How much better is a 2011 High Spec PC than a PS3/360?

The performance is a lot better, it should really though shouldn't it? I mean you can buy the console kitted out these days for the same price as a high performing graphics card. PC gaming is still more expensive no matter what people say, the problem is according to the pc gamers here console gamers pay full high street price were they only ever buy in steam sales... :roll:.

Move to new window for bigger image.

Here are three console games running on my system at once. They all have their graphical settings turned up, DX10 where available, at 720p with no AA. All three are running at playable frame rates.

Note that the CPU this system is using was rated a low cost one, being the first sub $100 quad core to hit the market at the time. The ram is cheapo no brand DDR2, and the GPU is the modern equivilent of the bang for your buck 8800GT.

If running three console games at once isn't a clear and simple indication of PCs performance advantages over consoles, I don't know what is.

AnnoyedDragon

When running multiple console ported games, it looks like your rig is limited by the CPU i.e. AMD Phenom II X6 says hi for your current setup.Your desktop screenshotlooks good.

It looks like your rig is limited by the CPU i.e. AMD Phenom II X6 says hi for your current setup.ronvalencia

Console games don't take advantage of my quad core, never mind a six core.

This CPU is perfectly adequate for anything you throw at it. Running three multicore optimized games at once is just, needless to say, higher workload than typical.

[QUOTE="ronvalencia"]It looks like your rig is limited by the CPU i.e. AMD Phenom II X6 says hi for your current setup.AnnoyedDragon

Console games don't take advantage of my quad core, never mind a six core.

This CPU is perfectly adequate for anything you throw at it. Running three multicore optimized games at once is just, needless to say, higher workload than typical.

With VMWare Workstation 7.1(with Direct3D passthru support) you can pipe a specfic USB keyboard and USB mouse to an Virtual Machine instance e.g. 3 persons playing console ported games on your computer. Atm, I'm looking for "assign keyboard+mouse to program" type tool.

My GPU alone costs more than the PS3. Id say 20x better.

Your desktop screenshotlooks good.

ronvalencia

I'm using this as my background.

Anyway, I think the title of this thread is a tad misleading. As we have only just started this year, so any hardware that is referenced is really 2010 hardware. Needless to say, we have yet to see what 2011 hardware has to offer.

[QUOTE="ronvalencia"]

Your desktop screenshotlooks good.

AnnoyedDragon

I'm using this as my background.

Anyway, I think the title of this thread is a tad misleading. As we have only just started this year, so any hardware that is referenced is really 2010 hardware. Needless to say, we have yet to see what 2011 hardware has to offer.

From what I've seen, it's focused more on integrating GPUs and CPUs together than increasing raw power. Hopefully prices drop too. I need a second 5850.

at this point I really could care less about graphics.. My most anticipated game, Diablo 3, is not going to be a graphics juggernaut.. sSubZerOo

Pfft, you can't call yourself a hermit without obsessing over graphics.

From what I've seen, it's focused more on integrating GPUs and CPUs together than increasing raw power. Hopefully prices drop too. I need a second 5850.

rpgs_shall_rule

As I've demonstrated, there is little reason to increase raw power; when moderately optimized console ports don't stress existing hardware. There are games that push hardware legitimately, but they are fewer and farther between these days; due to issues with today's market.

As you said, it seems to be more a matter of refinement than pushing further this gen, with GPU/CPU combined solutions upcoming.

Pfft, you can't call yourself a hermit without obsessing over graphics.

rpgs_shall_rule

I thought that was console gamers job? PC gamers know that their systems have greater capabilities than consoles, were as console gamers fight to prove their system is more capable than another.

I was joking about the hermit part.rpgs_shall_rule

You didn't exactly word your post in a serious manner; so I picked that up. I was just throwing my bit in there.

Remember also that more powerful hardware does not JUST mean better graphics. It also means a lot more power for the devs to include things like complex physics, better, smarter AI, better, smarter pathfinding. This means more and smarter enemies (and friendly AI) on the screen.

Just take a look at games like Left 4 dead and Dead Rising 2 on the PC vs consoles. MUCH more zombies!

And what about Shogun 2 total war? You think the consoles could handle tens of thousands of units constantly running path finding and combat AI + animations? Nevermind the graphics on that game, the hardware is needed mostly for the AI routines.

[QUOTE="sSubZerOo"]at this point I really could care less about graphics.. My most anticipated game, Diablo 3, is not going to be a graphics juggernaut.. rpgs_shall_rule

Pfft, you can't call yourself a hermit without obsessing over graphics.

Yeah right and you know what was the game hermits played more this year? Minecraft.

[QUOTE="rpgs_shall_rule"]I was joking about the hermit part.AnnoyedDragon

You didn't exactly word your post in a serious manner; so I picked that up. I was just throwing my bit in there.

Just making sure :P

Remember also that more powerful hardware does not JUST mean better graphics. It also means a lot more power for the devs to include things like complex physics, better, smarter AI, better, smarter pathfinding. This means more and smarter enemies (and friendly AI) on the screen.

Just take a look at games like Left 4 dead and Dead Rising 2 on the PC vs consoles. MUCH more zombies!

And what about Shogun 2 total war? You think the consoles could handle tens of thousands of units constantly running path finding and combat AI + animations? Nevermind the graphics on that game, the hardware is needed mostly for the AI routines.

Kinthalis

Ya, scale is teh awesomesawce, and so is Shogun 2. 10000 unique AI? Mind=blown.

Horsepower? by lots. Games? not quite as good.

Horsepower? by lots. Games? not quite as good.

lespaul1919

Yeah ok :roll:

PC only has the most AA and AAA exclusives of any platform AND we have the best version of most multi-plats.

Memory amount also plays a large role in what a system can do at any given time. Both the PS3 and 360 are in the same boat with 512mb of total memory usaully split into 256mb for system and 256mb for video use. Now also both consoles use memory for their OS's which is between 30-50mb, which cuts the total usable amount for a game.

200-230mb for a game isnt much, COD:UO with multiplayer uses more then 340mb of system memory to render those large maps and mass amount of players.

Isn't my Radeon 4850 better than what consoles can do?

Can't wait until next month to get a GTX 460 or Radeon 5850 though.

Depends on the game. Eg: on gta iv, not much. But on mass effect 2? Lets just say that not only you can run it at very high framerate but the first game looked much better than the second on pc. Meaning. That the graphic improvement on mass effect 2 on x360 is not as high as the diffirence between the pc version of mass effect 1. Some games play amazingly well on a cheap pc with much better graphics. Others are very demanding with the exact same graphics. You dont need a 2011 pc thought. A 2009 pc will do just fine, hell even a 2008.dakan45

Obviously GTA4 looks way bettter on PC... comon, it's not even in the same league...

Isn't my Radeon 4850 better than what consoles can do?

Can't wait until next month to get a GTX 460 or Radeon 5850 though.

mitu123

God yes, Your 4850 vs the 360 , lets look
Xenos: 330 million transistors (with sistor die)
4850 956 million transistors
Xenos: memory bandwidth 22 GB/s
4850: memory bandwidth 63.5 GB/s
Xenos: 240 GFLOP performance

4850: 1000 GFLOP performance

Xenos: memory amount usable less then 512mb (average usage 256mb)
4850: memory amount 512mb-2048mb

Then going to a 5850 lets see

Over 2.1 billion transistors

Memory bandwidth 128 GB/s

Over 2000 GFLOP performance

Memory amount 1024mb-2048mb

For $500, that's without a monitor, you can get a FAR superior pc.

http://www.overclock.net/amd-build-logs/799560-budget-gaming-build.html < for example here's one for $400. This computer can play any modern game with good settings at a good frame rate, maybe not maxed out, but it'll run anytime.

So basically SystemWars is about PCgamers wanting everyone to know that the PC is better in every way? I think im getting it finally..Sure the PC is going to be more powerful but that DOES NOT MEAN it will be the best at what it does. When people get that figured out,things will settle down here. Pretty graphics will only get you so far..Enjoy your console ports and your 2-3 big titles cause thats all you get..AND you get to brag about it too..lol

So basically SystemWars is about PCgamers wanting everyone to know that the PC is better in every way? I think im getting it finally..Sure the PC is going to be more powerful but that DOES NOT MEAN it will be the best at what it does. When people get that figured out,things will settle down here. Pretty graphics will only get you so far..Enjoy your console ports and your 2-3 big titles cause thats all you get..AND you get to brag about it too..lol

VanDammFan

2-3 big titles over 5 years does not equal multitudes more exclusives than the consoles. You might want to go back and count the exclusive releases.

So basically SystemWars is about PCgamers wanting everyone to know that the PC is better in every way? I think im getting it finally..Sure the PC is going to be more powerful but that DOES NOT MEAN it will be the best at what it does. When people get that figured out,things will settle down here. Pretty graphics will only get you so far..Enjoy your console ports and your 2-3 big titles cause thats all you get..AND you get to brag about it too..lol

VanDammFan

Oh please, the PC gets more hate then anything else on this forum... obviously, your confused.

PC have plenty of good games... your just another one that's part of the "hate the PC" trend.

It´s 6 years in technology better which means alot. 360 and PS3 are 2005 tech.

So basically SystemWars is about PCgamers wanting everyone to know that the PC is better in every way? I think im getting it finally..Sure the PC is going to be more powerful but that DOES NOT MEAN it will be the best at what it does. When people get that figured out,things will settle down here. Pretty graphics will only get you so far..Enjoy your console ports and your 2-3 big titles cause thats all you get..AND you get to brag about it too..lol

VanDammFan

Thank you for admitting console games suck.

well got to say pc always gonna win in spec. but still consoles alot Easier to play u just put ur Game and start playing . and Ya maybe the Fps is low Compared to PC . but the Developers make it good that ya don't notice . and u got to admit that playing in console @ tv with controller . feel different than sitting in Keyboard and mouse . i know u can do it same in PC . but its originally in Consoles . its not fun @ all playing Jrpg @ pc !

well got to say pc always gonna win in spec. but still consoles alot Easier to play u just put ur Game and start playing . and Ya maybe the Fps is low Compared to PC . but the Developers make it good that ya don't notice . and u got to admit that playing in console @ tv with controller . feel different than sitting in Keyboard and mouse . i know u can do it same in PC . but its originally in Consoles . its not fun @ all playing Jrpg @ pc !

Jawad2007

I don't think it's gets any easier then clicking on Steam to start my games...

I don't think it's any worst playing JRPG on PC or Console.

The PC has the capabilities of having much, MUCH more advanced graphics than any console game. The problem is in regards to scaling for those who don't have high-powered PCs, which usually results in developers not taking complete advantage over the advanced resources available to them. They do want to make money and be successful after all.

JMR09

Currently they are light years apart.

We pay nothing for cross game chat and can have 100 people in one lobby.

For example BC2 vietnam, both are shots from in game.

Consoles

http://www.playfire.com/a/game/battlefield-bad-company-2-vietnam/images/499747/full

PC

http://xboxoz360.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/battlefield-bad-company-2-vietnam-screenshots-oxcgn-33.jpg

lets just say you could basically play a game in which you are playing a realtime rendered ps3 game while you play another game in which you are doing the same with a 360 at the same time. :)

PS3 has teh power of teh cell, so idk. A $10,000 pc MIGHT be able to almost be as good as it. Just maybe. Possibly. Very unlikely though.

PS3 has teh power of teh cell, so idk. A $10,000 pc MIGHT be able to almost be as good as it. Just maybe. Possibly. Very unlikely though.

cain006

Its not a six core cpu its a single core with spu threads. Any quad is better than the ps3 cpu

PS3 has teh power of teh cell, so idk. A $10,000 pc MIGHT be able to almost be as good as it. Just maybe. Possibly. Very unlikely though.

cain006

Pfft, we know all PC gamers run their games on military grade equipment running OVER 9000 CPUs!!!

Currently they are light years apart.

We pay nothing for cross game chat and can have 100 people in one lobby.

For example BC2 vietnam, both are shots from in game.

Consoles

http://www.playfire.com/a/game/battlefield-bad-company-2-vietnam/images/499747/full

PC

http://xboxoz360.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/battlefield-bad-company-2-vietnam-screenshots-oxcgn-33.jpg

James161324

So basically SystemWars is about PCgamers wanting everyone to know that the PC is better in every way? I think im getting it finally..Sure the PC is going to be more powerful but that DOES NOT MEAN it will be the best at what it does. When people get that figured out,things will settle down here. Pretty graphics will only get you so far..Enjoy your console ports and your 2-3 big titles cause thats all you get..AND you get to brag about it too..lol

VanDammFan

[QUOTE="James161324"]

Currently they are light years apart.

We pay nothing for cross game chat and can have 100 people in one lobby.

For example BC2 vietnam, both are shots from in game.

Consoles

http://www.playfire.com/a/game/battlefield-bad-company-2-vietnam/images/499747/full

PC

http://xboxoz360.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/battlefield-bad-company-2-vietnam-screenshots-oxcgn-33.jpg

mitu123

I hate the lighting in some levels. It's so bright I can barely see.

Currently they are light years apart.

We pay nothing for cross game chat and can have 100 people in one lobby.

For example BC2 vietnam, both are shots from in game.

Consoles

http://www.playfire.com/a/game/battlefield-bad-company-2-vietnam/images/499747/full

PC

http://xboxoz360.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/battlefield-bad-company-2-vietnam-screenshots-oxcgn-33.jpg

[QUOTE="cain006"]

PS3 has teh power of teh cell, so idk. A $10,000 pc MIGHT be able to almost be as good as it. Just maybe. Possibly. Very unlikely though.

James161324

Its not a six core cpu its a single core with spu threads. Any quad is better than the ps3 cpu

You need to understand that there is nothing more powerful than cell, because it was created by Zeus himself on mount Olympus...

[QUOTE="James161324"]

[QUOTE="cain006"]

PS3 has teh power of teh cell, so idk. A $10,000 pc MIGHT be able to almost be as good as it. Just maybe. Possibly. Very unlikely though.

MK-Professor

Its not a six core cpu its a single core with spu threads. Any quad is better than the ps3 cpu

You need to understand that there is nothing more powerful than cell, because it was created by Zeus himself on mount Olympus...

Microsoft needs to make a processor called the Gohan.

Potentially, much more powerful. I am talking in the 5 times range here. You are ofcourse limited by your resources available to you.

Problem is, that developers obviously likes money. I mean, who doesnt?

That means, that alot of games are multiplatform, so they can reach as wide an audience as possible.

Even the developers making PC exclusive games are doing this. They arent taking fully advantage of what kinds of graphics card are on the market, to reach as wide of a PC audience as possible.

I guess to get a realistic view of how big a difference, one could just go and look up the specs of the most important aspect of any gaming system. The graphics card. Try and compare the console ones, to a Nvidia GTX580 card.

From reading some of theseposts you would think a lot of console gamers are threatened by this thread.A few ppl post some stuffshowing how thePCis more powerful, which is the thread topic. Then a bunch of console gamers have to come in and yell that they don't play exclusives very well.....which is not the point of the thread.

Unbelievable.

[QUOTE="cain006"]

PS3 has teh power of teh cell, so idk. A $10,000 pc MIGHT be able to almost be as good as it. Just maybe. Possibly. Very unlikely though.

James161324

Its not a six core cpu its a single core with spu threads. Any quad is better than the ps3 cpu

I wonder if I should make a new thread with a controversial title and post that ultimate GTA IV PC mod config youtube video.

Even though alot of consolites wouldn't admit it, they would love to have the graphics displayed in that video compared to the blurry mess that is GTA IV on consoles.

Significantly better.