PC gaming THE COST

[verdant monkai]

I have been thinking about the state of console gaming recently, and I'm not liking what I see and hear. I've never like paying for xbox live it always seemed like a massive waste, there are other things I could slag the xbox off for but suffice to say its not perfect. And sadly the future of consoles seems equally as bleak, as its depressing present.

The PC gaming scene has always held a certain allure for me. I have never been one of those people who get a raging boner for hd graphics and the performance of a machine, those things seem utterly shallow and pointless to me. Its the extensive library of games, the MODS, and the comparative cheapness of games. Also the amazing Steam sales (I saw the Witcher2 for £6 the other day, on Xbox the minimum would be around £15).

So I finally relented and bought a PC which I am waiting for at the moment, I also need to buy a monitor, wifi card, mouse, keyboard, speakers, and a headset. Now onto the threads actual point... IT COST and is still going to cost A LOT OF MONEY. I got the pc for £325, the wifi card will be around £15 and the monitor will cost £97, and the other things I have budgeted to get individually for under £5 each.

Its gonna cost around £500 all together... (apologies to any Americans reading this but its costing me around $760) and if its as good as you PC gamer guys say I won't regret it at all. If anyone is interested in the PC here is a link to it http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200886653771?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2648

So how much did you guys pay for your rigs? that is what you call them yes?
Also please don't make any PC gaming master race comments, they churn my stomach and make PC gamers seem terrible.

 

[Clowndoe]

Wow, I think you did pretty well for hardware especially with the sale it's on. And I'm sure that as long as you don't buy games you wouldn't buy otherwise, between Steam, GoG, GamersGate, etc you may save a lot of money in the long run compared to a console. And if you do buy games you wouldn't otherwise then you get the chance to discover really good games.

As for me, I spent about 800$ - 900$ cdn (too lazy to go look but... about 500-600 euros?) last November for every part that goes in a case, plus the case. I did reuse my old mouse, monitor, keyboard and speakers, and my SSD.

For that I got an AMD FX-8320 (I think), Radeon 7770, 8 gigs of RAM and a 2 tb HDD, and I'm very much satisfied with the power I'm getting (mid-max depending on the game, and I often leave settings lower than I need to just so I don't have to bother). She's a bit noisy sometimes after she's been on for a while when I play a lot of intensive games, but after a few weeks I shut her down until next time and she'll be back to her quiet self.

Oh, and "rigs" is fine, I use it. Welcome to the dark side!

 

[verdant monkai]

Wow, I think you did pretty well for hardware especially with the sale it's on. And I'm sure that as long as you don't buy games you wouldn't buy otherwise, between Steam, GoG, GamersGate, etc you may save a lot of money in the long run compared to a console. And if you do buy games you wouldn't otherwise then you get the chance to discover really good games.

As for me, I spent about 800$ - 900$ cdn (too lazy to go look but... about 500-600 euros?) last November for every part that goes in a case, plus the case. I did reuse my old mouse, monitor, keyboard and speakers, and my SSD.

For that I got an AMD FX-8320 (I think), Radeon 7770, 8 gigs of RAM and a 2 tb HDD, and I'm very much satisfied with the power I'm getting (mid-max depending on the game, and I often leave settings lower than I need to just so I don't have to bother). She's a bit noisy sometimes after she's been on for a while when I play a lot of intensive games, but after a few weeks I shut her down until next time and she'll be back to her quiet self.

Oh, and "rigs" is fine, I use it. Welcome to the dark side!

Thanks for having a look. All my friends who PC game said it was a pretty good find as well, so I'm looking forward to getting it up and running. As for the game prices you're right when you say that I'll save in the long run, although my wallet probably doesn't see it that way right now.

Your PC sounds like a beast the Raedon 7770 sound like you could load up some serious vistas. I sounds like you got your rig for around £600 British pounds (or sterling). I've been told one of the nice things about this PC is that its pretty quiet, so I'll see how it sounds when its all set up I guess.

And thanks by the way....but it smells kinda funny over here.

 

[IllumInaTIma]

In my current conditions buying an actual PC would be a hassle, so for last 3 years I've been using gaming notebooks. My latest beast is ASUS G74SX that I bought for, around 1300$, more than year ago on Amazon. And Holy Shit that thing is amazing. The only game that managed to tank it is Witcher 2, but fuck Witcher 2 and fuck Steam for making me buy it.
Welcome though, enjoy your stay, and remember, Steam is one manipulative ************.

 

[IndomitableSam]

I had mine built for me last fall, all told the cost was about $2000 Canadian. However, I'm 29, well employed... and that summer I'd also recieved $25,000 in inheritance. I'd paid off my car and all other debts, put a chunk away into a TFSA (tax-free savings account, kind of like an RRSP without some limitations), and then spoiled myself with the computer.

That said, the last one I bought I bought almost 10 years ago and was incapable of playing games now. So my sister would use her laptop and I would play on her desktop... her Vista desktop. So it was past time for a new computer.

Which is why I went top of the line. Or near-top. I don't remember all the specs, but it's got an i7-3770, 8 gigs of ram and a GTX670 card. I run Skyrim on ultra settings with a couple dozen graphical mods as well as a couple dozen other mods. I'm pretty sure the thing won't have any trouble with anything for a long, long time. And when it does, I'll pop in a second graphics card. Or however that works. Building computers confuses me, so I chose most of the parts and then handed it over to someone to make sure everything would work together and could be upgraded later.

 

[PedroSteckecilo]

I shelled out around $1000 Cdn (So I dunno like... $800 American?) for my rig around 2 years ago and it's still been holding up pretty nicely.

 

[EstrogenicMuscle]

Always consult the Falcon Guide [http://www.logicalincrements.com/] when buying/building a PC.

So how much did you guys pay for your rigs? that is what you call them yes?

Technically, my computer is around the $1,500 range. Though it has costed me more than that because I have lots of things related to more than gaming.

I have quite a few hard drives and extra computers made of spare parts. PC gaming is getting better. We're getting a few jRPGs and fighting games and other console type of games. Also the indie community is vibrant.

My power computer has an Intel 3770K and an HD 7970. And I'm probably going to buy a Haswell and an HD 8990 when it comes out. Because I love upgrading parts way too much for my own good.

 

[MrTub]

I've spend at around 3100$ on my pc and around 760$ on my monitor. I've most likely spent somewhere around 1000-1500$ on my server & htpc as well.

 

[verdant monkai]

Welcome though, enjoy your stay, and remember, Steam is one manipulative ************.

Thanks!
Really? Steam seems like a good guy to me :s his sales are nice and everyone I've talked to sings its praises.

 

[Clowndoe]

I stay away from Steam as much as possible out of principle. I already have a ton of games on it, and I don't regret that it's been great to me, but I just don't like giving one company all my business, especially if (God forbid) Steam is shut down one day. Besides, GamersGate and GoG give me the "download anywhere" option, which lets you download games at school or work to your USB key or an external HDD, instead of having to do it at home when you could be playing.

 

[verdant monkai]

Always consult the Falcon Guide [http://www.logicalincrements.com/] when buying/building a PC.

Technically, my computer is around the $1,500 range. Though it has costed me more than that because I have lots of things related to more than gaming.

I have quite a few hard drives and extra computers made of spare parts. PC gaming is getting better. We're getting a few jRPGs and fighting games and other console type of games. Also the indie community is vibrant.

Uhh.. No thanks mate you can keep your Falcons guide. I'm told you certainly don't need to spend over £1000 to make a decent gaming pc, that will run the latest stuff on medium settings. Then again I am happy with Gameboy colour graphics so I suppose you could say my standards are pretty low when it comes to what stuff looks like.

I can't wait to jump into that indie game crevice, there are so many good things I'm missing out on. But as for Jrpg's and fighters, I'm still buying a ps4 for that. Because I survive off three things Water, Air and JRPG's, and the PC although impressive doesn't seem to interest Japan in the slightest.
Thanks for suggesting though.

 

[verdant monkai]

I stay away from Steam as much as possible out of principle. I already have a ton of games on it, and I don't regret that it's been great to me, but I just don't like giving one company all my business, especially if (God forbid) Steam is shut down one day..

OH lord don't say that I just bought this thing! I need it to be new and idyllic for at least 2 years. Thanks for the advice though I'll bare it in mind.

I had mine built for me last fall, all told the cost was about $2000 Canadian. However, I'm 29, well employed... and that summer I'd also recieved $25,000 in inheritance. I'd paid off my car and all other debts, put a chunk away into a TFSA (tax-free savings account, kind of like an RRSP without some limitations), and then spoiled myself with the computer.

I am a complete cretin (student) who was lucky enough to live in the first world (Britain) where you can somtimes beg your loved ones for an extra £100. I understood what I was getting into with a PC and I have a friend who went into the 1000s buying his monster of a pc, but I really dont need that sort of fire power. Maybe its because I started off on a gameboy but graphics have never mattered to me, and as long as my games work and I can tell what everything is I'm happy.

 

[Pink Gregory]

The benefits far outweigh the cost. Then again I can tell you that while my old PC could barely run Minecraft, I had some of my most treasured gaming experiences with it. This was about 2 years ago.

Basically, PC gaming need not be all about the tech.

 

[The_Lost_King]

Welcome though, enjoy your stay, and remember, Steam is one manipulative ************.

Thanks!
Really? Steam seems like a good guy to me :s his sales are nice and everyone I've talked to sings its praises.

That's the problem. I can't tell you how much money I have spent on steam sales, just because I kind of wanted the game. You can tell EA wants your money, but valve is like oh a sale, don't you want it. I still love them but they are manipulative(and I still prefer their way over EA's).

Welcome to your bright new world, Columbia. Ignore the sounds coming from the basement, that is just the foundation settling. Now on a seriousish(I am almost never serious) note, welcome to the land of milk and honey. My parents spent about $960 on this gaming laptop. When I am older I will switch to a tower, but right now I enjoy the mobility of a laptop(especially since I don't have a car to carry a tower around in).

 

[verdant monkai]

That's the problem. I can't tell you how much money I have spent on steam sales, just because I kind of wanted the game. You can tell EA wants your money, but valve is like oh a sale, don't you want it. I still love them but they are manipulative(and I still prefer their way over EA's).

Welcome to your bright new world, Columbia. Ignore the sounds coming from the basement, that is just the foundation settling. Now on a seriousish(I am almost never serious) note, welcome to the land of milk and honey. My parents spent about $960 on this gaming laptop. When I am older I will switch to a tower, but right now I enjoy the mobility of a laptop(especially since I don't have a car to carry a tower around in).

Considering how poor I am now I think it'll be a while before Steam can tempt me. But yeah despite subliminal messaging Valve still a thumbs up from me.

I love the idea of a gaming laptop mostly because deep down I consider myself a handheld gamer, due to my gameboy origins and my love of my 3ds. So thanks for the warm welcome, I cant wait to get down and greasy with the PC. starting with TF2, The Witcher and STALKER

 

[Auron]

I'm usually vehemently against not building your own computer, this configuration is excellent all around except for the small Hard Drive* however, I'm not sure about price in your area though it would take a bit of research to know if it's fair at all.

I stay away from Steam as much as possible out of principle. I already have a ton of games on it, and I don't regret that it's been great to me, but I just don't like giving one company all my business, especially if (God forbid) Steam is shut down one day.

Steam will never be shutdown, if some other company buys 'em out the service is far too lucrative to be shut down, Gabe Newell has also made clear that if he ever sells it, it's failing or whatever he would make a point to make every single game available to the people with a simple patch, right now more than one game from less paranoid publishers can already open without the client and a patch wouldn't be unthinkable the only difference between a no-cd crack and Steam is Steam links the game to the client, it's really not an issue to worry about.

That said, I enjoy Steam very much. The seasonal sales are excellent and make PC gaming worth it. While an average console game will retail for 60 for a long time come December and July you're assured to get a good to excellent discount on games at Steam. There are also other stores like Green Man Gaming and some seedier places(that I've come to trust because every purchase was delivered.) that sell keys for even lower price, it's really quite full of cheap games.


PS - I'd suggest when the time comes, you check the rules of the Steam sale.



*Believe me, 1 terabyte might sound very large but you'll understand it eventually.

 

[verdant monkai]

I've spend at around 3100$ on my pc and around 760$ on my monitor. I've most likely spent somewhere around 1000-1500$ on my server & htpc as well.

There are no words...

Yeah I still need to eat so I think I'll stick to my current budget, be sure to let God and leading Physicists have a go on it some time though.

 

[The_Lost_King]

That's the problem. I can't tell you how much money I have spent on steam sales, just because I kind of wanted the game. You can tell EA wants your money, but valve is like oh a sale, don't you want it. I still love them but they are manipulative(and I still prefer their way over EA's).

Welcome to your bright new world, Columbia. Ignore the sounds coming from the basement, that is just the foundation settling. Now on a seriousish(I am almost never serious) note, welcome to the land of milk and honey. My parents spent about $960 on this gaming laptop. When I am older I will switch to a tower, but right now I enjoy the mobility of a laptop(especially since I don't have a car to carry a tower around in).

Considering how poor I am now I think it'll be a while before Steam can tempt me. But yeah despite subliminal messaging Valve still a thumbs up from me.

I love the idea of a gaming laptop mostly because deep down I consider myself a handheld gamer, due to my gameboy origins and my love of my 3ds. So thanks for the warm welcome, I cant wait to get down and greasy with the PC. starting with TF2, The Witcher and STALKER

hahahaha, you think you are good because you are poor? I am a teenager with no job. Valve has still got $100 - $200 out of me.

Yeah there are great things about a gaming laptop, but There is one huge blowback, you can't upgrade it. That is the biggest reason I want to switch when I don't need to have a lot of mobility.

Captcha: kangaroo court, so is that how courts work in Australia or something?

 

[verdant monkai]

I'm usually vehemently against not building your own computer, this configuration is excellent all around except for the small Hard Drive however, I'm not sure about price in your area though it would take a bit of research to know if it's fair at all.



Steam will never be shutdown, if some other company buys 'em out the service is far too lucrative to be shut down, Gabe Newell has also made clear that if he ever sells it, it's failing or whatever he would make a point to make every single game available to the people with a simple patch, right now more than one game from less paranoid publishers can already open without the client and a patch wouldn't be unthinkable the only difference between a no-cd crack and Steam is Steam links the game to the client, it's really not an issue to worry about.

1TB is way more than I would probably use as I'm still going to be doing the majority of gaming on the PS4, using the PC for exclusives and stuff I want to look really pretty. But as I said before I am a complete Luddite unable to wield even the simplest of tools, when I go near anything with too many lights and wires I have an aneurysm out of pure stress. But I have a good friend who is helping me set it all up, so he could help if i needed more memory. I understand this mentality angers a lot of tech savvy PC gamers, I've already been told by someone I'm not too friendly with "an idiot like you doesn't deserve too own a decent gaming PC" so that's good.

Thanks for telling us about Valve's death policy though, I was a little worried about that.

 

[verdant monkai]

hahahaha, you think you are good because you are poor? I am a teenager with no job. Valve has still got $100 - $200 out of me.

Yeah there are great things about a gaming laptop, but There is one huge blowback, you can't upgrade it. That is the biggest reason I want to switch when I don't need to have a lot of mobility.

Captcha: kangaroo court, so is that how courts work in Australia or something?

Shame. From your name and profile pic I had imagined you as Aragorn sitting in Minas Tirith, taking the Gaming PC out on your horse every now and then. No I feel your pain I'm a teenager too who is just about to get in debt because of university funds. I can see how not upgrading may not be quite so good, but you're probably sorted for a few years if you paid $900 though.