Is it time to switch from Consoles to PC?

[Brian Boru]

Our sister site Windows Central has 3 articles from the last couple of days comparing mostly the PS5 Pro with PC for gaming. What do you think?

If the PS5 Pro (and sparkly Xbox Series X) price is the new normal, I'll be done with console gaming after more than 30 years

I've owned consoles since the Sega Genesis, but if these prices are what we can expect from now on, this generation will be my last.

www.windowscentral.com

…

5 reasons to buy a REAL gaming PC instead of a PS5 Pro (and 3 reasons not to)

Not happy with the PS5 Pro's price? You can always switch to PC gaming.

www.windowscentral.com

…

These discounted gaming PCs are cheaper than the real price of the PS5 Pro

The PS5 Pro has secret costs that make a gaming PC a better bargain.

www.windowscentral.com

 

[Colif]

You can make a reasonable gaming PC with a 7700xt for same price as a PS5. And it can be upgraded afterwards, if you pick an AMD CPU you might be able to use same board and everything for years to come, just by swapping the CPU out for a new one - I did this myself.

Consoles used to a cheap alternative... not so cheap anymore.

Though that really depends on what price Nintendo go for on their next console. Unlike Sony & Microsoft, they always knew games sold consoles, and not hardware... hence current one isn't even using RT. Next one might have it but only as most new hardware does now. They didn't chase the trend. If you care more about fun and less about pretty graphics, they have always been a choice. Not being cutting edge means you have room to improve in next gen. Sony & MS are at the bleeding edge and its showing.

counter argument:

obviously its difficult to get a PC with same features for the cost. Mainly as Sony can buy in bulk, you can't. But if you upgrade a PC with a better GPU you can get pretty close.

PC aren't a one off purchase, you can upgrade them without replacing the entire box. Console makers don't want to offer that choice.

 

[Kaamos_Llama]

I thought this as well when I heard the pricing of PS5 Pro. For some it would be especially if they already have experience on PC. PCs can be used from the sofa pretty easily now, so the whole sitting at a desk thing isnt an issue anymore for those who dont want to do it, small form factor PCs, Steam Big Picture mode, stuff like the Razer Turret. Steam Deck is cheap enough and plug and play enough for a lot of people too, although it does lock you out of some AAA titles and multiplayer. Its also I think cheaper than consoles except for Switch.

I think though, the majority of people buying consoles want a totally plug and play experience. The problem with buying a budget to mid range PC is that youre going to be doing a lot of messing with settings to get things working well in games. PC users take that for granted because its just something we've always done, but to someone without a clue even just having to go in a menu and change overall graphics to medium after having to install drivers, set up VRR, wait for Windows to do a virus scan, etc etc. Not to mention having to worry about hardware temperatures.

For a lot of people its too much, consoles do everything. The closest PS5 and Xbox have to settings is performance vs fidelity modes and some users dont even want to look at that.

Seems to me this is more likely to encourage any console people who were holding back into buying the base versions of the consoles. Theyre still cheaper than a decent PC and much more convenient. Its brought Playstation into the news, and given Sony have also been working on PSRR for this machine its probably been a good excercise for them in how to approach upscaling and RT for when they release their full next generation in a couple of years. I bet theyre not selling them at a loss either. Apparently PS4 Pro accounted for around 10% of all Playstation sales in that generation and theyve surely done the maths, so they wont be stuck with warehouses full of spares at the end of it.

 

[Colif]

Steam Deck :: Tech Specs

Available now.

www.steamdeck.com

the ever present alternative who don't want hassles of PC.

For a lot of people its too much, consoles do everything. The closest PS5 and Xbox have to settings is performance vs fidelity modes and some users dont even want to look at that.

The apple vs android dichotomy. People who want it all done for them vs people who don't.

PS5 more complicated than the old TV games from the 70's. All you needed was a cable and free station. Now you need internet and buy all the peripherals separately. The simpllicity isn't really there now, its been a creeping force as the consoles became more like PC.

 

[Kaamos_Llama]

The apple vs android dichotomy. People who want it all done for them vs people who don't.

PS5 more complicated than the old TV games from the 70's. All you needed was a cable and free station. Now you need internet and buy all the peripherals separately. The simpllicity isn't really there now, its been a creeping force as the consoles became more like PC.

Eh, people have been connecting their consoles to wifi at least since PS3 Xbox 360 and who doesnt have a smart phone you have to do the same with. Not sure what peripherals you need for a console other than a controller? With PC you need all kinds of stuff to get sound and inputs working.

I recommend a PC any day of the week, but a lot of people still see it as too much work.

If you ask me, I dont think Ive ever had a problem with my PC. But when I think about it Ive had to roll back GPU drivers a couple of times, install mods on older games to get them to go, disable some settings in games and driver settings to fix stuttering occasionally. For most of us who are used to PCs we dont see it as a problem once in a while as it usually only takes a few minutes of playing around to wrangle. But for people who really arent computer literate it can be really frustrating because they might not even know where to start.

 

[Colif]

95% of time PC my is fine, its that other 5%. A few problems in a few years isn't that bad.

But you can have weird errors on Console and in many cases only answer is live with it. Playstation used to always throw up errors. I have had consoles, I had a PS3/4 before swapping back to PC.

I didn't see sides, I had both. When my PC couldn't play games anymore, the consoles were a cheaper solution. But they aren't so cheap now. I can't afford a PS5 which I would need to completely replace in a few years when PS6 is released.

Its not good value now. I prefer to risk a few problems on PC and keep upgradability than to have to replace all my hardware cause a new one is out.

One thing... there are only about 8 games that actually get a benefit from getting a PS5 Pro right now so isn't worth buying one for that anyway?

 

[Kaamos_Llama]

Its the 5% thats the problem.

People who have a toe into PC gaming already are moving more that way, and anyone who is interested theres never been a better time to try . But I still think theres a good sized subset of people who dont want to think about anything and wont be convinced to come to PC at all as things stand.

 

[Zimbaly]

I think you need a slap for asking that question @Brian Boru
It's always time to change from a console to a PC.

 

[Colif]

But I still think theres a good sized subset of people who dont want to think about anything and wont be convinced to come to PC at all as things stand.

True. Always will be. Apple needs to get customers from somewhere.

Can remeber a story from 25+ years or so ago, someone gets pc home, plugs it in and expects it to entertain them... PC can do so much more than game. People in the past thought it was just like a TV. No... its interactive... its just you get to choose what to play... and in past had to buy it from a store. Now, you could buy off an online store.

But in theory you could easily make a custom startup for a windows PC that auto loaded Xbox app or something. Microsoft never have... as they have... the Xbox which is a pc that doesn't do anything apart from game. You can buy that now.

Just need to swap to the dark side.

 

[ElvenNeko]

In my country only very wealthy people can afford a console. It just SO much more expencive that it can't be even reasonably compared - in some cases, we talking about hundreds times difference. Also there are no logical reasons to go after a console, except if you want to play a few exclusive games they have left - because most were or will be ported to pc.

Prices aside, pc has supermassive library of games that aren't gated to specific version of your rig, has much bigger genre variety, and modding support (that often is one of the most valuable experience in game).

 

[ninja_gaydad]

What always confused me about this debate on consoles versus PCs is not the quality of one or the other. My perspective has always been "how much do I want to spend on an activity and how does it integrate into what I already have".

In that sense consoles being plug and play are fantastic components to a home entertainment setup, especially now that streaming services are so pervasive. And a PS5 is what - $500 most? Locks right inro your wireless internet, takes maybe 10 minutes to set up and they last a long time. Keep in mind, my personal example is integrating a plug and play computer into a $5k stereo entertainment system and syncing everything up in a short period of time. What I invested in was not a console but a huge stereo system with replaceable components and the console slips right in.

Contrast that with PC. You all know damn well that PC gaming takes more effort, more expense and more expertise. That makes it less accessible and harder to swap parts in and out. What I'm typing on write (heh) now goes back and forth from gaming to professional and domestic use. But this hardware I'm using now is on the level of like $15k and I'm not even a big spender on systems.

Point is buy something that is purpose built.

 

[Zloth]

I think the more interesting question is: If you are willing to shell out $700 for a PS5 Pro, should you be moving to PC. Cash-strapped gamers are not going to be doing this! This question limits to people with enough money and interest to pay extra for a beefy console but not so much that they can just buy both.

First, if it's just the vanity of having a pro while all your friends are stuck with normal PS5s then yeah, get the console. Going PC puts you in a different race, and your friends may be confused about whether you are cooler than they are or not. I sure hope this is the last time you do this, though. Sheeesh.

Second, PC gaming doesn't just take money, it takes education. You don't need a computer hardware degree, but you need to know the differences between, say, an NVMe drive, an SSD, and a hard drive when you are buying a PC. There's even more to learn if you want to save money by buying the parts and building it yourself. (Please do consider the middle ground of buying a custom-built PC instead of just pre-built vs. do-it-yourself, though.)

Setting up the options for games takes more education, too. Should you play the game at native resolution, play it at lower resolution scaled up to native, or play it at higher resolution scaled down to native? Is it better to drop detailed shadows or texture resolution? What do all those anti-aliasing options mean? (OK, just kidding with the last one. Nobody that doesn't write video drivers for a living knows what all those anti-aliasing options mean. )

I think I may be making it sound harder than it is. You've got access to Google, it's easy enough to look this stuff up. Getting up to speed will take some time but, once you get on top of it, you'll only need to learn new stuff a few times a year. If you're willing to make the effort, it will pay off in better game experiences. However, if you don't have the time or just plain don't want to learn all that stuff, going PC will leave you yearning for the days when you could just plug the thing in, get the game, and play.

What I'm typing on write (heh) now goes back and forth from gaming to professional and domestic use. But this hardware I'm using now is on the level of like $15k and I'm not even a big spender on systems.

$15,000!? Is that a typo?? Or maybe you're into Auto-CAD work?

 

[ninja_gaydad]

$15,000!? Is that a typo?? Or maybe you're into Auto-CAD work?

I'm talking about all of my systems combined, including my monitors, laptops and server, cumulatively over ten years all still operable.

 

[Brian Boru]

people who really arent computer literate

That must be a shrinking base tho, mustn't it? Even 50 years ago I needed some computer literacy—dumb terminal [no not me, that was hardware]—in my job, and more and more require it these days. Can a student function without PC ability these days?

I think you need a slap … @Brian Boru

I get that a lot…

modding support (that often is one of the most valuable experience in game)

If all other things were equal, this is what would make me pick PC gaming every time—it makes such a huge difference to some games, and is so easy these days with Steam's Workshop installs.

pc has supermassive library of games that aren't gated to specific version of your rig, has much bigger genre variety

It always amuses me to hear about 'console exclusives'—how many are there, a few dozen, a few hundred? Compared with the tens of thousands of PC exclusives… I just don't get it

PC gaming takes more effort, more expense and more expertise

You got 2 out of 3 More expense is a big NO over the lifetime of the hardware.

less accessible and harder to swap parts in and out

I don't follow… A console is more accessible and you can swap parts of it easier than parts of a PC?

Point is buy something that is purpose built

Exactly. Unless you want minimal choice, zero flexibility, zero community contribution, nerfed games, zero input automation or customization [eg KB profiles], deteriorating graphics quality… then PC is purpose built for you.

Anyway, this thread isn't about which platform is preferable—that race has been over for decades. It's about now that console prices are climbing, will the many advantages of an entry-level gaming PC become worth the learning curve.

 

[Frindis]

Nintendo Switch 2 will be 399 USD *Nintendo walks off the stage*

 

[Brian Boru]

Nintendo Switch 2 will be 399 USD *Nintendo walks off the stage*

Oh sure, a bicycle will always be cheaper than a car *bicycle puffs up hill, 70 miles behind and losing fast*

 

[Kaamos_Llama]

That must be a shrinking base tho, mustn't it? Even 50 years ago I needed some computer literacy—dumb terminal [no not me, that was hardware]—in my job, and more and more require it these days. Can a student function without PC ability these days?

A friend started a Computer Science bachelors last year, he told me good amount of the younger course members had never used a Windows PC before the course started. Computer Science Degree, I was amazed. I know thats anecdotal but it lines up with a few articles Ive read over the last couple years.

The Smartphone Generation Needs Computer Help

Young people may be expert social-media and smartphone users, but many lack the digital skills they need for today’s jobs. How can we set them up for success?

www.theatlantic.com

According to a survey by Pew Research Center, only 17 percent of Americans are “digitally ready”—that is, confident using digital tools for learning. Meanwhile, in a separate study, American millennials ranked last among a group of their international peers when it came to “problem-solving in technology-rich environments,” such as sending and saving digital information. “It doesn’t help to have technology in front of you if you don’t know how to use it,” says Fe Moncloa, Ph.D., a University of California Cooperative Extension advisor for 4-H, a national youth-development organization.

Young workers don't know how to use office printers, scanners, ancient desktop PCs

Shockingly, Gen Z employees aren't born knowing how to use a computer.

www.pcgamer.com

According to a survey of adults aged 18–26 by Dell, "More than 1/3 of Gen Z feel that their school education did not prepare them with the technology skills needed for their planned career. 56% received either very basic or no digital skills training."

While the popular image of young people is digital natives who know how all technology works, it's a narrow stereotype. A generation who grew up using apps on their phones and owning laptops aren't going to magically know how to use the scanner, printer, or workhorse desktop PC in the office, which is why we end up with posts on the Sysadminhumor subreddit about having to label the power button. It reminds me of the time, while doing work experience in high school, I was asked to send a fax—something I'd never done in my life.

 

[Colif]

most of the teachers don't understand PC so why would you expect students they teach to be any better. Blames Apple and Google for infiltrating education and teaching people to use computers that they won't see in most businesses. No matter how hard both try.

Schools meant to train you for a future job. As it stands they seem to teach you a whole bunch of stuff that doesn't help at all.

The osmosis never occurred, business went from assuming you know nothing about computers, to now assuming everyone does... without a transition period. I got sick of Outlook training.

I totally get why people my mums age don't know how to use a computer but anyone below the age of 20 in a western nation should have some clue. Education dropped ball and no one picked it up.

 

[Kaamos_Llama]

From what I understand kids are using Chromebooks in school as well as tablets and smartphones. Many dont understand basic things like file systems and drivers because its all obscured in the stuff they use. Might be different from country to country and sometimes from school to school of course.

It definitely needs to be addressed.

 

[Colif]

Chromebooks are cloud based for most part. So yeah, no file system. Drivers are updated through play store... just like any android system.
Not used anything apple related in ... 40 years, so I really don't know about them. I assume file system is hidden there as well. Unless you know where to look.

It was great for selling mobile phones, but it doesn't really teach them anything useful.

Probably why Cert 2 in ICT is so basic now. They can't assume you know anything. Do an entire unit and not learn anything... been there. Half way through a course and still not learned anything new... yep. Just need piece of paper to show I know things I picked up over course of 20 years or more.

 

[Brian Boru]

lines up with a few articles

Well that caught me unawares! I fell for the "popular image of young people is digital natives who know how all technology works" assumption—thanks for info.

So it stands for 'Gen Zilch'

in a separate study,

Fyi I get a 404.

Anyway… this certainly boosts the case for consoles.

 

[Kaamos_Llama]

Well that caught me unawares! I fell for the "popular image of young people is digital natives who know how all technology works" assumption—thanks for info.

So it stands for 'Gen Zilch'

If kids are coming out of school not ready for workplaces, then its more a failure of education systems than the people being educated I'd say.

https://historyhustle.com/2500-years-of-people-complaining-about-the-younger-generation/

 

[Colif]

I am sure a few people on a forum can't be only ones who worked out that a step was missed.
We jumped from expecting no one to know anything, to expecting you know at least something...

No where were steps taken to fill the gap. It was assumed it would fix itself... but nope. Waiting for the generation that understands it from birth, is an ongoing process since not enough people know it now. Giving people alternatives does have its drawbacks. Giving little Johnie a mobile phone to entertain him didn't work well. Shame PC wasn't the easiest choice.

Years of answering questions on Tom's can reveal that not everyone knows as much as you think. Just cause they found forums, doesn't mean they know a lot. 70% of questions do seem to come from people who know something... but it always paid to give basic instructions for everything just in case. You can't assume anything.

 

[ninja_gaydad]

so should I break down and buy a ps5 or what? my ps4 still works fine and its basically the centerpiece of my entertainment system. They're only like $400 now so I don't know why I'm hesitating.

 

[Brian Boru]

If kids are coming out of school not ready

Oh sure. I'd thought they would have sucked it down like air merely by existing—like riding in a car or messing with TV, phone etc. Just seems odd to me how they can avoid it 🤷‍♂️

not everyone knows as much as you think

True in all walks, not just tech.