Next Gen Console or New Gaming PC

Page 2 - Seeking answers? Join the Tom's Hardware community: where nearly two million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.

Derick135

Honorable
Feb 21, 2013
16
0
10,510
I saved enough money to buy a next gen console or build a new PC. The reason why I want to get a new PC is that its much more powerful and faster than the next gen consoles but I don't know much about the PC like how to change the graphics card, how to add RAM, etc. But if I buy a console I don't have to worry about the system requirements, changing my gpu every few years, etc. So what would you recommend me to do? I want high performance gaming with simplicity

Here are the specs for the PC that I might buy

Intel Core i7-3770K
16 GB Corsair Vengeance DDR3-2133
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670 2GB
1 TB HARD DRIVE w/ 180 GB Intel 330 SSD
 
Solution
I have mentioned it before, but I'll mention it again. I do see the console as the best game to have with company/friends over, and they may be great for a low budget gamer, but mid-ranged gamers and up would have a better experience on a PC (not a laptop) when alone or online, though the online part may change soon.
It seems everyday is a good day to learn something new, although I can assure I could make my mom and especially my sister vomit if I force them to watch 30 mins of gameplay on my piece of *** PC. Your problem seems to be something special and far more delicate as I am perfectly comfortable when gaming on my 1080p 60Hz TV @30+ FPS most PS3 games deliver. Looks like you have a good point to go away from consoles.

I totally agree with you, when you don't have the money or the will to build an ACTUAL gaming PC, better stay away and keep things simple. If you want to take your visual experience to another level, then invest cash into building a PC. Although for many people like me, visuals just don't make the experience of gaming. It's the combination of many other things, directly or not related to the actual moment you play
 
What are your friends getting? If all your friends are on PC then stay on PC. If your friends are all getting one console over the over, get what they decide on. Gaming with friends is more important than the platform.
 


Actually you can. High end modern graphics cards are designed for nothing else than gaming as well. Next gen consoles will be built around PC graphics cards (basically). As all the chips come from AMD and are the same cores as the Radeon cards.
Get the PC, you get sooooooo much more value for your money.
 


If you are going to get a PC dont get NVIDIAs GeForce series they are extremely overpriced, just get an AMD Radeon HD 7990. Its better than the GeForce and cheaper as well.
I have got both a gaming PC and a Gaming console. If you are going to be gaming and dont know much about PCs just get a PS4 or Xbox 720. You will also need to buy a cooler/fan, motherboard and power supply for your PC
 


Given the 7990 is a dual GPU card, you are going to suffer the problems of crossfire. Crossfire may give higher FPS, but most reviewers will tell you that SLI delivers smoother performance. Now that FCAT tool is being used, we now see why: http://www.pcper.com/reviews/Graphics-Cards/Frame-Rating-GeForce-GTX-Titan-GeForce-GTX-690-Radeon-HD-7990-HD-7970-Cross-6
I'd stay clear of crossfire until it is working better.
 


Anyone who thinks the next gens are coming out for $400 are crazy. Try closer to $600 like last time unless you like waiting longer for barebones consoles.

Next thing, that everyone does not seem to realize, is that the next gen consoles will be running x86 just like our PC's. Since this is the case, drivers and hardware will run on a more comparable level. So it is not unrealistic to think of comparing PC specs with next gen console specs. All of that 'optimizing' will transfer over to the PC titles, because they are running in the exact same manner. Now if your hardware is wildly different, then sure you could see some issues- but I expect them to be a lot less now that processing is done near the same.

On to PC prices- You don't need a fully custom built PC to play games on a decent level. Point in case- when Age of Conan was coming out I had a buddy who wanted to play, but didn't have a PC to run it. So, we bought a $299 Emachines desktop, a stick of RAM for $20, and tossed a GeForce card in it for $100. And this was in a time where hardware was a little more expensive. A big misconception is that your processor needs to be top of the line to run games- not at all. My Athlon II x4 hardly hit 30% in modern games. You need a good graphics card, and 4-8 gigs of ram (depending on the game). SSD's only help with loading times so they really aren't needed either. This is not hard to come by...

Really, the biggest decision in all of this- is what you want to play. It is NOT true that most games come out for PC that were on console. I'm a racing fan guy. I have a PC. I need a PS3 and 360 to play my two favorite racing games GT5 and Forza. It will be a long time before I can emulate them on the PC.

Social aspects- Xbox or PS don't really have much over the PC here. Especially as we move forward. There are less and less split screen games being made for consoles. They are making you each own a copy of the game, have online access, and each have your own console to link up. Consoles are roping people in with this stuff for sales.

Lastly- Next gen consoles running x86 for the first time are going to be rather clunky. Developers aren't used to it- no matter what people think. A lot of devs have separate teams for both console and PC, due to the code language they are written in. So now we have full teams of devs that specialize in ARM processing languages testing their hand in x86 stuff. I think it's going to be brutal for a bit- take it from the wise wait and see what happens!!!
 
The latest PC hardware will out perform consoles...The first few months it will be up to par then PC will get better again...I recomend getting a new PC if you prefer PC more then console gaming.
 
I'd recommend the PC since you can begin enjoying it immediately. The PS4 won't be out for 6-8 months and there's bound to be a very limited selection of games and of course bugs. Save up for the PS4 after you buy the PC. No reason you can't have both, I know I will.
 
its all about preference really i love consoles because i dont have to upgrade the components. then on the other hand im switching to pc because i can do alot more on my pc than a ps4 and xbox one. there alot more games for pc and free one as well
 
Also you can not play PC exclusives or strategy games on the consoles but you can play console exclusives on PC using emulators and you will get better quality and more performance.
 


Of course people aren't considering that a new console 500 a new PC 1500 and higher. Oh and the PC has alot of overhead on components because it isn't designed to just "game"

Anyone with a brain can realize that even without considering that consoles have a much wider variety of games (on pcs you basically have rts, fps, and mmo - that's pretty much it) they are much closer in speed and prowess than people want to admit.

To be clear. I have no console, and I just finished a haswell build. Still, I will buy the next gen consoles and do the majority of my gaming there.

I'm as disappointed as anyone else about the state of PC gaming, but I'm certainly not fanboying it out or in denial.

Heck, we used to Atleast have a larger resolution disparity, now TVs even have higher resolutions than monitors. Why are the monitors still costing more? A next gen console is around 500 bucks, a single new gpu is 700 and that won't even play many current games with eye candy all the way up at the resolutions we covet.

Consoles have more and more exclusives, and less and less devs are even porting our way.

New consoles are becoming more and more pc like with media interfaces, chat, and messaging.

It's a one sided arguement and there is only one way to fix it. Some big names need to have some faith and innovate.

Unfortunately it's all about the money, and it just aint there for them. Been cited many times.

Pcs aren't going anywhere just based on the Internet and corporate necessity alone, but if you think they're the superior gaming powerhouses of old, your just flaunting denial for all to see.

Signed a disappointed mmo addict.
 


You can't be serious about most your rant, can you?

You say the PC has more overhead, because it is not just for gaming? Doesn't that automatically mean the PC can do more as well. Most people will have a PC regardless if they game or not. That is a pro PC point, not against it.

PC's have most the types of games Consoles have, and more, though they are still not the favorite platform, so they do suffer a bit, but it is not a matter of not having as many genres.

And just because a $700 GPU exists, doesn't mean it takes a $700 GPU to beat out a console. You only need a $200 or less GPU for that.

Now consoles do have their advantages, but much of your rant does not pick at the right ones.
 
hello even though i've not been a pc gamer for long but next gen console are very outdated compared to PC because on console graphics are usually on ultra low and my pc would destroy ps4
specs
CASe: NZXT Phantom Full Tower Gaming Case High Performance Cooling with Integrated Fan Controller
CPU: AMD FX-9590 4.70 GHz Eight-Core AM3+ CPU 8MB L3 Cache & Turbo Core Technology

FAN: Asetek 570LX Liquid Cooling w/ 240MM Radiator (AMD) ***XXX Overclockable*** (Asetek CPU Water Cooling (AMD))

: 4TB (4TBx1) SATA-III 6.0Gb/s 64MB Cache 7200RPM HDD [+68] (Single Hard Drive)

MEMORY: 32GB (4x8GB) DDR3/1600mhz Dual Channel Memory [+216] (Kingston HyperX Blu w/Heat Spreader)
MONITOR: NONE

MOTHERBOARD: Asus Crosshair V Formula-Z AMD 990FX Chipset, CrossFire / SLI supported, ATX Mainboard w/ 4 RAM slots, 7.1 Audio, GbLAN, USB3.0, SATA-III /s, RAID, 4 PCIe x 16 & 2 PCIe x 1
OS: Microsoft® Windows 8.1 (64-bit Edition)

POWERSUPPLY: 850 Watts Power Supplies (Cyberpower 850watt High Performance Gaming Power Supply [-16])



VIDEO: AMD Radeon R9 290X 4GB 16X PCIe Video Card
VIDEO2: AMD Radeon R9 290X 4GB 16X PCIe Video Card
 



ughhhh.... I'm certainly not in denial. I do most of my gaming on PC, but have an xbox for multiplayer with my console friends. Game quality improvements on the PC are night and day.

Yes. High end, even mid range gaming systems are VISIBLY better.

I'd also like to point out the ignorance of console gaming in general... Most games don't run at 1080p on ps/xbox, but at 720p. My PC monitor is 1440p, a better resolution than the consoles are even aiming for in the future.
 


But to just assume that PC gamers play PC simply because of Graphics is bullshit. Yes some PC gamers buy high end rigs soley for graphics, and that is their choice. However, I have personally played all 3 CoD MW games both on Xbox 360 and my (as you would say Piece of *** laptop/pc) Laptop and being completely objective, the graphics were far worse on my laptop (1280x720 res, no AA or AF Mid level Texture settings on all 3) and fps was not as stable as the console version (rarely staying at 35 fps for long) and yet, there was something about the control system that (although took a bit to get used to) made me enjoy the game much more than the console counterpart. I only played the campaigns, so mouse speed etc didnt matter that much to me, but it was still a much more enjoyable experience.

Also, when I was a console gamer on the 360, I was a graphics snob. Yet due to my experience on PC I actually care less about the graphics of a game. I am more open to games that are not essentially about showing off (i.e some BF and CoD set pieces and graphics etc) and more about the core game play.

If I was you, I would do away with that assumption that all PC gamers use PC for graphic superiority, yes in a debate on Console v PC this can come up as a pro for PC, but that dosen't suggest that it is the core issue for PC gamers, in fact you will find that PC gamers tend to use the points of better controls (mouse + keyboard), the ability to implement mods (which many developers support) and the ability to customise their gaming experience to suit their needs and the fact that a PC's lifespan is much longer than that of a console and also that you can upgrade a PC without having to pay for more expensive games and subscriptions, to mention a few points. Yes if you are a casual gamer who 1) wants a quicker, less fussy experience or 2) (not to sound rude) you don't have much in the way of computer knowledge then a console is a better option. Although a new console is cheaper upfront, you will have a far cheaper experience over time with a PC as you don't have expensive subscriptions and the games are cheaper (not to mention the infamous steam summer sale).

Just be sure with your level of computer literacy, what you want from your gaming experience and also the type of games you want to play (i.e. RTS games arguably play better on pc whereas some argue other games play better on console). Don't listen to people who give an ultimatum on PC vs Console, look at the points both sides make and decide for yourself which is more able to suit your gaming wants/needs. If you want any more advice, email me (any of you) at nubetubeking500@hotmail.com (cringe if you will, I made it when I was 12/13 in the heydays of Cod 4).
 


I totally agree with u. :)
 


😀 yayyyy
 
Comparing a pc to a console seems like comparing an oven to a microwave.
Ok the microwave is smaller, cheaper and will cook food much easier and faster.
But with a little more $ up front, a little more patience and a little more brainpower the oven will make the microwave look silly.
 
I am sorry, but comparing a PC to PS4 and Xbox One in terms of performance is not fare. First, I agree that consoles are made to game. But guess what, PCs are made to CREATE games; you have no idea how much GPU and Processing power is required to render graphics for games. A GTX 780 is 2.5 times more powerful than the PS4's GPU. This, however, does not mean that PCs can outperform consoles in gaming, and the reason is not that consoles are superior, but because developers optimize games to use as much console power as possible.. it does not make sense for them to tailor a game to a $5000 PC, the consoles will not take it and they will be out of jobs.
So when you choose a platform, choose the setting that will make you comfortable gaming because in reality you will have very similar performance on PC, PS4, and XBOX ONE.
If you want to know which is more powerful, GPU and Proccessing wise, then my answer is that a PS4 is a slightly bellow Mid range PC.
 


That's the best metaphor I've ever heard! 😀
 


I`am PC player for around 13 years. And points to take notice of over a console time slot.

PC hardware will always be more powerful but more expensive.
Do Devs utilize our PC hardware properly .

Xbox 360 and PS3 year 1-2 , PC Ports were on par or better ,year 3-5 Hit an miss with poor ports from devs for PC and hardware needed was overkill to run a lot of games at 60fps .( Not good value )
year 5-6 i think the last big guns such as COD Ghost, BF4 To name 2 of the mega money games that should with all the money they make launch a game that's optimized correctly!! shows the lack of respect for PC users that spend big on there hardware.

So what to do ? If your happy with hit and miss, bit of a gamble on buying AAA PC games get a new PC build, If all goes well it a be a better experience.
Safe and steady PS4 play for 3 years and save at the same time see what the PC gaming's like a few years down the line ? then do a build as there's not going to be a lot of difference in the all platforms AAA games for a least 3 years.
That`s my view anyway.
 
I was just searching the answers for similar question. I do editing of photos and videos as hobby and bit pro level as i do sell them. I also do gaming. i had a mediocre laptop for all my work/gaming but recently it died because of damage of motherboard due to overheating because of stretching it more for gaming. . so now I was planning to get a new pc for multimedia and gaming. I am from a small town in India and there is no facility for get a custom pc, just few readymade options to buy a new pc. I called HP services to provide me a gaming/multimedia custom pc but none could help me yet.
So i was planning to get a average laptop/desktop (preferably desktop) for multimedia work and a separate console for just games only. I was almost certain for this but now came to know that latest consoles (ps4/xb1) don't support games made for their previous generation ????
Now it seems to be deal breaker for me for buying a console.. what stupidity is it. That means i buy a ps4/xb1 today, collect (actually buy no? ) new games for 2-3 years and when ps5/xb1 part2 or something comes, that will not support my ps4/xb1 games... now see are there enough games for ps4? i really did not like this new change that ps4 owners (and also xb1 owners) cant play ps3 games...
Any ps3/ps4 owner please tell me whether with the launch of new ps4, do the companies gradually stop making new games for old gen consoles like ps3,ps2 ?? And if i decide to go for console, is it right time to go for ps4/xb1 or should wait more.. ? I know i wont be able to play Gran Turismo like games sooner if i buy ps4 now and i am really hesitating to go backward to buy any old gen console and i believe sooner or later they will be left neglected !!! Please suggest soon, as my hands are itching 😉
 


You'd get much better response with a new thread. To even get to your question, which is vastly different than the original poster's, requires a bunch of reading.

Anyways, as to your last thoughts. Xbone and PS4 are on completely different hardware than in the past. Especially in the case of the PS4. There is no easy way to allow them to play older games written for a completely different hardware platform. The good news is they are no on similar hardware as PC's, which is more likely to be the case in future versions.

And just because PS4 and XBone are out now, does not mean dev's have stopped developing new games for their predecessors.
 

Latest posts