PC prices and misconceptions.

[Continuity]

Well, I should say that my PC cost a lot more than $400, about £1215 to be precise... if we take the current exchange rate then it cost the equivalent of approximately $1900 (thats including monitor). Hell, just the cost of the CPU pretty much blows out your $400 budget... though my PC is coming up for around 2 years old now. And thats not including the cost of keyboard, mouse and mouse mat... inconsequential expenses you might think but if you want top line gaming grade kit you're going to hit another £100 on those. (Edit: nor in fact did it include speakers, headphones, networking equipment, headset, or controller... all important gamer kit)
I would call my build a mid range gaming PC, if you want to go enthusiast then you can double the cost, water cooling, dual GFX cards, premium processor etc.. all cost big bucks, however you can game just fine, within certain parameters, on some POS that cost $400 (plus monitor and peripherals), true, doesn't necessarily mean that any gamer is going to want to do that however.

Though it should be said PC hardware costs quite a bit more in the UK than it does in the US: you guys have everything for super low prices.

 

[Glademaster_v1legacy]

Well if you want to play most new games on highest settings then you probably will need to spend around 1,000 but as said that is unnecesaary. People also forget to take into consideration games are cheaper on PCs than consoles.

There are some AAA titles that are now priced at the same amount as their console counterparts.

OT: I spent about $1500 on my current computer 2 years ago and aside from the video card that is begining to show its age it has been more than capable to handle all that I throw at it. While my card is still capable of running games on medium I still thing that next year I'll likely very easily spend a few hundred dollars just to upgrade to a better graphics card(I'll need a larger power supply as well). Depending on how often you upgrade and to what degree you do so PC gaming can be an expensive hobby.

Well I don't know what country you are in but all the new titles on PC with the exception of CoD have been less than consoles. Also prices on PC fall much faster like FF13 preowned is still around 30euro preowned even. Well 30 is average lowest I've seen is 25.

I'm in the US and I've found that some of the big publishers most notably being EA and Activision/Blizzard have been charging $60 for their "AAA" titles. My secret shame is despite Dragon Age 2 now being released at $60 instead of $50 it won't keep me from buying it(and I suspect that's something EA knows and is apparently willing to exploit to its fullest potential).

Ok well in Ireland we still have about a 10 euro price difference. I know in UK they can have a similar thing as in some areas. I got TC:Hawx for £2. Obviously it was on sale and I know it was not exactly critically acclaimed but £2 on PC normal price was £5 and it was around £15ish on preowned for consoles.

 

[Eliam_Dar]

Trust me I have discussed this several times on GT forums, I even wrote a blog there. Most console only gamers just cover their ears.

 

[Azure Sky]

To the OP. (Yes, I'm too lazy to read other comments)
Firstly, If you wish to build an argument about that denounces generalizations it would be in your best interests not to make gross generalizations yourself.
Secondly, both PCs in your OP are grossly underpowered and out of date.
Thirdly, you are missing parts, unless you think you can run a computer without a case and OS? Or even without an optical to install said OS?
Fourthly, I assume the currency is American? It is always best to specify these things.

Now for a generalization of my own.
I wish people would learn about what they are commenting on before they open their mouth. ^^

[On a more relevant and more lighthearted note]
Someone who builds a PC in America is going to be able to build it for X cost.
If someone else builds the same PC in the UK, chances are it will be more expensive.
As above, if the builder is in Australia it will be even more expensive again.

This is where the problem is, whenever someone makes this kinds of thread, or even posts in one, they tend to take their own locations pricing as global law, and they are normally incorrect. ^^

 

[strum4h]

I just build a new pc every 10 years. I buy cutting edge when it comes out and it lasts me because I take good care of my hardware. Then again I use my PC for my job also.

 

[Bewts]

Better resolution and FPS is reason enough to get a PC over console. Game mods are a big reason I prefer PC over console as well.

I was kind of scared to build my PC as I didn't really know anything about it. After reading some forums and finding out how easy it actually is to build a PC I went ahead and ordered my parts. I had pretty much no problems except for being scared to break my mobo when inserting the RAM... Most places will charge you 50$ an hour (or more) to build your PC.

 

[TPiddy]

oh wow... this again... why does this come up a lot lately?

PC gaming CAN be better, and CAN be cheaper.... if you put in the effort. Most people who don't, like myself, simply can't be bothered to because all of their gaming needs are met with a console.

Fuck the price argument, the simplicity of console gaming is why it's winning... Hello, Wii anyone?

 

[Delusibeta]

but the cost is still going to be more in the long run.

Factor in that pretty much all PC games (except ActiBlizz games) are substatually cheaper on the PC, and you'll probably find that your conclusion is wrong.

 

[Fledge]

All these console fanboys keep mentioning how consoles are so much cheaper.
Why is that?
Oh yeah, the "current gen" consoles are about 4 years old now.
Do you ever wonder why your PS3 overheats or randomly freezes? Because it can't handle what it's trying to play. Even when it does the graphics are usually piss-poor with debatable framerates.

I mainly play on PC becuase I want to get the full experience from games I play -- that is to say, I want to get what I've payed for.

 

[vrbtny]

No case and don't forget Monitor+100 and OS +50 to 100

Guddamit!! Hasn't anyone here heard of Linux? It's free ya'know?

What sort of monitor are you getting for 100 bucks?

 

[Laughing Man]

Factor in that pretty much all PC games (except ActiBlizz games) are substatually cheaper on the PC, and you'll probably find that your conclusion is wrong.

Yeah you see just because you say it, doesn't make it true, try using quantitative data to support your statement.

Here's Need For Speed Hot Pursuit a recent game so we will use that as a bench mark for now.

http://www.game.co.uk/Games/PlayStation-3/Racing-Car/Need-for-Speed-Hot-Pursuit-/~r349733/?s=need+for+speed

http://www.game.co.uk/Games/PC-Games-and-Downloads/Racing-Car/Need-for-Speed-Hot-Pursuit-/~r349734/?s=need+for+speed

The difference in price is £7

Over five years that works out as

A PC £100 more than a console = 3 games per year
A PC £200 more than a console = 6 games per year
A PC £400 more than a console = 11 games per year

Those figures are based on

a). The life span of console being five years, which we already know is total wank.
b). A PC built five years ago being able to play modern games five years down the line, again we have already established that that is total wank as well.

As I have already said and for the most part being trying to point out is that in this great cost debate people make statements that have no support, they pick and chose what info to relay to help support their argument and for the most part talk total and utter bollocks. If you want to make all sweeping statements such as the one above then at least provide some information to back it up.

In society people are usually attracted to things that cost more, they are desirable and are seen as a symbol of status. It confounds me why people still argue that PCs are cheaper in the long run than consoles. PC are more expensive they always have been and always will be. Maybe it is the desire of the PC fanboy to not only claim that their PC is better in every way when it comes to gaming than consoles but it is also cheaper... saying that fanboys are idiots.

All these console fanboys keep mentioning how consoles are so much cheaper.
Why is that?

To keep idiot fanboys like yourself in business

Do you ever wonder why your PS3 overheats or randomly freezes?

and yes you are a fanboy, where did you pull that crap from? I have an original 60Gig PS3 and it hasn't overheated or frozen once. So no I am not wondering why it does overheat or freeze but I am wondering why you claim it does when it doesn't.

I mainly play on PC becuase I want to get the full experience from games I play -- that is to say, I want to get what I've payed for.

A poorly optimized console port? Touche!

 

[Azure Sky]

Factor in that pretty much all PC games (except ActiBlizz games) are substatually cheaper on the PC, and you'll probably find that your conclusion is wrong.

Yeah you see just because you say it, doesn't make it true, try using quantitative data to support your statement.

Here's Need For Speed Hot Pursuit a recent game so we will use that as a bench mark for now.

http://www.game.co.uk/Games/PlayStation-3/Racing-Car/Need-for-Speed-Hot-Pursuit-/~r349733/?s=need+for+speed

http://www.game.co.uk/Games/PC-Games-and-Downloads/Racing-Car/Need-for-Speed-Hot-Pursuit-/~r349734/?s=need+for+speed

The difference in price is £7

Over five years that works out as

A PC £100 more than a console = 3 games per year
A PC £200 more than a console = 6 games per year
A PC £400 more than a console = 11 games per year

Those figures are based on

a). The life span of console being five years, which we already know is total wank.
b). A PC built five years ago being able to play modern games five years down the line, again we have already established that that is total wank as well.

As I have already said and for the most part being trying to point out is that in this great cost debate people make statements that have no support, they pick and chose what info to relay to help support their argument and for the most part talk total and utter bollocks. If you want to make all sweeping statements such as the one above then at least provide some information to back it up.

In society people are usually attracted to things that cost more, they are desirable and are seen as a symbol of status. It confounds me why people still argue that PCs are cheaper in the long run than consoles. PC are more expensive they always have been and always will be. Maybe it is the desire of the PC fanboy to not only claim that their PC is better in every way when it comes to gaming than consoles but it is also cheaper... saying that fanboys are idiots.

Fyi, The PS2 is well over 5 years old and still gets releases on a regular basis.
When someone builds a current generation PC, it can, and will last well over 5 years before you need to upgrade to keep up with gaming.

As for something that is actually ON topic.
How did this thread derail into a PC vs Console argument?

 

[Necromancer1991]

I want to make a few points about the "Gaming Rigs" you see in PCGamer and other similar publications, They are really just a computer put together with the latest and basic components, really they're just there for people who:

A)Haven't the ability to purchase and install the components
B)Have enough money to buy all the necessary components at once with a heavy finder's fee
C)Don't already have a computer and want to just buy all the parts at once

 

[Fledge]

I have an original 60Gig PS3 and it hasn't overheated or frozen once. So no I am not wondering why it does overheat or freeze but I am wondering why you claim it does when it doesn't.

I also have a PS3 of that description.
I lost count of the amount of times it has frozen over the past year's I have owned it.
It's just personal experience translated into sweeping generalisations. Tbh I thought you'd be used to those after eading this thread


But everyone really should listen to this man of wisdom -- Laughing Man, I mean. (I'm not being sarcastic btw).
PC's are more expensive. It's a fact that you can't argue your way around.

I'm surprised I haven't seen one particular logical arguement spring up form the depths of this 'discussion' yet.
Nobody has yet mentioned that PC's do a hell of a lot more than consoles, as they aren't games consoles. They are, first and foremost, PC's. They do what PC's do. Then if you want to add the notorious 'Gaming' prefix, you slap a decent graphics card in there. But obviously if you want to get value you'll have to build it yourself -- it's not hard to do, but I won't go there now.

One thing I really don't understand is the misconception (that PC's must constantly be upgraded) that implies at least one of many things; including:

- AMG NEW HARDWAIR EYE MUZT UPGRAID MAI PC NAO!
- AMG MUZT UPGRAID PC OTHURWYSE IT WILL SUDDENLEH STOP PLAYIN GAMES WELL

I really don't see why many people think PC's seem to melt if not upgraded. Do you hear about games consoles melting from lack of upgrading? No! There's just a new one out in a few years. But unfortunately, as we all know, there hasn't been a new one in a very long time.
If only Microsoft and Sony would stop wasting their time on useless gimmicky things like kinect and move... and make a new generation of console. Unfortunately it's about the money and not about the product, so I doubt a new gen. now would still be anywhere near (performance and aesthetic wise) what PC's can currently do. I suppose I'm just really pissed off at everyone except Cevat Yerli.

Now I honestly can't remember what my point was, or even if I had one, so I'll finish with some blunt statements.

I am predominantely a PC gamer - sometimes this tends to bring out the fanboy in me.
I despise fanboys, but always find myself around them... and joining them -- like now.
Without regard to price, for someone who would consider themself a gamer, I see no reason why said person could see a console as superior to a PC.
There I go again...

 

[Delusibeta]

Factor in that pretty much all PC games (except ActiBlizz games) are substatually cheaper on the PC, and you'll probably find that your conclusion is wrong.

Yeah you see just because you say it, doesn't make it true, try using quantitative data to support your statement.

Here's Need For Speed Hot Pursuit a recent game so we will use that as a bench mark for now.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B003S3R5LI/soundsvault-21

http://www.game.co.uk/Games/PC-Games-and-Downloads/Racing-Car/Need-for-Speed-Hot-Pursuit-/~r349734/?s=need+for+speed

The difference in price is £12

Over five years that works out as

A PC £100 more than a console = 2 games per year
A PC £200 more than a console = 4 games per year
A PC £400 more than a console = 7 games per year

*bows* And that's not even touching on the sales.

Those figures are based on

a). The life span of console being five years, which we already know is total wank.
b). A PC built five years ago being able to play modern games five years down the line, again we have already established that that is total wank as well.

As I have already said and for the most part being trying to point out is that in this great cost debate people make statements that have no support, they pick and chose what info to relay to help support their argument and for the most part talk total and utter bollocks. If you want to make all sweeping statements such as the one above then at least provide some information to back it up.

a) Xbox: 2001-2006. GameCube: 2002-2007 (in EU)
b) Explain how my 2003-era pre-built and cheap jalopy is able to run Portal and TrackMania United Forever? And that wasn't even a decent gaming rig.

 

[RandV80]

No case and don't forget Monitor+100 and OS +50 to 100

Most people don't want to build their own PC

A lot of us suck at this sort of thing and I don't want to drop 500 bucks on something we can't get to work.

It will cost about 750-800 to get a decent pre-built PC.

I suck at this as well man but forums, forums everywhere! There are literally dozens of sites just for you to ask questions in.

But what about those who don't have time/effort to build one, and want to just buy a decent gaming pc without all the hassle?

Then you'll pay a premium. It's not hard to put a machine together over Christmas break - it's what I did several years ago. If you're a coin-counting student then you'll man up and DIY. Our fathers tinkered with cars, is it too much for this generation to tinker with the machines of this age?

This really can't be emphasized enough. Unless you're over 50 then the apart from specific cases I don't buy the "I'm not good with computers" bit. The inner workings of computers are extremely complex and beyond even most computer geeks, but just knowing what the basic parts do and sticking them together? It helps to have a geek friend help you alone at the start but once you get the hang of it it's not really that hard. Plus computers are so persistant in todays world that it's useful to have a basic understanding of them.

Now it can be extremely confusing with all the different parts out there that may or may not work together, but any good computer store that lets you pick parts online (like Newegg, or for Western Canada I personally like Memory Express) they won't list you anything that isn't compatable. So start off by picking a motherboard or the CPU, and the rest of the parts available in the drop down boxes will all be compatable.

 

[Wicky_42]

is it too much for this generation to tinker with the machines of this age?

This really can't be emphasized enough. Unless you're over 50 then the apart from specific cases I don't buy the "I'm not good with computers" bit. The inner workings of computers are extremely complex and beyond even most computer geeks, but just knowing what the basic parts do and sticking them together? It helps to have a geek friend help you alone at the start but once you get the hang of it it's not really that hard. Plus computers are so persistant in todays world that it's useful to have a basic understanding of them.

Now it can be extremely confusing with all the different parts out there that may or may not work together, but any good computer store that lets you pick parts online (like Newegg, or for Western Canada I personally like Memory Express) they won't list you anything that isn't compatable. So start off by picking a motherboard or the CPU, and the rest of the parts available in the drop down boxes will all be compatable.

Hah, thanks for noticing - I was proud of that line

It always exasperates me when perfectly sensible people give up the moment their computer glitches - not just giving up, but refusing to even try and sort it! I mean, they're perfectly happy to Google inane stuff, but don't realise that simply searching for whatever's wrong will more often than not yield a fix with just 5 mins of reading :/

Oh, and ALL PCs aught to have 'Problem? Step 1: turn it off and on again' written in bold letters across the default desktop. Even my techno-inept mother has learnt that, and yet my sister refuses to do something so basic because 'trying to fix anything technical is geeky' or something. Actually, if the general populace new the restorative power of 'restart', tech support might suddenly hit it's own great depression...

 

[Laughing Man]

I also have a PS3 of that description.
I lost count of the amount of times it has frozen over the past year's I have owned it.
It's just personal experience translated into sweeping generalisations.

It's valid because you have experienced it but it was more the conclusions that you reached that annoyed me. It doesn't crash or freeze because it is being pushed beyond it's limits any more than a PC will crash because you try to run a game that it's GPU can't handle. Crashes and freezes are a result of overheating and poor power supply very rarely is it as a result of trying to push the hardware to do what it can't do.

But everyone really should listen to this man of wisdom -- Laughing Man, I mean. (I'm not being sarcastic btw).

Thanks dude!

I'm surprised I haven't seen one particular logical arguement spring up form the depths of this 'discussion' yet.
Nobody has yet mentioned that PC's do a hell of a lot more than consoles, as they aren't games consoles.

Now I think I need to qualify what I am discussing here. I have specifically tried to ignore a number of factors. Specifically I have looked at one thing and one thing only the PC / Consoles ability to play games and by play games I mean play a game in a fashion that is enjoyable. That's why I haven't debate the PCs multi function capabilities, the quality of the graphics vs the consoles, resolution, mods anything like that. Can the device in question play a modern game in a fashion that is enjoyable.

So here's the bang for the buck, as a pure gaming device a PC will always be more expensive than a console however as a device doing what it can do the PC as a whole will always work out as better value than the console.

a) Xbox: 2001-2006. GameCube: 2002-2007 (in EU)
b) Explain how my 2003-era pre-built and cheap jalopy is able to run Portal and TrackMania United Forever? And that wasn't even a decent gaming rig.

a). What part of selective information did you not understand? You highlight two defunct consoles but chose to ignore the PS2 which is still out there and still getting new games. You chose to miss the Xbox 360 which was five last month and has no replacement announced as yet, you chose to ignore the Ps3 which is expected to have a shelf life of ten years

b).Uh two games released in 2007 not exactly making a strong point are we besides Portal is based on the source engine you could run that game half decently on a fridge. Take a game released this year and run it on a PC that was built five years ago and has had zero upgrades, it's a simple challenge.

Just in case you don't know here's some multi format games from this year

NFS HP
BFBC2
Black Ops
New Vegas
Just Cause 2

Now try running any of them on a PC with a 7 series Nvidia card with a P4 CPU running Windows XP and more than likely 2 gig of RAM.

 

[jamesworkshop]

[NFS HP
BFBC2
Black Ops
New Vegas
Just Cause 2

Now try running any of them on a PC with a 7 series Nvidia card with a P4 CPU running Windows XP and more than likely 2 gig of RAM.

Gonna have to point out that the pentium 4 is actually 10 years old a better example would be a Athlon 64 x2 (2005)

 

[Laughing Man]

Gonna have to point out that the pentium 4 is actually 10 years old

Indeed it is but I am gonna have to point out that five years ago all you had was the late gen P4s and the Athlon 64, the Core 2 Duo was another 6 months away and the Phenom was another year and a half away. So if you want replace P4 with whatever Athlon takes your fancy but the result is the same a PC that will not play any of the games I listed in even a half acceptable way.