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Why Console Gaming is Better than PC Gaming

January 07, 2010 in Blog comments 25

This article from gaming website PlanetXbox360.com covers the argument of Console Gaming vs. PC Gaming - with five reasons for each choice, then a final conclusion of which actually comes out on top.

Despite the fact that the vast majority of games these days are developed for a cross-platform release, available on a combination of consoles, handheld consoles and for the PC, there is and always has been a fundamental difference between the nature of PC games and console games (or perhaps gamers?). In this feature article I’ll consider five reasons to stick to consoles and five reasons to move over to a PC for the majority of your gaming (unbiased – I personally use both).
PlanetXbox360 via planetxbox360.com »
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Most recently commented on by on Jan 10, 2010

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  • 3
    Storm Jan 7, 10
    Console gaming is generally used for the multiplayer games when company is over in my house. PC gaming is used for gaming online and such.

    A few notes...the fact that people believe it costs a few month's paychecks to buy a great PC rig just baffles me. I can get a PC for $500 that will run Crysis and all those goodies in high detail.

    The PC community is much more respectable than the console community. No PC gamers have to deal with lame fanboy arguments or wars like 360 vs PS3. And they are overall more mature...when I don't want to hear the generic pre-teen boy cursing it up on Xbox Live, I come to the PC where gamers are more responsive and have a general better vocabulary.

    And then there's controls. One can argue this factor, but anyone who's gotten a taste of both the PC gaming and console gaming may just as well prefer the keyboard and mouse. I feel like I have more control with these keys.

    Let's not forget one thing that makes PC gaming superb...mods. Can't get that on console gaming. There's always someone, somewhere, modifying a game to freshen things up and have that particular series last longer than predicted.

    To conclude, I'm also rather unbiased as I own the consoles and a decent PC rig, having actually spent an equal amount of time on both sides of gaming, but I felt obligated to defend the PC here and correct some assumptions.
    • 0
      Onvacation Jan 7, 10
      What sort of PC are you talking that can run games like crysis full settings for £500, i only ask because i need a decent PC and all i'm seeing are rigs in the 1.5k range...
      • 0
        Storm Jan 8, 10
        I build my PCs now. If you know what you're doing, you can set one up and at little cost. I used sites such as Newegg to get some good deals on different parts, then I put them together and wham. xD You can always just buy parts and upgrade your current PC...unless of course it's a decade old or something.
      • 2
        chautemoc Jan 8, 10
        $500 not £500. Any $500 PC these days will probably run Crysis. You may have to upgrade the video card for ~$100, though, but that's really it, and the card will be fantastic and last you years. Things have gotten cheap.

        I'm assuming you're overestimating what's required to run it.
        • 1
          Fatal Error Jan 8, 10
          I'm gonna have to say no on that one. Consider that you need a quality monitor as well (a minimum of $180 on top of everything else) and really there's no way in hell you're building a gaming rig capable of playing the best games out NOW for $500.
        • 0
          Play ISDF Jan 8, 10
          Maybe it's just because I'm in a smaller town in Australia, but I bought a computer recently. For a 2.8ghz dual core, 2gb of ram, power supply, motherboard, DVD burner, 150gb hard drive, no extra's like a keyboard or anything, and NO video card, it cost me $670. For a moderately decent video card, I have to shell out another $250 minimal. I have to agree with Fatal Error on this. You simply can't buy a computer that's going to play the very best for $500. At least not everywhere.
        • 2
          fudgeboy Jan 8, 10
          why is it that everybody assumes that you're gunna need a new screen when you're buying a new computer? $500AUD is plenty for a decent mid range gaming computer. if you're going to consider that you need a quality monitor with your computer then i'll consider you need a decent gaming tv to go with your console.
        • 2
          fudgeboy Jan 8, 10
          oh and dont forget that the quality of an xbox360/PS3 game isnt the same as a PC game on high, and that most games are displayed in 720p and then [up/down]scaled accordingly.
        • 0
          Fatal Error Jan 8, 10
          Considering they're specifically referring to a computer that can run Crysis and other high quality games at MAX SETTINGS, it's pretty obvious why I would say that. Even a somewhat crappy monitor is an added cost anyways.

          I can also use the monitor to game with my console as well. Sure you could do it with the PC too, but who honestly has their computer in the living room with their TV?
        • 0
          fudgeboy Jan 8, 10
          i should also raise the point that comparing a top end computer that can run crysis on "HOLY SH*T ITS SO FREAKING PRETTY THAT I JUST WET MYSELF" to an xbox or a ps3 would be like comparing a Ferrari to a ford falcon. they both look pretty but obviously you're gunna get more buzz out of the Ferrari because they're two completely different classes.
          also i know many people who have their PC hooked up to their tv - myself being one of them. primarily because it saves space rather than money.
          point three is - how would using an old monitor be an existing cost (probably should've mentioned the existing monitor thing)

          but otherwise you are correct - comparing a computer that can run crysis with all the bells and whistles is obviously not going to happen.
  • 4
    ShadowJ Jan 7, 10
    Nope sorry but I'll pick it at this article

    Number 5 - While yes it is hard to trade-in PC games and "recent" security measures such as Dragon Age's DLC and quest updates only come with the first hand purchase, the article writer misses one key important point...PC games are generally cheaper (almost half, if not more than half the price of a console game) Already in that there is incentive to grab a first hand copy of the game. Example would be Battlefield Bad Company 2, priced at £25.99 upon release for both editions while the console versions are £39.99

    Number 4 - Epicly wrong, for years I was playing my PC set-up through a 32" TV and while sat up in my own bed, nothing more comfy than that I'm afraid...sure I am 1 in a million that does that but point is, the article writer is trying to state that this can only be done via consoles. I know many people who have some sweet set-ups for their PC's and even made them into a complete and utter cinema set-up.

    Number 3 - Meh fair enough I do agree with this one but only assuming that you are a complete novice to PC gaming and have no idea what the hell you are doing...however again, article writer is attempting to sell a console by stating all problems are PC related, as far as I can remember, red ring of death is the console version of the PC's Blue screen of death, random freezes and crashes still occur and so on...the only simple thing about a console is that you buy it, you power it up and you put in the game and play

    Number 2 - Same as above, only if you are a novice and have no idea what you are doing...many people that build PC's or build their own from scratch can build a highly powerful PC for well under £500, true, a PC that can handle Crysis on full is going to be close to £1000 but not even PC gaming is that advanced to handle a game like Crysis with complete stability and neither can a console I believe, though that is the price you pay.

    Consoles are generally cheap but when you add in the cost of accessories and the prices of each and every game, it about breaks even with the PC pricing...for example: PC: Hardware expensive, games are cheap, Console: Hardware is cheaper, games and accessories are expensive

    Number 1 - Complete and utter bullshit...sorry but if you buy a game blindly without looking at system requirements then you are a retard.

    Overall, people forget that with PC's 1 problem could be caused by 12 million other things and the major problem is that each individual PC with the exact same problem could have a different cause...yes this is where the consoles win but they themselves aren't immune to their faults.

    This article is pretty much a sham I'm afraid, attempting to sell a product without stating the full and true facts, yes I am a PC gamer and always will be but I do look at both sides of the story. If someone plays a console, then fair enough, I will laugh and joke with them about the console being crap but both platforms have their advantages and disadvantages, mostly the major thing is personal preference.

    As to the PC reasons they give...meh they do make good points but I am not inclined to pat them on the back for it after those points and misconception used for the consoles
    • 0
      chautemoc Jan 8, 10
      The tech knowledge thing I don't think is that valid of an argument. Just walk into a decent PC store and they'll give you good advice. Or just buy everything here. You don't ever really have to know anything about hardware, it just helps.
      • 0
        ShadowJ Jan 8, 10
        Well you still need some kind of basic knowledge, trust me, if someone can't find a bright yellow button that says play now on a website to start downloading and installing a game, then I highly doubt they know what is inside a computer.

        While yes you are correct that a decent PC store will give good advice, not all of them will, been many times I have been banned from PC repair shops and other shops because I stopped the flow of money going into the shop due to correcting the advice that was given...these days it is all about money and not customer satisfactory, that's why I build my own PC's

        However on saying that, my latest PC is custom built, in other words I chose the components, someone slapped it together (a very good online PC company) The rig itself can play Crysis just not on high, then again while the game is great on high, it doesn't matter to me. As long as I can distinguish between what is what and who is who in a game, that is good for me. Yes I do like to make the game as pretty as possible (such as Fallout 3, Oblivion and Morrowind) but unless you want to stress your PC to the max or a graphic whore, it isn't required.

        When Bioshock came out, everyone flocked to directX10 cards, while it does look somewhat better, I was quite happy to enjoy my game with a ATI X1600XT 512MB DirectX9 card. My latest rig did come with a HD3850 (which is, I believe 2-3 times more powerful than a console) but I saw a HD3870X2 on offer and grabbed that instead.

        In fact really you don't need much PC knowledge, just need to shop around and find a place that is cheap enough for you, the most knowledge you will need is if you want to put the PC together yourself
        • 0
          chautemoc Jan 8, 10
          Yeah, good help is hard to find. Forums are another viable option, too.

          DX10 is very much negligble. DX11 so far seems to be as well, but I guess the differences are more about performance than pure visuals, which is great, too.

          I don't recommend dual GPU cards...more chance for complication, loud, only really used to full potential on officially supported games, etc. But that's me...
  • 3
    chautemoc Jan 8, 10
    Fatal Error, you need a quality TV for console gaming, too. Why the double standard? In any case I purchased the LG WW2242TQ for $180 on sale ($200 reg). Great monitor.

    My rig is terribly inexpensive now and plays GTA4 pretty well (highest settings excepting low textures), probably the most demanding game out. I played through Dragon Age on highest settings. There's a gallery full of screenshots I took on my Neoseeker profile if you think I'm full of crap.

    Specs:
    - 2GB OCZ DDR2-1066 RAM ($30 on sale, $60 reg.)
    - 512MB Radeon 4830 GPU ($100) - link
    - WD 6401AALS 640GB 7200RPM hard drive ($80)
    - AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core CPU 5000+ 2.6 Ghz
    - MSI K9N6PGM2-V mobo

    The last two can be bundled via TigerDirect for $130, and you could possibly find them cheaper separately. RAM, monitor and HD I bought on NCIX.
  • 2
    BANDITO ATTACK Jan 8, 10
    for the amount of money it takes to buy an xbox 360, a hard drive, a spare wired controller and/or a charging adapter for the standard controller, a decent headset, and at least a couple months of xbox live... you could probably buy a pretty decent gaming PC anyway.

    they forgot the #1 reason why consoles are better, btw. aimbots.
  • 1
    ruledbysecrecy Jan 8, 10
    Go buy an FX5200 .
    • 0
      fudgeboy Jan 8, 10
      quote ruledbysecrecy
      Go buy an FX5200 .
      hahaha i had one of those for years!
  • 2
    Goldva_X Jan 8, 10
    For 300-500 bucks you could probably build a rig that runs Crysis on high to max at 1920x720 with 4xAA and AF @ 25-30fps.
  • 2
    Taker4ever Jan 8, 10
    For all those people saying, "You could probably build a rig...", you've pretty much nailed the reason why console gaming still proves more popular than PC gaming. It's easier - you don't need the technical prowess to build a PS3 or 360, because it's already made for you! And what's more, you don't need to keep constantly upgrading it - I challenge ANYONE to build a PC at the cost of a launch PS3 that would have a 10 year lifespan, without upgrades.

    To sum up, here's the minimum system requirements for GTA III and San Andreas on PC respectively:

    Pentium III 450 CPU
    96MB RAM
    16MB Direct3D Video Card
    Fully DirectX compatible Sound Card
    8X CD-Rom
    500MB free hard disk space
    Win 98/ME/2000/XP
    Direct X 8.1

    -------------------------

    Minimum System Requirements:
    1GHz Pentuim III or AMD Athlon
    256MB RAM
    8x Speed DVD Drive
    3.6 GB Hard Disk Space
    64MB Video Card
    DirectX 9 compatable sound & video drivers
    Keyboard, mouse

    That's a pretty big leap in required specs. Yet both these games could run on a launch PS2!
    • 1
      chautemoc Jan 8, 10
      And they'd both look much crappier (especially SA). Don't you get it? Both have advantages and disadvantages to the needs of any gamer.
  • 1
    Ech0ez Jan 8, 10
    Consoles have the whole 'pick-up and play' aspect, and you never need to worry about specific parts or system requirements, aside from the former if you count headsets, live subscriptions, motion+, ect.
    Aside from that PCs pretty much beat out consoles in every other aspect that isn't local multiplayer. Either way debating it's pointless, people should just stick with what they prefer.
  • 0
    conel3 Jan 9, 10
    Consoles are much more convenient than PC's which is why most people prefer them.
  • 2
    Onisamax Jan 10, 10
    Last year I saw a local store (in Malaysia) promoting a pc that they built and selling it for RM 2500 , which would be around $500. And the pc was playing GRID with no lag at all. Spec wise it is not high end one and my own pc spec would kicked it's butt but still, I'm impressed.
  • 3
    Onisamax Jan 10, 10
    PC vs Consoles debates are starting to get stale. I remember when the PS3 and Xbox 360 appeared and this debate started. Two of the reasons the consolers championed were that console games doesn't have to install their games into their hard disks and the superb QA ensure that patches for console game would never happen. After Metal Gear Solid 4 and multi-platforming becomes the norm, those two reasons suddenly became taboo. They are still saying that PC games are driver hell and require constant patches, but when current console games have patches, no one dared to say anything much. There's a new patch for Battlefields 2 (PC) and in it are expansions packs that you have to paid for when they first launched. Sure PC games require a lot of patches but sometimes those patches have surprises in them.

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