So my last blog post had a bit of controversy attached. I stated that PC's...

..."are cheaper than consoles to own in many circumstances over a 5 year span, for moderate to hardcore gamers."

(Here's yet ANOTHER article that supports my post...)
http://www.maximumpc.com/article/features/how_build_awesome_pc_647

There were some diligent console fans using many exceptions to break this statement, but generally my basic math is correct. I may follow up on this with a part II and work it out so the costing is easier to follow, but what I laid out is generally correct.

So now I say that a single base build PC is viable for 10 years!!! Well that has to be double insanity. It's not... and here I offer up some edumication...

ONE: GRAPHICS
Graphics are based on Level of Detail. This LOD is known as resolution. Most of us understand that PC gaming offers better resolution over console gaming, and to actually equal the quality of output on a console, a typical PC component cost could be under $300 easily.

Here's a chart that outlines what frame rates a $130 monitor outputs.

http://www.legionhardware.com/document.php?id=866&p=2

This indicates that a 2 year old video card (9800gt @ $170 2 years ago) is still a viable solution. Remember we are really looking for that magic 34 FPS. This is about the point at which the eye can't discern extra frames (which is generally true). There are still many people that have built PC's that have this card or a similar card they are still using.

TWO: PC COMPONENTS
PC parts need to get replaced as often as new technology pushes the capability of new types of software. This technology will be around for quite some time, as seeing as how DDR 2 was around for (and is still alive and well) about 7 years, we should expect to see DDR3 match that lifespan. The difference is that at intro dual channel ddr2 was vastly more expensive than ddr3.

-DDR3 RAM: This stuff has just released about a year ago. Now it is cheap. Also ram is easily scalable in most cases.
- Dual/ Quad Core Processors: There are many PC's that were built that have been using true dual core processors. Since then OS and games have started to take advantage of the capability. This means that it is VERY HARD for software to outpace the hardware, and keeps the processors viable for long stretches of time.

This link shows how strong these processors perform over the years.
http://www.legionhardware.com/document.php?id=874&p=10

THREE: MOORE'S LAW IS DEAD
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moore%27s_law
It's dead people. That means the traditional idea of rapid hardware growth IS SLOWING! This means that the drive is slowing and new developmental leaps take longer to produce. IE... your stuff doesn't become as obsolete as fast.

FOUR: $$ COST $$

New technology is getting cheaper and cheaper. The new batch of Intel processors are coming out and they are two things...

1. FAST
2. CHEAP

They are full dual core models and AMD has a quad core processor that is around $100. This technology. Notice that i3-530 processor @ $123. That's a full dual core with hyper threading. Its essentially faster than anything near its price range that's out now.

CONCLUSION
In the end we can talk about building a P55 system with an i3 processor and 4 gigs of DDR3 ram for around $330 + video card.

Now here's the catch. You knew one was coming. High performance video cards are extremely inefficient based on price. Its better in the long run to buy cheaper cards more often then buying one expensive one.

So... Over 10 years you build the $330 system listed above, get a $150 video card ever 2-3 years.

We know this is likely because there are older dual core systems that are 3-4 years old and still going strong. The video card does almost all of the graphics work. YES THIS IS A STRETCH. It would be much more viable at the 6-8 year range, but based on what people are using and the frame rates they are getting with older CPU technologies, getting 30-60 fps for the next 10 years is possible!

On average the core of this system will cost: about $1000 over 10 years. With hard drives and other stuff sensibly bought at the right time we can have a system like this:

- CPU: i3 ($120) or quad core i5 750 ($200) <---- this is what I own...
- MB: p55 ($100)
- RAM: 4gb ddr3 ($90)
- HDD: 1TB ($90)
- optical: blu ray ($50)
- Video: xxxx ($170)
- PSU: xxxx ($60)
- Case: xxxx ($50)

total: $730 or $73 a year

Additional Stuff...
- +3 video cards every 2.5 years ($450)
- +4 GB of Ram ($80) not that you need it...
- +2 HDD's ($180)

total: $710 or $71 a year

grand total for complete system: $1450 or $145 a year
or
grand total for bare bones: $1200 or $120 a year (this assumes owing a PSU, Optical, HDD, & Case)

Now I'm not gonna say that PC's are better. Everyone has to make their own choice when ti comes to gaming, but PC's are better at many many aspects of gaming and are also cheaper. Essentially anything a console can do a PC can do to (except for split screen) plus more.

Here's an article that outlines this:
http://www.tomsguide.com/us/Console-Vs-PC,review-1361.html

Now the idea of being cheaper is based on situation, but for the hardcore or moderate gamer, the PC is cheaper over a 5 year span. I know its hard to believe but I've crunched the numbers and will review them with you.

The rules: Here are a few things that we are gonna assume.
- Console early adopter, for one system
- Owning two consoles
- Nice PC, but not killer
- Early game purchaser
- That everyone already owns some type of PC (you are posting here!)
- A 5 year cycle time
- Not including monitor cost or TV costs

ROUND ONE!!! PC!!
So the new console just released and you decide its time to upgrade your PC. You buy a decent MB, 4 gigs of RAM, a new processor, and a Video Card. The sound and LAN are onboard the MB and you use your old HDD's, OS, and Optical drives. You use the mouse, KB, and head phones(or speakers) you have sitting around.

Cost: $475 dollars

You buy 30 games over the next 5 years ( not including Steam sales): -$300 or more! over console. Steam generally offers nice sales and 4-pack deals, often very close to the time, or during the time of release . I got Borderlands, L4D and L4D2 for $111 while most console gamers paid $180.

In 2.5 years it might be time for a new VC.
Cost: $175

ROUND TWO!!! CONSOLE!!
You own some type or (paid to upgrade your system) of computer: $300?
The two consoles (one was purchased right off): $600 (I'm being very liberal here should cost more...)
Extra controllers: $80 (one for each console)
30 Games: +$300
XBL: $250 (some families will double or triple this!, and and not all games support split screen, like Borderlands. SO int eh end the situation is exactly like PC.)

TOTAL REAL COSTS:
PC: $650 (and you get two video cards!)
CONSOLE: $1530

Even if I'm off a few hundred dollars (or you change the base configurations) the costs are plenty open enough to justify my point.

This still leaves $880 for the PC gamer to get new stuff like OS, new HDD's... or completely buy a new system from scratch. Blu Ray players for PC are only $60. In addition Micro systems can be built that are roughly the size of a console that are just as powerful as standard PC's.



The PC graphics would most likely be able to play at 1680 x 1050 and 1929 x 1080 (OR EVEN BETTER!!), which is SIGNIFICANT over console gaming.

But no split screen for PC. :(

Remember its just as easy to hook a PC to a TV as its is a console, and you can save $$ by watching HULU (over DVR), and can use the XBOX controller while relaxing on your couch. It a shame consoles are so expensive, b/c I might just get one.

http://translate.google.co.uk/translate?u=http://ps3clan.nl/2009/11/ps4-krijgt-ongeevenaarde-graphics/&sl=nl&tl=en&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

Wow! so it looks like Sony might be taking the direct route and taking care of their hardware inadequacies early on. Now they just have to work on getting a more streamlined approach to getting software developed for it.

Though I seriously doubt that the "TBDR" video technology will be 3 to 5 times better then what ATI or NVIDIA can put out; but we can wait and see.

No mention on cost. Since the PS3 launched at $500 could this be higher? You are getting into the PC range there, since a pretty kick as PC can be bought for $600-$800 depending on current components owned.

It appears that console gaming will continue to be more expensive than PC gaming over the life span of the console.

There are several forum discussions:

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=240449

http://forums.gametrailers.com/thread/powervr-series-6-gpu-for-plays/970484

I was kinda surprised this hasn't been posted yet at Destructoid, Sorry if it's come up already.

I figured this was fitting news for the PC section... Finally. Though Jim Sterling getting a PC is hard to beat...

http://www.bit-tech.net/news/gaming/2009/11/25/deus-ex-3-is-eidos-and-square-enix-joint-ef/1

Very cool that the complexity is up there to knock consoles out of the running. Maybe they will dumb it down for console in a half a year or so. The first Deus Ex game was so awesome, hopefully this will fall suit. No game since has been made like it. It had everything...

- Persistent stage to stage
- Hit locations
- A great story
- Character upgrades that affect game play choices
- Integration of those choises in an interactive world
- Non-Linear gamplay
- Great stage maps
- Long story and lots of play!

It seemed that many games would follow this scheme, but non did...

Well at least some good news for PC. Hopefully something can be done to help the console out with this in the future.

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=238908

pentium G6950 @ 2.8 GHz 3 MB L3 no turbo boost 2 cores/2 threads, -about $85, 72 watt TDP
core i3 530 @ 2.93 GHz 4MB L3 no turbo boost 2 cores/4 threads, -about $120, 72 watt TDP
core i3 540 @ 3.06 GHz 4MB L3 no turbo boost 2 cores/4 threads, -about $140, 72 watt TDP
core i5 650 @ 3.2 GHz 4MB L3 w/turbo 2 cores/4 threads, -about $170, 72 watt TDP
core i5 660 @ 3.33 GHz 4MB L3 w/turbo 2 cores/4 threads, -about $190, 72 watt TDP
core i5 670 @ 3.46 GHz 4MB L3 w/turbo 2 cores/4 threads, -about $270, 72 watt TDP

This looks good for those that need an upgrade but don't want to pay much $$.

So a brand new system with:
- 2gb of DDR3 ($40)
- MB ($120)
- Processor ($120)

Could cost $280 (even less for more basic parts!) and would be viable for over 4-6 years. Add a nice video card for $150 and you have a Smoking system that would well out preform a console in gaming for about the same price.

Remember, for PC gaming the video card does most of the work so its always better to place less $$ into the bare bones and more into the video.

Now the 32mn allows you to overclock the crap out of these things. So really if one was to take advantage and get (free) core temperature software (to monitor the temps), you could replicate a much higher end stock system.

The future looks bright. Better technology cheaper.

That i3 530 looks pretty sweet to me! Remember these are street prices actual prices may be 10% lower.

So after some searching I came across a very interesting fact.

IW held a contest for PC gamers to create new maps for MW. The maps would be sent in and they would name their winners. It appears that winners were never announced. There were also problems with the contest as the submit dates were changed up and no one was notified.

I first learned of this here:

http://www.codboards.com/showthread.php?t=31565


Here are the images posted from that link.










Now they are not exact. But from what I believe, IW took the original COD4 map and "lightened" it for the consoles. But the design is uncanny. Now remember, these images are from the same map just looking at different points. From a design perspective it would near impossible to recreate this either from memory or by guessing. The intent of the MW2 is clearly copied.

...or stolen.

Here's the famous IW community manager himself... no notice of winner on his blog.
http://www.fourzerotwo.com/?p=274

This link shows the original notice that is no longer available on IW's site.
http://forums.n4g.com/m83771.aspx

...a frustrated DToid Blogger...
http://www.destructoid.com/blogs/JavTheGreat/contest-still-don-t-have-cod4-maps-winners--90000.phtml

If you look at the 3rd post down on this page; this was spot on!!!
http://www.raidersmerciless.com/showthread.php?t=4328&page=10

So. Contest went up. People made maps. No winners. Maps added to MW2.

Its really frustrating to the PC community, because they steal the mods made from COD4 and use them in MW2, but do not allow for any new modding to happen in MW2. Its kinda like saying, "Thanks for the sweat and history PC. See ya later!"

Thanks IW for stealing from the PC community to give to the world. At least say thank you after the rape.