoles and PC players. Oh ... the fraggin' that those console guys will get if they ever try to invade our backyard. :heh:

HEADSHOT FTW!!!! :heh:

[Freelance Superhero]

Not necessarily...

According to the current issue of Maximum PC (March 2007), they state that when the Xbox/PS3 game is ported to the PC, they actually add additional content and control to the game to make it even more enjoyable on the PC. The example they used of this is the difference between the Ghost Recon games and the new Rainbow 6 game that are ported to the PC after they were introduced on console.
I can see that. I know the example might be a bit outdated, but back when NBA Live '04 was out (maybe it was even earlier than that; i don't remember the exact year), i played it both on the ps2 and the PC, and the PC version was not only more fluid in animation, but it also offered nice little touches, like being able to import your own face onto a created player.

[kame]

Like everyone said, ALL depends on the games you play. If you play alot of sports game, action GTA games, racing games, turn on and go then console is for you.

If you play some complex games like the new RTS supreme commander or a FPS like bf2 or unreal then PC is the only way to go.

I remember when I first played a PS2 how can people sit here and wait for the level to load!

Another thing to note is the cost of a console vs PC. Big gap there.

[Thesifer]

There's lots more (some would argue better) games for the PC than a console.

Ever try to play a first person shooter (effectively) on a console? Nothing beats mousing...


Nintendo 64 James Bond: GoldenEye ???

[LPMiller]

I can't always access my TV anyway, what with the wife and kids. Daddy always has access to his PC, dammit.

[ski]

I built a "gaming computer" a few months ago.

For $43 one time cost of a PVR capture card, I just saved myself $8 a month for what Comcast charges for a PVR box. I have a 27" CRT TV, nothing fancy, but a 22" Widescreen LCD monitor, so to me, it's just as good to watch things on this.

So I got a high-res gaming platform, TV with DVR for an extra few bucks, a workstation to handle my day to day stuff. I feel it was worth it.

[MikeD]

I can't always access my TV anyway, what with the wife and kids. Daddy always has access to his PC, dammit.

C'mon, man up and run things in your house! Wife and kids? Phhhhht...

:heh:

[Grafalgar]

It seems to me that more of the PC games these days are ported from the consoles- that the game makers are designing their products for that market. They know what hardware will be used and do not have to worry about trying to be compatable (playable) over a wider range of hardware like for PCs so it costs less in development. From the user side, it can be cheaper to buy a console than upgrade to a top video card every few years (although right now the XBox 360 and PS3 are more expensive than most video cards). I think that PC gaming is on the decline for now.

There is truth to that. I've actually seen "better" graphics on consoles than on PCs, mainly because you can get a higher level of polish on consoles than on PCs.

A senior graphics programmer can make an awesome graphics engine for any one, specific graphics card. Given enough research on the card, s/he can figure out exactly the latency from A to B, how much to transfer at what rate, and how to keep things maxed out at all times. In other words, squeeze out as much as possible from that one specific card.

When you have to support hundreds of different cards, things get rough. Spend more time coming up with a system that will support the lowest common denominator, and write specific (but not tooo specific) code for the popular beasts (because even they will differ).

I love making games for the PC because there's so many tools immediately available to me, but I love the "simplicity" of working on a console game. You write one line of code, if it works, you know it'll work the same everywhere. It's great =)

[zippyjuan]

I would like to find some figures for what percent of video game sales go to each platform- consoles and PCs. I am having a hard time finding any. I still think that consoles are taking up a larger and larger portion of the market compared to PC sales.

[Jeffbx]

I know one thing... I'm chompin' at the bit waitin' for them to release a FPS game that can be played online by both consoles and PC players. Oh ... the fraggin' that those console guys will get if they ever try to invade our backyard.

Now THAT I would love - get ready for the m-m-m-m-monster kill!



I would like to find some figures for what percent of video game sales go to each platform- consoles and PCs. I am having a hard time finding any. I still think that consoles are taking up a larger and larger portion of the market compared to PC sales.

I have never seen any, but would be interested in this as well. Unfortunately for PC gamers, it looks like things are starting to be 'forecefully' skewed towards consoles. Some of the newer games (Call of Duty 3, for example - I hate you, Activision) aren't even being offered on the PC platform anymore.

[DarkFury]

Nintendo 64 James Bond: GoldenEye ???
Had they made that game for the PC, it woulda rocked even harder.


We're not saying that you can't play FPS games on consoles, but we are saying that PCs currently play them better. :D

[DarkFury]

There is truth to that. I've actually seen "better" graphics on consoles than on PCs, mainly because you can get a higher level of polish on consoles than on PCs.

A senior graphics programmer can make an awesome graphics engine for any one, specific graphics card. Given enough research on the card, s/he can figure out exactly the latency from A to B, how much to transfer at what rate, and how to keep things maxed out at all times. In other words, squeeze out as much as possible from that one specific card.

When you have to support hundreds of different cards, things get rough. Spend more time coming up with a system that will support the lowest common denominator, and write specific (but not tooo specific) code for the popular beasts (because even they will differ).

I love making games for the PC because there's so many tools immediately available to me, but I love the "simplicity" of working on a console game. You write one line of code, if it works, you know it'll work the same everywhere. It's great =)
I hear what you are saying, but honestly if the game looked better on the console than the PC, then I'd think that either a) it wasn't optimized for the PC or b) whatever PC that was had a really sh@tty video card/monitor.

Console graphics and Televisions don't even come close the the amount of detail you can get from a middle to high end video card and CRT/LCD monitor.

"Lowest common denominator" is a factor, however in some "higher end games" you just gotta set a "cut off point" and say... look, if you want to play this game you need "XYZ video card and this much CPU/RAM power to play it". If someone out there is still trying to game on an old Pentium 3 with a Voodoo 3Dfx, then you just gotta draw the line and tell 'em to give it up! :D

[Grafalgar]

I hear what you are saying, but honestly if the game looked better on the console than the PC, then I'd think that either a) it wasn't optimized for the PC or b) whatever PC that was had a really sh@tty video card/monitor.

Console graphics and Televisions don't even come close the the amount of detail you can get from a middle to high end video card and CRT/LCD monitor.

That's what I'm saying though. It's not so simple to say "not optimized for the PC" because PCs differ so much. Your data-path changes constantly, you can make almost no real assumptions about the memory (and the type of memory), the videocards and their capabilities can be radically different.

With a console it's easy: You know that it has Hard Drive X, which has Y rpm, and can transfer a 2mb block of data to main memory in Z milliseconds. Once in memory, you know that can transfer a polygon soup to the GPU at a rate of A polys per second. Additionally, the documentation will tell you that flipping the bits of certain registers at opportune times will allow you to squeeze more out of the system.

To put things into perspective, take God of War. It was a very pretty game, but not stunning (could have looked a lot better had the target machine been a powerhouse PC and/or an XBox / PS3+). But.. the PS2 only has 32mb of main memory. 32! How many blockbuster PC titles can run on as little as 256mb nowadays?

Additionally, I believe the PS2 has only 2mb of video memory available. PC cards : 256mb and up.

Lastly, the PS2 runs at about 300MHz. Heh.

Now, having said that. Take a PS2, pair it up with a PC with equal specs. Though, to be fair, let's give the PC 64mbs of memory because we need run some form of Windows. Give it the same processing power (300MHz). And let's compare games that you can play on the PC versus the PS2. There'll be no competition, whatsoever. Even with the CRTs/LCDs on the PC. Getting back to God of War, let's put that on a 64mb, 300MHz PC with a 2mb Video Card. A straight port 'may' swing it, but as the primary dev system, probably not going to happen :)

Take a gaming powerhouse (Dell XPS or Alienware or whatever) and compare against the PS2, then I'd expect the PC game to look better.

The point is .. PS2 is archaic and it's odd to think people can still make games that run under 32mb of memory, 300MHz, 2mb of VRAM. And a lot of them look (and play) fantastic. And it's because it's a single system, with known quirks and known specs. It never changes, and people (very effectively) take account for that.

PC games are just plain harder to develop for :P

Which I wish wasn't the case - I'd love to play some excellent PC games again.



"Lowest common denominator" is a factor, however in some "higher end games" you just gotta set a "cut off point" and say... look, if you want to play this game you need "XYZ video card and this much CPU/RAM power to play it". If someone out there is still trying to game on an old Pentium 3 with a Voodoo 3Dfx, then you just gotta draw the line and tell 'em to give it up! :D

Perhaps, but if, say, 25% of your audience still has P3's with Voodoo 3Dfx's, then chances are people are going to try and support that system. Heck, even 5% of a blockbuster title is a decent grip of cash :)

[Thesifer]

Had they made that game for the PC, it woulda rocked even harder.


We're not saying that you can't play FPS games on consoles, but we are saying that PCs currently play them better. :D

I'll agree and disagree :) It depends on the fun I am looking for with FPS. And especially with the end of "LAN Gaming" :( Sometimes I just like FPS when you have a group of people in the same location.

On the other hand, I will definitely agree that RTS's are pretty much meant for PC's. I have yet to play a good RTS on a Console.

[gwilks98]

I personally think PC games have better replayability. Load times depend on your rig and can be adjusted through settings management and hardware. Mods are available for many PC games to get added value.

Plus, you don't have to take your TV offline to play a game. My g/f hates it when I hog the TV with the PS2.

[DarkFury]

That's what I'm saying though. It's not so simple to say "not optimized for the PC" because PCs differ so much. Your data-path changes constantly, you can make almost no real assumptions about the memory (and the type of memory), the videocards and their capabilities can be radically different.

With a console it's easy: You know that it has Hard Drive X, which has Y rpm, and can transfer a 2mb block of data to main memory in Z milliseconds. Once in memory, you know that can transfer a polygon soup to the GPU at a rate of A polys per second. Additionally, the documentation will tell you that flipping the bits of certain registers at opportune times will allow you to squeeze more out of the system.
You are preaching to the choir as I do realize that programming games for the console is "easy"... as compared to programming for PCs. However that "ease" comes at the price of essentially "dumbing down" a game so that it works within the given framework of the console it is targeted for.

And yes, I do realize that economically, a company would rather spend less and reap more benefits by providing games for standardized hardware (i.e. consoles). Yet, I still stand firm in the notion that even with this being the case, the additional flexibility and expansion that PCs have to offer still make them very attractive on certain games such as MMOGs and FPS even when they "dumb them down" to a least common denominator (like making a game compatible down to a DirectX 8 video card yet offering higher settings for those who can take advantage of DX9 settings.)

Either way I do understand the economics of this, hence me saying earlier that until consoles ever decide to expand their "control" issues (i.e. add a keyboard and mouse as input devices) then they will most likely kill the market for PC based gaming (as most people will opt for "fun factor" of a game moreso than visual quality any given day.)

Until that day comes, the PC will continue to survive in the gaming world...



Perhaps, but if, say, 25% of your audience still has P3's with Voodoo 3Dfx's, then chances are people are going to try and support that system. Heck, even 5% of a blockbuster title is a decent grip of cash :)
Pretty much, if those folks are still hangin' on to hardware that old, then most likely, they aren't your general "target audience" for these newer games.

Trust me... they just aren't. Leave them be to playing games like Sodoku Online and early versions of Need for Speed. :D

[DarkFury]

I'll agree and disagree :) It depends on the fun I am looking for with FPS. And especially with the end of "LAN Gaming" :( Sometimes I just like FPS when you have a group of people in the same location.



One word for ya... LAN party. (Oops... that's 2 words. :D )

My main problem with GoldenEye... I don't like splitting my screen with my opposition. Give me my own screen so I can find you and frag you. :D

[Thesifer]

Plus, you don't have to take your TV offline to play a game. My g/f hates it when I hog the TV with the PS2.


Yep. I get mad when I'm trying to watch TV and my girlfriend is playing the Wii! ugh.


We have two TV's , but I like my game system on my HDTV and I also like watching movies / tv shows on it.

[gwilks98]

My main problem with GoldenEye... I don't like splitting my screen with my opposition. Give me my own screen so I can find you and frag you. :D


Good point; forgot about that. split screen is annoying. It'd be nice if they made consoles so they could play together on a lan connection instead of requiring an internet link.