Are console really cheaper?

[ojax]

I don't care about this arguement.... All I know from reading this thread is that netrat33 sounds so cocky and arrogant and know-it-all that its making me sick.

Ummm what? Uhhhhh yah.

Consoles are cheaper, and therefore so is the experience.

 

[Atticus_gamer]

Ive been playing games on both platforms since I was like 6 or 7, starting on a swan IBM clone and a NES, I recently got really big into the console gaming, I bought a 360 and like 4 or games, and then I brought all my first gen xbox games from home and I play them all over again. But for the experience I believe the console is a way cheaper route to go. While to compare I built a high mid level computer for a buddy and he didn't have to pay for an XP license because of school, so that lowered his cost, and we've spent about the same on our gaming stuff, where as I bought my 360 and went in half with my girlfriend on a 65" wide screen HDTV and together it only cost us $600 together, and my buddy with the computer spent over $1000 for a computer without a monitor..
My setup---65" ws HDTV 1080i
Xbox 360 prem.
4 controllers (2 wired, 2 wireless)
4 games-Project gothem, Rainbow six-vegas, Gears of war, Call of duty 3
my buddies- computer and old crt he is borrowing

mine ended up being the cheapest....
thats just my 2 cents....

 

[Netrat33]

I've never played Warhawk, but from all the vids I've seen I wouldn't call it to strong of a comparison.

I mean, sure the graphics are ok and lots of texture maps and characters(the most I've seen in one screen is 15 at a time) but the physics seriously look like something Nintendo 64 could've accomplished.

Wow, plane go farward, plane go backward, plane go up and down....

Have you ever tried flying a helo in Armed assualt? Man, it's a helluva ride.

The game supports 32 players (Warhawk). And the "N64 physics" is ridiculous. You just stated how a console can't do what Armed assualt can't do. Sorry, they can. The Cell processor I believe is good enough from what I read that Aegia can port over it's tools to it. You have to once again buy a physics card for a pc to get ALL the phsycis. Not saying Armed assault using a physics card or that games can simply use havoc just stating once again a console is fully capable currently running the same type of games.

I don't care about this arguement.... All I know from reading this thread is that netrat33 sounds so cocky and arrogant and know-it-all that its making me sick.

Ummm what? Uhhhhh yah.

Consoles are cheaper, and therefore so is the experience.

ojax: Hey look at me! I add nothing to the converstation. I make statements about thread posters and then try to take jab at consoles when the thread is amazing unf anboy based.

 

[Frosteh]

Well first of all the idea of saving money per game because PC games are cheaper is one that entirely rests on how many games you play a year (or over any given period of time)

There are some people who will buy only 3-4 games in a year and remain content, and there are others who will buy a new game every week, so I guess that really all depends.

it also seems that the americans claim only $10 difference between brand new console and PC games and the difference in the UK seems to be about £20 tops, which is about $40, so again i suppose it depends on what country you're in.

I'd also like to address the whole idea of holding PC's to a higher standard that consoles. if you build a PC when a console is released, such as a decent rig now to compete with the PS3 level of detail, then why is it people are expected to upgrade their PC but the console doesn't need it? Only after a good 3-4 years do you HAVE to upgrade your PC due to not meeting min spec, but this probably about the average life span of a console anyhow (before the next one is released)

Why is it people say "well crysis is coming out so you will have to upgrade"? The devs behind it have already claimed it will work on hardware 3 years old, it might not look great but then neither do games which are 3 years old, you never see any significant improvement in the visuals behind console games so as the console ages.

Another big thing here is that you need a TV to play a console, many people do have TV's, I don't happen to own one so in my particular case I'd be down a few grand.

Again you don't have to spend £2000 on a top end HDTV but games are going to look a whole lot worse if you do, if you're running on an older TV you're probably in a resolution closer to 800x600 or even 640x480, the PC you need in order to play games at these resolutions is somewhat cheaper than if you bought a PC that needed to run games in HD resolutions in order to keep a fair comparison.

Most people already have TV's but I'd also argue that most people also have PC's, and upgrading a home PC to a gaming machine often requires nothing more than a video card and a little extra RAM.

All in all there's a lot of factors here and it seems for some people console gaming maybe cheaper, for me PC gaming is by far cheaper and I have the option to keep my PC ahead of the curve, not only that but the many other functions a PC provides are all there as well.

 

[sculelos]

Well first of all the idea of saving money per game because PC games are cheaper is one that entirely rests on how many games you play a year (or over any given period of time)

There are some people who will buy only 3-4 games in a year and remain content, and there are others who will buy a new game every week, so I guess that really all depends.

it also seems that the americans claim only $10 difference between brand new console and PC games and the difference in the UK seems to be about £20 tops, which is about $40, so again i suppose it depends on what country you're in.

I'd also like to address the whole idea of holding PC's to a higher standard that consoles. if you build a PC when a console is released, such as a decent rig now to compete with the PS3 level of detail, then why is it people are expected to upgrade their PC but the console doesn't need it? Only after a good 3-4 years do you HAVE to upgrade your PC due to not meeting min spec, but this probably about the average life span of a console anyhow (before the next one is released)

Why is it people say "well crysis is coming out so you will have to upgrade"? The devs behind it have already claimed it will work on hardware 3 years old, it might not look great but then neither do games which are 3 years old, you never see any significant improvement in the visuals behind console games so as the console ages.

Another big thing here is that you need a TV to play a console, many people do have TV's, I don't happen to own one so in my particular case I'd be down a few grand.

Again you don't have to spend £2000 on a top end HDTV but games are going to look a whole lot worse if you do, if you're running on an older TV you're probably in a resolution closer to 800x600 or even 640x480, the PC you need in order to play games at these resolutions is somewhat cheaper than if you bought a PC that needed to run games in HD resolutions in order to keep a fair comparison.

Most people already have TV's but I'd also argue that most people also have PC's, and upgrading a home PC to a gaming machine often requires nothing more than a video card and a little extra RAM.

All in all there's a lot of factors here and it seems for some people console gaming maybe cheaper, for me PC gaming is by far cheaper and I have the option to keep my PC ahead of the curve, not only that but the many other functions a PC provides are all there as well.

QFT, weigh the factors and then decide which one is cheaper.

 

[speculative]

To me, PC gaming is cheaper because the games are so much cheaper by comparison. However, you have to factor in exclusives. You won't see many Wii titles hitting the PC such as Zelda, Mario, Metroid... This is why I have a PS2, GC, Dreamcast, and Wii, but I have not purchased nor will I probably ever purchase an Xbox 360 or PS3.

Oblivion is on PC, PS3, and Xbox 360, but as mentioned it is dirt cheap for PC. If you already own a computer to use for things besides gaming, putting that $400-$600 you would have paid for a console toward your PC instead to beef it up would go quite a way. That would pay for an 8800 of some sort, extra ram, and a faster processor for sure. Then, all things being equal, you would pay 1/2 price to 1/4 price for PC versions of games vs. console versions. No question it's cheaper if gaming is a hobby for you. If only only play games now & then get a DS and Tetris instead and save mega $$...

 

[Secular]

I think it just depends on the person.

This PC I am on I: got maybe 600 bucks in.

Less than 300 if you count what I made off my old parts on ebay.


My Wii - I got

250 for the system
40+20 for extra controller and nunchuk
and I got like 4 games or so, so thats another 200 bucks.

Currently there are no bargain titles for it, so picking up something for 10 bucks isn't really an option. So I got just ab out as much in that Wii as I do this PC.

Now if I bought a PS3, you would be adding almost 400 dollars to that, putting it way above the cost of this PC.

If I was to buy an old system, like a PS2, it would be far cheaper.

The point I am trying to make is, you can spend as much or as little as you want going either way.

 

[sculelos]

Yep easily depends on the person, doesn't really matter which to me is cheaper, just what provides the enjoyment I want... I am currently satisfied with the PC+Wii combo.

 

[Marvelous]

Console is cheaper.

Say you buy 10 games for pc and console.

A PC would cost you $1200-$2000 for a decent gaming rig. $40 ~ $50 a game = $450

A console would cost you $400-$500. $50 ~ $60 a game = $550
But you probably want to add in HDTV if you don't have one. 27"~32" $400 - $600

Even if you buy a HDTV console would be cheaper than a nice gaming rig.

 

[Baker]

I reallllly hate when people start trying to show figures for console vs PC by throwing around display costs.

The display you use for PC or console is the SAME....


If you are fine with a 17-23'' Moniter.... you can use it for PC OR CONSOLE...

If you are fine with gaming on a 40+ HDTV... you can use it for PC OR CONSOLE...




As for the cost of games.... Console games retain more value the PC games. I can still sell my copy of FF7 for $60+ ..... Yet I can get a copy of Doom 3... FarCry... STALKER... for 5-20 used... (My point? I pay 40-60 for a new game... I'll still get more than 50% back if I sell it used.... to buy more games)

Consoles are cheaper no matter what. How many of you that just dished out 700 bucks to 1.3 grand on a PC are going to be able to play games the way you are playing them now.... 2-3 years from now???? Now what about those consoles.... games coming out for them in 2-3 years... I'm gonna still be playing them w/o slow downs or having to feel like I have to build a new PC to get playable framerates.

I guess I'm one of those "true" gamers... I'll play games on any platform... no matter the cost PC? Bring it on! Console? Bring it on! I'll own you at anything

 

[Gorankar]

Console is cheaper.

Say you buy 10 games for pc and console.

A PC would cost you $1200-$2000 for a decent gaming rig. $40 ~ $50 a game = $450

A console would cost you $400-$500. $50 ~ $60 a game = $550
But you probably want to add in HDTV if you don't have one. 27"~32" $400 - $600

Even if you buy a HDTV console would be cheaper than a nice gaming rig.

You don't need a $1200 - $2000 pc to compete with a Xbox360 performance nor graphics wise.. You CAN spend that and more to obtain performance and graphics superior to the current consoles if you so choose.. But it is not required to reach a similar performance/graphics level..
Pc gaming can be either less or more expensive than console gaming depending on your region, number of games/peripherals you buy, and your personal preferences regarding performance/graphics ..

 

[BladeVenom]

Last week Spider-man 3 was only $9.99 for the PC version at CC. Lets look at prices this week.
Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End.
PC $29.99
360 $59.99
PS3 $59.99

If you love MS or Sony enough to pay them an extra $30 per game, fine, but lets stop this nonsense about consoles being cheaper in the long run.

 

[Netrat33]

Last week Spider-man 3 was only $9.99 for the PC version at CC. Lets look at prices this week.
Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End.
PC $29.99
360 $59.99
PS3 $59.99

If you love MS or Sony enough to pay them an extra $30 per game, fine, but lets stop this nonsense about consoles being cheaper in the long run.

You keep pointing out odd games that no one are really excited for. Neither Spiderman nor Pirates are really big movers. In fact movie to game games suck most of the time.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...p=&qp=&list=n&iht=y&usc=All+Categories&ks=960

You don't need a $1200 - $2000 pc to compete with a Xbox360 performance nor graphics wise.. You CAN spend that and more to obtain performance and graphics superior to the current consoles if you so choose.. But it is not required to reach a similar performance/graphics level..
Pc gaming can be either less or more expensive than console gaming depending on your region, number of games/peripherals you buy, and your personal preferences regarding performance/graphics ..

No actually you pretty much do need too (well more like $900) 360 isn't a pushover machine.

 

[Fumarole]

Quoting $2,000 for a top of the line PC is a bit much. I built mine back in February for about $1,000 and it eats every game thrown at it. I could have saved more had I kept some old components such as the case, power supply, etc. Sure, not everyone can build their own PC, but those of us who can save immensely.

And I do play old games as well as new: Zero Hour, Raven Shield, TFC and more. Old PC games are easier to play on new systems than old console games, although this gap is closing more and more with each generation of consoles.

 

[Marvelous]

You don't need a $1200 - $2000 pc to compete with a Xbox360 performance nor graphics wise.. You CAN spend that and more to obtain performance and graphics superior to the current consoles if you so choose.. But it is not required to reach a similar performance/graphics level..
Pc gaming can be either less or more expensive than console gaming depending on your region, number of games/peripherals you buy, and your personal preferences regarding performance/graphics ..

You also have to take in considerations of longevity with a PC. If you want a gaming PC even trying to match the newer consoles in terms of graphics will cost you $1200 to 2000. A console will last 3-6 years and graphics actually getting better over time.

Even if you buy $500-600 special that comes with a monitor and stick a geforce 8800gts/gtx and maybe 1 gig of ram it still cost more than a console..

My computer is middle of the pack and it cost me $1200 with a 19" monitor and it probably matches xbox 360 terms of graphics. I also need a graphics upgrade probably in another year unless I play medium settings or lower resolutions.

Tell me what you can build for $300-$400 without a monitor that matches xbox 360 graphics and longetivity?

 

[The_Law]

I think being able to buy/sell used console games much easier than with the PC is a factor that many people are overlooking. If you don't have to have a game on day 1, you can buy good used console games for $30-$50 and turn around and sell them later often for ~80% of what you paid used (dependent on game of course). Another huge factor that people seem to be overlooking is that console graphics get BETTER with time. This is definitely the opposite on a computer unless you drop the cash to upgrade.

That being said, I think which one is more expensive is very much a subjective thing. It all depends on your spending habits.

 

[Gorankar]

Marvlous:


^^^Only if you want to play games at graphics and/or performance levels greater than the current consoles..

I build a new computer every 2 years give or take anyway.. I seldom upgrade after the purchase, and often re-use or sell parts... If I buy/build it regardless of gaming, the only difference would be that I would buy a low end gpu instead of mid to high end one.. The price difference in my case between gaming computer and not is a $350 - $400 card instead of a $150 - $200 card..

Like I said.. It depends on the persons buying habits and region, as to whether or not Pc gaming is either, more or less expensive..

 

[Marvelous]

Marvlous:


^^^Only if you want to play games at graphics and/or performance levels greater than the current consoles..

I build a new computer every 2 years give or take anyway.. I seldom upgrade after the purchase, and often re-use or sell parts... If I buy/build it regardless of gaming, the only difference would be that I would buy a low end gpu instead of mid to high end one.. The price difference in my case between gaming computer and not is a $350 - $400 card instead of a $150 - $200 card..

Like I said.. It depends on the persons buying habits and region, as to whether or not Pc gaming is either, more or less expensive..

Yeah but you would still need a BASE computer to start out. You can also do the same thing you mentioned to consoles. Sell the used console and games to buy a new one.

 

[Gorankar]

Yeah but you would still need a BASE computer to start out. You can also do the same thing you mentioned to consoles. Sell the used console and games to buy a new one.

You still need to buy a BASE tv to play a console, a hd one if you want it to look good.. But I don't factor that in to my equation because most people are prolly going to buy one or already have one anyway, regardless of the console..

It is the same as my case, I am going to buy the pc anyway.. Regardless of the gaming.. So you can't count the cost of the BASE pc any more than you can the BASE tv... That means the gaming portion of the expenditure is not that much in my specific case..

So the answer to the op's question is ??? "it depends"
Is that not what I have been saying??? Do I need to produce receipts??

 

[Marvelous]

You still need to buy a BASE tv to play a console, a hd one if you want it to look good.. But I don't factor that in to my equation because most people are prolly going to buy one or already have one anyway, regardless of the console..

It is the same as my case, I am going to buy the pc anyway.. Regardless of the gaming.. So you can't count the cost of the BASE pc any more than you can the BASE tv... That means the gaming portion of the expenditure is not that much in my specific case..

So the answer to the op's question is ??? "it depends"
Is that not what I have been saying??? Do I need to produce receipts??

I think everyone in America has a TV. A HDTV on the other hand... Probably not... But a HDTV of same 19-20" quality cost about same as a 19"-20" monitor.

Let's not factor in the monitor and tv but the PC box and xbox 360 itself. Show me a computer that can compete with xbox 360 graphics like GOW and longevity for $300-400...

You can get a basic computer that is not game oriented for $300 desktop or even those $400 laptop specials you see daily + a xbox 360 will still cost you less than a gaming computer with the same caliber. There is no point of upgrading computers when most people just browse the internet and maybe do some basic desktop publishing. You can probably ride it for 5 or more years with that computer. A gaming PC in the other hand you probably need to upgrade every 1-2 years.

Again you like PC gaming. I like it too better than xbox but no way does PC gaming cost cheaper if you don't pirate.

 

[Gorankar]

Yes you could.. AND in many peoples cases that would prolly be the wisest route... BUT...I use my pc mostly for encoding video.. As such one of those $300 computers would be far less than optimal.. SO, I built a high end machine.. MEANING "In my specific case it is not more expensive than going the console route"... Because my only addition was a vid card.. HENCE, "it depends" still stands..

Never mind, I give up..

 

[Marvelous]

Never mind, I give up..

LOL

 

[Marvelous]

Your right there are other variables.

But if we are just talking about playing games. Consoles are cheaper because they are dedicated and sold at a loss.

 

[Frosteh]

Your right there are other variables.

But if we are just talking about playing games. Consoles are cheaper because they are dedicated and sold at a loss.

That depends on how many games you play to be honest, there is a point where the difference in the cost of games covers the difference in price and the consoles become more expensive.

For the US that might be so many games that it's not realistic to say it would ever happen, but for the UK where the price difference is much bigger it's not that many game, probably only 30-40, thats not a huge amount when considered over the lifespan of a console.

 

[Baker]

I can't believe half of you can actually sit here and type out this junk and believe it.

Lets just say this...

If someone that knows nothing about electronics what so ever but somehow has tons of money. They hand you $2000 Cash. They say "OK, if you would, could you spend the time finding me either a really good console to play or build me a gaming PC so I can play all the games coming out this year. What ever money is left over you can keep."

I bet you anything... if you get this guy a console + 5 games ... you gonna walk away with more money in your pocket than you would if you were to build him a PC with 5 games.

I got my PS3 for $700. I will not have to upgrade anything on it for the next 3 years. I will be able to play any game coming out during that period without having to do anything to my PS3. Yes... games tend to cost more, but the retain value. I can easily (RENT A GAME FOR $5 BUCKS THAT JUST CAME OUT) Or buy the game at full retail (59.99) and then sell it for 35-45.... OR buy the game used for 35-45 and then sell it used 35-45.

Overall.... Consoles are cheaper. If PC's were cheaper to game... then we probably wouldn't have home consoles in the first place. Consoles allow a much broader audience to get down on some fun games w/o having to break the bank. You people defending PC gaming as cheaper are pulling for straws... There is nothign wrong with PC gaming.. its fun, its expensive, but still fun. If you can take advantage of other abilities the PC has to offer than you are getting your moneys worth, but doesnt mean that PC gaming is cheaper.

 

[BlueMak]

I can't believe half of you can actually sit here and type out this junk and believe it.

Lets just say this...

If someone that knows nothing about electronics what so ever but somehow has tons of money. They hand you $2000 Cash. They say "OK, if you would, could you spend the time finding me either a really good console to play or build me a gaming PC so I can play all the games coming out this year. What ever money is left over you can keep."

HEY! I can do this,
if someone that knows nothing about electronics what so ever but somehow has tons of money. They hand you $2000 cash. They say "ok, if you would, could you spend the time finding me either a really good console to play or build me a gaming PC so I can play all the games coming out this year. What ever it costs, I will give double that as a thank you."

See how lame it is?

 

[Baker]

OK... I just got paid... $800.00 Please take this money and build me a PC that will play all the games that are currently coming out or that will be out withen the next year. I already have a display but I don't have a tower, mobo, hard drive, cpu, gpu, power supply, ram, dvd rom, or sound card.... Please... put together a tower for me that will run games w/o a drop in framerate for $800...


Ok with that same $800... I changed my mind because you just can't do it... So instead I want you to buy me an X360/PS3/Wii, extra controller so I can play with a friend and a few games....

You people just try to justify your spending habbits.... There is nothing wrong with PC gaming, there is nothing wrong that its more expensive... but theres no need to lie about it.

 

[Marvelous]

That depends on how many games you play to be honest, there is a point where the difference in the cost of games covers the difference in price and the consoles become more expensive.

For the US that might be so many games that it's not realistic to say it would ever happen, but for the UK where the price difference is much bigger it's not that many game, probably only 30-40, thats not a huge amount when considered over the lifespan of a console.

Well I'm not in Europe. I'm in the land of the FREE.

 

[Frosteh]

OK... I just got paid... $800.00 Please take this money and build me a PC that will play all the games that are currently coming out or that will be out withen the next year. I already have a display but I don't have a tower, mobo, hard drive, cpu, gpu, power supply, ram, dvd rom, or sound card.... Please... put together a tower for me that will run games w/o a drop in framerate for $800...


Ok with that same $800... I changed my mind because you just can't do it... So instead I want you to buy me an X360/PS3/Wii, extra controller so I can play with a friend and a few games....

You people just try to justify your spending habbits.... There is nothing wrong with PC gaming, there is nothing wrong that its more expensive... but theres no need to lie about it.

Sorry but this is narrow minded, if you only have $800 and you will never ever buy a game again then fine, but most people buy a decent amount of games for their consoles/PC.

This is the most common argument for consoles being cheaper and it's just not a great argument, people tend to say ok a console + 1 game or I have $800 right now etc etc.

A PC and a console are both investments, a PC costs more initially but over time you save money on the games, how much you save is directly proportional to how many games you buy.

 

[WaterproofPaper]

We including windows into the price of the PC?.. if not then that jumps up the price of the PC right there.

 

[Baker]

Sorry but this is narrow minded, if you only have $800 and you will never ever buy a game again then fine, but most people buy a decent amount of games for their consoles/PC.

This is the most common argument for consoles being cheaper and it's just not a great argument, people tend to say ok a console + 1 game or I have $800 right now etc etc.

A PC and a console are both investments, a PC costs more initially but over time you save money on the games, how much you save is directly proportional to how many games you buy.

Save money over time with games?

Its also more proportional to how many games you "buy" through different channels.

I bought God of War 2 for $35 no tax pre-owned off craigslist. (no scratches/finger prints adult owned) If I played through it really fast I bet you anything... I could sell it for $35-$40 (maybe make a few extra bucks) which means I just got to play a game for free.

I can also rent games for my console. How many games can you rent for the PC? If there are a few games that you think are weekend blockbuster rentals and don't want to shell out $60.00 for it... consolers have that option.

The facts are consoles are cheaper. Stop kidding yourselves.