What Should I Buy? Xbox or PC? (OP Edited)

[xChevelle24]

Okay, now that we have decided that I will be building my own PC. I would like to know what the Escapists recommend for parts. The list will be as follows. Note that the price range is going to be from $450 - $600!

Monitor:
Motherboard:
Tower:
CPU:
RAM:
Graphics card:
(anything you wish to add)


Now, I am building my own PC, I just decided this.

Price range - 450/600

Obviously I have a computer right now, here are the specs.

Processor: Intel Pentium 1.8Ghz
Memory: 510MB RAM (Yes, I know this FUCKING sucks)
Display: 32MB Rage 128 Ultra

It was made in 2002, so yeah, it's pretty old.

 

[scotth266]

I can't pick really. There's a lot of good, cheap games available for the PC... If you get Steam you can pick up a load of oldies-but-goodies for 10$ or less.

On the other hand, having nice new shiny games is always nice... guh.

I guess I'll go with the PC, if only because it has a lot of cheap-yet-good games for it, and it's harder to say the same for the 360.

 

[TheDoctor455]

Get the PC for its versatility and generally more reliable internet connection.

 

[ElArabDeMagnifico]

I can't pick really. There's a lot of good, cheap games available for the PC... If you get Steam you can pick up a load of oldies-but-goodies for 10$ or less.

On the other hand, having nice new shiny games is always nice... guh.

I guess I'll go with the PC, if only because it has a lot of cheap-yet-good games for it, and it's harder to say the same for the 360.

Believe it or not, new shiny games come out on PC's too.

 

[Chickenlittle]

It all depends on what you prefer. If you haven't had much experience with PC Gaming, I'd say stick with the console. If you really want a change, get a decent Gaming PC, with advice from a few outlets and sites. You don't necessarily need to get rid of one or the other.

 

[devilatwork]

PC. Go for it.
1. Its versatile.
2. Better Controls.
3. Never have to the whole thing for the next gen. Just buy a better part then your up to date.
4. NO MACS PLZ.
5. WTF am I doing here?

 

[Lord_Panzer]

Being a member of the Glorious PC Gaming Master Race, it is, in my opinion, no contest. A PC is by far the supreme choice.

Upgrading a PC for a new generation requires , generally, a couple new parts (depending on where you start). Upgrading a console for a new generation requires the purchase of an entirely new console. It is undeniably more cost effective to get a PC in the long run.

 

[Flying-Emu]

*snip*

PC. Without doubt.

Oh, and if you're worried about games working, check them here [http://www.systemrequirementslab.com/referrer/srtest]. It has just about every game I've ever considered buying, and it's always been accurate.

Oh, but watch yourself on the "Recommended Specs". It said my card was unable to run HL2 on recommended settings, but I can run it on max.

But it'll get you through your "My card blows so much it won't run" troubles.

 

[xChevelle24]

I can't pick really. There's a lot of good, cheap games available for the PC... If you get Steam you can pick up a load of oldies-but-goodies for 10$ or less.

On the other hand, having nice new shiny games is always nice... guh.

I guess I'll go with the PC, if only because it has a lot of cheap-yet-good games for it, and it's harder to say the same for the 360.

I already have Steam. I have had it since it came out.

Dare i say it? Get a PS3.

Now now childred let me explain. Sony is about to hit its stride and will soon be close to reaching its potential with regards to games for the console. PSN is free and depends on the games (which are the same prices as 360 ones) should offer a lot more fun in the coming months.

Either that or just save your money, get a car, and a girlfriend.

I already have a car, and could care less about a girlfriend. That's what turning 18 is for.

It all depends on what you prefer. If you haven't had much experience with PC Gaming, I'd say stick with the console. If you really want a change, get a decent Gaming PC, with advice from a few outlets and sites. You don't necessarily need to get rid of one or the other.

I have experience with PC gaming, because I've played counter-strike since I was about 8 (sadly). I just never had the money to upgrade to a decent computer.

I just want to know, if anyone prefers the PC, what kind of PC should I get??????????

 

[YuheJi]

Well to get a decent, cheap gaming PC, I would advise you to build one. I think we have a PC hardware thread somewhere in these forums. But it obviously offers way more versatility and access to a larger variety of games than the Xbox 360.

Edit: Here it is
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.105715

 

[xChevelle24]

Well to get a decent, cheap gaming PC, I would advise you to build one. I think we have a PC hardware thread somewhere in these forums. But it obviously offers way more versatility and access to a larger variety of games than the Xbox 360.

Yes, I could, but you see I have, and let me emphasize this, no fucking idea where to start!

EDIT: Okay, thank you so much.

 

[scotth266]

Believe it or not, new shiny games come out on PC's too.

True enough: I was simply attempting to state that in terms of bargain titles, the computer has more. I messed up my statement though. Guh. English breaking down!

Dare i say it? Get a PS3.

Now now children let me explain. Sony is about to hit its stride and will soon be close to reaching its potential with regards to games for the console. PSN is free and depends on the games (which are the same prices as 360 ones) should offer a lot more fun in the coming months.

As much as I hope that you are correct about that, that's still banking on future games, something that I try VERY hard to avoid. But I suppose it's a valid point to make: there does seem to be quite the wave of PS3 titles in store. My decision would be that if you were already edging towards getting a PS3, to wait until a few of these get out, and see the verdicts.

 

[ThrobbingEgo]

Well, what kind of games do you want to play? If you're interested in First Person Shooters or Real Time Strategy games, there's no setup for a mouse and keyboard setup. If you're all about platforming games - most of those only come out on consoles, but if you're prepared to shell out for a gamepad, the ones that are available more than playable on the PC.

On the plus side: there's a lot of software available for the PC, for cheap, and it can do pretty much anything, and if you have the hardware to support it you can really crank up the settings.

On the negative side: the Xbox is going to get more new releases, PC ports of console games tend to be buggy and get less attention, and it can be more costly to build a good gaming rig.

Definitely check out Steam and Good Old Games if you're going the PC route.

 

[ElArabDeMagnifico]

Copied and pasted from a list my friend made:

I often see people in need of a budget gaming system here. The following is a budget build that utilizes an Intel Dual-Core with a High(er)-End Nvidia GPU.

-Intel CPU/Nvidia GPU Budget Gaming System- (Click the type on the left to view product)

* CPU - Intel Pentium E5200 Dual-Core Wolfdale 2.5GHz LGA 775 (current combo deal)
* GPU - EVGA GeForce GTS 250 1GB 256-bit GDDR3 PCIe 2.0
* Motherboard - GIGABYTE GA-EP43-UD3L P43 ATX (current combo deal)
* RAM - 2GB G.Skill DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
* HDD - 500GB Western Digital Caviar GP
* PSU - 550W Rosewill
* Case - Rosewill TU-155-P Black Steel ATX Mid-Tower
* DVD Drive - LG 22X DVD±R Burner

Final Price: $507.55 -Current as of 4/20/2009-

 

[Lord_Panzer]

I just want to know, if anyone prefers the PC, what kind of PC should I get??????????

A good one.

/Captain Obvious

 

[manaman]

I would say PC, as I love my gamming rig and have only played a couple of 360 games in the last few months. In fact I have logged more playing time on the Wii then the 360.

The down side is cost. A decent gaming rig is going to run you around $900, with a nice unit more like $1500, and it would be easy to (as I did) dump more then $2000 into your gaming rig.

So if cost is an issue, which it sounds like it would be practical to get the 360.

 

[Azkrior]

Go the self built PC route! I just recently finished my own build and I don't regret it one bit, It's much simpler then you think, Mine cost around 1600$s but I built mine for high end gaming (Crysis etc etc) But if you want to play source games you can EASILY build one for around 500-800$s that will run it great.

Building your own PC is a bit overwhelming at first, it's a lot of research I spent about 3 months researching and making sure my parts were compatible etc etc (granted these were the 3 months I was working to get the money) but in the end it is SO,SO satisfying, Also you'll learn a lot from it too!

Building your own PC can save you upwards for 400$s+ then buying pre-built and I'm a mouse and keyboard man myself

P.S You don't have to go to college for building it, I'm only 14, I'm sure you can do it to if you just do your re-search.

 

[Waqy]

You can download games for free for pc's

 

[irbullz]

Personally I cross that its thing of opinions, xbox360 is smaller the expensive but is necessary to pay your xbox live