Console Vs. PC upgrade on a budget

slipperyslopez

slipperyslopez

slipperyslopez

Associate
Joined
12 Nov 2014
Posts
16
Location
London
So I built a gaming PC years ago which is now not able to play the latest games for various reasons, still running Vista, no DX11 etc. This hasn't really bothered me too much as I've been busy at university and working for the last 4 years, however I'm really keen to play the new assassins creed that's due out soon and it'd be nice to play FIFA again. However, equally I cannot justify spending hundreds of £s just to play a few games that I won't get that much time to play anyway.

So basically, if my PCs specs are as below, can I upgrade sufficiently for cheaper than the cost of a current generation console?

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-P35C-DS3R (DDR2 and DDR3 RAM slots)
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 (running at stock, not interested in overclocking it, been there done that...)
CPU Cooler: Tuniq Tower
GPU: Nvidia GTX 260
RAM: 2x4GB Corsair DDR3 (can't remember exact model/speed)
PSU: Corsair HX 650
Sound Card: some Creative X-Fi Music or something
Case: Akasa Zen
OS: Vista 64-bit

Obviously, the motherboard I'm assuming would need replacing to accommodate the latest CPUs, and therefore probably the case if form factors have changed?!

Thanks for any help :)
 
New graphics card would do you to be honest.

If you shop around and go second hand you could probably get a decent full system upgrade for around the price of a new console, but buying new would be a bit of a struggle.

Graphics card, SSD and an overclock on the processor would be my choice.
 
Second hand indeed as Kaku says!

I replaced my old Q8300 system with second hand bits, spent ~ £100 on my i7, board and RAM, added a second GTX580 in SLI when I later got an 850W pus from the members market.

The end result blows my old system away performance wise whilst being relatively ancient itself!

Runs my current favourites - GTA V and Project Cars - beautifully, tried the FIFA demo and that runs great too.

I think you'd be very surprised by a used i7 and suitable motherboard and something better graphics card wise - compared to what you have now- , shop wisely and you'll get it for less than a used current console never mind a new one,this was my thinking and I'm delighted with the result.
 
You're really not going to get comparable performance and graphics by just upgrading your graphics card.

People around here absolutely love to understate the power of the latest consoles. You simply can't get a PC that competes with a console in terms of graphics and power without spending more than the cost of a console on the PC.
 
spoffle said:
You're really not going to get comparable performance and graphics by just upgrading your graphics card.

People around here absolutely love to understate the power of the latest consoles. You simply can't get a PC that competes with a console in terms of graphics and power without spending more than the cost of a console on the PC.
Click to expand...

Xbox One is effectively a pair of Athlon 5150's and a HD7790. Hardly earth shattering performance. It's more down to the games being extremely well optimised to get every drop of power out of the hardware as it's all standardised with no having to worry about different users have different hardware capabilities and driver versions.
 
And don't forget that on a console there are fewer layers between the game and the hardware.

The Athlon 5150 scores 2047 on CPUBenchmark.net; the Q6600 2,989.

An upgrade to the GTX 970 or the expected 960 Ti should sort you, but you'd be wise to wait until the game is actually out. If your RAM will support the faster 1333 FSB, you might look into getting a faster Core 2 Quad second hand - the Q9650 scores 4,270.

You should be eligible for a free upgrade to Windows 10 which should also help.
 
Cyanide said:
Xbox One is effectively a pair of Athlon 5150's and a HD7790. Hardly earth shattering performance. It's more down to the games being extremely well optimised to get every drop of power out of the hardware as it's all standardised with no having to worry about different users have different hardware capabilities and driver versions.
Click to expand...

I know what's in it, but it isn't all down to the hardware. Essentially if you match the specs, you aren't going to be playing games that look as good visually.
 
Depends what you want, I got a new mid gaming computer that's nearly month old and I had an Xbox one for a week(last week) and while I liked forza 5 and the improved gta 5, my missus likes her halo edition 360 and I like my PC, so sold the 'one'...

but in my case it was a trial with the Xbox one as I had the money, but got ahead of myself, not to say I won't own another..

You will get more bang for buck and enjoyment upgrading your computer ;)
 
Why? PC games in most cases always been better than console that's why specs are so high and unless he hates building then should be some enjoyment from achieving the upgrade yourself
 
yeah i understand that, but thing is though pc versions tends to be better, not because of graphics, but from what ive seen/heard of new/extra stuff than whats available on console, call of duty a prime example..

so to me sticking to pc would be a better idea, but thats my preference from my own experience..



i sort of dislike this 'year or 2 from now might/will have to upgrade' comment i see it everywhere, nobody can predict whats going to happen..
 
MSTRBKR said:
£300 buys a PS4 bundle that includes a game, and it won't need upgrading.
Click to expand...

Its swings and roundabouts. PS4 games cost more than PC games.
Mad Max PC you can get for £10. How much is it for PS4 ? £33 on rainforest ?
By the time you have bought 10 games for PS4 say £30 each £300 (not sure whether they are cheaper dont have a bogsole)
£300 on Steam can get you a heck of a lot.
So look at it another way a complete gaming PC for say £450 + £300 games against a PS4 plus 10 games £600
when you look at it that way the PC starts to look better value when you think its not just a games machine.
I`m biased anyway I cant stand consoles I've owned a few and I get bored just playing games plus I hate console controllers.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom