XBOX 360 Graphics Performance vs PC (asking advice)

[kingice10]

Hi Guys,

I have been a life-time gamer, since my earlier childhood I already had used a lot of gaming platforms, from Nintendo FamCom, Sega, SNES, PS1, PS2, PS3, PSP, N64, Gameboy Advance, Nintendo DS, Nintendo Wii, Arcade, XBOX 360 and PC...since the time where PCs where booming, I had a dream to setup my own gaming PC no barred for money with the latest graphics, processor, RAM, HD, cooler, and casing...Then on 2008, in which I got promoted, I setup a super-gaming PC. My PC setup was an Intel Q6600(3.0Ghz each core) with liquid cooling, Nvidia GTX9800 in SLI, 500HD SATA 7200RPM, 4GB RAM DDR3, Samsung 23inches flat-LCD TV, a big liquid cooling casing and an Altec Lansing speaker with Creative Blaster soundcard. The Graphics performance was unbelievable, so godly compared to all my previous consoles which is that time my PSP, SNES, PS1, PS2 and N64! That was a dream-come-true! Then on, I purchased a lot of games, high-end games on top of the list and enhanced my MMORPG games.

Then I was relocated last Jan 2010, where I cannot bring my Desktop. I missed gaming a lot for 3 months. And when I had a big break, I rushed and bought a XBOX 360. For awhile, I was very disapointed with them as I setup it with a AV cable and an Old TV...It was like going back to basic graphics with low resolution and garbage graphic performance for FPS games. Then I bought a LCD TV (LG LD460) with an HDMI Cable, my graphics improved a bit and for awhile I really enjoyed them with the online subscription of XBOX 360 playing COD:MW2 and downloading videos or preview games. As time went by, I then had time for vacation on December and went to my homeland where my PC is located (used by my sisters while I was away). My PC now is a bit old, very dusty and the Cooler LED lights already dimmed....I then used it with my previous games (Mass Effect, Crysis, Crysis Warhead, Fallout 3. Again, I was amazed! The level-of-detail, the smoothness of graphics, the unbelievable resolution! All was there again with so much imersive experience!

Now when I went back after my vacation to my remote location, I was thinking how is it that a lot of console gamers are comparing PC gamings graphics subpar to their XBOX or PS3? When I again used my XBOX, it's like I am gaming a subpar machine rather than what they say. I took the liberty to search for settings, but without luck, I cannot find any improved settings...How is it? Is it because of my LCD TV? Now I changed my LCD to Samsung series 5 40 inches LED TV with 100Hz and still it is still on subpar, I can't even know the difference with my LCD vs LED in terms of graphics performance level or smoothness. Now I know that it's because of the PC settings (VSync, AA) that it is better but a lot of gamers in alot of forums are discussing their comparison by graphic performance that PS3 or XBOX 360 is still the best. Huh? How do they compare them?

Comparing to resolution, XBOX is more pixelated and there are noticeable white pixels in between the lines. The graphics also does not run smoothly compared to PC, even in 100Hz LED TV. Or maybe I don't konw how to activate the 100Hz LED TV (because it's still new to me) ;P.

What is wrong with my XBOX 360? For some long-time gamers in here, how do you compare them? Or how do I set them where they will be on par with a godly PC?

 

[Trialsking]

There is nothing you can do. The XBOX is using old hardware from like 2005. I think its like an ATI 1950XT.

 

[kingice10]

How about the new Xbox 360 with Kinect? Isn't that having the new graphics processor?

 

[Trialsking]

As far as I know its the same as the original XBOX. I think its just smaller and more efficient, cheaper to make, but same in terms of GPU power. This is the problem with consoles. Their hardware stays the same. Its great for developer to makes games for them, but for us the graphics on them get worse over time without the ability to upgrade. Your PC is much more power than your XBOX.

 

[peterson99]

Unless you stress over small details, pc graphics are only a bit better than consoles. Yes the hardware is way better, but your hardware is only as good as the games themselves and unfortunately most games are being designed with console in mind then being ported over to pc (with the exception of a few games).

On the bright side we have battlefield 3 to look forward Too
(designed for pc first)!

Verdict, you've just been spoiled by the finer details of a high end computer ( that most console gamers cant afford)

 

[kitkat12012]

Logically, I can't imagine how a console could beat a high-end pc

Part upgrades, for example, comes out more often on pc than on consoles. PCs have upgrades every year while consoles usually only upgrade like very 3 or 4 yeras

Cost wise, high-end pc have more expensive parts which would usually mean better performance

Pixel density, consoles today only go up to 1080p and the majority of games probably only go up to 720p. Plus you have to stretch these pixels on a large 40+ inch screen. PCs can have higher resolutions that you squeeze on a 23 inch screen.


No matter how you look at it, computers always seems to have the upper hand.

 

[peterson99]

pc has the upper hand, and much better parts than a console.

Unfortunately pc are being held back by consoles, like I said before games are designed for consoles in mind (not pc )

You can have the best computer rig in the world, but at the end of the day that hardware is only as good as the software being run on it ( same goes for games)

 

[knk2009]

Glad the OP posted this... was thinking about getting a console of some kind but after reading this I think I will stick with PC.

Hopefully they will keep making good shooter action games for pc long into the future... these by far are my fave !!!

 

[guitarjanitor]

Basically, it comes down to cash. In its lifetime, a PC can cost thousands of dollars. If you upgrade with every new part, the price is through the roof. Of course, your games will look great, but it'll cost a pretty penny.

However, a console will only ever cost you what you paid for the console. For its whole life. You spent $300 on a console? Well, (barring some need for repair) that's the last amount of money you'll ever need to sink into that machine.

If you've got the cash, be a PC gamer. PC games will always look/sound the best. If you don't have the cash, just pay $200 - $400 on a console and enjoy having a gaming machine for the next five years.

I personally would be a PC gamer if my wallet was a little fatter, but it's not. So I enjoy the PS3 & the Xbox 360.

 

[jaguarskx]

Consoles are locked systems. You cannot upgrade the processing power or the graphics power.

 

[knk2009]

Two advantages of console gaming are:

1 can play games that are not available to PC.

2 can keep your console and games forever and play them long after you have upgraded your PC

Personally I prefer PC gaming but might also invest in an xbox360 and kinect for above 2 reasons.

 

[peterson99]

Actually all xbox exclusives are also available for pc (since its microsoft)

and also you can also play all your old games on pc ( despite any hardware updates)

Not to discourage you from getting a console though ( I own a 360 aswell as a pc)


You should consider a ps3, ( Only because their exclusives are not available for Pc)

 

[kitkat12012]

Actually all xbox exclusives are also available for pc (since its microsoft)

I would think that xbox 360 exclusive games ARE NOT always available on the pc, although I may be wrong


Microsoft only provided the hardware, I don't they they'd have a say in what game developers would do


I can't check for games right now because I'm at work, but I'll look at them when I get home to ease my curiosity

 

[peterson99]

True, but Microsoft has games for windows live ( which is the pc version of xbox live). Therefore they put their exclusives on the pc aswell. And they do have a pretty big say in the xbox exclusives as they are paying the game developers to release the game on their platforms.

Microsoft is also currently putting money into their games for windows live to try and compete with steam. So it only makes sense for them to release on pc aswell.

 

[kingice10]

Thanks for your insight guys. It helped a lot of inquiries here in tom's hardware. Well it's a matter of time that I will create a new Desktop PC again. I think for me it's better if I have both since I also like to share my games to my friends, also with Kinect. Then if I like an extreme solitary gaming, like FPS Solo or multiplayer online, I'll go to my PC Desktop Rig.

I am constantly playing Crysis 2 in my XBOX 360 and for the first hour, I was very disappointed with its graphics...but then on, I kept on playing, the graphics became smoother. Now I am in the Chapter "Deam Man Walking" and the graphics are way unbelievable, with those crisp lightings. But there a lot of bugs and glitches coming out, AI program is very poorly written compared to Crysis 1....hahaha! Wonder how it is compared to my old desktop pc.

I thought I saw an article regarding XBOX 720? here in Tom's Hardware...Hopefully they have upgraded their processing power and graphics. But I really wonder what they had in mind why the processing power of consoles right now is slowly upgrading in processing power (GPU)...unlike the smartphones, you can see a lot of improvements on them from, lets say, the beggining of the smartphones.Right now, smartforms' graphics are way more better than the PS1 or some PS2 games.

 

[jaguarskx]

I thought I saw an article regarding XBOX 720?

That's only pure speculation.

Is Microsoft Building an Xbox 360 Successor?
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2381703,00.asp

...Xbox product manager David Hufford said at CES that Microsoft wasn't rushing to launch another generation of consoles anytime soon. "I think it's important to say that the Xbox 360 is the console of the long future for us," he reportedly said.

I'm sure many people are itching for an updated version since it has been almost 6 years in the Xbox 360 debuted.

 

[bland_cakez]

Much like the gaming enthusiest which lives in the world of PC gaming, the hardcore console gamer enjoys his or her video games for the same reason: they are fun and are proven to very addictive.

Sure, it all comes down to being able to supply the cash for the hardware to get various levels of experience from your games, but we must not jump to the conclusion that console gamers cant afford to be PC gamers or that console games are inferior and their PC counterparts tear them up.

Consider this:

Of course PC gaming is wayyy better, but it is much more expensive, but at the same time, like some people are saying on here, game consoles deliver a stable gaming platform for many users to enjoy for quite some time.

I myself can afford PC gaming but I leave that as sort of a downtime activity (like starcraft 2) that i cant personally get from my Xbox 360. Its hard to keep a PC in college sometimes and gaming laptops are a pain in the ass to maintain and have a ticking timer in them just like a game console.


Another thing about PC vs Consoles is the actual input system; game consoles have rather primitive input systems albeit motion technology is not that primitive, and it allows many users with various skill levels to jump into the experience without much struggle.

I remember the first PC game that I actually played seriously, Starcraft.
When i first started, it was such an awkward and complex system but it allowed for intense multitasking and management that I was not used to coming from a playstation.

Its not necessarily about superiority, its more so about accessibility...but then again this discussion is based on graphics performance...just thought id share my stance

 

[kingice10]

True @bland_cakez. Well a standard gaming experience, they PCs and Consoles have there pros and cons...right now, I have tamed my eyes to accept the graphics performance of my XBOX then I guess all goes well.

 

[Mousemonkey]

Actually all xbox exclusives are also available for pc (since its microsoft)

All of the Halo titles are available on the PC? I think not.

 

[dominnater]

I own a ps3 and a asus gaming laptop. (First, and last time I ever buy a laptop for gaming) Not that I don't like it, I just wish I could upgrade it. Consoles are the same, There amazing hardware wise for the first few months, then as time goes by they are beaten by the pc, which is what I like to call "Hardware Selection" lol.

 

[Guest]

dont be dumb a xbox can own a little crappy pc think of it a xbox is much cheaper funner whith the remotes and simply just cooler and more people play on it so dont listen to trialsking

 

[peterson99]

dont be dumb a xbox can own a little crappy pc think of it a xbox is much cheaper funner whith the remotes and simply just cooler and more people play on it so dont listen to trialsking

lol clearly never owned a gaining pc

and yes some exclusives are not released to pc .... but most are

 

[Dark Comet]

dont be dumb a xbox can own a little crappy pc think of it a xbox is much cheaper funner whith the remotes and simply just cooler and more people play on it so dont listen to trialsking

He didn't mean the original Xbox, he meant the original Xbox 360. Also it depends what you mean, if you mean a PC with intergrated graphics then yes a console would own a PC for gaming, but if the PC has any gaming card from the last 2 - 3 years or any high end card from the last 4 - 5 years then no the PC would be much better.

 

[Alex The PC Gamer]

dont be dumb a xbox can own a little crappy pc think of it a xbox is much cheaper funner whith the remotes and simply just cooler and more people play on it so dont listen to trialsking

My Xbox controller (which I got way before I got my XBOX 360) could be used as a controller for my PC.

Guys, I own both an XBOX 360 (So I could play exclusive titles such as Alan Wake and Red Dead Redemption). If you've seen Alan Wake, the graphics are suprisingly nice on a big screen TV. I'd say the same for Red Dead Redemption...and I'm sure I'm missing some titles here but the point is, XBOX 360/PS3 can pull some pretty nice graphics still...

That said, PC is obviously MUCH better in the graphics category. We PC Gamers also have access to a lot better configurations (I play all my games above 1080p, most games at 1920x1200) and has extensive Anti-Aliasing and Anistropic capabilities that today's console simply can't match. In fact, I don't think XBOX games have AA in any of their games. The reason is that the biggest bottleneck for consoles is the video memory, and not the processing power.

PC Gamers also have access to more options in certain cases (i.e. Mods, personal configurations, etc.). nVidia's 3d vision is much better than 3D television simply because the image/color is far better on a PC monitor).

Graphically, PC gaming can go the extra mile as they are not restricted by low video memory, rather restricted by one's budget.

The following video incorporate:
1 - A studio that created a game specifically for PC
2 - A great Modding community that took it even further

Today's console simply can't match real time graphics like in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shZzYkpl5Nk

I'm not arguing anything, rather showing you facts.

 

[Mousemonkey]

lol clearly never owned a gaining pc

and yes some exclusives are not released to pc .... but most are

'Some' or 'most' is not quite the same as 'all' is it?