The Console Wars begin all over with the release of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Before the endless chatter of comparing every little spec begins, we’ve decided to pit the consoles against their ubiquitous rival. No, not the Nintendo Switch, we’re talking about the venerable PC.
The hardware and even the design of Sony and Microsoft’s ninth generation consoles are becoming more PC-like than ever. The question arises: should you wait for the new consoles or is buying a gaming PC now the smarter decision?
For such a hot topic, we thought it best to present two arguments from each side of the PC / console divide. In one corner we have MOBA-loving PC enthusiast Suzana. On the flip side, there’s Ollie – an apology for a career console who picks up a gamepad over WASD every day of the week.
Continue reading: Playstation 5 and Xbox Series X: How Do They Compare?
Console vs PC: are you waiting for PS5 and Xbox Series X, or buy a gaming PC?
Why should you buy a gaming PC?
The first hurdle that most aspiring PC gamers face is a mental one. Building a PC is not the easiest task in the world. If you’ve been a lifelong console gamer, moving away from the plug-and-play format can seem especially daunting.
But don’t be afraid! Building your own gaming PC is anything but what only technology freaks can do. We have seen many celebrities with no prior experience getting their jobs done, and so have you. There are many resources online from websites that compare part prices to those that have sample builds that you can easily follow.
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Of course, you don’t even have to make a special rig if you think it’s too much of a hassle. There are plenty of affordable pre-built PCs and even gaming laptops to suit your needs.
That said, for me, building a PC is a worthwhile project. After all, how many times can you choose every single part that goes with a piece of technology you own? This is the beauty of creating a custom build versus buying a game console with a configuration. It can be as powerful or as humble as you like. You don’t have to spend more than $ 1,000 on a 2080 Ti graphics card if you play mostly indie games with pixel graphics. On the other hand, if you want to create an RGB lighthouse that will attract swarms of moths, you definitely can.
Monitors give you a lot more freedom than connecting a console to a TV. Curved, flat, large or small, you can choose between panel types, refresh rates and more. For those who like competitive games like MOBAs and FPS titles, a 144Hz monitor will boost your performance more than any next generation console plugged into an old flat panel.
I can already hear some of you ask, “But what about the price?” Yes, a decent gaming rig usually costs more than a console. Right now we don’t really know how much the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X will cost. They are the first consoles to break the $ 500 mark. It’s also worth noting that a desktop PC is much easier to repair and update, which means it can cost you less in the long run. Not to mention all the other things you can use a powerful PC to do, such as: B. Video editing, programming and more.
A long-term investment in a gaming PC will survive the hype of next-generation consoles.
Instead of having to upgrade to the inevitable PS5 Pro in five years’ time for the best console hardware, a PC lets you simply swap out your graphics card or even your CPU and motherboard when you’re fixing a really old rig. A top-notch gaming PC is always more powerful than any game console, and that’s just a fact.
My other favorite aspect of PC gaming versus console gaming is the choice of peripherals. I can play FPS games with a mouse and keyboard, but if I want to use a controller for Dark Souls or fighting games I have a lot of options. Aside from Microsoft’s Xbox and PC compatible gamepads, I can even use the Nintendo Switch Pro controller or one of Sony’s DualShock 4 controllers as both are compatible with numerous Steam games.
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Hardware choice is far from the only thing PC games have to offer. When it comes to gaming, you will find more variety on the PC than on any other console. Competitive free MOBAs, tons of battle royale shooters, MMORPGs, obscure indies, and shiny triple-A games are at home in online game stores. Better still, there are no additional monthly fees for online gaming – unless it’s a subscription-based game – and sales are frequent. I have to admit that consoles have an advantage with some Exclusives, but that is getting rarer as time goes on. Even famous console franchises like Final Fantasy can now be found on Steam.
PC gamers aren’t limited to one game store either. You can get the best deal on Steam, the Epic Games Store, Origin, Uplay, or DRM-free games at stores like GOG, Humble Bundle, and Itch.io. The latter is specifically a treasure trove of hidden indie gems that you won’t find anywhere else.
Backward compatibility isn’t an issue either, as emulating opens the door to retro games at sky-high resolution without the need for remasters or remakes. Modding can also completely change your experience. All you have to do is check out games like Skyrim to see how much a game can be changed through community efforts. Without modding, we wouldn’t have games like Counter Strike and DayZ either.
It’s hard to deny how open and accessible the PC ecosystem is. It’s a long term investment in your gaming hobby that will survive the hype of next generation consoles. – SD
Why should you wait for the PS5 and Xbox Series X?
The problem with the dedicated slot machine argument in the console-PC debate is that a PC can do a lot more than just play games. For example, you can’t build and run an entire home business out of it, or research and study for a university essay.
This basically throws every possible argument about cost efficiency out of the window. While it was cheaper in the long run to buy a new console every five years – which is not the case if you’re a savvy shopper – a PC is a far more versatile machine than a game console.
Still, consoles have some advantages over the PC. Let’s start with the obvious – the games.
Thanks to great initiatives like Game Pass and Play Anywhere, all of the really great Xbox One exclusive games can be played on a Windows computer. Sony is also committed to bringing more games to the PC. We’ve already seen this with Horizon Zero Dawn and the otherwise PS4-exclusive Death Stranding.
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However, there are many amazing console games out there that you simply cannot play on PC. Starting with the current generation of consoles, a PC-exclusive gamer would be missing out on incredible PlayStation 4 games like The Last of Us and The Last of Us Part 2, Bloodborne, God of War, Persona 5, Uncharted 4, Shadow of the Colossus and Marvel’s Spider-Man , The Last Guardian and many more.
PC has a fair share of exclusive products, too, but if triple-A blockbuster adventures are your thing, you are almost certainly missing out on some of the best if you don’t buy a PS5.
Speaking of the PS5, Sony’s two models offer buyers the option of going completely digital, but they also have the more traditional disc-based console. Microsoft is likely to follow this model with the rumored Xbox Series S, which is next to the Series X. Do you know what doesn’t have an option for physical copies of games these days? Yes, PCs.
There are very rare exceptions, but almost all PC games come from digital stores. This means that you never actually own anything that you buy digitally. Physical copies allow you to trade them in once you’re done to get some cash for your next purchase. You can also borrow it to a friend – as long as Microsoft doesn’t try to pull a quick one again.
Do you know what else to do with friends on a PS5 or Xbox Series X that is nowhere near as good on PC? Local cooperative!
There are technically more games you can play on PC than consoles, but who really wants to sit on a desktop smashing faces in Streets of Rage 4? Playing with friends in person is easier and more convenient. You are sitting on a comfortable couch with a large TV in front of you. In fact, every game is more comfortable that way. Plus, you don’t have to look for an expensive gaming chair to complete your setup.
The PS5 and Xbox Series X are more like gaming PCs than any previous generation of consoles.
This brings me to the ultimate reason I’ve never fully stepped into the waters of PC gaming – simplicity.
Game consoles may also be pseudo media centers, but their main purpose is still to boot up a game and jump straight into the action. While consoles are a long way from yesterday’s plug-and-play experience, they require next to no effort. You buy a game, you play the game.
With a PC, there are a lot of things to consider before you even hit play. Which launcher is the game running on? Does your PC meet the minimum requirements? Which graphic optimizations are necessary? Do you need to update your GPU drivers before playing? Do you actually need to upgrade your core hardware to get a decent experience?
The PS5 and Xbox Series X are closer to decent gaming PCs in terms of hardware and architecture than any previous generation of consoles. While this won’t take long – or thanks, apparently, to Nvidia – I’d prefer to live with a little fewer pixels and slightly downgraded lighting effects to keep the consoles simple. – – OK
Console versus PC: have your say!
It’s pretty clear that there are a multitude of advantages and disadvantages to buying a game console instead of a PC and vice versa. Two of our authors have had their say, now we want to hear from you! What should you buy: a brand new PS5 or Xbox Series X at launch, or a powerful gaming PC today? Cast your vote in the poll below.
