PC Gaming is too expensive

So my DFI UT NF4 Ultra-D's chipset fan is dying. The dreaded grinding let me know its time would soon come. I decided to look into upgrading the motherboard and CPU since apparently Conroes are the net hotness.

Alas, the sticker shock from what essentially would become a full computer upgrade was unsettling. For a new CPU, motherboard, RAM, optical drive (the motherboard I was looking at lacked IDE ports), power supply ("future proofing" for 500W video cards), and heatsink I was looking at at least $750. Tack on 14% tax (because Ontario owns) and I was looking at well over $850.

All this because I'd need to upgrade basically most of the major parts of the PC.

I can see now why people just choose to game on consoles. You buy an Xbox 360, or PS3, or Wii, or whatever, and you know that the hardware will be good for 5 years. They're all losing money on the hardware (except for Nintendo I guess) and you make it up by buying games. But I mean seriously PC games are just as much as console games, so the cost there is equal, but on the hardware side the $500 graphics cards and system upgrades heavily favour console gaming.

Anyone else feel like there's something horribly wrong with all this? Considering shrinking warranties and stupid things like chipset fans dying, it seems like a waste to invest in a PC for gaming at all; smarter to just use it for email and multimedia while using a console for gaming.

Please start threads in the correct subforum. - Slartibartfast

My current computer is the last computer I'll be building with gaming in mind. I agree with you, I'd much rather buy a PS3, or a XBox360. Except with me, I don't have alot of time to game at home, So I have a PSP for on the go.

Well first of all, who says you need a $500 video card in order to play PC Games? You can still play games with reasonable FPS and detail with a $150 or even $100 video card.

Second, it depends on the kind/type of games you want to play. I'm an RTS man, and there aren't that many good console RTS games out there. So the PC is my preferred choice.

Third, you have to factor in that there are many games for the PC that won't work well on the consoles.

I guess my situation is a bit unique since I have a 24'' LCD. So I'm running at 1900x1200. Xbox 360 and PS3 both support 1080 resolution. I'm pretty sure the budget cards (<$200) do not support higher resolutions of gaming, at least not at a reasonable frame rate, whereas the next gen consoles all have good frame rates at high res. I agree with you RTS games will probably never migrate off the PC (I still play a lot of War3/DOTA) but a lot of FPS games require the latest hardware. FEAR comes to mind and Crysis is just going to make things worse.

Again, something seems wrong, but maybe it's just me, to have to spend that much cash on a system upgrade every 2-3 years vs buying a console... and the dollar amount I listed doesn't even include a video card (I got a 7900 GTO a while ago for $300).

you think thats expensive? try digital photography lol.

anyways, i stopped gaming and moved more into web design and graphic design (you know that little "hobby" where software costs as much as your proposed system upgrade...

yeah...

acascianelli said:

My current computer is the last computer I'll be building with gaming in mind. I agree with you, I'd much rather buy a PS3, or a XBox360. Except with me, I don't have alot of time to game at home, So I have a PSP for on the go.

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Yeah I enjoy gaming on my DS and am looking forward to the 8000 FF games Square is supposedly going to release. Portable gaming is another issue but one that PCs can't really compete in at the moment.

compslckr said:

you think thats expensive? try digital photography lol.

anyways, i stopped gaming and moved more into web design and graphic design (you know that little "hobby" where software costs as much as your proposed system upgrade...

yeah...

Click to expand...

Haha, so very true. High-end PC gaming is an expensive hobby, but when a friend brags to you about his new $1000 Canon 70-200 IS/L lens, which itself is useless without a $1000 and up digital SLR, things are put into perspective. (Actually, you'd need more like a $3000 dSLR to use that lens with justice.)

Also, console gaming isn't as cheap as it once was. They say to "take advantage" of a 360 or PS3, that you'll want a HDTV. In reality, I'd say that most of the PS3's value add over the PS2 can only be taken advantage of with a HDTV, and the same is also (mostly) true with a 360. HDTVs are cheaper, but good ones are still well above $1000, and most of the 360 and PS3's target buying market has yet to purchase one.

High end gaming is expensive, but it's also quite scalable... as posts above have mentioned.

Mark.

I would argue though that many newer PC games are also HD and you need a monitor for it. As I already have an HD monitor that's not a huge issue for me, but either way the monitor itself could be used for other things like movies, games as well as your PC. So it's not a cost exclusive to consoles; who wants to play Crysis on a 15'' 1024x768 screen?

Hardware wise, if you buy an XBox 360 for $500, you won't need to "upgrade" it for 5 years, whereas the PC needs to be upgraded constantly to keep up with new games. The whole "it's modular so you can upgrade pieces of it!" statement is blatantly false thanks to every company breaking backwards compatibility with each product generation; in my case I'd need a new motherboard, CPU, and RAM at the least.

Camera stuff really pricey. I don't get it but hey whatever floats people's boats and makes them happy

Yeah, it's awfully expensive to keep up with state of the art PC gaming. The rig in my sig is the last gaming-oriented machine I'll buy. I'll upgrade the video card, next year, but that's as far I go. I really hope consoles move toward keyboard+mouse capability over the next 1-2 years.

I disagree, unless you are literally building a state-of-the-art PC every year (which is not needed... and would be more powerful than a console), having a good PC is not that expensive.

Like has been mentioned, look at other hobbies. Digital photography (I have no personal experience), bikes, R/C cars, etc. You can easily sink thousands of dollars into those things too, and they all have only one use. You can do a lot with a computer.

It's a niche hobby. If you don't like it buy a console.

Nice, I was going into withdraw from not having a new a pc vs console price comparison thread...I think the last one was posted like 24 hours ago.

I find that consoles go out of date faster than pc's, thats all I use to buy. but since I started getting into computers, I like it alot better. and its more fun building it yourself rather that dropping 500bones for something you just plug in, (no offence to those that like that sorta thing). i just built the system in my sig. and loved it..

cheers, detox

1. Buy a console and spend $60 on each new game
2. Pay a little bit more and buy a PC but only spend less than 50$ on each new game (you can buy new PC games at frys for 37$ the first week its out)

I've got a Core 2 overclocked and 2GB of RAM. My current GPU (X1900XTX) plays every game to my satisfaction at the moment. When I can get an 8800GTX for around $250, I'll do that and sell my current card. Each year, I'll just upgrade my GPU at a final cost of around $150 (factoring in money from selling old card).

I will probably be able to do this for another couple years before I require more RAM. My CPU will probably be adequate for years longer. Then, in four years or so, I'll just build a whole new PC.

Its really not very expensive if you stay behind the bleeding edge and keep an eye on the Hot Deals forum.

why don't you just replace the chipset fan? its like $10. and people also seem to forget that a PC is not necessarily only for gaming, whereas a console is only made withj the sole purpose of playing games so the parts and software for it can be very specialized for only doing a particular thing.

lol i upgraded to a c2d chipset for the same reason, dying dfi chipset fan
Prices have droped a alot since then...You could probably build a budget c2d for around 340 then sell your old mobo cpu and ram for about 100......

PCs in general cost next to nothing (as mentioned above) when compared to other hobbies. Take, for example, my hobby of MX racing.

2007 YFZ450 - $6500
+2 Laeger A-arms - $1200
PEP shocks - $2200
Nmotion exhaust - $600
Hiper wheels - $800
Holeshot MX tires - $500
Lonestar +3 axle - $650
+2 Roll Design steering stem - $300
Fasst bars - $250

I could go on. Once it's all said and done a new racing quad can cost anywhere from $15,000 to $30,000. And it only lasts 1-3 seasons (1 season = 6 months).

PC gaming is only expensive if you're unwilling to adjust settings. If you have to have every effect maxed out with max resolution and then freak out and spend 500 bucks for one game because you might have to bump down one of the settings a tad, then the problem is you, not pc gaming.

I've really given up on PC gaming too. I only have a laptop, and it's no gaming laptop either. So replacing the video card is out of the question.

That's why I got a 360. There is something about PC gaming though that is worth it, especially for multiplayer at no cost (BF2142).

Being a child of divorced parents too is a factor. I really don't feel like lugging around a thousand dollar computer back and forth.

It is only fair to compare the 360 and the PS3 to a PC running games at medium quality settings, and at 1280x720 with 2x AA, because that is roughly the quality and resolution you get from modern console games.

You also have to add in the cost of the console accessories when looking at the overall cost comparison. Then add in needing all 3 major consoles because of exclusive titles, and you easily get over $1500 to be a player in the modern console arena. Of course that is good for 5 years... Assuming nothing breaks. Add in one broken system per console type after 2.5 years, and you are looking at over $2000 total with replacements.

I am quite certain I can design a system (Case, PSU, CPU, RAM, Mobo, and Videocard) that would cost $1000 and that would play all modern PC games at those settings just fine for 2.5 years. So two such systems gets you 5 years of the same performance, for the same price, ~$2000.

So I don't really think PC's HAVE to be more expensive. They just are for us enthusiasts who push them further.

when i become rich im going to upgrade every week and throw the week-old parts out the window into the water where the alligators will eat them

PC Gaming does not have to be expensive. Everyone needs to get out of the mindset that you need to have the best of the best to actually play PC games. Graphics, while nice, do not make a game and plenty of games are still great with settings turned down.

Look at the success of the Nintendo Wii. It has basically no decent games for it and has 'last gen' graphics, yet it is still flying off the shelves. You can still do a lot with a PC that is 'inferior' to those you will see at this forum.

arentol said:

It is only fair to compare the 360 and the PS3 to a PC running games at medium quality settings, and at 1280x720 with 2x AA, because that is roughly the quality and resolution you get from modern console games.

You also have to add in the cost of the console accessories when looking at the overall cost comparison. Then add in needing all 3 major consoles because of exclusive titles, and you easily get over $1500 to be a player in the modern console arena. Of course that is good for 5 years... Assuming nothing breaks. Add in one broken system per console type after 2.5 years, and you are looking at over $2000 total with replacements.

I am quite certain I can design a system (Case, PSU, CPU, RAM, Mobo, and Videocard) that would cost $1000 and that would play all modern PC games at those settings just fine for 2.5 years. So two such systems gets you 5 years of the same performance, for the same price, ~$2000.

So I don't really think PC's HAVE to be more expensive. They just are for us enthusiasts who push them further.

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First of all, u DONT need to buy ALL 3 consoles to get the benefits of exclusives...this is rapidly changing as devs are targeting the ENTIRE gaming market by going multi-platform. Of course first party devs are still sticking to their own console of choice...but then, how many exclusives does a certain console get each year? Is there a Halo, GTA, Devil May Cry every year? Right now , its all about money and devs know better than to capture a small portion of the gaming market while going multi-platform, there's plenty more $$ to be made.

Most of the A+ rated games are now going across all platform (at least to PS3+360). Assasins Creed, GTA, Mercenaries are a few examples which were all 'supposedly' exlcusives to each console respectively but no longer are exclusives anymore.

Secondly, extended warranties on consoles are often less than $80 for 2 years and if something has to go wrong, it's usually within the first year anyway.

Thirdly, accessories are not that expensive and less than $100 and are generally a one-time purchase.

As for games, there are game rentals stores everywhere and I've also tried and liked Gamefly even though their shipping is dog-slow. U only need to buy those that u feel are worth buying.

I was a hardcore PC gamer since the days of Diablo 1 and original Doom but after constantly upgrading (and getting games to work properly), I finally gave in to a XBox 360 while I brooded over when was a good time for my yet again system upgrade.

I've owned the 360 for almost a year now and have spend $350 on the console (Overstock sale) and another $50 for a USB Wifi adapter ($50 off EBay) and only own Oblivion and Fifa 07...I usually rent most of the time and 360 HDD is full of free demos thanks to XBox Live.....I also keep EBaying my played games and tend to get 60% of the cost back anyways.

Best of all, when I feel like having a 6 hr gaming marathon, I put in the Oblivion DVD, lay back on my leather recliner with a beer in my hand and start my role as a Battlemage on my 57" Hitachi HDTV without having to go to HF and posting why my game is running dog-slow on my $2000 rig.

So in that respect, next-gen consoles are making gaming a lot casual and less expensive to a point, even a 80 yr old grandma can jump on Live and start fraggin some 13 yr olds in Halo from the comfort of a sofa and on a $400 console.....To each his own, I guess.

Frag

i think once u realize hey i am gonna atleast have a computer here in my house that is decent even if i do ps3 and u figure for a LOW end pc maybe 300-400 well once u figure in the cost of the console ur up to a pretty nice gaming PC thats without the monitor which last time i checked monitors are cheaper than TV's

PC Gaming may be expensive, but think about your alternatives.

Do you really want to be playing Final Fantasy and Halo for the rest of your life?

I didn't think so. The decision is clear, and the choice is yours.

Complexion at a high price, or simplicity at an even higher one.

tl;dr

Cliff notes -
-PC gaming is too expensive
-I own a 24" LCD

Anyone see the conflict here?

You don't need the latest and greatest to play the games. Most of the games out right now run fine even on athlonxp cpus and x800 series gpus. Its all up to you if you want the greatest graphics and details .

I think that my statement has effectively killed this argument/conversation as there's nothing more to be said really. Re-read it if you didn't fully understand it.

What's there to debate? It's a matter of personal choice, to everyone: Keep up with the latest and greatest in computers, or don't. Some think it's worth it, some don't.

This isn't science, where you can test one hypothesis over another and find the governing reality. It's personal opinion. As such, you are free to feel however you wish, no matter your stance on it.

Now if you are asking if anybody else agrees: Then yes, I feel the same way.

Sometimes I wish I was still addicted to PC gaming. I could buy a killer PC every six months with the money I spend on paintballing.

I probably could too. I practice with UCONN (national champ 2 year running) and I blow through so much paint. and at $60 a case it adds up so fast.plus the price of new guns / gear etc.

i spend less on PC upgrades a year than a friend of mine spends on pot... i don't think its that expensive...

you dont always have to keep up with the latest and greatest hardware... you could always wait a year for prices on vid card to come down. you dont always have to buy a new game the day its released. sure its nice to be able to do so, but i've learned to game on a budget in college and it works fine for me.

games like WoW and RTS games will never port to consoles. besides, i totally suck using a controller so i'll just stick to my trusty kb + mouse

I don't understand why a standard chipset fan needs to cost you $850 in upgrades. Like someone said before, it costs $10 to buy a new one and throw it in there. Mine died on an old Abit board once and I just bought a new one and went right back to business. Sounds like the little fan not working is just your excuse to upgrade. Cause you could also just buy another DFI board or another from the same generation and still not cost anywhere near that much money.

Is not expensive if you're friggin employed. Not to mention that internet gaming is free unlike Xbox Live. And the amount of power that you have with a PC over consoles makes it worth every penny. Not only do you get to play games, but you get to edit, modify, even create whole entire new games. I don't see no UnrealEd or 3ds Max on consoles!

Conker said:

You don't need the latest and greatest to play the games. Most of the games out right now run fine even on athlonxp cpus and x800 series gpus. Its all up to you if you want the greatest graphics and details .

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Exactly!

Gaming on the PC is only as expensive as you make it.

If you need the latest graphics then you're gunna have to pay for it. The xbox 360 will look pretty crummy graphics wise in a few years but no one will care since everyone who owns one will be in the same boat. It's only that the PC gaming market caters for people willing to shell out loads on the latest hardware that makes it seem so expensive.

At the end of the day, If you don't want to spend loads on PC gaming, turn the settings down. It's that simple.

How many people do you see selling a computer 2 years from when purchased for about the price it was purchased?

How many people do you see selling a console 2 years from when purchased for about the price it was purchased?


I personally think that consoles retain more value than computers. Computers have the ability to change and upgrade so frequently, that hardware becomes outdated so fast it loses value.


So the point trying to be made about consoles being just as expensive as PC's is really kinda rediculous. I can go on craigslist and find people selling their PS2's for 100+ bucks plus maybe a few games and such. PS2 games you can buy for 20 bucks (greatest hits) or you can get them used for 10-15 bucks (blockbuster games retain their value for the most part).....


Yet with the PC... I see 2 year old computers going for at least a 1/3 of the price purchased for, and its hard to make money back on computer games. I see people selling FarCry for 5-10 bucks.


If you compare the cost of just console vs the PC tower, PC tower is going to be more expensive up front as well as in the long term. You all can try to twist #'s all you want, but 700 bucks for a PS3 that will last me at least 3 + years is way better than throwing a grand that MIGHT last me 2.

As for price of the display.... that price is basically the same for any platform. You want to game on an HDTV with the PS3... the price is no different if you want to game on an HDTV using the PC. You want to use a moniter for the PC... the price is no difference to use a moniter for your console.


Straight up, PC costs more. Thats not a bad thing but its the truth.

Depends if you have to have the latest and greatest whenever it comes out. I bought a cheap computer for 300 bucks 3 years ago. A year later, I upgraded it to a 3000+, 6600GT, and 2 gigs of ram, and the other necessities for under 600 bucks. Got a 7600GT a few months ago. A $1200 investment over three years and I'm playing STALKER today with very reasonable framerates.

The argument of a computer being a pointless solution to game on is completely mute due to the fact it can do so much more than play games. The reason its more expensive than a console is because not all computers are built for gaming. Most are build for general office tasks to 3d modeling. Each having its own set of price ranged parts. When you buy a computer your essentially buying a console that can play games and also write e-mails, make graphs, get on the internet, and abunch of other stuff.


And the add in argument that it costs more to go 'next gen' with pc is mute because of the same reasons.


And if you build a PC right in the beginning it will last about 2x longer than any console as far as graphical performance.