PC or Consoles - Which do you prefer playing video games on?

[Madmick]

I know that a Youtube video doesn't necessarily do it justice, but it gives you an idea. How would a PC 1080 on Ultra stack up against a One X enhanced game that plays in Native 4K? Would $800 or $900 also include a UHD Blu-ray drive too?

I started gaming in the 80's, so maybe I'm just not that picky because the technology has come so far. I honestly don't really even notice 60 and 30 fps and never would have if I hadn't read about it. I'm sure high end PC gaming is cool, but I don't see the returns you get being $800-$900 Cool.

The PC looks better. The PC can upscale to a 4K monitor/TV, too. It simply renders the game at the same 1080p with higher detail and a higher framerate. It also has a more powerful CPU to upscale with higher fidelity. The few games in native 4K on an Xbox One X achieve that by nerfing the shit out of the graphic details, like textures, and by nerfing the fps when it's still too challenging for the hardware to keep up with dynamic framerate voodoo.

The Xbox One X is my pick for the best value among those pursuing high quality graphics, but overall, that machine is pitiful compared to what you can get with an $800 PC, today, in terms of overall functionality, and respective game libraries. Typing out this post using your joystick and controller buttons, are you?

Frankly, the value of the hardware for consoles is offset 10-fold by the superior value of game sales, services, freebies, emulation (all free), and just the incredible size of the gaming library available with a PC, now. You've been gaming since the 80's? Cool. Maybe take the time to just learn a little about PCs because you can play nearly the entire library of games in existence going back to that time, and most of them for free. Meanwhile, if you're willing to just pay for everything, like you do with your console, the PC is pretty much a plug n' play experience at this point, for the mouse & keyboard input, too. If you can install a browser you can install Steam, and you're there. The difference is you have competing marketplaces like Microsoft, Epic, GoG Galaxy, EA Origin, and so on. You have websites that offer you the service of price tracking (with alerts and historical low prices) for free. On your Xbox Microsoft owns you. The competition stopped the minute you walked out the retailer's door with your Xbox. You can buy from one store.

Also, about that price tag: the Xbox One X is the most powerful console, but it's still effectively running on 2013 PC hardware. The PS5 is most likely going to cost $500 ($470+), according to the most recent estimates, and the Xbox Series X looks like it's going to run around $600, and certainly no cheaper than $500. So it's not a unreasonable premium, and keep in mind you can get PCs that offer a viable gaming experience for below these figures-- much closer to the $350 low you're seeing for the Xbox One X, lately.

 

[HereticBD]

This is one thing I wish consoles would embrace. I actually have a K/M setup for my PS4, and it works SO much better for some game types. But the hoops you have to jump through to keep it working from game to game make me sad.

Yeah, I've never understood why consoles haven't gotten on the KB/M peripheral bandwagon yet and made it an easy thing to alternate from a controller. I know some have KB/M support, but I don't believe they've put much effort into optimizing it for games. It's really a no brainer.

 

[KaNesDeath]

Yeah, I've never understood why consoles haven't gotten on the KB/M peripheral bandwagon yet and made it an easy thing to alternate from a controller.

This is already happening though. Current generation they were forced to accept Pc peripherals. Last thing lacking on consoles is sound output.

 

[Fuzzybabyducks]

I do both . Most times when I’m playing console games I’m doing it through my pc as well . A lot depends on the game and what my friends are playing on . I play switch, PS4 and pc .. have an Xbox but no reason to turn it on. I run gamepass through my pc . I probably haven’t turned the actual Xbox on in months ...

 

[JoeyJoeJoeJr]

I stopped playing console completely, except my switch. After playing rocket league on xbox one x and pc, I can never go back to console. The input lag is insane compared to pc.

 

[Drain Bamage]

I stopped playing console completely, except my switch. After playing rocket league on xbox one x and pc, I can never go back to console. The input lag is insane compared to pc.

This is the main difference when I tried playing Apex on Xbox. There's like multiple frames of input lag on Xbox whereas on PC I can get it down to a single frame.

 

[Benny Viper]

Consoles just because I can watch 4K movies on it. It’s also easier on the eyes with the way my living room is set up.

 

[Deleted member 449757]

Generally i prefer playing on consoles because of the static experience in quality. When i'm not playing certain games for a couple of years on my pc, they might suddenly have issues working the way they did when i last played them. It might be because of Windows updates causing problems with compatibility or because of some other technical aspect. For example when i wanted to play the WWF Raw PC game from 2002 a couple of weeks ago for the first time since i installed it back in 2016 it suddenly ran at like 10 frames per second and in ultra slow motion. It worked like a charm back when i installed and last played it. I couldn't find a fix on the internet so i just played the Xbox version of the damn game.

I had issues like that (low fps for no reason, sudden crashing, black screen) with many PC games that i didn't play for a couple of years and while i can usually fix them in a matter of minutes, i don't want to have to deal with unreliable stuff like that.

 

[Steve-French]

You've been gaming since the 80's? Cool. Maybe take the time to just learn a little about PCs because you can play nearly the entire library of games in existence going back to that time, and most of them for free.

I'm pretty computer literate and have been fucking with emulators since the early 2000's when I discovered a website called Vimms Lair back in 2001. I also have a custom built bar top arcade that runs off a Rasberry Pi using Retroarch software. I use if for Mame(Arcade) Nes, Genesis, Snes, Master System, Turbo Gfx 16, 32x, and Atari games.

Even though I still have all of my old consoles stored away in a closet. For the last several years I've made sure my laptops have been good enough to run the Dolphin emulator for GameCube games.

I've also played around with PS2 and PS1 ISO's and will play some N64 AKI wrestling once in a while on my computer as well. I don't consider any of that making me a PC gamer though as I have always been on a console for the new stuff.

 

[Madmick]

This is already happening though. Current generation they were forced to accept Pc peripherals. Last thing lacking on consoles is sound output.

About that...
Xbox Series X to Feature Dedicated Audio Hardware Acceleration
Excerpt from the Microsoft press release for the upcoming GDC:

Learn from the audio designers of Borderlands 3 and Gears of War 5 around how a collaboration between Microsoft, Dolby, and our middleware partners kicked off a revolution with spatial sound that turns any pair of headphones into a multi-dimensional gateway to another world. Attendees will dive deep into the audio design pipeline (Project Acoustics) and the relationship to dedicated hardware-acceleration on newer generation Xbox consoles.

Meaning:

With today's confirmation, both the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 will bring some serious sound improvements. Last year, it has been confirmed by Mark Cerny that the next-generation Sony console will feature a custom unit for 3D audio. Considering how important sound is for immersion, it will be interesting to see how audio production will change for next-generation console games.

 

[Plissken]

Depends on the game. I've played way more Binding of Issac and other quick get in and play games on my Switch than my PC (save for Broforce as I need those community made levels), but for the new Doom or Wolfenstein games and things graphically intensive or wanting a steady 60 fps I usually go PC. If there's enough parity like Resident Evil Revelations 2 I prefer the quick startup and play of the Switch.

 

[Madmick]

I'm pretty computer literate and have been fucking with emulators since the early 2000's when I discovered a website called Vimms Lair back in 2001. I also have a custom built bar top arcade that runs off a Rasberry Pi using Retroarch software. I use if for Mame(Arcade) Nes, Genesis, Snes, Master System, Turbo Gfx 16, 32x, and Atari games.

I'm aware you bought one of the pre-packaged Pi cabinets, but those units are the ones that take most of the DIY out of both hardware assembly and software setup, my friend.

Even though I still have all of my old consoles stored away in a closet. For the last several years I've made sure my laptops have been good enough to run the Dolphin emulator for GameCube games.

I've also played around with PS2 and PS1 ISO's and will play some N64 AKI wrestling once in a while on my computer as well. I don't consider any of that making me a PC gamer though as I have always been on a console for the new stuff.

On the contrary, you're a PC gamer, but you only dabble. You don't prefer it, and you appear to overlook the tremendous value that emulation is bringing you; perhaps due to your preference.

I suggest you learn how to connect a dual analog controller and the basics of key mapping. Ultimately, that's nearly always what this comes down to. I think @Valhoven has been the most earnest in offering the simple foundation of his preference. He wants the simplest, most relaxing experience possible. Controller, couch, stability, streamlined software, the minimal possible hassle with troubleshoots and networking.

While connecting controllers has nearly reached a 1-button EZ mode, if you like online competitive play, most agree the KB+M is the only viable input option on PC, and will remain so until they begin sequestering servers by input (like the consoles do for the few games that support KB+M). At the same time, we're not living in the world we lived in two decades ago. A PC doesn't connect to just monitors. It connects to TVs. HDMI is the standard, so one can easily bring that gaming experience to the living room, these days, for single player gaming, and still roll a controller.

The consoles won't become obsolete until they stop making profits, but that's a market reality. Technologically, we're nearing that horizon.

 

[Steve-French]

I'm aware you bought one of the pre-packaged Pi cabinets, but those units are the ones that take most of the DIY out of both hardware assembly and software setup, my friend.

It wasn't pre packed It started as a bunch of parts from the hardware store. Even though I am a carpenter by trade, a friend of mine did build the cabinet as he did 5 of them at once, but I loaded up the games and the Retroarch program on a vanilla Rasperry Pi. Not that it was hard as everything is on the internet and the dude that built the cabinet told me how to do it.

Some of it can be a little tricky like sometimes mapping the buttons (believe it or not) but adding and taking away games, over lays, menus, and skins can all be done via your computer, and is wireless sent to the raspberry pi. It's actually pretty neat. I've probably spent just as much time monkeying with the thing as I have actually playing games on it.

 

[KaNesDeath]

About that...

Audiophile peripheral prices havent budged like nvme SSD's. Meaning its likely a entry level hardware component.

 

[weed]

guys..

I have a ThinkPad t480 i7-8650u w/16gb ram (Balistix Sport), 128gb m.2 ssd + 1tb firecuda sshd. it has an on-cell screen with 10 points touch, Windows 10 pro installed, with the latest Symantec Endpoint (lifetime). it's all under warranty, probably has 3yrs left, or close & it has 'Accidental Damage Protection" covering broken screens etc.

altogether, it's worth well over a grand, & it's hardly used. like barely. it's just been collecting dust & I'm looking to get rid of it. I'll even include a brand new never before used m.2 to 2.5" adapter from Lenovo for free.

any takers?

(mods, if my asking is against the rules - my apologies & let me know).

 

[SowingSeason]

PC is super fun and one day I will probably create a setup that allows me to chill on my couch and play my games through Steam on my TV. Modding alone makes this a difficult decision but I’m rocking my consoles as of now.