Yes, the picture above is an in-game screenshot. It was taken in Skyrim on the PC.
With the rise of Next-Gen gaming, all the flashy new games and shiny consoles, one thought has been circulating through my head. “None of this is really new.”
I know the games are new and the consoles are new. However, none of this hyped up capability in new games and consoles is actually new or revolutionary. PC’s have had these capabilities for years now. Most games can’t push the limits of a strong computer’s power, but that is because creating a game that only a PC can play eliminates a large share of the audience for said game. Hopefully, now we will see games that truly fulfill our computers’ power.
I am a strong advocate for PC gaming. I encourage all of my console owning friends to make plans to make the switch between platforms, but they have a dozen different excuses. Most console players have deep reservations against giving PC gaming a try. In the past, the argument against PC gaming has primarily been the startup cost. It is true that building or buying a PC will cost you more than a single purchase of a console. Today, with Next-Gen consoles released, gamers see no reason to switch to PC with these “powerful” new and improved platforms available. There is a serious problem with that line of thinking.
It’s common knowledge that the Xbox One is marginally inferior to the PS4. However, few understand that as a computer the PS4 is not impressive. At all. Its graphics capabilities lie at the lowest end of the spectrum of graphics cards that are still sold or supported. So even the best console you can buy is the worst computer on the market (consoles are just computers outfitted for the sole purpose of gaming). The reason consoles are cheaper than gaming PC’s in general is because you get what you are paying for.
I want to debunk any myths about PC gaming or any reservation you console players might have against the platform. It is absolutely possible to build a gaming PC stronger than a Next-Gen console for a similar price. However, if you’re smart you won’t want to stop there. Spending $1,000 on a PC will save you more money in the long run then buying one for $500 now.
IGN recently did an experiment where two employees tried to build a gaming PC on a console budget and beat the graphical output of both PS4 and Xbox One. They succeeded. With the budget of an Xbox One price before the kinect was dropped, Mark Walton built a PC that outmatched any console.
If you are really strapped for cash, a $500-$600 PC will do. However, if you really want to max out your value $1,000 is a sweetspot to build a machine that will serve you well for 5-10 years. Websites like New-Egg or Aria if you live in the UK are great for building computers. They work like Amazon. Plus if you buy parts to build your own PC you can get mail in rebates and free games with your graphics card.
If you don’t understand how shilling out $1,000 for a PC versus $400 for a console will save you more in the long run you have to examine the PC gaming market and the longevity of PC parts versus a console. Most parts you use in a $1,000 PC build will last you at least 10 years. Some cheaper ones may give in about 5 years. The real kicker is the games market. PC’s have access to far more games than consoles for far lower prices. Companies like Steam have seasonal sales that offer triple-A titles for deals like 75% off.
So, is it possible to build a PC with a console budget? Absolutely. But why stop there? $1,000 is a small investment to make for a likely 10 years of gaming satisfaction.
