Things You'll Need:
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Step 1
Think about the price of the system. A good PC may run as much as $2,000, and the best may be closer to $3,000. A console system is only about $200 to $250.
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Step 2
Consider power. Today's PCs can offer a 300-MHz, 64-bit processor; a 32-bit wave table with FM synthesis (for sound); 16.8-million-color, 800-by-600 or greater resolution display; 16 megabytes (MB) of RAM; 500MB of storage and a quad-speed or faster CD-ROM. Consoles offer a 6-MHz, 32-bit processor; 16-bit FM synthesis (sound); 32,000-color, 500-by-300 resolution display; and 1MB of RAM. The more limited console capabilities force detailed games to skip frames in the animation and lower the speed. Consoles miss a lot of the detail and depth found on PCs.
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Step 3
Ponder compatibility. Every PC has different specifications and a huge range of other variables attached to it (operating system version, other software installed that may conflict with games and so on). PC owners may find themselves calling the tech line to find out how to configure the computer properly for each game - a problem console owners don't have.
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Step 4
Consider the price of the games. The cost of games for PCs is often less than the cost of games for consoles.
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Step 5
Determine who's going to be playing the games. If your kids are the gamers, do you want them messing with your computer all the time, perhaps trashing your files in the process? Do you want play games with multiple participants? This can be easier on a console.
Comments
cjmaster said
on 5/8/2009 Oh my gosh. How long ago was this written??"300 Megahertz processors" I lol'd so hard. With upwards to 800x600 resolution!
Anonymous said
on 6/30/2006 Most people have a fairly good PC, which can usually handle most games. PC-only gamers miss out on the great games that are exclusive to certain consoles- eg. Legend of Zelda, Mario and loads of others. Consoles provide an overall better game play experience because they are designed specifically for that purpose. Plus, consoles are much cheaper (perhaps with the exception of PS3) and last much longer.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 PC's can offer better everything, if you want them to. Some games play better on the PC, and when there's a game that can play better on a console (because of the controller), you can always buy console-like controllers for your PC. The world of online gaming on the PC is huge. This is by far the most fun way to play games, and only the PC can offer it like it does.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 The biggest drawbacks to consoles are the limitations:
You are limited to which games you can play and which hardware you can use to play them. For instance, you are stuck with 2 headset options for PS2, and neither is stereo, nor wireless...
With PCs, you have a much wider array of hardware to choose from to improve your gameplay experience. Plus, you can upgrade to improve performance.
A drawback to PCs is that the new games are designed around the latest hardware. That means that you will have to upgrade relatively frequently if you want to continue playing the latest and greatest. The good news is, unless you switch your OS, you will be able to load your old games on your new PC (if you are so inclined). Sony platforms are backward compatible also, and I would imagine they will maintain this when PS3 is unveiled. To stay competitive, Microsoft will most likely offer this with Xbox 2 also. PCs are less desirable for non-Internet multiplayer use. PCs are generally not set up for more than one person to use them at a time, whereas TVs are generally easy for multiple people to view at once. Finally, PCs are more sophisticated, requiring more user interface to get a game up and running. Most games are as simple as popping in the DVD and clicking "next" a bunch of times.
So, basically, if you are a hardcore gamer, buy them all and upgrade frequently. If you are a serious gamer, buy a near the top of the line PC (middle of the road PCs will be obsolete too fast, top of the line really cost a lot and become middle of the road pretty quickly) and maybe the console of your choice, especially if you want to play against guests. Finally, if you just want to have a good time and don't want to think too much about it, get a game console. You won't have to wonder if the game will work, and you won't drop $1000.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 First of all, a computer isn't just for games. It's also for doing projects, graphic design programs, etc. But the PC games are quite good. However, there are system consoles like N64 or PS2. These only cost about $100 or $300. The PC costs $700 or more!