PC, XBOX 360, PS3 or Wii...?

[FiLTHY_SNiPER]

Ok.. this christmas I'm thinking of begging for a PC upgrade or a console (that or I'll buy it myself).

The question is, which route should I take?
(NOTE: I'm not getting a Wii, I added that option just for kicks)

Since I've never owned a console, and the price of them are considerably cheaper than fully upgrading a PC, I wouldn't mind indulging in that craze.

Right now, due to PS3's price and lack of cool games, I'm leaning more towards a 360.
I searched gametrailers.com for hours trying to find prospective titles for PS3, but in the end I only found a select few. On the other hand, there are amazing looking games coming out for 360 quite soon as well as in the future (Gears of War, Assassins Creed and Lost Planet to name a few)

I remember back when the announcment of PS3 was relatively new and they were releasing "concept" trailers as to what they wanted the games to look like. I saw the Killzone 2 trailer and nearly shit my pants. That's when I first had an urge to buy a console.
Now that there are actual ingame screenshots and footage of some PS3 games in production, it's clear to me that their conceptual graphics were a complete sham, and PS3 is on par (or slightly higher) with XBOX 360 (and getting released 8 months later).
That chalks up another point for 360.

So, without going too much into it, since I'm not all that knowledgable on the subject, what should I invest my hard-earned money in:

my PC
PS3

or

XBOX 360

?

[StevenNevets]

Get a Wii @:slap:

$250 for such a unique system is pretty good

[DigitalBacon]

X360 Probably for me, already saving :p.

[zilong]

I don't play no console games, so PC for me ;O

Besides, a PC is way more useful then a 360 nor a ps3.

[StevenNevets]

Besides, a PC is way more useful then a 360 nor a ps3.true but you don't need a good video card (majority of gamers upgrades) for anything usefull unless you do some type of 3D work for a living

[Bonez]

if the 360 interests you as an artist go for it, it's considerably more open and dev friendly then the PS3 is (epic sounded off about conversion times from PC to each system, guess which took longer)

but since everything is moving to DX10 not too soon, you might as well sit on the PC purchases until you can get second gen DX10 gear.

[[W33T] Jetfuel]

PS3 ~ BluRay!!!!!
~ even if you never play any of the games and you have an HDTV you come out ahead.

[FiLTHY_SNiPER]

Jetfuel;153171']PS3 ~ BluRay!!!!!
~ even if you never play any of the games and you have an HDTV you come out ahead.

Nope, no HDTV.. just an oldie, 25' JVC.

true but you don't need a good video card (majority of gamers upgrades) for anything usefull unless you do some type of 3D work for a living

Well I went to school for Game Design and I use 3Dmax, Photoshop and possibly Zbrush in the future. Thing is I don't know if I'm still pursuing that path.


Currently it's a close call between PC beefage and an XBOX 360.

[Bonez]

Jetfuel;153171']PS3 ~ BluRay!!!!!
~ even if you never play any of the games and you have an HDTV you come out ahead.
not really, because as it stands BR is going the way of beta[not to mention being made by the same company](being more expensive then HDdvd for example)

dont' forget, HDdvd is a direct competition to it, and currently, is going to end up winning out.
http://www.dvdtown.com/article/toshibavs.samsung-hd-dvdvs.blu/3595/

[WarMachineAE]

Your saying the 360 is so much better than the PS3... well obviously the 360 has been out for nearly a year like you said. That gives developers nearly a year longer to get an idea of how the console flows. PS3 is new and has such HUGE potential that it's a completely new frontier for developers... technology was invented specifically for the PS3 so it's not like developers have been playing with this stuff for a long time where as the 360 is just an 'upgrade' in technology, nothing really 'new' or real fancy... just better than reg. XBox.

Don't get me wrong, 360 seems like a decent console, I may pick one up someday soon from a used-game store when people trade for PS3's.. but give the PS3 a year and we'll be seeing some gorgeous things.

[FiLTHY_SNiPER]

Yeah I'm sure PS3 will sport some amazing hardware and games, it's just, like you said, I won't see it's full potential until at least a year after release.
I want to make a purchase much, much sooner than that :P

[WarMachineAE]

Reminds me of back in the day when everyone had to have a Sega Genusis(sp?) and Super Nintendo so we could have the best of both worlds.

[f1sh3r]

Your saying the 360 is so much better than the PS3... well obviously the 360 has been out for nearly a year like you said. That gives developers nearly a year longer to get an idea of how the console flows. PS3 is new and has such HUGE potential that it's a completely new frontier for developers... technology was invented specifically for the PS3 so it's not like developers have been playing with this stuff for a long time where as the 360 is just an 'upgrade' in technology, nothing really 'new' or real fancy... just better than reg. XBox.

Don't get me wrong, 360 seems like a decent console, I may pick one up someday soon from a used-game store when people trade for PS3's.. but give the PS3 a year and we'll be seeing some gorgeous things.

what technology was invented for the ps3?

[[W33T] Jetfuel]

not really, because as it stands BR is going the way of beta[not to mention being made by the same company](being more expensive then HDdvd for example)

dont' forget, HDdvd is a direct competition to it, and currently, is going to end up winning out.
http://www.dvdtown.com/article/toshibavs.samsung-hd-dvdvs.blu/3595/


I can't agree with you YET ~ it seems that HD-DVD is ahead right now but the future has a way of doing it's own thing. and the BR in the PS3 will throw down the gauntlet

~ i am just saying ~ bwtween the 360 and the PS3 ~ hands down, PS3.

[FiLTHY_SNiPER]

Is the XBOX 360 backwards compatible? Can I play original XBOX games on it I mean?

[f1sh3r]

Is the XBOX 360 backwards compatible? Can I play original XBOX games on it I mean?

somewhat, there's a list of games that work, and every so often they add to it with new software hacks.

[FozzyBear]

I'm not a conole fan, but one of them major plusses for the PS3 is that you are supposed to be able to play ALL of the PS1 & PS2 titles also. THAT IS A HUGE LIBRARY of games.

Other than that I couldn't pick one over the other. I have never played with the 360 and couldn't tell you adv/disadv. :dunno:

[StevenNevets]

I'm not a conole fan, but one of them major plusses for the PS3 is that you are supposed to be able to play ALL of the PS1 & PS2 titles also. THAT IS A HUGE LIBRARY of games.The Wii can play every nintendo console game, even some games from other consoles


But if you don't like Mario/Zelda much then the PS3/360 are better choices... just more expensive

[FiLTHY_SNiPER]

I hate the majority of Nintendo-only games :P

somewhat, there's a list of games that work, and every so often they add to it with new software hacks.

So dude, what do u mean by software hacks.. and do the current games that already work have some sort of hack? I mean, is this legit or is XBOX 360 not actually compatible unless modified?

[Bonez]

I'm not a conole fan, but one of them major plusses for the PS3 is that you are supposed to be able to play ALL of the PS1 & PS2 titles also. THAT IS A HUGE LIBRARY of games.
they have to use emulation this time around, because they completely changed the hardware, so take that "all" and change it for "most" because the PS2 can play ~75% of PS1 games, so i'm expecting a lower number of older games supported on the new hardware.

and if you don't exactly get what i mean, if you put a modchip in, and a DVD laser your PS1 can play most PS2 games, crazy eh.

[wihadmin]

Only certain Xbox games are compatible with the 360. MS is constantly making Xbox games compatible with 360. So the list is slowing growing. I'm guessing their writing "drivers" for those games. Sorta like how MAME does it...

[Bonez]

here's a hammer, where's a nail.

[FiLTHY_SNiPER]

Only certain Xbox games are compatible with the 360. MS is constantly making Xbox games compatible with 360. So the list is slowing growing. I'm guessing their writing "drivers" for those games. Sorta like how MAME does it...

Sounds good to me :)

[FiLTHY_SNiPER]

No other comments/opinions?

option a) I buy a 360, play crazy games like gears of war, Lost Planet and other console-only titles. Plus I play titles that are coming out for PC too, but I can actually run them on my XBOX.
I spend around $500 CDN

option b) I upgrade my computer. This means a full upgrade.. just buying a video card or solely any other part would be pointless in my eyes.
This allows me to have a super-awesome computer that can play all next gen titles (except GOW :P) as well as allow me to use 3Dmax/zbrush/Unrealed3 with ease.
The problem? the cost.
I'm guessing around $1600 CDN (and thats only CPU, MB, GPU and RAM)

BTW, right now I'm running: P4 3 ghz, Radeon 9800 pro 256mb, 1 gig RAM
I run BF2 at full settings pretty well, but FEAR only at medium detail with stuttering


Ahhhhhh, what should I do?

EDIT: I've been researching Windows Vista and DirectX 10 and all the jazz pertaining to that crazy subject and I'm not sure what to grasp out of the situation. I don't need DX10 or Vista to run Next Gen games per se, but I can't tell from these articles if it'll make a huge difference or not if I can run DX10.
I mean, if I upgrade soon (see: xmas) and I buy top of the line stuff, but run winXP and DX9.. will it be worth spending my money on that video card instead of waiting for the DX10 enabled ones (Nvidia G80, ATi R600) in early next spring (supposedly)?

[Blis]

I view consoles as an expensive luxury.You have to keep buying games for consoles or they end up sitting there collecting dust. They just swallow money imo. I've ended up regretting buying every console i've ever had.

For me,consoles are for people who have lots of money or dont have pc's.

Will you be able to afford to keep buying games for both a console and a pc?

[Knottwobad]

Your saying the 360 is so much better than the PS3... well obviously the 360 has been out for nearly a year like you said. That gives developers nearly a year longer to get an idea of how the console flows. PS3 is new and has such HUGE potential that it's a completely new frontier for developers... technology was invented specifically for the PS3 so it's not like developers have been playing with this stuff for a long time where as the 360 is just an 'upgrade' in technology, nothing really 'new' or real fancy... just better than reg. XBox.

Don't get me wrong, 360 seems like a decent console, I may pick one up someday soon from a used-game store when people trade for PS3's.. but give the PS3 a year and we'll be seeing some gorgeous things.

I had owned PS2 and I was fine with it for a while but after a while none of the games that came out for it were anything I wanted to play. The Xbox gave me much more of the types of games I like and that is what convinced me to get a 360. So far all I have seen that is exclusive for the PS3 are again games that do not fall into my type of games category. My 360 is stayin with me, so you will have to buy someone else's.:D

BTW - I voted PC anyway because the next gen consoles are really still in their infancy and it is best to wait on those if cannot afford multiple things right now. The PC will be around forever and upgrading that is probably a better option.

[StevenNevets]

I run BF2 at full settings pretty wellif by "full" you meen high then you need to buy a monitor because I'm sure BF2 would look better with a 17+ inch monitor:yaya:

[[W33T] Jetfuel]

man ~ wait till the Quads core's come out and see what socket they are running on and then get that mobo and the Vid cards and a dual and then just upgrade as you can ~
or that is my poor ass way of upgrading ~
costs more in the long run ... like a rent a center .... you get there eventually `~


lol

good luck~

[Kev Kanos]

I voted PC. 360 lost the race when they put a dvd drive in thier next gen console. PS3 Lost when they waited too long to give us the damn console. WII lost when they decided that 480p was a high enough resolution. Well it isn't for a next gen console. PC is the only thing left. Go PC, you wont regret it.

[The_Professor]

Kev why would he need a next gen drive in a console?

I say 360. You know you want one anyways Filthy. :D Buy a 360 play the hell out of it and worry about upgrading to dx10 and vista next year when prices have come down some.

[Kev Kanos]

Kev why would he need a next gen drive in a console?

I say 360. You know you want one anyways Filthy. :D Buy a 360 play the hell out of it and worry about upgrading to dx10 and vista next year when prices have come down some.



Because a dvd is only about 9gb where a Bluray disk is 50gb. Bigger games at a higher resolution. Even though the PS3 is expencive, it will be the cheapest bluray player out.

360 - 720p

PS3 - 1080p

[The_Professor]

You know there is a optional hd-dvd drive for the 360 now that does 1080p right? But it doesn't appear as though Filthy really gives a damn about that. But btw, HD-DVD is owning Blu Ray in sales and in quality right now. And I hate to break it to you, but there won't be one single publisher out there that makes a freaking 50 gig game, sorry but it's just extra shit Sony tries to force down your throat that isn't needed.

[wihadmin]

I predict Sony will come out with a "budget" PS3 a year later that will have the normal DVD drive and a 10GB HDD. It will retail for $300.

[The_Professor]

I predict Sony will come out with a "budget" PS3 a year later that will have the normal DVD drive and a 10GB HDD. It will retail for $300.

No wai!














:dunno:

[Bonez]

Because a dvd is only about 9gb where a Bluray disk is 50gb. Bigger games at a higher resolution. Even though the PS3 is expencive, it will be the cheapest bluray player out.

360 - 720p

PS3 - 1080pum, time for a stat sheet.

the BR drive in the PS3 is going to be first gen, so it's read speed is only going to be around 2 - 3x max, which as it stands is slower at streaming data off a disk then say an 8xdvd drive(which are dirt cheap)

also, with the compression tech and the drift away from FMV(which take up a large amount of disk realestate) and more towards in-engine cut scenes disk space is becoming less and less a factor(it's still there, but not the #1 reason for anything anymore) as well as the addition of harddrives to use as a cache for compressed data and the use of internal ram the overall size of the disk is allmost irrelevant since most if not all data can be offloaded off the disk onto internal faster storage media.

also, 360 dashboard update for 1080p next month or so, so 1920x1080@60hz support on the PS3 is no longer a "selling point" because it's going to be common place after launch.

as for the cheapest bluray player out there, that's not really a good thing considering players that ONLY play BR disks cost $1k each where a game console with it stuffed into it costs $200 - $300 less.

[Kev Kanos]

You know there is a optional hd-dvd drive for the 360 now that does 1080p right? But it doesn't appear as though Filthy really gives a damn about that. But btw, HD-DVD is owning Blu Ray in sales and in quality right now. And I hate to break it to you, but there won't be one single publisher out there that makes a freaking 50 gig game, sorry but it's just extra shit Sony tries to force down your throat that isn't needed.



I didnt know they had a optional drive coming out. That blows my theory out of the water. I didnt say that publishers would make a 50gb game. My argument was based on a 9gb dvd. I said that publishers could make a game bigger then 9gbs so the BR would give them the ability. If HD-DVD is going to come into play with its 30GB disks then I guess sony is going to get bet over.

[Knottwobad]

But the HD-DVD player they are coming out with only plays movies, not any games or is that what you are talking about.

[[W33T] Jetfuel]

sony is in deep shit all over ~ Japan itself is nervous about all of the bad press ... there is no telling what is going to happen to bluRay or PS3 even ....

[The_Professor]

But the HD-DVD player they are coming out with only plays movies, not any games or is that what you are talking about.

Correct it only plays movies in 1080p, but you'll see most developers won't make many games in 1080p for PS3 anyways. But even without the optional drive to watch movies, there is going to be a firmware update to the 360 so games will be in 1080i. And honestly there are very few people (except of course all the video experts on the internet:jerkit: ) that can tell the difference between the two. Even then it's only really apparent when you get into the 60"+ screens.

Bonez is right though about the compression factor. If a game like Oblivion can fit on a 360 with plenty of room to spare, I'd say it's pretty safe to say that disc space is not an issue. So basically Sony came out with their proprietary format whose players costs twice as much as HD-DVD, is more difficult and expensive to make the discs than HD-DVD, and then decided to shove it down all the gamers throats saying "you need this." When in reality, not many people do. Most of the people in this country don't have high def tv's, little alone ones that are capable of producing images in 1080p. So that's why this time around I say a big :upyours: to Sony. They really need to take some points from Microsoft. I have previously owned a PS1 and PS2, but I will NOT be buying one this time due to them deciding for me what I do want or dont want with a game system. And not to mention that now most games are coming over to Xbox that were previously exclusives on the playstation.

[The_Professor]

SCEA launch titles (priced at $59.99 according to Gamespot):

* Resistance: Fall of Man
* NBA 07
* Genji: Days of the Blade

Third-party titles:

* Blazing Angels (Ubisoft) (multiplatform)
* Call of Duty 3 (Activision) (multiplatform)
* The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (Bethesda) (multiplatform)
* F.E.A.R. (Vivendi) (multiplatform)
* Fight Night Round 3 (EA) (multiplatform)
* Full Auto 2 (Sega)
* Madden NFL 07 (EA) (multiplatform)
* Marvel: Ultimate Alliance (Activision) (multiplatform)
* Mobile Suit Gundam: Crossfire (Namco Bandai)
* NBA 2K7 (2K Sports) (multiplatform)
* Need For Speed Carbon (EA) (multiplatform)
* NHL 2K7 (2K Sports) (multiplatform)
* Rainbow Six Vegas (Ubisoft) (multiplatform)
* Ridge Racer 7 (Namco Bandai)
* Sonic the Hedgehog (Sega) (multiplatform)
* Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 (EA) (multiplatform)
* Tony Hawk's Project 8 (Activision) (multiplatform)
* Untold Legends Dark Kingdom (SOE)



Where's MGS4, or Gran Turismo?:dunno:

[FiLTHY_SNiPER]

Shame, the two big titles PS3 buyers are wanting to play won't be available when PS3 is out.

As for me, I'm thinkin I'll buy everything but my video card at xmas, then get the GPU once DX10 cards are released.

No XBOX i guess :P

[Bonez]

awww i wanna chainsaw you in GOW :(

[FiLTHY_SNiPER]

Maybe you'll still be able to.. depends how I feel come xmas ;)

[WarMachineAE]

PS3 at launch baby, be plenty of sexy games to play.

[Bonez]

for the 360 maby.

and no systems to play them on.