How easy is it to become a PC gamer?

[EasySt17]

you want shooters or games with that element; console. easier controls and cheaper rigs.

Negative. A fine-tuned trackball mouse will blow any controller out of the water in any fps shooter.

 

[Katana314]

I don't mean to put down console players, but a mouse really REALLY is the best for precision in shooters. The Xbox Magazine team played a game of Halo PC edition, using controllers, against PC players with mice, who hadn't played Halo in years. XBM got to pick the gamemode, maps, and weapons. The PC team wiped the floor with them.

This isn't to say PC gaming is "better", and I know it's possible to have a lot of fun in shooters with a gamepad and friends, especially because of splitscreen. But if you want an easier time aiming, there's no contest.

I'd also kind of like to note that Crysis is more fun than people give it credit for...in many instances, it's simply that people aren't playing it right. I know that's not the best defense, but...here, just watch some of this guy's channel. He's one of few people who plays Crysis for a lot more than the graphics.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zka_7X9JquA

Also, if you can't run Crysis on full settings, don't sweat it. Plenty of today's games don't take that horsepower, and Crysis 1 and Metro 2033 remain the anomalies in terms of unusually high graphics power.

 

[Danceofmasks]

Remember kids being a PC gamer turns you into a liar. I doubt anyone could play Crysis on full settings with a six-hundred dollar PC. Unless you just know a freaking guy who can get your stuff dirt cheap, and by cheap I mean illegally.

http://www.geforce.com/#/Optimize/Guides/how-to-build-a-kick-ass-crysis-2-pc-for-under-600

It can be done. Easily.

Additionally, I went ahead and checked:

Xbox 360, 250gb, brand new = $300.
12 xbox 360 games, brand new = $720.

Desktop PC, built, 4gb ddr3, GTX 460, 250gb = $650, -$45 in rebates on newegg
12 PC games brand new (AAA games, at prices I bought them for on steam, Including portal 2 preorder) = $136

Xbox total = $1020
PC total = $786

Now, the PC is inarguably faster. The build I laid out has a sandy bridge i5 3.3ghz quad core, 4gb g.skill ddr3, 1gb GTX 460, and such. And if you need a monitor and keyboard and operating system, the total is still only ~$1000, and you have a far better system. And some extra cash for games. PC is far more cost effective. And it will be upgradeable for the future. Much better investment.

This.
The sales model for consoles is just like cheap printers.

Lower initial cost but much higher cost per page.

Also, you should subtract the initial cost of a gaming pc from the cost of a computer you would otherwise have, in exactly the same way as people who subtract the cost of a TV from their console purchase 'cos they want a TV regardless.

 

[Vault101]

I have so far been a console gamer since I first became interested in gaming, partly because I sucked at using keyboard controls on the few games I tried on PC. Mind you, I sucked at just about everything back then so I reckon with practice I could now get the hang of it. However, I've recently been thinking about trying to get into PC gaming, firstly because there are some good games, such as Counter Strike, that as far as I know are not on consoles (or at least no-one else plays on consoles). Secondly because I'm sick of the endless PC vs Consoles war that everyone and their dog on this site seems to think is important and I want to prove that it is possible to like both. But that's another story...

Trouble is I'm not sure the computer I have at the moment is good enough to run Steam and some of it's best games. I don't know exactly what model it is, but it is a relatively new Dell that uses Windows 7 and that cost a lot of money. However, it's not designed for gaming and is only a laptop, and according to my brother (who's a much bigger tech head than I am) says that there's no point in me even installing Steam let alone buying any of the things I want from it.

So is he right? Is there no way my laptop is powerful enough to run games like Counter Strike, Team Fortress 2 (I'm not even going to think about Crysis) well, and how much would it cost to get one that can? (I still want a laptop if that's possible as they're so much more convienient for work.

Im using a laptop

as far as hardcore PC gaming goes sure its not Ideal but it works for me and its run pretty much everything Ive thrown at it (latest being portal 2 which I know isnt all that demading) I wouldnt trust it to run metro or crysis but it works

Im not that tech savvy but really the main things are RAM and video card and mabye CPU (dual core at least...I think) like youd probably need 4gb of RAM at least

if its windows 7 you can look up your specs in computer> systm propertys, then you can compare that to what ever games your thinking of playing

personally as much as I like PC gaming its just not worth investing a monster rig the way things are

 

[HotFezz8]

you want shooters or games with that element; console. easier controls and cheaper rigs.

Negative. A fine-tuned trackball mouse will blow any controller out of the water in any fps shooter.

disagree. i use a trackball and its generally necessary to clean it out. there is a deteriaration of control quality until then. also whilst a mouse might be able to shoot better - maybe depending on your preference - a keyboard is a more confusing less immersive control system.

granted its apples and oranges and if you grew up with a pc control system you will think it fluid and easy, but for shooters i personnaly prefer console controls.