PC for the cost of a console?

jaykhunter · 22-05-2013 2:28am #1

Hey, with the announcement of XboxOne, the old PC vs Console debate struck up. One of the pro-console points is it's cost - of course €1,000 PC is going to look better than a €230 console.

Anyway, I was wondering. Can you put together a PC that'll run PC games (like Tomb Raider, Bioshock Infinite etc) for the cost of a console? i.e. budget €230. (components only, no monitor etc)

tuxy · 22-05-2013 2:44am

Something like this will run those games at low/medium settings (which will still look slightly better than the current consoles)

Item|Price
AMD A10 5800K Black Edition mit AMD Radeon HD 7660D Grafikeinheit, Tray, FM2|€108.00
4GB G.Skill PC3-12800U CL11-11-11-28|€27.97
Seagate Spinpoint HD502HJ 500GB SATA II|€45.90
Zalman T2 Mini Tower - schwarz, ohne Netzteil|€20.68
MSI FM2-A75MA-P33, FM2, mATX|€48.07
Corsair VS Serie VS350, Non-Modular, 80+|€29.56
Shipping|€18.99
Total|€299.17

So more expensive than the current consoles but much more versatile. It will run the games you mentioned with graphics that looks very similar to current gen consoles, the games will also be cheaper so that could recoup some if not all of the extra expense.
I'm not sure how it will cope with more demanding games that are sure to come out in a few months.

But you need to spend about €500 to get a good gaming system that runs games much better than current consoles. (1080p 60fps)

uncle_sam_ie · 22-05-2013 8:32am

There is no way the new Xbox One is going cost around €230. I'm guessing nearer the €499 mark.

TerrorFirmer · 22-05-2013 8:33am

I would probably go for this, much stronger video card and you'd be good for most games like Far Cry 3, Bioshock, Tomb Raider at high settings at 720P resolution,the G2020 is a capable CPU about as fast as the 5800k in most current games and overall the system would be twice as fast in games.

tuxy · 22-05-2013 8:41am

uncle_sam_ie wrote: »

There is no way the new Xbox One is going cost around €230. I'm guessing nearer the €499 mark.

No one said this. He was talking about current consoles.

Senecio · 22-05-2013 8:42am

It's a moot point. Consoles are subsidized by the manufacturer who recover the costs through software. They can do this because of the closed ecosystem.

It's like trying to asks where can I buy an iPhone outright for the same upfront cost as I can get one on bill pay. You can't compare them

jaykhunter · 26-05-2013 2:06am

Thanks guys. It's more of having a "actually you can!" during conversations about PC and consoles. The closed environment/recoup on software is a great point as well.

Gbear · 26-05-2013 2:21am

It's also worth pointing out that virtually everyone has a computer of some sort even if they also have a console

So it's not just a bald 700-1000 euro.

It's an upgrade on the 300-400 euro machine you'd generally have to stump up for for the internet, office work or whatever.

PC for the cost of a console?

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