How to Build Powerful PC for Gaming, Gaming PC vs. Next-Gen Consoles (Part 1)
Translated from reviewland.com by Budzkay
Preface
During this time people assume that the game consoles such as XBox and Playstation is best means to play games, while the functions of the PC game is just additional functions only. Most gamers are still assume that the game consoles are able to provide a better picture rather than a PC. Presumption may be correct only if they use a PC that still use the onboard videocard or low-end VGA, a practical function not much different with the PC in the office whose function is only for typing and internet.
Currently, the technology for the PC videocard again and again was far above the technological sophistication latest game consoles. For example, the cheapest Geforce 8800 series like a Geforce 8800GTS 320MB that has technology & performance far above the Xbox 360 and Sony Playstation 3. Videocard prices are even cheaper than the price of Playstation 3 and Xbox 360.
Using a Gaming PC was based on Core2 Duo processor and the generation of Geforce 8800GTS videocard will cost nearly 2X price of Xbox 360, but the PC Gaming has function that 7X more than a game consoles. And keep in mind that the view of game in Gaming PC is far better than the consoles.
Some of the functions of a Gaming PC:
- Gaming, off course
- Video Editing
- Movie/Music Encoding
- Desktop Publishing
- Graphic Design
- Office productivity
- Multimedia
- DVD/CD duplicator
- Home entertainment
- Internet browsing
- Scientific calculation
- Server
- Chatting
- Blogging
- Instant messaging
- Web Design
- Data Storage
- And many more ....
There are 2 main reasons why the Gaming PC can be a more attractive option than buying a game console such as Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 :
1. Graphics quality in PC games better than the next-gen gaming consoles. Because the technology in the PC videocard always more advanced than the graphics chip used in the consoles. For example is the Lost Planet game and Gears of War which looks better on a PC rather than on the Xbox 360. Mass Effect was became hits in Xbox 360, also appear in the PC version with better graphical display. And recently Grand Theft Auto 4 has also been present in PC version that is capable of resolution with 3X higher than the version of Xbox 360 & PS 3.
2. For the people who life and work that can not be separated from the computer, then build a Gaming PC that costs would be far cheaper than buying a game console such as Xbox 360 or Playstation 3. Buy a next-gen game console can become the cheaper solution to play games, only if you do not need a PC in your life and work. So, most students of primary school or Junior High School will tend to select the game consoles because they have not really need a PC intensively. However, when someone began to adults, where he began to work and the work requires a PC intensively, then build the gaming PC will be cheaper than buying a next-gen console.
Spesification of Standard PC to Work
At this time the PC to use for working with comfortable need the specification does require dual-core processor and 1GB memory. PC with low spesification will cause inconvenience in the work and reduce the productivity of you. A computer with only 512MB memory is not even used to be comfortable with internet activity when you open multiple web pages or multiple applications simultaneously. Now, a computer will feel responsive and comfortable to work with at least 1 GB memory. A graphic designer and people who work in the field of video editing even need a PC with at least 2GB memory.
For harddrive, 80GB capacity at this time is also not enough for most people who are very diligent to download the movies and pictures from the Internet, especially for people who work in the field of multimedia. With the difference price between 80GB and 160GB harddrive that is not up to $10, it's very foolish if you persevere to buy 80GB harddrive.
Thus, a standard PC is feasible to use for working will have specs at least dual-core processor and 1GB memory. The price will be around $200, with specs details as follows:
- Dual-core Pentium E2160 (1.8Ghz)
- Motherboard nForce 7100 chipset (nForce 630 with the onboard graphics Geforce 7100)
- DDR2 Memory 667 1GB
- Harddisk 160GB SATA
- DVDR-W drive 20x multi
- Casing + standard PSU
By adding an Wide LCD monitor 15" at $130, the total price of the desktop PC become $330 only. In comparison, a notebook that has the same specs as the price is about $650. Therefore, who was said that notebook was cheap? Notebook price still 2x more expensive than desktop PC with the same specs.
Remember that computer with high performance (eg Gaming PC) is cheaper, but the computer that used for style (eg Notebook) is expensive.
A real example in our life reality show that the prestige is more expensive than performance: Having beautiful girlfriend more expensive costs rather than have a girlfriend who worked diligently (but not beautiful). Same as a sexy secretary has higher salaries rather than stiff who work for 24 hours.
A desktop PC with a standard specs as above will not be able to jack up your prestige as well as the notebook with same specs. However, desktop PC is foundation a Gaming PC. And the Gaming PC is an object that has a prestige value....
Spesification a Gaming PC
If you want to make standard PC specs above to be a Gaming PC, add enough memory to 2GB and buying a videocard Geforce 9800GT 512MB or Radeon HD 4830 512MB that can bring the graphics quality that far better than the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3. The cost of adding memory from 1GB to 2GB only $14 and videocard Geforce 9800GT 512MB or Radeon HD 4830 512MB just around $150. This means that the cost of a standard PC into a gaming PC is not up to $200 means a much cheaper price than the Xbox 360, Playstation 3 or Nintendo Wii.
The Cost to change the "Standard PC" to "gaming PC" is just $ 160, which means the price is equivalent to the ancient game console Playstation 2.
Videocard technology of Geforce 9800GT & Radeon HD4830 are surpassing greatest game console at this time. Karena itu the graphics quality in the Gaming PC is certainly will be better than any game console ever created by human.
If you want to make the Gaming PC more economical, you can use a videocard Geforce 9600GT 512MB that the performance 10% more slowly than Geforce 9800GT, but it costs only $100 which means that even cheaper prices rather than the Playstation 2 Slim notabene ancient console technology.
Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 that have been said as the next-gen game consoles, actually uses ancient technology graphics chip that has been used on the PC videocard a few years ago.
For details, see the comparison table of graphics chip technology Console vs. PC videocard.
| | Current price | Released | Graphic chip technology |
| Playstation 2 | $150 | 1999 | Graphics Synthesizer |
| XBox 360 | $400 | 2005 | ATI Xenos (R500)
|
| Playstation 3 | $400 | 2006 | NVIDIA RSX (G70)
|
| Nintendo Wii | $400 | 2006 | ATI |
| Radeon HD 4850 | $200 | 2008 | RV770 |
| Geforce 9800GT | $160 | 2008 | G92 |
| Radeon HD 4830 | $150 | 2008 | RV770LE
|
| Geforce 9600GT | $120 | 2008 | G94
|
Game consoles are goods that can not be upgraded like gaming PC. So the game consoles user can only receive and trapped in to the old technology. As comparison, look at the pictures below.
Read more to Part 2
