Quick question, comments appreciated.

  • Thread starter Hyst
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Hyst

Hyst

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First of all, I can appreciate that 'what should I buy' threads are almost always annoying and pointless, which is why I am somewhat embarassed to be starting one myself.

Nonetheless, I don't have a lot of money but I make good enough money (I'm 17) that another month of saving up will give me about $600, more than enough for a PS3 and a couple games. Now, I don't know a whole hell of a lot about the PS3, other than that a lot of my friends wet their pants at the mention of it.

What I'd like to know, in your own opinion, is the PS3 worth the money right now, and will it be in the future, or am I better off just saving for a few more months and by an ass-kicking desktop computer?

Put yourself in my shoes - 1 month of saving = 80GB PS3 with 2 games. 4 months of saving = badass home comp.

What are your thoughts?
 
I suggest making a list of what you intend to do with each (games, obviously, surf, write papers, etc.) and the pluses and minuses of each. Do you have a computer already and if so, what are it's specs? How much of an upgrade will it be if you bought this new one? Do you already have a PS2 or other console? Etc., etc.

Ultimately, the decision is up to you (again, obviously), but I'm sure you'll get more than a few suggestions. My vote is PS3, but mostly because I've never been much of a PC gamer, short of stupid little online time wasters.
 
There just isn't enough PC games to justify spending thousands of dollars on a rig.

Save enough for your PS3 and save some more for a HDTV.
 
There are plenty of GOOD PC games.
But PS3 has good solid titles. Save up and get both ;)
 
Wait for the PS3's price to drop; it mostly likely will soon.

In the meantime, continue saving up for an HDTV. $500 ought to set you up with a nice name-brand 23-25" set. Perfect for a bedroom.
 
Solid Fro
There just isn't enough PC games to justify spending thousands of dollars on a rig.

Save enough for your PS3 and save some more for a HDTV.
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There's hundreds of PC games that can justify the price of buying a new rig. It all depends on taste though.
 
Reventón;3130357
There's hundreds of PC games that can justify the price of buying a new rig. It all depends on taste though.
Click to expand...

Like what?

I'm having a hard time naming another game besides Crysis and even that wasn't so hawt.
 
PC and console gaming are not equivalent and both have their own strong points. I own both a PS3 and a gaming rig that I put together myself.

I happen to prefer playing FPS games on the computer where I have more fine control, and there are a couple of other types of games that I like that wouldn't make sense on a console like Chessmaster and certain real time strategy games, flight sims, etc. They aren't impossible on consoles, just not a popular thing to create or play. However, with the advent of super powered consoles, games are starting to migrate towards the console market. One of the things I love about my PC was simply the experience I had building it. Obviously another advantage is the ability to do more than just game, though the PS3 will handle most, if not all, of your entertainment needs.

On the other hand, consoles have more games, and generally better support for multiplayer (especially when Sony finally decides to release Home). There are no worries about compatibility unless the machine you buy happens to be a lemon (a friend is unable to play GTA IV on his playstation while the same disc works for other machines). Developers are able to spend more time on optimization, so there are fewer bugs, though visuals haven't been as strong as PC until relatively recently. But you must give up a lot of freedom of choice in gaming with peripherals, in the system specs, and in the overall experience.

Hope my rambling on about my general feelings helps.
 
Yes, spend three grand on a rig just for Chessmaster!

If you want to play games, get a console.
 
the Interceptor
First person shooters don't work on a console.
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I disagree. I think they work better on a console. While using a mouse is more accurate for aiming, I find the keyboard clumsy for other commands. I think a DualShock more responsive for that.
 
But what's a FPS worth if you can't aim properly? Games like these often are about speed and accuracy. A non-direct connection between my aiming and my hand, such as with a controller, give a much more distant feel.

I see a console as a "slap a game in and go"-device. If you want to get deeper into gaming and play other games, you're better off with a PC in my book. With Gran Turismo as an exception...
 
A PC is never a bad option, considering that they are now coming with blu ray players, but in all honesty we are comparing apples and oranges. A PC and a console can't be compared (at least to me). each have their pro's and con's yet if i were only interested in gaming and entertainment i wouldn't see the necessity of a PC. Now if only they can put Flight Simulator X on the ps3 then the world would be perfect :D
 
Solid Fro, there's FAR more PC games out there than there ever will be PS3 games!

Thats a FACT! Look at the number of PC games here compared to the number of PS3 games here.

That site doesn't include a lot of PC games, but it has pretty much every PS3 game for sale.

Also, nothing will ever beat a good old mouse & keyboard in FPS games, I played Bioshock on the 360 and the PC, and its so much better on the PC, same with Unreal Tournament 3 on PC and PS3!

You might find the keyboard a bit fiddly, but after about 30 minutes to an hour you get used to it and simply nothing will ever be as good as it for an FPS game.

As for the OP, if you dont already have a PC then go for that. Personally my PC is the most important thing to me, and without it I would not have gotten through uni!!

PS3 on the other hand is just good for having fun with and nothing more. If you go off to uni in the next year or so you'll def need a good PC if you do an electronic engineering or computer orientated degree.

For my last year I left ALL my consoles at home (PS3, PS2, 360, Wii, PSP, N64, DSLite, PS1, Dreamcast, etc) and I managed fine, but there is NO WAY I could have left my PC at home and managed without it at uni!

At the end of the day it all depends, if you want something for games ONLY then get the PS3, because with a PC, in a few years your GFX card wont be up to scratch to run the top end games. Where as with a PS3 the games are designed around the consoles hardware.

However if you would rather be able to play games, surf the web, write programs in C/C++, etc then you cant really beat the good old PC!

NOTE: If you get a PC you wont be able to play GT5p or MGS4.
 
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This, somewhat sadly, is one of the hardest decisions in my life so far.

It really is Pepsi or Coke, hospital food or airline food, Roseanne Barr or Anna Nicole Smith in about a year's time, etc. etc.
 
Solid Fro
Yes, spend three grand on a rig just for Chessmaster!
Click to expand...

And Crysis, and Bioshock, and Mass Effect and the Force Unleashed and Civilization III-IV and Age of Empires (one of the games that wouldn't make sense on a console), and Fable: Lost Chapters and EVE Online and any other MMO I could possibly want and Microsoft Flight Simulator and RPG Maker XP/VX...

Also, it runs taxing graphic and data programs with the speed and efficiency I need for school: MATLAB, Stata, etc.

Also, mine cost me just over a grand (including monitor and software--probably the 2-3rd most expensive parts), and given that all of the above look beautiful (or run in half the time of a name brand PC), I'd say its not bad at all.

If you want gaming and versatility and upgradeability, a PC is the best option
 
I personally would go for the PS3 rather than a PC because gaming PC's have to be upgraded ever so often which overtime will add cost.... I can never be asked to ensure this and that runs on my PC etc etc, too much hassle and I build PC's!... just get a PS3, one off payment, games will look very good (ok maybe slightly lower quality than PC) but they are guaranteed to work and a console should last a good 6 years or even more.

As for the price, they keep coming down all the time so you will have to commit at some point. I think the prices now are reasonable but you might want to hold out to maybe nearer the end of the year as there will probably be xmas bundles, new games etc..

Robin
 
Robin.
As for the price, they keep coming down all the time so you will have to commit at some point. I think the prices now are reasonable but you might want to hold out to maybe nearer the end of the year as there will probably be xmas bundles, new games etc..

Robin
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Personally I would say after xmas would be the best time. You know, round about the January sales, etc?

During xmas time you do get bundles, but shops know they will sell regardless. After xmas shops tend to lower their prices because things wont be selling as they normally do seeing as most people have spent most their money at xmas.
 
The PS3 is worth it. If you are a tech junkie you set your own media server and watch videos and listen to music without taking up space on the PS3.
 
nick09
The PS3 is worth it. If you are a tech junkie you set your own media server and watch videos and listen to music without taking up space on the PS3.
Click to expand...

Generally a media server is a PC....unless you fork out for a NAS box.
 
Solid Fro
Yes, spend three grand on a rig just for Chessmaster!

If you want to play games, get a console.
Click to expand...
Oh, that's a fantastic opinion. :rolleyes:

What makes a console any better for games than a gaming-oriented PC? Who gets to say playing Fable on a console is better that playing WoW on the PC?

No one. It's all opinion. But your opinions are coming out as down right ignorant.
 
Solid Fro
Yes, spend three grand on a rig just for Chessmaster!

If you want to play games, get a console.
Click to expand...

That's really not an accurate statement at all. If you want anything that is a serious simulator - flight or racing - PC is the only way to go. And while some FPS games work on a console, many are better on a PC.
 
Here's just a thought:

Do you need a PC for anything else? School? Work?

If so, then get the PC and make it play games too.



If not, then I look at it this way: I bought my PS2 and my PC at roughly the same time (6 or so years ago). The PC cost much more money. Today I can still buy brand new PS2 games. My PC struggles through Sims 2. A few hundred more dollars and my PC can be good again. But I haven't bothered because I can play new PS2 games without problems (that and the cost of a PC upgrade got me a PS3). Basically, your PS3 will need little or no upgrades to play brand new games in 5+ years. Even after I bought my PS3 I still have bought four PS2 games. My most recent PC purchases have been Sims 2 upgrades for my wife (each one only makes it go slower) and stuff from the discount rack in Wal*Mart.

If you are just looking for a gaming machine then I personally suggest a PS3, and it will also act as a multimedia device, web browser, and various other things. Honestly, I am one good Windows emulator away from buying a second to replace my PC (and before anyone points it out I know it isn't going to happen).

The only way to not suggest a PS3 for just gaming is if you prefer the games found on PC, or the control schemes available through a mouse and keyboard on multiplatform titles.

It should be noted a PS3 can use a mouse and keyboard and I have absolutely no clue why developers have yet to implement that in games.

So, ultimately the choice is yours. For me it was a PS3, but then I have a salaried management job and disposable income. I sit in front of a computer for eight hours a day and doing that when I get home is low on my priority list.

Plus, most of my friends game on consoles so I wouldn't be having nearly as much fun online with PC games.
 
You know what? Buy everything!

Buy a PS3, 360, Wii, PSP, DS. Spend thousands of dollars for a decent rig. Hell, throw in a Magnavox Odyssey for good measure. You don't want to have someone b**** about why you don't have one or the other.

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