PC Vs XBox 360 Vs PS3

geeza

geeza

geeza

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After skimming over the graphics thread about whether pc is better than 360 graphics i wondered if the following would be possible.

To build a PC that costs the same a 360 or PS3 that can play COD4 in similar/better settings and still be fully playable.

My X1800XT can play it in highest settings apart from extra on textures and high on the other two in 1440x900. (With decent FPS)

A second hand 360 costs about £200

Second hand pc bits to play it

X2 3800+ £60
2gb ram £30
motherboard £30
X1800XT £40

30gb hd, lead to tv, keyboard, mouse around £40

Can it be done? Im not sure on new prices of either really
 
Depends to be honest, do you just want to game or do you want to browse and do office work e.t.c.

Consoles are just for games so if you only want games get a console. You won't be able to play the latest games with a pc because they are been developed all the time to need better graphics e.t.c. But the console will play games as they render them so they will.
 
You could do it on second hand parts like youve said but you would be pushin it on new stuff though cos you'd need at least the X1800XT to keep pace with the 360's graphics also new games will work well on the 360 whereas they might not run on your pc as developers can code games for the 360 much better as its a specific set of hardware

If its was purley for call of duty 4 then the pc is the better choice as you can do other things on it aswel, and its better for fps games
 
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andr3w1984 said:
Depends to be honest, do you just want to game or do you want to browse and do office work e.t.c.
Click to expand...

Personally i dont really game. But i wondered if someone could build a pc for the same/cheaper than a console that can play latest games (and looks as good as console)
 
I think Custom PC did it a few months ago. They built a x1950 Pro system for the same price as a PS3 was at the time.

I suppose you have to remember that PS3s and XBOX 360s are subsidised by MS/Sony, and they recoup from the software (IIRC).
 
Could pick up a 2nd hand X2 3800 for about £30
Motherboard for about £30
2gb DDR2 for £30
80gb HD £30
X1800XT/7800GTX @ 40-ish
Cordless keyboard & mouse for £20-ish

Could probably get it even cheaper if you really look for bargains.
However, it's the same old situation, what direction you took would have to depend on the games you played, and if you liked lounging on sofa or sitting at a desk.
 
Emlyn_Dewar said:
Could pick up a 2nd hand X2 3800 for about £30
Motherboard for about £30
2gb DDR2 for £30
80gb HD £30
X1800XT/7800GTX @ 40-ish
Cordless keyboard & mouse for £20-ish

Could probably get it even cheaper if you really look for bargains.
However, it's the same old situation, what direction you took would have to depend on the games you played, and if you liked lounging on sofa or sitting at a desk.
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stick pc in corner of room. cordless keyboard and mouse. problem solved

or have sofa in your bedroom. I have done both :)
 
Other things to consider are that console games are more expensive and you'd probably be getting xbox live if you got the 360 which all add up.
 
But surely, the point about the Xbox and PS3 is that they enjoy huge economies of scale? R&D, production, component costs are cheaper by volume and when amortissed over the lifecycle of the product. PC are constantly being re-designed, components are forever changing and there is a very short time frame for PC manufacturers to recoup their costs, unlike Microsoift and Sony. Short PC lifecycles equal premium prices to maximise revenue in a shorter and more volatile timeframe.

Don't Microsoft and Sony also get some kind of royalties from the game publishers? Not sure if it is a per game sold % but it is surely an added revenue stream unavailable to PC manufacturers. If you put your PC together the only price influence you've got is where you buy the components you don't have any bargaining position.

So, all these should be factored in if you are interested in creating a level playing field. . Also, don't forget, the old argument about consoles being so much cheaper doesn't really stand up anymore now that you need an HDTV to get the most out of them. How much is a decent HDTV? min £400 (for a basic 32"), more like £800 min for a decent 38". I'd say £800 - £1200 on a PC is equivalent to getting a console up and running. With that kind of money I can easily get a PC that shoots consoles down in flames.

Of course, with a TV you also have to share that with the rest of the familly, for us married types that makes consoles even more expensive - 2 HDTVs!!! Don't mention kids.
 
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geeza said:
stick pc in corner of room. cordless keyboard and mouse. problem solved
Click to expand...

True, although I've never quite found anything as good as a desktop to use for the mouse. Have used laptop on sofa quite a bit and tried with magazines etc, but it just feels a bit less responsive.
 
i wondered if the following would be possible.

To build a PC that costs the same a 360 or PS3 that can play COD4 in similar/better settings and still be fully playable.
Click to expand...

Not IMO - partic. after you add in cost of operating system:(

Would also need case & psu - the latter area being one you can't really economise in so +£30-£40
 
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