Dare I ask?

mark145 · 16 Nov 2015 at 16:13

Well guys,

I guess it's that time, for a n00b to come in and stir things up a little...

Do I PC or do I console?

I have fallen victim to the release of Fallout 4 and I want to make a decision, to build a PC or to purchase a Next-gen console, aiming to spend around £400-£500 if I were to build a system. Understanding that future costs would be inevitable in both scenarios, PCs being more costly?

I own a macbook (another controversial topic I suspect) which is more than ideal for my daily needs so the PC would be being used almost like a console.

I own things like sata HDDs, IDE DVD burners, keyboard and mouse combos. I also have several 'dead' laptops with Windows 7/8 licences so AFAIK I could use one of those licenses for a new build? Reducing costs?

I also own an Antec Air CPU cooler bought in 2012/2013, would this be suitable for current hardware?

I would hope to play on a Sony 42" full HD television, with an Xbox 360 controller.

I am not interested in huge frame-rates or high resolution gaming, although I am quite curious of the idea of better graphics. But simply put, a system that is capable of playing some of the current and future titles at 1080p, is this plausible?

Also would you suggest 2nd-hand items? I recently went past a local exchange store and noticed an XFX R9 290X 4GB for £180 and an Intel i7-4820K (3.70Ghz) for £135...

In all seriousness, with much apologies, I am asking the question. Relevant to current times, which would you advise? Putting aside alliances, ignoring the 'Master Race" which would you advise me to purchase?

I have also attempted searches but nothing came up with a more recent debate. I am also unsure if this is in the correct sub-forum, so double apologies to the Mods!

Thanks,

Mark

antijoke · 16 Nov 2015 at 16:15

For £400-£500 budget I would buy a PC, it will give you a better experience overall in this one game.

Funnily enough I own all three (PS4/XO and a 980Ti 4690K PC) and I am to debating which platform to buy FO4 on.

This might help you out Digital Foundry performance article

mark145 · 16 Nov 2015 at 16:21

Yeah from watching some Youtube videos I feel that Fallout 4 seems to be behaving much nicer on the PC platform, it's actually this reason that has drawn me towards the PC build for once.

Might I ask why you are debating which platform to buy for if you would suggest to me to build a system?

antijoke · 16 Nov 2015 at 16:24

For me it's all about sitting back on my giant bean bag in front of the TV, something not available to me as my PC is upstairs in the bedroom (lack of space downstairs for desk/chair) so this would make me lean towards the XO/PS4, but from what I've read of the performance reviews I'm not sure I want to play this with frame rate dips and it's the first time I've had a capable gaming PC since the early 2000's that makes me thing to hell with it and I'll buy it on PC and use my XO pad for it.

Hence my total indecision about what platform I buy it on.

mark145 · 16 Nov 2015 at 16:27

See that's another question, if I go down the PC route am I going to be inclined to purchase a desk to play using a keyboard and mouse down the line? Which would possibly mean a whole room renovation...

SlyReaper · 16 Nov 2015 at 16:28

I chose PC for two reasons - one, I already have a PC capable of running it maxed out, which sounds like it doesn't apply to you. Secondly, it's a Bethesda game. That means a healthy modding scene, which you can only take advantage of on PC.

Also, the PC version is about 10 quid cheaper.

antijoke · 16 Nov 2015 at 16:29

SlyReaper said:
I chose PC for two reasons - one, I already have a PC capable of running it maxed out, which sounds like it doesn't apply to you. Secondly, it's a Bethesda game. That means a healthy modding scene, which you can only take advantage of on PC.

Also, the PC version is about 10 quid cheaper.

There's that as well, there is no denying the PC modding scene will make this game 100 times better.

You can get the PC version from greenmangaming for £35.

GinG · 16 Nov 2015 at 16:30

Played Fallout 4 for 2 hours...what a waste of my time!

When you have fallen victim are you just following the hype or have you actually played the game?

mark145 · 16 Nov 2015 at 16:30

Thank you SlyReaper, certainly another thought to consider. Even more so when I remember the Half-life series.

GinG said:
Played Fallout 4 for 2 hours...what a waste of my time!

When you have fallen victim are you just following the hype or have you actually played the game?

That's a very fair point GinG, I have extensive experience playing Fallout 3 and thoroughly enjoyed it, I have perhaps 30mins gameplay time on Fallout 4 on an Xbox One and I do wish to go down one route to play the game, just perhaps not the console route. As mentioned I would also be interested in playing other titles?

I understand that you may be suggesting the game is a waste of time but was this due to your thoughts of the game itself or was it down to technical issues?

Also, anticonscience once again good point, am I correct in saying the majority of titles are cheaper like this? Especially further down the line from release?

MooMoo444 · 16 Nov 2015 at 16:36

You are asking this question on a PC forum I might point out. Going to be skewed a bit.

mark145 · 16 Nov 2015 at 16:38

Totally understand that MooMoo444, I must admit I was previously swaying towards the PC route hence why I asked here.

However I am more interested in hearing whether people would advise upon it and also whether it is even going to be plausible within my budget.

Muz333 · 16 Nov 2015 at 16:46

I think a PC is worth it in the long run. It's cheaper to upgrade a GPU compared to buy a whole new console every gen.

Additionally on PC the games tend to be cheaper which saves money (which can be put towards eventual upgrades).

Finally the modding scene is where the PC really shines.

antijoke · 16 Nov 2015 at 16:52

Muz333 said:
It's cheaper to upgrade a GPU compared to buy a whole new console every gen.
.

Well that depends entirely on what performance you are happy with.

980Ti - £530
PS4 - £400 (20th Anniversary edition so includes a camera and stand) so taking that into account you can get them for £250-£200 with a game (Fallout 4).
Xbox One - £430 (Day One edition)

Zogger · 16 Nov 2015 at 16:56

I personally would go with PC for the VR potential

. For £500 you should be able build something that meets the spec for the consumer versions coming next year... then of course you can sink even more money into it buying the actual equipment..
Of course there will be VR for the playstation, but I think pc will have better potential

Buffman · 16 Nov 2015 at 17:06

I would go with console. You already have a pc (mac). Put the disc in and chill out, knowing there won't be regular windows update requirements etc.

Xbox one is also a great media hub.

Thekwango · 16 Nov 2015 at 17:08

Muz333 said:
I think a PC is worth it in the long run. It's cheaper to upgrade a GPU compared to buy a whole new console every gen.

nope, you could be upgrading your gpu nearly every year, your cpu every couple. adding ram, fancy an new cooler? the whole own build pc scene can be an expensive hobby (but hell of a good fun)

console gen switches are every what, 5,6 maybe every 7 years?

no the cheaper route is going console - but it's also the sad loser route

gord · 16 Nov 2015 at 17:23

The Craig said:
Put the disc in and chill out. Xbox one is also a great media hub.

I see where this is going.. xbox and chill.. nice..

mark145 · 16 Nov 2015 at 17:40

Thekwango said:
nope, you could be upgrading your gpu nearly every year, your cpu every couple. adding ram, fancy an new cooler? the whole own build pc scene can be an expensive hobby (but hell of a good fun)

console gen switches are every what, 5,6 maybe every 7 years?

no the cheaper route is going console - but it's also the sad loser route

I understand that I could be upgrading but would it be necessary?

tres · 16 Nov 2015 at 17:47

Thekwango said:
nope, you could be upgrading your gpu nearly every year, your cpu every couple. adding ram, fancy an new cooler? the whole own build pc scene can be an expensive hobby (but hell of a good fun)

console gen switches are every what, 5,6 maybe every 7 years?

no the cheaper route is going console - but it's also the sad loser route

Load of rubbish. You don't have to be one of those people that strive for 800fps at ultra.

2nd hand i7 system I bought from the members market here for 400 quid in 2012
Still runs everything I chuck at it without issue. GTA5 looks great. Better than the latest gen consoles still!

Muz333 · 16 Nov 2015 at 17:52

anticonscience said:
Well that depends entirely on what performance you are happy with.

980Ti - £530
PS4 - £400 (20th Anniversary edition so includes a camera and stand) so taking that into account you can get them for £250-£200 with a game (Fallout 4).
Xbox One - £430 (Day One edition)

I knew as soon as I wrote that it would get picked on!

I still think a mid range GPU that doesn't break the bank would be comparable to a console. At the very least not being called a 'console peasant' has to be worth something, right?

Thekwango said:
nope, you could be upgrading your gpu nearly every year, your cpu every couple. adding ram, fancy an new cooler? the whole own build pc scene can be an expensive hobby (but hell of a good fun)

console gen switches are every what, 5,6 maybe every 7 years?

no the cheaper route is going console - but it's also the sad loser route

I think, other than the members of this forum, most people don't feel the need to upgrade their GPU every year.

CPUs now a days seem to last a lot longer as well as Intel trickle out small performance upgrades each generation.

Ultimately however this is the greatest benefit of pc gaming. You have the options of upgrading different components whenever you want to.

If you want to raise the graphics settings on that latest game you love then you can buy a new GPU. Or you can choose to limit different parts of the graphics and customise the experience to your liking/components.

mark145 said:
I understand that I could be upgrading but would it be necessary?

Necessary, no. A slipperily slope of addiction on the other hand...