PC vs 360

times_champion · 16 Sep 2006 at 18:43

I recently bought a 360 and ended up returning it just because it ddnt really impress me, and the games were too expensive (oblivion can be bought for £18 online for the PC, £40 on 360!) I was also pretty happy with my PC running games like Prey in a more impressive way (pentium 940 dual core, 7800GTX, 1GB RAM) and not having to shell out on an expensive second widescreen TV for the bedroom. I am a little confused though - some games like Prey etc seemed to play better on my PC, whereas Tomb raider: legend really chugs on next gen mode on my PC. Also how come some games like the EA sports titles and Lego star wars 2 seem to be based on the xbox version and not give PC ownders the option to have next gen graphics? Is this just developer laziness or can not enough PC's handle those graphoics at the mo? Do you think it will be a different story in 12 months? Finally do you think an upgrade to 2GB RAM would boost my PC's power above a 360?

iViper · 16 Sep 2006 at 18:49

Not sure really, Xbox360 is a dedicated gaming system, whereas you have Windows XP running on a PC with all its glorious processes :rolleyes:

Stellios · 16 Sep 2006 at 18:59

2GB RAM can give a substancial performnce boost in SOME games, BF2 being the main oen i can think of. For the system you have id say 2GB of RAM would be a very good option. If you have a 7800GTX is be pretty confident in saying your PC should wipe the floor on a XB360.

DaveyD · 16 Sep 2006 at 19:12

With the way games are being developed, it's very difficult to make cross platform games that are all of the same quality and standards across the board, and you need a lot of time and money to get things to work just right across platforms. The 360 and PS3 are both quite different platforms developers have to worry about, and thus you'll get more games heaviliy optimised for the hardware of that console and thefore run a lot better, as all the developers have to worry about with a console is make it work, wheras on a PC, they have to make the game scale graphically depending on top and bottom of the range PCs, which will hog up more time and code of the game.

PCs can handle the graphics of these next gen games fine, and within the next 12 month we'll be able to have graphics that will surpass the 360/PS3, but at a cost, and wether or not we'd have enough games to actually take advantage of that power is a differnt story. We're not seeing many of these games coming out on the PC for the reasons in my first paragraph, along with lots of exclusivity politics where the console makers will try and keep more games exclusive so that they'll be able to sell more.

An upgrade of RAM won't do a massive amount of help, but will depend on the game really, it will improve loading times and help keep framerates a lot more steady, but it'll depend on the rest of your system really.

HangTime · 16 Sep 2006 at 19:16

times_champion said:
how come some games like the EA sports titles and Lego star wars 2 seem to be based on the xbox version and not give PC ownders the option to have next gen graphics? Is this just developer laziness or can not enough PC's handle those graphoics at the mo?

It's mainly down to publishers IMO, they don't want devs wasting time making content that only a small minority of people will be able to use. There's loads of cross-platform titles that are crippled on the graphics front because they have to cater to consoles' inferior hardware.

It's no coincidence that generally speaking, the best looking games to come out on the PC have often either been PC-exclusive or came out before the console versions - I'm thinking along the lines of Far Cry, Halflife 2, FEAR etc.

Hamoodii · 16 Sep 2006 at 21:39

Mp4 · 17 Sep 2006 at 09:01

Imo soon as Game Consoles are released same as PC parts they are already extinct as something new will always come out, if you want pure gaming solo get a pc if you want a night in with the lads and beer it up, then get a console with pro evo 5 or whatever or Nintendo WII

and have a right laugh hours on end. There are some features i like on the x360 wireless pads for example and the way you can shut down via the pad etc. The games do look amazing also but it comes with a price. New HD TV etc if you want the best. A PC will always win over any console

times_champion · 17 Sep 2006 at 10:39

Mp4 said:
Imo soon as Game Consoles are released same as PC parts they are already extinct as something new will always come out, if you want pure gaming solo get a pc if you want a night in with the lads and beer it up, then get a console with pro evo 5 or whatever or Nintendo WII and have a right laugh hours on end. There are some features i like on the x360 wireless pads for example and the way you can shut down via the pad etc. The games do look amazing also but it comes with a price. New HD TV etc if you want the best. A PC will always win over any console

did you knowthat Microsoft are releasing the wireless pads for the PC soon?

Mp4 · 17 Sep 2006 at 11:21

i didnt know that

see what happends shall we

devilkazuya · 17 Sep 2006 at 11:42

DaveyD said:
PCs can handle the graphics of these next gen games fine, and within the next 12 month we'll be able to have graphics that will surpass the 360/PS3

the PC surpassed the capabilities of the 360 before the 360 even launched...no need to wait a year. With the current absolute high end of PC components, if you were to push both systems to their maximum capability, the 360 wouldn't even come close, seeing as we are a year on in PC development since the 360 launch.

Consoles as someone else mentioned are ideally suited to the casual gamer, and social gamer. Hardcore niche gaming is only truly provided on the PC. A good analogy is comparing an all in one sony hifi system which you'd pick up for a couple of hundred pounds, to a high end hi-fi separates system. One takes up not much space, and does everything to a moderate level to satisfy the casual music listener, the other is an upgradable work of art that can take up considerably more room, and be very faithful to the source recording.

Psypher5 · 17 Sep 2006 at 11:50

I was going to upgrade my pc, (conroe, x1900 whathave you) for uber pc gameness, but then it hit me, why? My pc is good enough, plays EVERYTHING i want, (3000venice, 7800gt and 2gig ram) just a few niggles which can be fixed sooner or later (ram not working blah), and the lack of time for pc gaming has pushed me towards a 360...

I agree with previous comments, hardcore gaming is purely on pc, but with an average pc you can play anything on par or better than a 360 probably can.

Just with the lack of time/patience for pc gaming, id rather have a 360 now hooked to my second monitor

Glaucus · 17 Sep 2006 at 12:16

As far as i'm concerned all fps are better on the pc, along with any other complicated game. For the main reason consoles don't have enough buttons.

Consoles suite some games like car simulators. As you don't need a hole lot of buttons. But for the most popular games you do need a lot of buttons. To play it properly. All though I expect if you never got into pc gaming. Then the lack of buttons and control over the character wouldn't affect you as you don't know any different.

iamgud · 17 Sep 2006 at 12:59

My PC will kill anyting on the XBox 360 and probably the PS3 when it comes out.

It is just a case that some games are poor conversions from Console - > PC.

cokecan · 17 Sep 2006 at 13:13

I've got a reasonably good pc and a 360. my PC plays everythin i want on high-ish settings (BF2, HL2 etc etc) but i tend to play the 360 more.

last console i had was a playstation years ago, and ever since then ive been all about PC gaming, but lately i just find i just cant be bothered with pc gaming and havnt got the patience for it like Psypher5 said. I get urges to play the new mods for BF2 etc but it feels like too much effort to do tbh. now i prefere to just turn the 360 on and have a quick blast at somethin

FPS on consoles aint bad at all, the control system for halo is pretty damn good. but i do prefere FPS on the PC as i find i have a bit more control with a mouse and keyboard

I think a 360 is worth it just for xbox live alone. the whole multiplayer system is a lot better than any PC system. its just so simple to use and every game uses it (well every game thats multiplayer at least)

times_champion · 17 Sep 2006 at 15:23

I would be happy sticking with (and upgrading) my PC if I knew for certain that upcoming games like Star Wars 2007 and next gen Indiana Jones will come out on the PC as well........ I will also definately get a Wii as it will have very different games.

times_champion · 17 Sep 2006 at 15:25

Also the onset of Vista with its 'Live anywhere' and playing direct from disk tech means more console ports may happen, particularly as microsoft are really pushing the 360 controller for windows, and games like Virtua tennis are getting a PC release.

cheets64 · 17 Sep 2006 at 16:44

XBox 360 all the way, the games are just pick up and play and with live you can have a great laugh, no downloading maps, patches, getting high pings, its just connect and join a race, also no cheating in console gaming.

PC gaming is just too much hassle.

Darkwave · 17 Sep 2006 at 16:53

If the Xbox 360 had a keyboard and mouse, proper internet and email support including instant messengers, allowed me to get work done and design/print flyers for local gigs and DJs, had support for pretty much all media known to man, made it easier for me to learn a musical instrument, was properly upgradeable or even DIY, and could be overclocked then I would buy one straight away.

...but then it would be a PC, and frankly I think PCs poop all over consoles.

This message was brought to you by an Xbox and possible future Wii owner. :cool:

easyrider · 17 Sep 2006 at 17:01

My PC is faster than any console.

And it always will be.

Nuff said.

Buzza · 17 Sep 2006 at 17:29

IVe got a good PC and a 360, im loving Saints Row and Dead Rising on the 360 and will soon be enjoying Faces of war and Company of heroes on my PC. Both systems are great and have there own games worth buying.

I must say though, Online gaming is vastly superior on PC. It has Dedicated servers, higher numbers of players and you can also jump straight into a game with no waiting around.