PC vrs Console gaming..

The Scenarios
I decided to look at three different gaming configurations, an Xbox 360, a "typical" gaming PC, and the gaming PC setup as a home theater PC (HTPC). The main difference between the gaming PC and the HTPC is the display and sound. The gaming PC has a 22″ widescreen monitor with computer surround sound speakers. The HTPC has a 46″ 1080P LCD display, and a component 5.1 home theater speaker setup. The Xbox 360 setup has the same 46″ LCD display and speakers as the HTPC.

The Assumptions

1. The gaming PC must be replaced every three years (just the PC not the display or sound)
2. The gaming PC gets $250 of misc. upgrades by year two
3. The gaming PC is being purchased instead of a basic computer that would have been purchased anyway
4. The console PC requires a larger/better television than what would have been purchased anyway
5. The console life cycle is six years
6. For all scenarios four full-priced games, and one discount game (50%) were purchased each year
7. The console gamer purchases three additional controllers
8. The console gamer goes through four dozen batteries per year
9. The console gamer pays for an Xbox Live Gold membership
10. 23% (mean of Dell's consumer financing rates 15-30%) discount rate used to calculate the NPV

The Method
I am using a finance technique known as net present value (NPV). It is a method for accounting for the time value of money. Basically a dollar today is worth more than a dollar three years from now (or any other later date). It should be noted that using NPV favors the PC rig because it discounts the future costs of upgrading/replacing the system which you don't have to do with the Xbox 360.

The Verdict
In the scenarios I have laid out, the basic PC gaming setup is more expensive. It is somewhat close though; only 12% higher. Think about that though, a 46″ 1080P LCD TV, full home-theater setup, an Xbox 360, 6 years of Xbox Live, four controllers, and the two included games costs less than a good (but not amazing) gaming PC on a relatively paltry 22″ display.

If you compare the 360 to the HTPC it gets bad real quick: 38% more. If you assume that you already have the TV/monitor and sound that you'll be using for your gaming, the PC solutions are a whopping 71% more. Here's the breakdown in dollar figures:

Total NPV
Xbox 360: $3,152
Gaming PC: $3,523
HTPC: $4,349

NPV without display and sound
Xbox 360: $1,837
Gaming PC: $3,149
HTPC: $3,149

The Point?
The only point of this is to show the PC gaming is in fact more expensive. If you enjoy PC gaming, so be it. Just know that it costs more. For the record, I was actually surprised how well PC gaming did in this comparison. For my dollar, I'll take the integrated approach of the Xbox 360 and Xbox Live though, not to mention that I don't have to install my games and troubleshoot them to make them work (if you can make them work).

The Scenarios
I decided to look at three different gaming configurations, an Xbox 360, a "typical" gaming PC, and the gaming PC setup as a home theater PC (HTPC). The main difference between the gaming PC and the HTPC is the display and sound. The gaming PC has a 22″ widescreen monitor with computer surround sound speakers. The HTPC has a 46″ 1080P LCD display, and a component 5.1 home theater speaker setup. The Xbox 360 setup has the same 46″ LCD display and speakers as the HTPC.

The Assumptions

1. The gaming PC must be replaced every three years (just the PC not the display or sound)
2. The gaming PC gets $250 of misc. upgrades by year two
3. The gaming PC is being purchased instead of a basic computer that would have been purchased anyway
4. The console PC requires a larger/better television than what would have been purchased anyway
5. The console life cycle is six years
6. For all scenarios four full-priced games, and one discount game (50%) were purchased each year
7. The console gamer purchases three additional controllers
8. The console gamer goes through four dozen batteries per year
9. The console gamer pays for an Xbox Live Gold membership
10. 23% (mean of Dell's consumer financing rates 15-30%) discount rate used to calculate the NPV

The Method
I am using a finance technique known as net present value (NPV). It is a method for accounting for the time value of money. Basically a dollar today is worth more than a dollar three years from now (or any other later date). It should be noted that using NPV favors the PC rig because it discounts the future costs of upgrading/replacing the system which you don't have to do with the Xbox 360.

The Verdict
In the scenarios I have laid out, the basic PC gaming setup is more expensive. It is somewhat close though; only 12% higher. Think about that though, a 46″ 1080P LCD TV, full home-theater setup, an Xbox 360, 6 years of Xbox Live, four controllers, and the two included games costs less than a good (but not amazing) gaming PC on a relatively paltry 22″ display.

If you compare the 360 to the HTPC it gets bad real quick: 38% more. If you assume that you already have the TV/monitor and sound that you'll be using for your gaming, the PC solutions are a whopping 71% more. Here's the breakdown in dollar figures:

Total NPV
Xbox 360: $3,152
Gaming PC: $3,523
HTPC: $4,349

NPV without display and sound
Xbox 360: $1,837
Gaming PC: $3,149
HTPC: $3,149

The Point?
The only point of this is to show the PC gaming is in fact more expensive. If you enjoy PC gaming, so be it. Just know that it costs more. For the record, I was actually surprised how well PC gaming did in this comparison. For my dollar, I'll take the integrated approach of the Xbox 360 and Xbox Live though, not to mention that I don't have to install my games and troubleshoot them to make them work (if you can make them work).

jasonheyman

oh christ not you again, anyway:

critical errorwhich destroys your entire argument

if you buy a PC at the start of a console generation, it can prety much last to the end of it with playing games the same quaility as the console counterpart. Consoles are a closed system, there won't be a new PS3 gpu every 2 years, games will stay with the same graphics, you just can't go over the limit of the hardware. Sure you might only play the games on medium, but that's still comparable to console graphics. With there being more and more multiplats since developing cost is so high, you only need 1 PC per console generation

I don't game much on PC anymore because I'm tired of all the bull you have to put up with when Installing. kid_who_grew_up

It's a automated process, what bothers you?

[QUOTE="kid_who_grew_up"]I don't game much on PC anymore because I'm tired of all the bull you have to put up with when Installing. AnnoyedDragon

It's a automated process, what bothers you?

Yesterday I was installing COD4 and half way it said Something like process has been terminated, so I had to go on the COD4 forums and ask why it does that half way through, some people said it was because of Windows Vista others said the copy was damaged so I gave up on COD4.kid_who_grew_up

Problems happen every now and then, it's just you made it sound like you had a problem with PC installations overall.

I've got a brother that had his PS3 HDD corrupt at random, problems happen to all platforms; but the variety on PC just makes it more prone. It's a trade off, the more convenience you want the less you can customize and control your experience.

Another day, another Jasonheyman anti-PC thread.pyromaniac223

You do know that PCs are used for more than just gaming, right?

I like both PC and Console gaming the same because they both have their pros and cons.

You do know that PCs are used for more than just gaming, right?

I like both PC and Console gaming the same because they both have their pros and cons.

Aljosa23

The gaming PC must be replaced every three years (just the PC not the display or sound)jasonheyman

The gaming PC gets $250 of misc. upgrades by year two

The console PC requires a larger/better television than what would have been purchased anyway

Ok A: this is stupid; But I'll bite and give my opinion.

I have a Ps3, a PC, and a Wii

I've been a PC gamer my whole life. Lets talk about what it REALLY costs and the limitations

Lets just look at what each system does for the cost assuming we are using the same TV.

MY PC: 8800gtx + x2 6000 2 gigs of Ram 500gb Drive= ~ 1000 bucks

Can Play PC Exclusives as well as MANY Xbox360/Ps3 ports. Emulators allow NES, Genesis, SNES, N64, PS1, PS2 (Eh) and other games to be played. Flash games are playabale. I can play bluray, HDDVD, DIVX/XVID, DVD, etc. I can use an umlimited set of MODS on most games. Online play is simple. I have the best graphics of any system. I have the best net browsing (duh its a computer). It plays music flawlessly with every feature you would want. I can play and transfer files bigger then 4gb (Fat32 limit). If my HDD breaks I buy a new one, if my Card fries I buy a new one. Some cards have liftetime warranty. I'm able to replace pieces on my own without sending in an entire machine.

Cons though are the price and if you don't know computer replacing customizing can be a PITA.

MY PS3: $399 Plays great looking PS3 games. Some of them can play PS2 games. Can play SOME nes games (i think). Can install a basic Linux Distro on it. Can use as a media server, although its been a pain to get working so far. Can play Bluray, DVD, DIVX etc...As long as they are on DISC or on a FAT32 drive.

My Wii: $250 Plays Wii games, snes, nes, virtual console yadda yadda. Basic media functions. Basic web functions.

I'd say that although PC does cost more its way way way more functional if you understand how to use it. In fact I can use an Xbox360 controller or a Wiimote on a PC. I assume I can use the Sixaxis as well.

Plus you can use it for non gaming uses for which it excels. I don't JUST use my PC for gaming. It does so much more that comparing price isn't fair

I'll take the integrated approach of the Xbox 360 and Xbox Live though, not to mention that I don't have to install my games and troubleshoot them to make them work (if you can make them work).

jasonheyman

I think you are crazy, but your thread is really all about you and your situation in life.

The PC is the way to go for my life.

[QUOTE="jasonheyman"]

I'll take the integrated approach of the Xbox 360 and Xbox Live though, not to mention that I don't have to install my games and troubleshoot them to make them work (if you can make them work).

Subcritical

I think you are crazy, but your thread is really all about you and your situation in life.

The PC is the way to go for my life.

[QUOTE="Subcritical"][QUOTE="jasonheyman"]

I'll take the integrated approach of the Xbox 360 and Xbox Live though, not to mention that I don't have to install my games and troubleshoot them to make them work (if you can make them work).

acsguitar

I think you are crazy, but your thread is really all about you and your situation in life.

The PC is the way to go for my life.

Well, I think anyone that would buy a gaming console and expect it to be a "media solution" should think twice about their strategy. Consoles are restrictive and simplified. What else would you expect from a limiting device?

PC is the answer if you have a mind and an IQ over 100.

Well, I think anyone that would buy a gaming console and expect it to be a "media solution" should think twice about their strategy. Consoles are restrictive and simplified. What else would you expect from a limiting device?

PC is the answer if you have a mind and an IQ over 100.

Subcritical

Exactly..the media center functionality of the 360/PS3 in general is just abysmal.

I have to either transcode on-the-fly (with TVersity) or re-encode huge parts of my video and audio collections just to get media playback on my 360. Pretty frustrating given that it's marketed as having media center extender functionality. The media container and codec support is beyond pathetic.

Emulators allow NES, Genesis, SNES, N64, PS1, PS2 (Eh)acsguitar

Ok A: this is stupid; But I'll bite and give my opinion.

I have a Ps3, a PC, and a Wii

I've been a PC gamer my whole life. Lets talk about what it REALLY costs and the limitations

Lets just look at what each system does for the cost assuming we are using the same TV.

MY PC: 8800gtx + x2 6000 2 gigs of Ram 500gb Drive= ~ 1000 bucks

Can Play PC Exclusives as well as MANY Xbox360/Ps3 ports. Emulators allow NES, Genesis, SNES, N64, PS1, PS2 (Eh) and other games to be played. Flash games are playabale. I can play bluray, HDDVD, DIVX/XVID, DVD, etc. I can use an umlimited set of MODS on most games. Online play is simple. I have the best graphics of any system. I have the best net browsing (duh its a computer). It plays music flawlessly with every feature you would want. I can play and transfer files bigger then 4gb (Fat32 limit). If my HDD breaks I buy a new one, if my Card fries I buy a new one. Some cards have liftetime warranty. I'm able to replace pieces on my own without sending in an entire machine.

Cons though are the price and if you don't know computer replacing customizing can be a PITA.

MY PS3: $399 Plays great looking PS3 games. Some of them can play PS2 games. Can play SOME nes games (i think). Can install a basic Linux Distro on it. Can use as a media server, although its been a pain to get working so far. Can play Bluray, DVD, DIVX etc...As long as they are on DISC or on a FAT32 drive.

My Wii: $250 Plays Wii games, snes, nes, virtual console yadda yadda. Basic media functions. Basic web functions.

I'd say that although PC does cost more its way way way more functional if you understand how to use it. In fact I can use an Xbox360 controller or a Wiimote on a PC. I assume I can use the Sixaxis as well.

Plus you can use it for non gaming uses for which it excels. I don't JUST use my PC for gaming. It does so much more that comparing price isn't fair

acsguitar

My point was to show that PC gaming is not the same price as console gaming as it is made out on these forums...

The Scenarios
I decided to look at three different gaming configurations, an Xbox 360, a "typical" gaming PC, and the gaming PC setup as a home theater PC (HTPC). The main difference between the gaming PC and the HTPC is the display and sound. The gaming PC has a 22″ widescreen monitor with computer surround sound speakers. The HTPC has a 46″ 1080P LCD display, and a component 5.1 home theater speaker setup. The Xbox 360 setup has the same 46″ LCD display and speakers as the HTPC.

The Assumptions

1. The gaming PC must be replaced every three years (just the PC not the display or sound)
2. The gaming PC gets $250 of misc. upgrades by year two jasonheyman

I laughed at number one, and stopped reading at number two. Thanks for the late-night humor, though.

I've "replaced" my PC once in 9 years, and typically put in $250 in upgrades every 3. I play everything from Star Wars: Dark Forces to Crysis on this.

[QUOTE="acsguitar"]

Ok A: this is stupid; But I'll bite and give my opinion.

I have a Ps3, a PC, and a Wii

I've been a PC gamer my whole life. Lets talk about what it REALLY costs and the limitations

Lets just look at what each system does for the cost assuming we are using the same TV.

MY PC: 8800gtx + x2 6000 2 gigs of Ram 500gb Drive= ~ 1000 bucks

Can Play PC Exclusives as well as MANY Xbox360/Ps3 ports. Emulators allow NES, Genesis, SNES, N64, PS1, PS2 (Eh) and other games to be played. Flash games are playabale. I can play bluray, HDDVD, DIVX/XVID, DVD, etc. I can use an umlimited set of MODS on most games. Online play is simple. I have the best graphics of any system. I have the best net browsing (duh its a computer). It plays music flawlessly with every feature you would want. I can play and transfer files bigger then 4gb (Fat32 limit). If my HDD breaks I buy a new one, if my Card fries I buy a new one. Some cards have liftetime warranty. I'm able to replace pieces on my own without sending in an entire machine.

Cons though are the price and if you don't know computer replacing customizing can be a PITA.

MY PS3: $399 Plays great looking PS3 games. Some of them can play PS2 games. Can play SOME nes games (i think). Can install a basic Linux Distro on it. Can use as a media server, although its been a pain to get working so far. Can play Bluray, DVD, DIVX etc...As long as they are on DISC or on a FAT32 drive.

My Wii: $250 Plays Wii games, snes, nes, virtual console yadda yadda. Basic media functions. Basic web functions.

I'd say that although PC does cost more its way way way more functional if you understand how to use it. In fact I can use an Xbox360 controller or a Wiimote on a PC. I assume I can use the Sixaxis as well.

Plus you can use it for non gaming uses for which it excels. I don't JUST use my PC for gaming. It does so much more that comparing price isn't fair

jasonheyman

My point was to show that PC gaming is not the same price as console gaming as it is made out on these forums...

Another day, another Jasonheyman anti-PC thread.pyromaniac223

someone was bored......feli453

[QUOTE="pyromaniac223"]Another day, another Jasonheyman anti-PC thread.skrat_01

someone was bored......feli453

Yeah it took hours to copy and paste it. Lol

LINKY

The way he started it off is put almost exactly the way it goes...

"PC gamers" often snicker about how "console gamers" pay for things that they get for free. They also tout that PC games usually sell for less than console games. After hearing these claims a few million times, I decided to dive into the numbers and see who is really paying more over the life-cycle of their gaming system of choice."

[QUOTE="skrat_01"][QUOTE="pyromaniac223"]Exactly what i'm thiking. [QUOTE="feli453"]someone was bored......jasonheyman

Yeah it took hours to copy and paste it. Lol

LINKY

In that regard I kind of pity you.

I'm too busy enjoying console, PC and handheld gaming - or doing something productive, than spending time finding articles and posting them, to discredit a platform or fanboys.

The Scenarios
I decided to look at three different gaming configurations, an Xbox 360, a "typical" gaming PC, and the gaming PC setup as a home theater PC (HTPC). The main difference between the gaming PC and the HTPC is the display and sound. The gaming PC has a 22″ widescreen monitor with computer surround sound speakers. The HTPC has a 46″ 1080P LCD display, and a component 5.1 home theater speaker setup. The Xbox 360 setup has the same 46″ LCD display and speakers as the HTPC.

The Assumptions

1. The gaming PC must be replaced every three years (just the PC not the display or sound)
2. The gaming PC gets $250 of misc. upgrades by year two
3. The gaming PC is being purchased instead of a basic computer that would have been purchased anyway
4. The console PC requires a larger/better television than what would have been purchased anyway
5. The console life cycle is six years
6. For all scenarios four full-priced games, and one discount game (50%) were purchased each year
7. The console gamer purchases three additional controllers
8. The console gamer goes through four dozen batteries per year
9. The console gamer pays for an Xbox Live Gold membership
10. 23% (mean of Dell's consumer financing rates 15-30%) discount rate used to calculate the NPV

The Method
I am using a finance technique known as net present value (NPV). It is a method for accounting for the time value of money. Basically a dollar today is worth more than a dollar three years from now (or any other later date). It should be noted that using NPV favors the PC rig because it discounts the future costs of upgrading/replacing the system which you don't have to do with the Xbox 360.

The Verdict
In the scenarios I have laid out, the basic PC gaming setup is more expensive. It is somewhat close though; only 12% higher. Think about that though, a 46″ 1080P LCD TV, full home-theater setup, an Xbox 360, 6 years of Xbox Live, four controllers, and the two included games costs less than a good (but not amazing) gaming PC on a relatively paltry 22″ display.

If you compare the 360 to the HTPC it gets bad real quick: 38% more. If you assume that you already have the TV/monitor and sound that you'll be using for your gaming, the PC solutions are a whopping 71% more. Here's the breakdown in dollar figures:

Total NPV
Xbox 360: $3,152
Gaming PC: $3,523
HTPC: $4,349

NPV without display and sound
Xbox 360: $1,837
Gaming PC: $3,149
HTPC: $3,149

The Point?
The only point of this is to show the PC gaming is in fact more expensive. If you enjoy PC gaming, so be it. Just know that it costs more. For the record, I was actually surprised how well PC gaming did in this comparison. For my dollar, I'll take the integrated approach of the Xbox 360 and Xbox Live though, not to mention that I don't have to install my games and troubleshoot them to make them work (if you can make them work).

jasonheyman

first off, you need to stop putting out thread after thread that goes after the expenses of pc gaming. we all know it can be expensive. so is console gaming. in for a dime, in for a dollar...

anyway, on topic, i do prefer consoles, mostly because they are closed, and completely unified. all games for the ps3 have to be able to run on a ps3. i don't mind dated graphics. as long as my eyes don't bleed, i'm fine.

however, the pc has the upper hand due to mods and user created content. nothing is better than adding to the value and re-playability of a game for free. and pc is always better for rts games. i love the total war series.

they both have pros and cons, but seriously, jasonheyman or whatever, stop with these threads. you bring up points for your argument, its just an argument that has been heard so many times before.

don't worry, though. i still hate hermits with a passion...

You don't know anything about PC gaming so stop talking about it. -Master_St3ve-

I know it's more expensive than console gaming :)

first off, you need to stop putting out thread after thread that goes after the expenses of pc gaming. we all know it can be expensive. so is console gaming. in for a dime, in for a dollar...

anyway, on topic, i do prefer consoles, mostly because they are closed, and completely unified. all games for the ps3 have to be able to run on a ps3. i don't mind dated graphics. as long as my eyes don't bleed, i'm fine.

however, the pc has the upper hand due to mods and user created content. nothing is better than adding to the value and re-playability of a game for free. and pc is always better for rts games. i love the total war series.

they both have pros and cons, but seriously, jasonheyman or whatever, stop with these threads. you bring up points for your argument, its just an argument that has been heard so many times before.

don't worry, though. i still hate hermits with a passion...

thesmiter

PC has the upper hand because of mods? Ah No..

DLC is the console version of PC mods and ten bucks to get it is nothing..;)

PC has the upper hand because of mods? Ah No..

DLC is the console version of PC mods and ten bucks to get it is nothing..;)

jasonheyman

People create mods as DLC is made by devs. PC gets both while consoles get one. And above you were saying that consoles are cheaper. When you're paying money for DLC when PC owners aren't, when you're paying $50 for XBL when PC owners aren't, not to mention you pay $10 more for every game. Combine that with buying three consoles. Yeah I'm not so sure. Its kind of a toss up.

[QUOTE="thesmiter"]

first off, you need to stop putting out thread after thread that goes after the expenses of pc gaming. we all know it can be expensive. so is console gaming. in for a dime, in for a dollar...

anyway, on topic, i do prefer consoles, mostly because they are closed, and completely unified. all games for the ps3 have to be able to run on a ps3. i don't mind dated graphics. as long as my eyes don't bleed, i'm fine.

however, the pc has the upper hand due to mods and user created content. nothing is better than adding to the value and re-playability of a game for free. and pc is always better for rts games. i love the total war series.

they both have pros and cons, but seriously, jasonheyman or whatever, stop with these threads. you bring up points for your argument, its just an argument that has been heard so many times before.

don't worry, though. i still hate hermits with a passion...

jasonheyman

PC has the upper hand because of mods? Ah No..

DLC is the console version of PC mods and ten bucks to get it is nothing..;)

oh, come on! you have to have played some good pc mods before. user created content can be such a plus. all i play on the pc is medieval 2 total war. but i play mods for it. they make it so much better. and mods for oblivion would be great, but i have the ps3 version. they don't even have all of the dlc available that they had on the 360! even counter-strike started out as a mod. anyway, i just like stuff like that. if it was on consoles (user created, not just from the devs) then pc could die and i wouldn't care.

[QUOTE="jasonheyman"]

PC has the upper hand because of mods? Ah No..

DLC is the console version of PC mods and ten bucks to get it is nothing..;)

Blackbond

People create mods as DLC is made by devs. PC gets both while consoles get one. And above you were saying that consoles are cheaper. When you're paying money for DLC when PC owners aren't, when you're paying $50 for XBL when PC owners aren't, not to mention you pay $10 more for every game. Combine that with buying three consoles. Yeah I'm not so sure. Its kind of a toss up.

Number one the guy who did this study took into account XBL accounts so that throws one of the points out. And DLC is becoming more and more frequent it will get even better with time I don't get that much into it anyway. I don't want a million choices for everything. Put it in a package put together and give it to me that way. Good enough.

PC has the upper hand because of mods? Ah No..

DLC is the console version of PC mods and ten bucks to get it is nothing..;)

jasonheyman

[QUOTE="Blackbond"][QUOTE="jasonheyman"]

PC has the upper hand because of mods? Ah No..

DLC is the console version of PC mods and ten bucks to get it is nothing..;)

jasonheyman

People create mods as DLC is made by devs. PC gets both while consoles get one. And above you were saying that consoles are cheaper. When you're paying money for DLC when PC owners aren't, when you're paying $50 for XBL when PC owners aren't, not to mention you pay $10 more for every game. Combine that with buying three consoles. Yeah I'm not so sure. Its kind of a toss up.

Number one the guy who did this study took into account XBL accounts so that throws one of the points out. And DLC is becoming more and more frequent it will get even better with time I don't get that much into it anyway. I don't want a million choices for everything. Put it in a package put together and give it to me that way. Good enough.

I could play Doom on a PC you could find in the trash outside of an office building. That's gaming on a PC, so thus PC gaming is free.foxhound_fox

This is like saying I could go to a trash dump find a PS2 and play last Gen games only. Who wants that? Not the majority!

[QUOTE="Blackbond"][QUOTE="jasonheyman"]

PC has the upper hand because of mods? Ah No..

DLC is the console version of PC mods and ten bucks to get it is nothing..;)

jasonheyman

People create mods as DLC is made by devs. PC gets both while consoles get one. And above you were saying that consoles are cheaper. When you're paying money for DLC when PC owners aren't, when you're paying $50 for XBL when PC owners aren't, not to mention you pay $10 more for every game. Combine that with buying three consoles. Yeah I'm not so sure. Its kind of a toss up.

Number one the guy who did this study took into account XBL accounts so that throws one of the points out. And DLC is becoming more and more frequent it will get even better with time I don't get that much into it anyway. I don't want a million choices for everything. Put it in a package put together and give it to me that way. Good enough.

So you don't want choices? I bet you wish we all wore the same clothes, because it's too hard for you to choose what to wear everyday. And how many types of cars are there? Wouldn't it be better to just have one so you don't have to, you know, THINK? Life is about choices, and the amount of freedom and choices are why people like PC gaming.