Buy a 360 or build a PC?

[DdMac679]

I currently own a PS3 and an outdated gaming rig. I have been toying with the idea these last couple of weeks of buying a 360 instead of spending the money on a new machine. I am worried though if it is worth it. The only games I can think of for the PC I would want that I can't get on a 360 would be D3 or SCII. Are there any other duel 360/PS3 owners out there that could give me some feedback from your own experience? Is the 360 worth owning along side a PS3 or should I just build a new rig?

[roadbloc]

I am going to say to build a new PC. But it is all personal choice at the end of the day.

[sikkinixx]

PC. Most 360 & PC titles are far better on PC and with most games having 360 controller support now you get a better looking, better running game for usually a lot less (ie. Steam/D2D deals). Plus you get all the awesome upcoming PC only games like Civ V <3

[AAPLaday]

You can pick up some pretty sweet deals on a 360. Plus the online service is great

[Dagless]

Another vote for PC here. I like what the consoles do but they're very limited. Only one control method, games are "casualised", have to pay to play online (Xbox), limited game library.

[apolloa]

WAIT!!! Don't buy anything yet. E3 is just around the corner and rumours have been rife about a new 360 slim so see what happens. We'll also hopefully get more insight into Natal which is something you won't get on your PC.
And IMO, don't get so hung up on the graphics, it's playability you want and there are plenty of games gamers love on ALL platforms and they don't care about graphics.
But then Star Craft 2 looks pretty damn good... See what happens at E3 then decide?

[peskaa]

Build the PC.

I have a PS3 and 360, and find that I have hardly any 360 titles - I buy the cross platform for the PS3, which leaves the 360 with pretty slim pickings, basically exclusives only (and I'm not into Halo...).

On the other hand, I have a massive stack of PC games that don't exist on consoles. If it came to it, I'd ditch the 360 and just have my PS3 and PC (well, bootcamp).

[jessica.]

I've always much preferred a PC over any console. Most ofit has to do with me liking the keyboard/mouse combo. Even though the 360 is great and is fully capable you're limited go xbox live I belive. Not so much with a pc.

[Hellhammer]

You already have a PS3 so IMO X360 would be useless as they have the same games with few exceptions. PC on the other hand has many titles which consoles don't, e.g. strategy and MMORG games plus some people don't like FPS games on consoles.

You can use the case of your old rig and possible DVD and hard drive depending on the interface. If you tell me your budget for the rig, I can come up with a suggestion of what to buy, I build PCs for living.

I don't like gaming on PCs nor on Macs, that's why I have PS3. So easy to just pop the game in and start gaming and never worry about graphics or driver updates etc. Console gaming is also cheaper but on PC you can get games for free ;)

[DdMac679]

You can use the case of your old rig and possible DVD and hard drive depending on the interface. If you tell me your budget for the rig, I can come up with a suggestion of what to buy, I build PCs for living.

If I go the PC route:

I already use an Antec 900 case w/ 850w P/S. I would want to build using an i7 processor and latest nVidia graphics card. I didn't have plans to use RAID but wouldn't mind entertaining that option. I don't see the need to use SLI at this time but maybe down the road. My DVD will have to be replaced but that's cheap enough. If I went a little overboard in options I was looking around 1400 for the parts (memory included).

Parts Needed
-Motherboard
-Memory
-Video card
-Processor

[Hellhammer]

If I go the PC route:

I already use an Antec 900 case w/ 850w P/S. I would want to build using an i7 processor and latest nVidia graphics card. I didn't have plans to use RAID but wouldn't mind entertaining that option. I don't see the need to use SLI at this time but maybe down the road. My DVD will have to be replaced but that's cheap enough. If I went a little overboard in options I was looking around 1400 for the parts (memory included).

Parts Needed
-Motherboard
-Memory
-Video card
-Processor

Motherboard (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188039) - 260$
Processor (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115225) - 289$
Memory (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145224) - 440$ (buy two of those kits to get 12GB)
Video card (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130551) - 538$

Total: 1537$

Of course you can get 6GB first to save 220$ and then upgrade later on if needed. That doesn't include hard drive or DVD drive as you said you don't need one but the mobo supports RAID

Just my recommendation so feel free to ask and change and recommend your own

[DdMac679]

Do you think the 900 case is #1 large enough to support growth (SLI/RAID) and #2 have enough airflow to keep that growth cooled?

[dukebound85]

i like consoles as i can not, nor ever get used to a mouse and keyboard and you cant play with friends (in the same room)

i much prefer lounging on a couch with a controller than hunched over a computer

[Dagless]

i much prefer lounging on a couch with a controller than hunched over a computer
You don't have to hunch over a computer, I sit back in a recliner when I'm playing PC games :).

You also don't have to use keyboard/mouse controls. The PC is the only platform that you can play any game with any control method. Using a little app called Glovepie I set up Half Life 2 to be played by my Wii controller and midi keyboard.

S'all about options.

[Hellhammer]

Do you think the 900 case is #1 large enough to support growth (SLI/RAID) and #2 have enough airflow to keep that growth cooled?

It can easily house them both. It has several HD bays for multiple HDs and as long as the mobo has space for SLI, the case has too. For better cooling, you can always change the CPU cooler for e.g. this (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118046) and add some case fans to keep the air moving. Stock fans are pretty good though, just look at the temps and you'll be fine.

[peskaa]

Motherboard (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188039) - 260$
Processor (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115225) - 289$
Memory (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145224) - 440$ (buy two of those kits to get 12GB)
Video card (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130551) - 538$

Total: 1537$

Of course you can get 6GB first to save 220$ and then upgrade later on if needed. That doesn't include hard drive or DVD drive as you said you don't need one but the mobo supports RAID

Just my recommendation so feel free to ask and change and recommend your own
12GB of RAM in a gaming box is ridiculous. No game will make anywhere near full use of that much memory - hell, most won't even touch 6GB. I'd stick with the 6GB, halving your outlay on RAM - possibly even more if you go for a lower density stick (ie: 6 slots of 1GB, rather than 3 slots of 2GB).

Secondly, the GTX 480 is a hot, expensive, waste of space. I used to swear by nVIDIA's products, but ATi have suckered them this time. Buy a 5870 and have done with it - you can always Crossfire in the future if you really need to.

[dukebound85]

You don't have to hunch over a computer, I sit back in a recliner when I'm playing PC games :).

You also don't have to use keyboard/mouse controls. The PC is the only platform that you can play any game with any control method. Using a little app called Glovepie I set up Half Life 2 to be played by my Wii controller and midi keyboard.

S'all about options.

Really? Hmm, may have to reconsider it again.

I had gotten COD4 on the pc and it did not have native support for controllers which made the experience not that enjoyable for me. How do you get controller support for games that don't have it built in and have it work well?

[Hellhammer]

12GB of RAM in a gaming box is ridiculous. No game will make anywhere near full use of that much memory - hell, most won't even touch 6GB. I'd stick with the 6GB, halving your outlay on RAM - possibly even more if you go for a lower density stick (ie: 6 slots of 1GB, rather than 3 slots of 2GB).

Secondly, the GTX 480 is a hot, expensive, waste of space. I used to swear by nVIDIA's products, but ATi have suckered them this time. Buy a 5870 and have done with it - you can always Crossfire in the future if you really need to.

He wanted the latest nVidia card, I know GTX 4xx sucks. I would get ATI over nVidia any day, no doubt. For cheapish but good CF he could get 5870 and e.g. 5770 (they work in CF right? (I've heard they do but never tried))

[Chuushajou]

I also vote for PC, they are more versatile and 99% you can do on the PS3/Xbox you can do on the PC, even if you don't like the keyboard and mouse, you can always use 360 controller. Games are also cheaper for two reasons, the developer doesn't have to pay license to the console developer, that is why most games are £40 on PS3/Xbox and £30 on the PC. Oh and Steam deals are always on!


Console gaming is also cheaper but on PC you can get games for free ;)

Console gaming isn't cheaper, see above ;)

[dukebound85]

He wanted the latest nVidia card, I know GTX 4xx sucks. I would get ATI over nVidia any day, no doubt.

Well at the present time lol. It was just a year or so ago where nvidia was the platform to get and ATI was the one to avoid!
Games are also cheaper for two reasons, the developer doesn't have to pay license to the console developer, that is why most games are £40 on PS3/Xbox and £30 on the PC. Oh and Steam deals are always on!

From my experience, games tend to run the same as console prices



Console gaming isn't cheaper, see above ;)

How so? the setup costs are cheaper for consoles and games are the same price

[DdMac679]

He wanted the latest nVidia card, I know GTX 4xx sucks. I would get ATI over nVidia any day, no doubt.

Well I am just use to using nVidia cards. If the current ATI's blow the GTX4 cards away then I will be heading back to ATI.

[Hellhammer]

Well at the present time lol. It was just a year or so ago where nvidia was the platform to get and ATI was the one to avoid!

Yeah, GTX 2xx series was better than ATI 4xxx (performance wise) but now that nVidia has/had issues with Fermi, ATI is clear winner. GTX 480 was supposed to be a lot faster but it's about as fast as ATI 5870 but GTX 480 has barbecue feature which 5870 doesn't :D

[Hellhammer]

Well I am just use to using nVidia cards. If the current ATI's blow the GTX4 cards away then I will be heading back to ATI.

Yeah, ATI 5xxx beats GTX 4xxx in every category! Get this (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161301) instead the GTX 480

Then when you need more speed, just buy other 5xxx card e.g. 5850 or 5770 and CF them

[Chuushajou]

From my experience, games tend to run the same as console prices



How so? the setup costs are cheaper for consoles and games are the same price

Blur (Xbox360) (http://www.play.com/Games/Xbox360/4-/9925491/Blur/Product.html) - Blur (PC) (http://www.play.com/Games/PC/4-/10665815/Blur/Product.html)
Fallout: New Vegas (Xbox360) (http://www.play.com/Games/Xbox360/4-/13456541/Fallout-New-Vegas/Product.html)- Fallout: New Vegas (PC) (http://www.play.com/Games/PC/4-/13456533/Fallout-New-Vegas/Product.html)
Max Payne (PS3) (http://www.play.com/Games/PlayStation3/4-/9455366/Max-Payne-3/Product.html) - Max Payne (PC) (http://www.play.com/Games/PC/4-/9455367/Max-Payne-3/Product.html)
Medal Of Honor (PS3) (http://www.play.com/Games/PlayStation3/4-/12980656/Medal-Of-Honor/Product.html) - Medal Of Honor (PC) (http://www.play.com/Games/PC/4-/12980657/Medal-Of-Honor/Product.html)

...I think you get my drift, this is the same everywhere else also. Granted the set up fees are cheaper, but in the long run you'll get more use out of a PC.

[DdMac679]

I appreciate everyone’s feedback concerning this issue. Now comes the fun part of weighing all options and determining the best course of action.

[Huntn]

There is a place for both in your life if you can afford it. Mac(Bootcamp) or PC first, console second.

[Dagless]

Blur (Xbox360) (http://www.play.com/Games/Xbox360/4-/9925491/Blur/Product.html) - Blur (PC) (http://www.play.com/Games/PC/4-/10665815/Blur/Product.html)
Fallout: New Vegas (Xbox360) (http://www.play.com/Games/Xbox360/4-/13456541/Fallout-New-Vegas/Product.html)- Fallout: New Vegas (PC) (http://www.play.com/Games/PC/4-/13456533/Fallout-New-Vegas/Product.html)
Max Payne (PS3) (http://www.play.com/Games/PlayStation3/4-/9455366/Max-Payne-3/Product.html) - Max Payne (PC) (http://www.play.com/Games/PC/4-/9455367/Max-Payne-3/Product.html)
Medal Of Honor (PS3) (http://www.play.com/Games/PlayStation3/4-/12980656/Medal-Of-Honor/Product.html) - Medal Of Honor (PC) (http://www.play.com/Games/PC/4-/12980657/Medal-Of-Honor/Product.html)

...I think you get my drift, this is the same everywhere else also. Granted the set up fees are cheaper, but in the long run you'll get more use out of a PC.

I have over a hundred games on Steam, if these were on the Xbox they would cost an unearthly amount. Factor in that PC's can be overclocked, user repairable, upgraded so the initial product is prolonged, no walled gardens so you're able to buy games anywhere at any price, and that any game I buy will be playable on any future machine* I buy... yea they're loads cheaper in the long run.

*Thank you, DosBox.

[Hellhammer]

I have over a hundred games on Steam, if these were on the Xbox they would cost an unearthly amount. Factor in that PC's can be overclocked, user repairable, upgraded so the initial product is prolonged, no walled gardens so you're able to buy games anywhere at any price... yea they're loads cheaper in the long run.

+ Many people just download them for free...

I don't think there is need for another platform war as it never leads to anything. PC is expensive but it can be used for other things and games are cheaper/free. Consoles are cheap but games costs and they are mainly just for gaming. All have their pros and cons

[DdMac679]

There is a place for both in your life if you can afford it. Mac(Bootcamp) or PC first, console second.

It's funny. If I wasn't so concerned about the 27" i7 issues that seem to run rampant on these boards I probably would own one now. I would prefer to go that route, but I am not sure it is worth the chance of having to deal with those issues. I know the iMac can't go toe-to-toe with a pure gaming PC, but it would give me options to play certain games that I can't buy for the PS3 and would allow me to replace my old desktop.

[Hellhammer]

It's funny. If I wasn't so concerned about the 27" i7 issues that seem to run rampant on these boards I probably would own one now. I would prefer to go that route, but I am not sure it is worth the chance of having to deal with those issues. I know the iMac can't go toe-to-toe with a pure gaming PC, but it would give me options to play certain games that I can't buy for the PS3 and would allow me to replace my old desktop.

Build a cheapish gaming rig (~700$) and save the rest for future iMac. 700$ rig can play almost any game at high settings. Just get a GPU with DisplayPort so you can in future hook it to the iMac

[sikkinixx]

+ Many people just download them for free...



And help ruin the chances of PC games getting first run versions or being slapped with outrageous DRM (ie. Splinter Cell, Ass Creed 2)

[DdMac679]

Build a cheapish gaming rig (~700$) and save the rest for future iMac. 700$ rig can play almost any game at high settings. Just get a GPU with DisplayPort so you can in future hook it to the iMac

If I was to go that route then I would probably be better off to just replace my current processor with this (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115036), upgrade my RAM to 4GB, install WIN7 which is currently being underutilized on my MBP and use my current 9800GTX or switch to a newer model.

[Huntn]

Build a cheapish gaming rig (~700$) and save the rest for future iMac. 700$ rig can play almost any game at high settings. Just get a GPU with DisplayPort so you can in future hook it to the iMac

About 5 years ago, I got a custom built PC (3.1Ghz PIII) for about $800. With identical graphic cards, it kicked my G5's butt all over my office getting about twice the frames.

[Red Comet]

About 5 years ago, I got a custom built PC (3.1Ghz PIII) for about $800. With identical graphic cards, it kicked my G5's butt all over my office getting about twice the frames.

1.3Ghz Tualatin

[DdMac679]

Intel Core i7-930 Bloomfield 2.8GHz $288.99
Intel Core i7-960 Bloomfield 3.2GHz $569.99

Does .4 using i7 technology, justify the $281 price difference if you are mainly going to use your machine to game?

[DoFoT9]

Intel Core i7-930 Bloomfield 2.8GHz $288.99
Intel Core i7-960 Bloomfield 3.2GHz $569.99

Does .4 using i7 technology, justify the $281 price difference if you are mainly going to use your machine to game?

id go the 2.8.. you can OC to 3.2 easily, there is your $280 difference :D

[peskaa]

Intel Core i7-930 Bloomfield 2.8GHz $288.99
Intel Core i7-960 Bloomfield 3.2GHz $569.99

Does .4 using i7 technology, justify the $281 price difference if you are mainly going to use your machine to game?

Get the 930, or if you want to drop the budget, go for the 1156 i7-860. Either CPU is going to be plenty fast.

[Hellhammer]

Intel Core i7-930 Bloomfield 2.8GHz $288.99
Intel Core i7-960 Bloomfield 3.2GHz $569.99

Does .4 using i7 technology, justify the $281 price difference if you are mainly going to use your machine to game?

No, just get the cheaper option. I never understand paying for MHz as you can overclock CPUs very easily nowadays

Get the 930, or if you want to drop the budget, go for the 1156 i7-860. Either CPU is going to be plenty fast.

They cost the same 280$. 1156 mobos are cheaper but you only get 4 RAM slots and I think Bloomfields are better for overclocking as well (at least 1366 mobos are)

Ultimate budget option would be AMD Phenom II x4 965, which is IMO the best gaming CPU atm

[masterofbuckets]

+1 for building a PC.

If you live near a Microcentre outlet, thank the heavens cos they sell some computer parts at ridiculous prices.

http://www.microcenter.com/search/search_results.phtml?Ntx=&Ntt=&Ntk=&N=4294966995+4294964566+4294963068&Ns=&Nso=&sht=Any&prt=NewProduct&web_group=

i7 930 + ATI 5850/5870 + 6 gigs of RAM + ASUS/EVGA mobo = Gaming bliss for atleast 3 years imo.

Enjoy !

[DoFoT9]

No, just get the cheaper option. I never understand paying for MHz as you can overclock CPUs very easily nowadays

pfffft dont repeat what i said ;) its like 2 buttons to OC to that more expensive CPU anyway.