QUOTE(Sir_Fela_the_Wise @ Aug 12 2005, 11:41 AM)
Often if you have to upgrade one thing on a computer, you have to upgrade a lot of things. And then beware if you download a driver for a graphics card that the company stopped supporting! Having nVidia Vertex Shading 4.0 (random name) on a card that doesn't support it will really mess things up.
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This is why ATI is better than nVidia.
ATI has Catalyst drivers that look at what videocard you have, then install the correct things for that card.
The downside? 25 meg updates. That isn't really a downside though; 25 megs isn't that big.
There are things consoles can do that computers can't. In that way they are superior. You would need a $2000 computer (not retail) to play this current generation of console games smoothly on your computer or you could just spend $200 and actually get the console and game you want to play. The next generation of consoles will be even more so advanced. Retail computers (with the exception of AlienWare, etc) aren't really ment for hard core gaming like a console is made for. They have tons of features that let you do many different things which makes them better than consoles in a way.
So unless you spend thousands of dollars and code the perfect emulators for the current and future consoles then you cannot say that one is better than the other because each has their uses.
My Computer was only $1000 and I can play HL2 at *almost* best settings, and it runs fine. The only thing that sucks in the loading time between areas, bleh.
Though, truth be told, I doubt it could run Doom 3.
Plus, computers can do a lot more than just play games. You have the basic interent, from which you can get whatever information you want witha few clicks. Other things, but that has nothing to do with how good their games are.
Computers are more expensive, yes, but their games are far superior.
It's the quality of the games that's being decided here, not the price.
Okay time for my 2nd part of my post.
I mean as the whole thing being outdated not just one part of it.
Unless theirs a big enhancement to the stuff, well only last for another year at most.
The games on PC are so much better with also more customization or mods. To increase
replay abllity. Theirs a greater variety of game types on the PC.
The console games, great for multiplay with other people in the house or for a party.
With internet you can play with anyone around the world. This doesn't have that much game type variety as the PC.
No need to list the name of the games or game types, you already no them.
I'm too lazy to read all the posts, so I obviously didn't.
It depends on the game.
If I'm playing an FPS, I would prefer console- I don't like how in computer FPSs you can turn around practicaly instantly and fire, meaning that dodging and surprise-advantages mean so much less, while as there's far, far more stress on twitchy-reflexes which, when developed enough, can be far, FAR more cheap than in any console-sniper weapon; in console FPSs, can you aim at someone's head, shoot, switch weapon and attack that person behind you in less than a second? No, but you can in computer ones.
Though, almost anytime otherwise, computer is better.
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1. When you buy a game, it's going to run. No need to worry about system requirments.
More on that; console FPSs can be made to push every aspect of a console to its limits, unlike computer games. Why? Because computers are customizable; not everyone has the same equipment, and so if a game were to be modeled to fit one computer-build like a glove, than it'll suck on the others.
Halo 2's graphics aren't as good as computer games now, but they're sure as Hell better than you'll get on a computer with 3-year-old parts.
If you can play HL2, you can easily play Doom 3.
But Chu, you can download emulators for like every console in existence. Can't see that happening for the PS2 or anything, can you? So even if you do spend $2,000, you could still download thousands of dollars worth of ROMs.
And why in the world would you want to go with Alienware? They're overpriced, and I've heard nothing but bad things about their tech support. I'd try iBUYPOWER or ABS PC. Same parts (often greater selection), better prices, and way better tech support. iBP even allows paint jobs on their hardware (nothing fancy though, just a base color).
If you really do want the extra mile, go with Falcon Northwest or Voodoo. I haven't really looked into Hypersonic, so I can't attest to them. I don't even know if they exist anymore. Remember when Voodoo made graphics cards? Hmmm.
Why can't home-built computers have as good parts as otherwise?
QUOTE(Shapechanger @ Aug 12 2005, 06:20 PM)
My Computer was only $1000 and I can play HL2 at *almost* best settings, and it runs fine. The only thing that sucks in the loading time between areas, bleh.
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Only? $1000 dollars.
That's a Ps2, All 3 GTAs, Devil May Cry 1 2 3, Another Controller, Headset, An Xbox, Halo 1 and 2, Jade Empire, Ninja Gaiden, And Xbox online for 3 years.
For a computer that can ALMOST play HL2 at best settings...
QUOTE(Sir_Fela_the_Wise @ Aug 12 2005, 11:39 PM)
If you can play HL2, you can easily play Doom 3.
But Chu, you can download emulators for like every console in existence. Can't see that happening for the PS2 or anything, can you? So even if you do spend $2,000, you could still download thousands of dollars worth of ROMs.
Oh I'm sorry, I didn't think illegally doing something on a computer made it better than a console.
QUOTE(Golden-Fist @ Aug 12 2005, 11:59 PM)
Only? $1000 dollars.
That's a Ps2, All 3 GTAs, Devil May Cry 1 2 3, Another Controller, Headset, An Xbox, Halo 1 and 2, Jade Empire, Ninja Gaiden, And Xbox online for 3 years.
For a computer that can ALMOST play HL2 at best settings...
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Yeah and you've never played HL2 on best settings.
Did next generation consoles come out yet?
Nope. But when they do come out, They're all gonna cost around 350...
QUOTE(Shapechanger @ Aug 11 2005, 10:21 PM)
Personally, the PC has treated much better over the years, and here's why:
1. Free online gameplay, for the most part. I don't play MMO's.
2. Less kids; Everytime I get on Halo 2 I get teamed with some kid who just screams into his mic and can't play worth crap.
3. Mods; This has to be the best thing for me; Everytime you get bored with the game you're playing, mod it.
4. PC games tend to be better in the following ways:
A) Halo 2 had a physics engine, but it wasn't realistic in the least. Halo 2 doesn't even have ragdoll deaths, the characters have prescripted animations when they die.
B) Halo 2 has to delete EVERYTHING except the basic polygons that you aren't looking at, to keep its graphics looking like they do. Even then, Half-Life 2 completely owns its graphics.
C) Smarter AI; In my experience, at least.
5. Upgradable; your PC's out of date and can't run the latest greatest game? Upgrade it, simple as that.
Now the Consoles have their good sides, too:
1. When you buy a game, it's going to run. No need to worry about system requirments.
2. No Installation; Meaning you can't run out of space, like a PC can.
3. Internet-less Multiplayer; Sometimes it's better to play with friends in the same room than across the world.
Lastly, I added Mac, because, hey, it might get some votes. I don't have one, don't plan on getting one, so I don't know squat about it.
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Consoles does have Internet for PS2 and Xbox. Why are you talking about mostly Halo 2? Consoles are way cheaper than computers. PC has the laggiest games, even if you have the best connection or the best computer to play games, there will still be lag.
ADDITION:
Btw, PC needs too many requirements, waste of more money just to play a single game.
Ummm... not really. Apparently you have crappy DSL or even dial up.
No lag here with 6mb/sec cable. Nope, none.
Ah, but really the only competition in the computer market comes from Macs, and... well, we all know how laughable that competition is.
You guys do realize that even though PC's cost more they do more than just play games

You have to take that into account if you are just going to say consoles are better because they are cheaper.
Most games now that come out with PC has an editor, so you can make your own scenarios and maps. This is the part I like the most, but most games for Consols do not have an editor, in fact, i have only seen one game with an editor, the rest I have not seen and editor at all.
Also, to play Xbox online, you have to pay a monthly fee, most PC games when you buy, you can play for free online, unless if it is like World of Warcraft or something.
There also tends to be alot of things you can do with computer games that you can't with Consols.
I prefer computers, mainly because I'm a real-time strategy fan. And chatting via keyboard owns. And modding... and map editing... and computer games tend to have better multiplayer... etc...
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You guys do realize that even though PC's cost more they do more than just play games closedeyes.gif You have to take that into account if you are just going to say consoles are better because they are cheaper.
Well, games is what this discussion is about.
If I were to have a Gamecube, XBox with free Live, PS2 and games for them, or a decent computer with a decent internet connection(DSL or higher) for free, I'd take the computer no question. But as far as games go, as I said, for FPS's I prefer consoles. FPS's are the only examples I can think of.
Oh ya, fighting games, which I don't care for anyways, racing games, which suck anyways, and 2-d sidescrollers which you won't see much of anymore anyways.
PC because PC is almost unlimited. Consoles are just..... 1 pieced. You can't put a new graphic card or better RAM into console when your is getting old. As for entertainment you can buy all the gamepads, joystiks and stuff for a PC so it doesn't matter.
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Why can't home-built computers have as good parts as otherwise?
Hello? Why do my posts so often go ignored?
QUOTE(DEAD @ Aug 13 2005, 04:24 PM)
PC because PC is almost unlimited. Consoles are just..... 1 pieced. You can't put a new graphic card or better RAM into console when your is getting old. As for entertainment you can buy all the gamepads, joystiks and stuff for a PC so it doesn't matter.
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Uh ... as it stands right now the current set of consoles are still better at a cheaper price than any computer can be. Once the next generation comes out you won't see computers that good for long after the consoles have probably been replaced. Consoles are a concentrated gaming platform, every piece is now conditioned to perform better for gaming.
And every game can be made to use each pieces' limits, rather than a common highest so that people with slightly different computers can play them.
Is every game made like that? No. Reason? It's easier and faster not to.
It's possible to do though, and console games come closer to that.
Of course the consoles are cheaper than PC. But after 2 years my console will be complete crap and I will have to buy a new one. But for my PC I can just buy few new parts and it will be a way cheaper than buying a new console. So PC is better and somehow even cheaper.