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Why game on a PC when consoles are cheaper?

26K views 648 replies 178 participants last post by  Joshhat 
#1 ·
Hey,

I'm a little new here to the PC gaming scene and I am currently working on building my self a budget gaming rig for about $700. I'm hopefully got to fit it with a Nvidia GTX GeForce 650 ti Boost and either a FX 6300 or I3 3220.

I'm just finding it hard to find why people choose PC gaming over a Console, PC's are often more expensive than a Console and don't really have the exclusives.

I am building myself a Gaming rig due to the fact I have the money and nothing else to spend it on, I can also use this Computer for Photoshop & video editing.

Sorry I found it a little hard to explain this thread clearly, but I just can't see how PC gaming is better than a Console.

Also, how has long Steam be in Australia because I only heard of it the other day..
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Thanks.
 
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#3 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by NomNomNom View Post

Well the games are much cheaper usually. So after a while it could end up cheaper
Also better graphics
Better control with keyboard and mouse (no deadspot on controller)
Custom servers on a lot of games
Game mods
Steam

Steam has been around for a LONG time (since 2003, so 10 years).
 
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#4 ·
first, a pc does EVERYTHING, meaning that if you own a pc, then you'll be playing some game at some point, unless you're like me and build pcs STRICLY for gaming. second, the freedom of doing things with games, like modding, trainers so you can cheat if you want
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third, game visuals are ALWAYS better looking on pcs. fourth, games are ALWAYS going to be cheaper on pcs. fif, pc gaming is more expensive because it involves building something that does not ONLY play games, and can ALWAYS be upgraded
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#5 ·
I guess it just depends on what kind of gamer you are. I outright refuse to play an FPS on sticks; I need a keyboard/mouse to play an FPS, but I prefer Action/RPG on a controller (which I can use on a PC).

Also, I like the fact that, as a PC gamer, I have total control over my system. If I want to upgrade something I can, whenever I want for cheaper than buying a completely new system (or console), excluding of course socket changes (I stuck with 775). The good thing is that you don't have to be just a PC gamer or just a console gamer; you can own both. If I had to choose just one, though, I'd choose PC.

Like the above posters, Steam makes PC gaming much cheaper than console gaming.
 
#6 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Joshhat View Post

Hey,

I'm a little new here to the PC gaming scene and I am currently working on building my self a budget gaming rig for about $700. I'm hopefully got to fit it with a Nvidia GTX GeForce 650 ti Boost and either a FX 6300 or I3 3220.

I'm just finding it hard to find why people choose PC gaming over a Console, PC's are often more expensive than a Console and don't really have the exclusives.

I am building myself a Gaming rig due to the fact I have the money and nothing else to spend it on, I can also use this Computer for Photoshop & video editing.

Sorry I found it a little hard to explain this thread clearly, but I just can't see how PC gaming is better than a Console.

Also, how has long Steam be in Australia because I only heard of it the other day..
thumb.gif


Thanks.
Except for a 700$ rig, you can aim much higher than a 650. Most enthusiasts think around 25% of the budget should be spent on a GPU and your case, it gives you a GPU of 175-200$. You could pick up a 660 for that price. Also, full retail price for new games on consoles is 60$ and you seldom find recent release for less than 40$. On PC, you can find them for a quarter of the full retail price after a month. Then you consider all the ridiculously cheap games on Steam for 4-5$. Buy 10 games on consoles, you can end up spending 400$+500$ that's 900$. On PC, you could get a 700$ system and 20 games for that price. The more game you purchase the more advantageous PC becomes.

Also, if you get a console you will STILL need a PC, except a cheaper one. 900$ on console and games + 400$ on a PC. That's 1300$ right there. If you game on PC, it negates the need for a console.

PC pros: Graphics, modding, customization, versatility, cheap games and Steam

Consoles pros: Simple, cheap(the system) and exclusives

Edit: I just spent 68$ on Steam(Retail price with taxes of a console game in Canada) and got 13 full games and a couple of add-ons. That's ignoring GreenManGaming, GoG, GetGames, Gamefly, Origin etc. Really, unless you love the few console exclusives like Halo and Uncharted, there's no reason to get them. That comes from someone who used to despise PC and has been a console gamer for 15 years.
 
#7 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Juub View Post

Except for a 700$ rig, you can aim much higher than a 650. Most enthusiasts think around 25% of the budget should be spent on a GPU and your case, it gives you a GPU of 175-200$. You could pick up a 660 for that price. Also, full retail price for new games on consoles is 60$ and you seldom find recent release for less than 40$. On PC, you can find them for a quarter of the full retail price after a month. Then you consider all the ridiculously cheap games on Steam for 4-5$. Buy 10 games on consoles, you can end up spending 400$+500$ that's 900$. On PC, you could get a 700$ system and 20 games for that price. The more game you purchase the more advantageous PC becomes.

Also, if you get a console you will STILL need a PC, except a cheaper one. 900$ on console and games + 400$ on a PC. That's 1300$ right there. If you game on PC, it negates the need for a console.
The 650ti boost is $170, I'm Australian, also for me console games are $120 retail in stores, but I buy them online.

I am seeing the advantages of the cost of games now, I also have a Logitech G600 at the moment, it should be handy.
 
#9 ·
Why game on a console when a Gameboy is cheaper?
Why game on a Gameboy when a board game is cheaper?

Its not about the cost.
 
#11 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Joshhat View Post

The 650ti boost is $170, I'm Australian, also for me console games are $120 retail in stores, but I buy them online.

I am seeing the advantages of the cost of games now, I also have a Logitech G600 at the moment, it should be handy.
Need help with an Australian build? I assume you're using PC Case Gear? Your budget is around $700 yes?
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I was going to add most of the current/new release console games are at least $90 and usually $110.

@OP You get to upgrade your PC when you need it, you get to tweak with it, you get massive amounts of storage for music/videos without paying a premium.. You can choose either a keyboard/mouse or a controller. Graphics are better, modding is pretty much nonexistent on consoles, games are cheaper.. Especially if you get them from a CD key site or a steam sale or *cough* get them for free *cough*.

Computers can also be used for work, I.E Writing an essay for school/college/uni, to do other stuff on and of course you can either Fold at Home or BitCoin mine and make some $$$.

Would I be able to get back to you with a list of components for a gaming PC? Do you have a monitor, speakers, keyboard/mouse etc? If not it's going to be a bit harder but do-able.
 
#12 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Juub View Post

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Yeah, because a Gameboy is comparable to a console right?
Because a console is comparable to a current gaming rig right?
 
#13 ·
Cheap games and better graphics... that's about all for me. I still do consoles for exclusives though.
 
#14 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by RX7-2nr View Post

Because a console is comparable to a gaming rig right?
lol I was going to say this if no one else did.

I guess the main thing is that I use a PC for other things, such as CAD and other school related programs. a console is just that- a console. I would still need to buy a PC if you own a console. And it would have to be more than a cheap piece of junk that most people probably buy. So why not go one more step and make it a gaming rig?

Also, any game with aiming is better with a keyboard and mouse than with a controller. Sure, I use the controller for racing games, for skyrim, and for platformers, but Battlefield, COD, or anything FPS? You couldnt pay me to use a controller. Anyone who says a controller is better has a mental disability. Maybe I would get a console if I only played racing games, skyrim, and platformers... but it is still much better to not be limited to one method of control. All games that are nice to have a controller for, my xbox controller works perfectly well on my PC. So I can choose whichever one suits me better.
 
#15 ·
Exclusives, mods, customization, dedicated servers in virtually every multiplayer game, performance, visual quality, mouse and keyboard, multitasking, the list goes on. Perhaps in that order too, at least for me. This is a good read for you.
Quote:
Originally Posted by RX7-2nr View Post

Why game on a console when a Gameboy is cheaper?
Why game on a Gameboy when a board game is cheaper?

Its not about the cost.
lol, spot on.
 
#16 ·
Because:

Almost everyone would have a computer anyways which would cost several hundred on its own.

Potential of multitasking.

Mods.

More standardized and more customizable controls.

Better/customizable graphics. (For instance, I can't play games with motion blur, it makes me nauseous).

All possible communities / wikis / guides right there at your fingertips.

Better communication with friends.
 
#18 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Juub View Post

In terms of gaming? Yes they are. They get mostly the same games, except the PC gets better graphics and customization. The gameboy gets completely different games.
rolleyes.gif
Not comparable. They are two completely different things with completely different purposes and capabilities.
 
#20 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Joshhat View Post

I'm also really pumped to be able to play DayZ, I should be able to do this with a GTX 650ti Boost or above right?
Play it, of course. If you want to run it on near-max settings at 1080p at around 30 FPS average or more, you'll need way more than that. ArmA 2 is a poorly optimized game and Day Z runs even worse.
 
#23 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by RX7-2nr View Post

Not comparable. They are two completely different things with completely different purposes and capabilities.
In games they are entirely comparable which is the whole point of this topic. If we start talking about what else the PC can do, then they're not.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Joshhat View Post

When I buy a Game on steam can I download it whenever I want? Like Just Cause 2 is only $3 but I don't yet have my PC, can I buy it now and download it when I get my PC?
Yes you can.
 
#24 ·
Still no.
 
#25 ·
Yes. Just make a steam account and link a form of payment then whenever you get her built download it then. instead of a 650 to boost you might consider a 7870 or a 7850. both can be had under 200 and both would give significantly better performance then the 650 ti
 
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