Used to be into the pc tech but nowadays I cant be bothered, have loads of aging pcs but no inclination to upgrade them (fastest being a 2.8 p4, 512 ram and some half decent for 3 years ago graphics), I am however interested in the reasoning behind spending upwards of a grand to play games when you can get an Xbox 360 (nearly) for much less than just a top end Graphics card.

Dont take it as a flaming opportunity, I have a foot in both camps but at the mo I havent seen anything that really looks better on a pc than a console, even the normal Xbox still looks fantastic.

 

Xbox 360 would be a cheap n quick win.

Trouble is the latest and greatest PC gfx cards are for PCI-E format only (new motherboard, new CPU), plus you'll need to upgrade to at least 1Gb of RAM.

Or just go for a Nvidia 6800GS or ATi X800XL for around 200 quid + upgrade to 1Gb RAM. Both should be available for AGP gfx slots (6800GS is due out on AGP soon).

Either way you'll need to check your power supply is powerful enough to support these cards - another 50 quid.

Xbox looking attractive?

 

Just look at the graphics difference. You dont have to spend even close to mega bucks to get better gfx on a PC. The only things consoles do better IMHO is driving games, footy games and are more fun when your mates are around.

Simon.

 

IMHO PC's are way better for driving games.


Console GT4 Forza Enthusia NFS Underground PGR2

 

It's an angle that more an more people are considering I reckon. I used to be right into buying the latest kit for my pc but these days I just don't bother. The thing is, it's not just down to whether or not an xbox360 can match the graphical prowess of a ninja pc for me anymore. The reason I don't want to throw money at my pc is simply that there aren't enough devoted PC only games making sufficient use of the hardware. Just about everything that comes out is cross platform these days - and more often than not the games start out as console games and get ported so you really don't see all the benefits your hardware ought to give you. The more things go this way, the fewer reasons there are to keep shelling out mega bucks for the latest gfx cards etc.

I'm getting to the stage where I think it'll be a 360 for gaming and some form of mac for surfing, work and music etc.

Driving games can be tremendous on the pc but I wouldn't spend hundreds, if not thousands of pounds to be able to play 1 or 2 games - personally.

 

The specs of the new consoles like Xbox360 and the new playstation are going to give out enough power and quality to match if not exceed current top spec PC's of today, and with that quallity there will be less of a reason to spend megabucks like you say on PC's for gaming.
£300-£400 for a console with great gameplay/graphics for 5 years, or £1000-£2000 per 2/3years for a PC with great graphics/gameplay.

One day the consoles will probably catch up and while the future looks great for consoles, ATMIT PC's are better

 

for about a month and then pc tech will exceed them, if you just want it for games, have to say console (although i use pc for games myself) easy just to turn on and play, if you want to use it for other things, pc.

 

Sorry, not conviced, used to worry about having the latest but pc's are all about p1ssing about with resolutions, overclocking and worrying about your 3d mark score, thats not to say my next pc wont be specced well enough to play games but who needs 300 fps in Doom ?

This old thing will still play HalfLife 2, it looks ok, its playable, its got years in it.

 

My take of it is that it depends on what games you like to play. Consoles will never do BF2, GTR or flight sims. As all I play is BF2 (with the great SNAFU scoobynet lads), GTR/GT Legends and flight sims like IL2, well it's a no brainer for me. Consoles, OK for the **** up with the lads in the living room, dumbed down for just that reason, PC's for adult games that require a bit of brain power and a keyboard/mouse/wheel. No playstation/xbox driving game lives up to GTR/GT Legends. I'd buy a top spec PC for that reason alone.

 

I'm part of the crowd thats fed up with constantly upgrading my PC to play the latest and greatest. I've had 15 years of it!

Also seen a multitude of "next generation" consoles launched and now see through the hype.

I'll hold off buying an XBOX360 and or PS3 and or Revolution til there's a game I want to play on them - and none of the 360's launch line up make me want to do that.