Upgrade My PC or Would Get Better Value from Buying a Console?

Lbulletbill88 on 09/04/2023 - 14:19
Last edited 09/04/2023 - 18:46 by 1 other user

Seeking some wisdom from the OzBargain hive-mind.

I currently have a living room PC that I use for gaming, but it is getting very long in the tooth. My question is whether it is worth "upgrading" in any sense or if I would be better off to just buy an Xbox or PlayStation? Once you could get a pretty good PC for console equivalent $$$ but doesn't seem like that is the case these days?

PC specs

CPU = i5 3450
MOBO = Asus P8H67-M LE
GPU = GTX 1050ti
RAM = 8GB

Case takes up to a Micro ATX board.

Also ,if I upgrade, can I just put a new mobo, cpu & gpu in without doing a full system re-install? Running Windows 10. I'm lazy and time poor so the easier the better

• 

  boomramada on 09/04/2023 - 14:22

  +8

  Depends on your budget, the type of games you play, and how often you play them.

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  AustriaBargain on 09/04/2023 - 14:42

  I have a gaming PC but much prefer playing my consoles. Even though PC games can be had for free if you know where to look, I'd still rather pay for a console version.

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  scrimshaw on 09/04/2023 - 14:43

  +4

  Only you can decide whether you prefer gaming on a PC vs a console.

  If you want to upgrade the existing system, you could throw in a sub $200 GPU such as a used RX 6600 and that will allow you to play most of today's games at 1080p. Perhaps upgrade your RAM to 16GB for another $20 or so.

  For prebuilts, there's currently two deals that you could buy priced under $1k:
  https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/762878
  https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/762878

  However I've noticed that Enigma PC recently had some good deals that are better value than Techfast

  A $750ish game console however will outperform a system with RTX 3060ti or 6700XT and run games at 4K, however you will have to build up your game library from scratch or spend $10.95 or so a month to access Xbox Game Pass.

  • 

    bulletbill88 on 09/04/2023 - 15:14

    Cheers. As it is a living room pc there is not much difference play wise ( I use an Xbox controller with big picture steam not a keyboard and mouse).

    The main point of upgrade would be to game @ 4K.

    I think on your advice an Xbox with games pass may be the way to go. I can keep the pc as is for any of my Steam library I have now.

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  freefall101 on 09/04/2023 - 16:11

  +1

  Also if I upgarde, can I just put a new mobo, cpu & gpu in without doing a full system re-install? Running Windows 10. I'm lazy and time poor so the easier the better

  Probably worth doing a reset (or "Fresh Start" as Microsoft calls it). Doesn't move files but does a reinstall of Windows in place without wiping out any files. Will help clean up drivers and registry stuff.

  Might need to reinstall a few programs afterwards to get them working, but unless you're doing something odd a living room TV should be mostly games and launchers anyway (which migrate nicely these days).

  On the question of console vs PC, I'd go console, cheaper on the hardware end and resale value is still really high if you decide you want to go a PC upgrade later. Unless the PC will have other uses it's just not worth it when a 4K gaming GPU will set you back $1k by itself.

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  Ema000 on 09/04/2023 - 17:11

  +1

  If you're lazy, time poor and on a budget, you're better off getting a console, especially since you want to game at 4k.

  Also since you're already used to using the Xbox controller, I would go for the Xbox Series X but it depends on what games you like to play.

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  impoze on 09/04/2023 - 18:50

  +1

  Check out the xbox game pass deal

  Signed up recently and have been using the xcloud streaming service while I wait for GPUs to drop in price

  Game pass also lets you install games locally to a console or pc

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  CascadeHush on 09/04/2023 - 19:50

  +1

  I have a PS5 Disk Edition and a PC with similar specs.

  Advantages of Console
  PS+ Extra contains a ton of games for a very reasonable annual fee, including some launch titles.
  Can buy/sell/lend/borrow game disks
  Games are guaranteed to work
  Easily record game video
  Console exclusive titles (well, until/unless sony release the PC version)
  Standardized controller

  Disadvantages of Consoles
  Games tend to be more expensive
  no refunds if you don't like the game (unless you get physical media, in which case you'd have to resell it)
  Less games available in general
  Front end UI is terrible (no seriously, how is it they get worse each generation)
  Most games to not support controller button reconfiguration and this kills a lot of games for me

  Advantages of PC (mostly Steam based)
  Games are generally cheaper
  Steam store offers a refund if you play for less than 2 hours. I use this a lot.
  Gamepass (If you can get it to work, I can't)
  Many, many ways to buy or trade keys - many bundle and discount key sites. YMMV, but I get a lot of games this way
  Indie games usually come to PC first, are cheaper and/or are discounted sooner
  Steam controller reconfiguration - it's a pain to set up but at least you have the option and this rescues some games for me.
  Other way to get games like emulators, abandonware, charity shops, free indy games

  Disadvantages of PC
  Compatibility/Getting the settings right/Dramas with a controller YMMV
  BSODs - windows 10 seems to be getting worse every update
  Managing driver updates (again, seriously why in 2023 are we still having to download these manually)

  I generally prefer to buy a game on console if it suits being played with a controller and will look good on the big TV, and on the PC if it plays better with a mouse and keyboard and/or works better on a proper gaming monitor.

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  Buyingcrap on 10/04/2023 - 05:43

  +2

  Quick resume on an Xbox series X is so damn good. Just shut down the console mid cut scene and resume right where you left it the next time.

  Makes gaming less of a chore if you don't have a lot of time for it.

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  gromit on 10/04/2023 - 15:12

  always depends on the type of games you play. If they lend themselves well to a console then a Xbox or PS5 would probably work better for you, if you wanta great variety then an Xbox with game pass. I have both console and PC but I definitely favour PC gaming and hence have maybe a 90/10 split in my gaming making my console probably not worth it for me, but luckily the wife loves mortal combat and DOA so she gets more value then me out of it.