buying a second console

[migo]

Definitely sure, you're not looking at a top end gaming PC, just one that outperforms a 360.

 

[purity]

There are very few games that the PS3 has screen tearing problems with that aren't on PC, so it makes more sense to spend the money on a PC than on a 360.

True, although a PC costs much more than a 360. You probably could get a used previous gen 360 very cheap from eBay, or perhaps GameStop.

Not true.

You don't want a used previous gen 360 - it WILL break on you. Even the new ones are unreliable.

Since it destroys discs, you need the 250GB model, so $300 for the console, $80 for the 3 year extended warranty, $60/year for Gold @ 4 years (because it'll last a bit longer than the 3 years for the warranty) - you're looking at over $600 for 4 years of using the 360, maybe a bit less if you get a good deal on Gold, or significantly less if you stick with Silver, but still it's quite expensive. You can get a Quad-Core gaming PC with DirectX 11 for $500 these days. It's a bit more of a cost up front, but the cost of upgrading it every couple years in the long run is less than paying for the privilege of playing online.

$500 for a PC, that can run games at the same or better detail level and resolution as a 360, seems a bit optimistic if you ask me. I'm from Norway, so I don't have a good overview of hardware prices in the US, but keep in mind that you would have to buy a keyboard, mouse, monitor and perhaps a sound system or headset in addition to just the case with components.

 

[Soxafloppin]

To be honest if you have a PS3 there isn't much point in getting a 360 and vice versa, most games are available on both but if you really want the exclusives then go ahead.

 

[Halo Fanboy]

I really depends on what you want and how much money you have to burn. For me Having two 360s from two different regions is worth it.

I suggest you get a (Japanese) 360 if you really value the exclusives of which there are more upcoming then anyone in this topic is letting on (Eschatos, Strania, Radiant Silvergun HD, Spelunky HD, Dangun Feveron, Mucchi Muchi Pork, Pink Sweets, Dodonpachi Daifukkatsu Black Label.) I say Japanes 360 so that you can pick up some older ntsc-j games that you might not of gotten a chance to play yet; Senko No Ronde Dis-united Order, Deathsmiles II Makai no Merry Christmass and Ketsui: Kizuna Jigoku Tachi. Also most good ntsc 360 games will run on an asian console.

Also if you're like me and have high standards for performance quality you'll want both PS3 and 360 so you can pick up the best version of any given console game.

 

[Trolldor]

Stick with just the PS3. Nothing 360 exclusive stays that way forever.

Yeah, like Final Fantas--- Oh, wait.

 

[migo]

$500 for a PC, that can run games at the same or better detail level and resolution as a 360, seems a bit optimistic if you ask me.

You're wrong, it's quite easy.

I'm from Norway, so I don't have a good overview of hardware prices in the US, but keep in mind that you would have to buy a keyboard, mouse, monitor and perhaps a sound system or headset in addition to just the case with components.

No you wouldn't - you're using all of it right now. Hell, you can buy a gaming laptop for only $100 more, and it also performs comparably to a 360 (naturally at a lower resolution thanks to a smaller screen size).

If you want to find where you can do it, use Google, there are tons of guides all over the net on building a budget, high quality gaming rig.

 

[Floppertje]

Stick with just the PS3. Nothing 360 exclusive stays that way forever.

Yeah, like Final Fantas--- Oh, wait.

not gonna play that. never got into FF, never will. the only jrpg i liked was... errr.... dragon quest... 8? it was the journey of the cursed king, with the toad king, yangus calling you 'guv' all the time, the princess/horse having a thing for you, the redhead girl being hot and the templar dude being a douche.

and yes, I will have to get EVERYTHING. I have an Imac now. got an extra monitor, but it's not good enough.
besides, a pc that outperforms a 360 doesn't mean it'll run all games? I mean... don't modern AAA titles just have higher requirements on the PC than they do on consoles?

maybe i'll just spend this summer working my ass off and then getting a big fat cheque at the end of it to blow on a top-tier gaming pc. or I could spend it on going on awesome trips with the study union....

 

[purity]

$500 for a PC, that can run games at the same or better detail level and resolution as a 360, seems a bit optimistic if you ask me.

You're wrong, it's quite easy.

I'm from Norway, so I don't have a good overview of hardware prices in the US, but keep in mind that you would have to buy a keyboard, mouse, monitor and perhaps a sound system or headset in addition to just the case with components.

No you wouldn't - you're using all of it right now. Hell, you can buy a gaming laptop for only $100 more, and it also performs comparably to a 360 (naturally at a lower resolution thanks to a smaller screen size).

If you want to find where you can do it, use Google, there are tons of guides all over the net on building a budget, high quality gaming rig.

I'm writing this from my laptop (my only computer), so I have none of those things. If I bought a PC I would not be using my TV as a monitor, as that is used by my wife as well.

If it's so easy to find a guide to build such a machine, can't you give me a link? I do know how to assemble a computer, so that's not an issue.

 

[comadorcrack]

...... Buy a wii.....

Seriously. If you got the PS3 then theres no point in having an xbox as well. Get a wii. =D

 

[Defense]

If you want another console, get a Wii. If you want another handheld and love good JRPGs, go for the PSP. Don't get the DS, it'd just be bad timing if you got it now.

I'd suggest getting a PC though, if you have a lot of money to burn.

 

[Treblaine]

are you sure? I thought good gaming pc's were like ?1500... and I don't have the expertise to mod it myself. can get a mate to do it for me I guess, but it's still kindof a hassle. and expensive.

Hey if you don't care about super graphics and perfect controls then I'd suggest to stick with PS3 as you're only going to be able to take the effort needed for PC if you really want that capability, spend your money on something else, not a 360 (that platform is taking the express train to casual-ville).

PS3 is second only to PC in quantity of exclusives and overall quality. It'll do you well.

I also wouldn't get into modern PC gaming without trying some classic PC gaming First. Half Life 1, Quake 3, Unreal Tournament, Starcraft 1, Diablo 2 and so on, to see if the customisation, complexity of online (dedicated server browser) and controls are what is really your cup of tea.

Maybe hold onto that money, try some of that entry level PC gaming, check out GoodOldGames.com and Steam's sub-$5 selections and when you hit the graphics limit of your PC and you still want some more. Then that's probably the time to consider building a PC, I mean look at this:



That may be for you.

 

[C2Ultima]

If you have a PS3, get an Xbox 360. PC is too expensive, (unless you're using dollar bills as tissue paper). Whatever you do though, don't buy the Wii. It has about 4 worthwhile games released every year, and they never update anything. The Mii channel on the Wii is still the exact same as it was in 2006.

 

[Treblaine]

I'm writing this from my laptop (my only computer), so I have none of those things. If I bought a PC I would not be using my TV as a monitor, as that is used by my wife as well.

I opt for using a 24 inch monitor for both PC and PS3 gaming. My primary reason was computer monitors have far lower display lag* but the best benefit is that no one else in my house games or is interested in split screen so for me to game on our HDTV would be a kinda selfish. I mean a TV show or Movie on TV you can share, but games aren't much fun to watch.

SO leave the (HD)TV for public/sharing, Monitor for personal whether single player PC or console games. That's my theory.

(*display lag is the milliseconds delay between the console rendering frames and them actually appearing on screen. This is caused by HDTV post processing and is not a problem for movies but for games where response time is critical it is. Most console games have pretty high input lag - 150milliseconds for Killzone 2 - which ADDS to the 66ms lag of a typical HDTV to give over 200ms of latency. Your own minimum response time is about 180ms, which actually also ADDS to total system time in your reaction time so you can only adjust your aim in as much as half-second increments = you suck at the game)

If it's so easy to find a guide to build such a machine, can't you give me a link? I do know how to assemble a computer, so that's not an issue.

Don't take this as dickish but the components themselves come with instructions of how to assemble and I found them guide enough. I used that as my guide on my very first build but it helps to have someone to help you. It's entry level electronics, please take this the right way in that if PC building was a school course they would teach it to 14 year olds.

As to parts compatibility, that is a tricky one. What I did was looked at component reviews to see what they say is minimum, shop around, then email the component manufacturers to confirm what is compatible. It's simple enough matching up socket types, just bone up on the wikipedia page, but power supply can get a bit tricky, don't want too little, also don't want to overdo it. That's where I resorted to emailing manufacturer, spelling out my system specs and confirming if their PSU could take it.

Really it's an art, a craft you have to pick up. I'm not really sure how I got the hang of it myself other than hanging around on PC build forums, I did get a PC building book but it was already hideously out of date. Useless.

It's a real shame this move from Desktop dominance to Laptop dominance... everything closed, only accessible by corporations. It only leaves you open to exploitation, knowledge is power and manufacturers would rather not you know how to build your own system cheaper.

 

[migo]

If you have a PS3, get an Xbox 360. PC is too expensive, (unless you're using dollar bills as tissue paper). Whatever you do though, don't buy the Wii. It has about 4 worthwhile games released every year, and they never update anything. The Mii channel on the Wii is still the exact same as it was in 2006.

I hate that people still believe the Xbox 360 is cheaper. Its up front cost is a bit lower, but long term it's much more expensive. Besdies, a good TV for a 360 (to get the most out of it), costs a hell of a lot more than a good monitor for a PC. Expect to double your costs just for the TV with a 360. Admittedly you can do a monitor with the 360 using the VGA HD adapter, but a lot of games end up running letterboxed.

The Wii isn't that bad, while it doesn't have that many games, at least you don't need to pay a yearly subscription fee on top of what you pay for Netflix, and at least the games it gets are actually different from the ones the 360 gets that are also largely on the PS3.

If you're going for just 1 system it's PS3 or PC, if you're going for 2, it's PS3 + PC, if you're going for 3, it's PS3, PC + Wii. 360 is the last on the list, and Kinect is irrelevant. It's only good for Dance Central, and its real potential is on the PC, once again showing that anything the 360 does the PC does better.

 

[JoshGod]

Mayby get a gaming pc instead of an xbox. I mean together that covers alot, especially as many games the ps3 wont get come to pc, and many games no-one else gets are on pcs.

 

[Floppertje]

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/7.258722-Rumor-Sony-Fighting-PS3-Piracy-With-Install-Keys

aaaaaand 360 it is! how on earth do they think this is a good idea? one of the reasons for playing on consoles in the first place is not having to put up with this DRM crap. as much.


as for a gaming pc: it's a good option, but it won't let me play with my buddies who have 360's

 

[demoman_chaos]

Stick with just the PS3. Nothing 360 exclusive stays that way forever.

Yeah, like Final Fantas--- Oh, wait.

Like Saints Row, Mass Effect, the GTA4 DLC, Bungie, etc.
Only thing still 360 exclusive is their overpriced Eyetoy rip-off (the majority of Kinect games would actually work with the Eyetoy and would work quite a bit better with the Move), Gears of War, Forza, Alan Wake, and Fable 2&3.
Remember, if it also on PC, it is not exclusive.

 

[TheYellowCellPhone]

Since many XBox games have PS3 ports, I wouldn't go for it. Unless you want Kinect or other exclusives.

A Wii doesn't have too many PS3 ports, but I don't think it has that good a library. If you're going Wii, Nintendo exclusives.

 

[Halo Fanboy]

Stick with just the PS3. Nothing 360 exclusive stays that way forever.

Yeah, like Final Fantas--- Oh, wait.

Like Saints Row, Mass Effect, the GTA4 DLC, Bungie, etc.
Only thing still 360 exclusive is their overpriced Eyetoy rip-off (the majority of Kinect games would actually work with the Eyetoy and would work quite a bit better with the Move), Gears of War, Forza, Alan Wake, and Fable 2&3.
Remember, if it also on PC, it is not exclusive.

Did you read my post in this topic?

Since many XBox games have PS3 ports, I wouldn't go for it.

More games are ported from 360 to PS3 then vice versa from what I've seen.

 

[loc978]

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/7.258722-Rumor-Sony-Fighting-PS3-Piracy-With-Install-Keys

aaaaaand 360 it is! how on earth do they think this is a good idea? one of the reasons for playing on consoles in the first place is not having to put up with this DRM crap. as much.


as for a gaming pc: it's a good option, but it won't let me play with my buddies who have 360's

umm...

If this is true - and I stress that if, as this is an unsubstantiated rumor in all senses of the word

...
..
.
Anyway... if all your friends play 360 games, and you want some 360 exclusives, go with the 360. Just know that you run a substantial risk of hardware failure yet again.

This from a die-hard member of the PC gaming master race.