Planning to switch from console to PC . . . is it a good idea???

I have an xbox 360 running perfectly . . . I have no real problem with it, I don't play online and I buy all my games secondhand so I don't pay $60 for the game and for xbox live . . . I'm planning to switch to PC cause it just seems for practical and more comfortable to use . . .

However my problem is I have very little knowledge about computer tech and I know that one major con in PC gaming is that you upgrade on a notable basis which shouldn't be a problem for tech pros but is surely gonna be a problem in my case . . .

What do you guys think? should I press on to getting a PC gaming rig or stick to my xbox 360 . . .

Most people exaggerate on how often you need to upgrade your PC. It's not like you'll need to upgrade it every year to be able to keep up with new releases (I would say MAYBE every 2.5 or 3 years)

I upgrade my computer every 3 or 4 yearsor when something breaks downand it's still perfectly fine. You don't need to have much tech knowledge to upgrade computer. If you are still unsure, just ask someone in the known to help you.

Also, you have the option to have both the Xbox360 and the PC.

I've got consoles too, but i think it's hard to get into ,but if you stick with it it's worth it^^

I have an xbox 360 running perfectly . . . I have no real problem with it, I don't play online and I buy all my games secondhand so I don't pay $60 for the game and for xbox live . . . I'm planning to switch to PC cause it just seems for practical and more comfortable to use . . .

However my problem is I have very little knowledge about computer tech and I know that one major con in PC gaming is that you upgrade on a notable basis which shouldn't be a problem for tech pros but is surely gonna be a problem in my case . . .

What do you guys think? should I press on to getting a PC gaming rig or stick to my xbox 360 . . .

JeanAlex22

For instance someone who bought 4870x2 with a quad core of at least 2.8 ghz. in 2008 won't have to upgrade He can still play games on the highest settings. But his investment was 1000$ or even a bit more when he bought that pc. So if you buy a strong pc now, you won't have to upgrade for a long time, if you will only spend 500$ you will probably feel the need to upgrade in a year or two.

That brings me back to the fact that some games are better on consoles than on pc for instance a lot of games can only be bought for console like fighting games (mortal kombat, fight night 4, soul calibur IV), some first person or third person games like halo3, gears of war2, infamous, red dead redemption, resistance.

Some games are also better to play on a console like mortal kombat , fifa because of the controller, you can always buy a controller for the pc but the experience is still different, a console boots up and plays , a pc needs configuration , there always something with something like adjusting your graphics setting, adjusting your controller configuration, sometimes stuff doens't work immediately and you have to do some research, it can sometimes be a real drag.

Other games are also a lot better to play on pc like rts games, some rts games are only available on pc, mmo's are only available on pc. Consoles also have a much easier way to connect with friends because it's only one platform, in a pc you don't have a cross-over platform for every game, you can meet and greet with people in a game but they don't have like one gamertag or avatar for all the games on that system.

You can do like i do i own a x360 and a pc but if i would have to choose it would be difficult especially because i'm addicted to mortal kombat. You can spend a little less on both systems to have em both like buy stuff second handed.

Have fun with the pc, if you don't have one you're missing out.

It's always best to have more than one system but if you want to get only one system the PC is without a doubt the way to go

There's not really a set period of when you need to make an upgrade. You have to be a little savvy though.. for example, in the next few years we will see a graphics leap as the next gen consoles are introduced. I think we can expect then the minimum standard to increase significantly, but then not change for a while during the console cycle. I would expect to buy a new graphics card a year into that cycle as they become more refined and generally cheaper rather than purchasing at the start of the cycle with outrageous prices.

The rule of thumb should be that you upgrade when your GPU is starting to have trouble running games at high settings with a decent FPS. Or when a new game comes out that has significant entry requirements that you want to play in all its glory, i.e BF3. Buy a Mid to high end GPU now and hold on to it for a few years. I think the main investment would be a good CPU that can last throughout a number of GPU Upgrades. My Q6600 has lasted me for ages and still perfroms well.

I'm going back to PC gaming because console games are looking a bit shabby these days.

Been pc gaming since 1994 and hate consoles, there is your answer from me.

Well, I built my pc about 3 years ago, (I did upgrade it since then though)

2 main upgrades were CPU, (upgraded from a dual core AMD 6000+ to a phenom II 945 quad core) SAME Motherboard.

and GPU (started out with 2x 8800gt in SLI, but moved up to a more powerful single card solution of the GTX570, might even use one of my 8800gt as a dedi physx actually)

Now that you know all of that, I will state that I plan on finishing me a new rig in about a year and a half from now.

So with the 2 main upgrades, I plan on getting a total of over 4 years out of the old rig, the one I am on now. (closer to 4.5 years)

The new rig I will be carrying my GTX570 over into, (and maybe the 8800gt as a dedicated physx card) When I build it.

I gamed at 1680x1050, and now at 1080p... I max most of the games I play, (I did it back then too on the dual 8800gt sli) Most of the time getting wonderful FPS. I did not wait until my performance was hurting too bad, most things were still very playable maxed out with the 8800gt SLI, but I started to see them struggle in a good bit of newer games, so I upgraded to something that will last me a few more years easily.

Hope this helps you out on the Upgrade frequency question.

I switched to PC gaming in December, havent looked back to consoles. Whatever you spend making your rig, you'll eventually gain back in time through the cheap(er) PC games over consoles. Worth it.

well I used to be a PC gamer, switched to consoles for a while (i own 9 consoles including some legacy ones) and now after 6 years on consoles i'm heading back to the PC. Sure it can be intimidating at first but building your own rig is a whole different rush, The best part being looking for cheaper parts and stuff like that. Infact building your own rig is even therapeutic in some ways. Nothing like a 3 screen eyefinity setup or even running your rig on a 55" LCD/LED. And no you dont need to upgrade regularly i'd say 2 years at the most if you're a graphics whore and if you're not maybe 3-4 years.

Besides if you're on the PC you can play RTS's like Total war/DoW/CoH which has a mature crowd or 4 year olds if you go the MOBA/DOTA way if thats your thing. Lets not forget that cool looking neon lit tower or the cool backlit keyboard and mouse and 64 player MP FPS games !!!! Hell some of the best MMO's are out on the PC !!!

I just wish at present there would be a lot more PC exclusives. Oh, and if you're a converted hermit, you're really a hardcore gamer !!!! Welcome to the dark side.....

Well I got a PC and 360 too and I hardly ever touch the console... (I also got the PS3 and its collecting dust since i bought it :P)

I'll say its worth getting into it, you'll just need to get some experience with the PC and all but after that you will never go back!

When I got my first HDTV about 4 years ago I really got into the console craze and went all-out that route. However, in the last year or so, I have realized how superior PC gaming is. This is especially true if you pick up a couple of key extras like a good gamepad (360 one is good). The truth is that there is nothing on the console that PC gaming doesn't do better. Add to that the incredible deals you can find on PC games and any sort of cost differential should even out.

I have an xbox 360 running perfectly . . . I have no real problem with it, I don't play online and I buy all my games secondhand so I don't pay $60 for the game and for xbox live . . . I'm planning to switch to PC cause it just seems for practical and more comfortable to use . . .

However my problem is I have very little knowledge about computer tech and I know that one major con in PC gaming is that you upgrade on a notable basis which shouldn't be a problem for tech pros but is surely gonna be a problem in my case . . .

What do you guys think? should I press on to getting a PC gaming rig or stick to my xbox 360 . . .

JeanAlex22

TC I was in your same situation. I switched to PC about 4 months ago and haven't looked back. I was thinking the same thing on the subject about "upgrading" and not being a tech expert. This guy told me he learned how to weld from youtube and craigslist list. I already found out how to install a graphics card, power supply and set my pc up for a dual monitor set up-All on youtube.

I started off by buying a 700$ computer because I was still unsure, but that would at least start me out until I learned how to "upgrade". It's like legos :p.

Any time I had a question some one always answered, so the PC community is welcoming for us "new comers" ;). Maybe because most of em' hate console so much lol.

The only downside is that you buy your games from Gamestop? If you switch to PC you won't be able to trade in and buy games at a cheaper price unless there isa sale or something. I haven't payed over 30$ for a game yet. I still have my xbox, but I won't EVER play a multiplayer on it again. Only SP exclusives or button smashing platformers (Ex. Vanquish, PoP, Alan Wake, Batman AA) are the reason I won't toss it into the closet :lol: .

There's alot of sites out there to help you learn how to build. Remember, everyone started off where you are. As for updating, it's not at all frequent. I haven't updated since 2008 although I'm thinking of doing it because battlefield 3 might finally force me to.

Most people exaggerate on how often you need to upgrade your PC. It's not like you'll need to upgrade it every year to be able to keep up with new releases (I would say MAYBE every 2.5 or 3 years)

Lox_Cropek

It's like legos.

lil_d_mack_314

I built my first pc about a year and a half ago and that is EXACTLY how I describe it. Like putting together legos. Just make sure you ground yourself before handling the legos. :)

[QUOTE="lil_d_mack_314"]

It's like legos.

StrawberryHill

I built my first pc about a year and a half ago and that is EXACTLY how I describe it. Like putting together legos. Just make sure you ground yourself before handling the legos. :)

[QUOTE="StrawberryHill"]

[QUOTE="lil_d_mack_314"]

It's like legos.

evildead6789

I built my first pc about a year and a half ago and that is EXACTLY how I describe it. Like putting together legos. Just make sure you ground yourself before handling the legos. :)

Uhm, you don't just switch to pc gaming. You just go onto like quakelive.com and pwn even on sheety pc. If you have to go all out just for pc gaming, then you are not a pc games. PC gaming isn't about graphix at all.JigglyWiggly_

I just made the switch to PCs from consoles and I'm not looking back. Granted PCs are more expensive, but considering you're buying a machine that does literally everything including games and that games are much cheaper (I thought I hit the jackpot a few months ago when I got two brand new 360 games for $50. Then when I bought my PC, I got three great games for under $15 - thank you digital distribution!)

In short, games look better, run better and feel better (I prefer mouse and keyboard than a controller)

Yes switching to PC is best thing you could do :D

Most people exaggerate on how often you need to upgrade your PC. It's not like you'll need to upgrade it every year to be able to keep up with new releases (I would say MAYBE every 2.5 or 3 years)

Lox_Cropek

I'd say when ever the big three make a console use that as some sort of "benchmark".

Depending on how strong the next Playstation is ill decide whether I should crossfire my 6950.

[QUOTE="JeanAlex22"]

I have an xbox 360 running perfectly . . . I have no real problem with it, I don't play online and I buy all my games secondhand so I don't pay $60 for the game and for xbox live . . . I'm planning to switch to PC cause it just seems for practical and more comfortable to use . . .

However my problem is I have very little knowledge about computer tech and I know that one major con in PC gaming is that you upgrade on a notable basis which shouldn't be a problem for tech pros but is surely gonna be a problem in my case . . .

What do you guys think? should I press on to getting a PC gaming rig or stick to my xbox 360 . . .

evildead6789

For instance someone who bought 4870x2 with a quad core of at least 2.8 ghz. in 2008 won't have to upgrade He can still play games on the highest settings. But his investment was 1000$ or even a bit more when he bought that pc. So if you buy a strong pc now, you won't have to upgrade for a long time, if you will only spend 500$ you will probably feel the need to upgrade in a year or two.

That brings me back to the fact that some games are better on consoles than on pc for instance a lot of games can only be bought for console like fighting games (mortal kombat, fight night 4, soul calibur IV), some first person or third person games like halo3, gears of war2, infamous, red dead redemption, resistance.

Some games are also better to play on a console like mortal kombat , fifa because of the controller, you can always buy a controller for the pc but the experience is still different, a console boots up and plays , a pc needs configuration , there always something with something like adjusting your graphics setting, adjusting your controller configuration, sometimes stuff doens't work immediately and you have to do some research, it can sometimes be a real drag.

Other games are also a lot better to play on pc like rts games, some rts games are only available on pc, mmo's are only available on pc. Consoles also have a much easier way to connect with friends because it's only one platform, in a pc you don't have a cross-over platform for every game, you can meet and greet with people in a game but they don't have like one gamertag or avatar for all the games on that system.

You can do like i do i own a x360 and a pc but if i would have to choose it would be difficult especially because i'm addicted to mortal kombat. You can spend a little less on both systems to have em both like buy stuff second handed.

Have fun with the pc, if you don't have one you're missing out.

this, it the best experiance...

[QUOTE="JigglyWiggly_"]Uhm, you don't just switch to pc gaming. You just go onto like quakelive.com and pwn even on sheety pc. If you have to go all out just for pc gaming, then you are not a pc games. PC gaming isn't about graphix at all.SerOlmy

I would definitely advice getting into PC gaming. However, the most important thing you have to remember when entering into this new platform is this;

RESEARCH

RESEARCH SOME MORE

THEN RESEARCH EVERYTHING ALL OVER AGAIN.

If you make smart and educated purchases, then your PC should be set for quite some time, while allowing you to easily upgrade components over time.

I have made the mistake in the past by underspending on certain components to save money now, only to have that bite me in the butt later on.

I would spend the most time and money on your PSU and MOBO, since those will be the biggest hurdle when upgrading in the future.

Its not hard to build a computer for like 600 bucks at most that plays nearly all games on high settings. I enjoy PC games alot more. I also prefer the mouse and keyboard set up, and the wide variety in the PC library of customization in your system, accessories, and games. I built my PC and got a 1080p monitor for like 650/700 bucks on newegg. Just ask the hard ware forum for help, they're very useful. I'm positive you'll like PC gaming just as much, if not, better than consoles. Plus you can mod games! You might get your butt handed to you however since aiming with a mouse in shooters is a steep learning curve. Once you get it down, its so much fun though. As for upgrades, psh consolites over exagherate way to much. Built mine two springs ago, still running all my games on high settings. And i didnt even buy a high end card at the time (hd4850). PC is still kickin very well. Now you really have an all in one machine: Socializing, media, games, web access. All of these within a click of a button.