PS3 or a Gaming PC?

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msian

93 posts

Master Geek

#28036 15-Nov-2008 19:37

Hello everyone. I was going to build a gaming pc next month for myself but was googling and found out more about PS3 consoles. I have alays been a console person and never game on a pc... Although right up to now I was going to build one. Now im confused because people say u can use ur ps3 as a pc. They are running linux? on it and using it as a pc.. so it can play ps3 games, and linux games? I do not know anything about linux.. so was wondering on advice.. how it would be like.. what kinda games? also, since the ps3 has a HDD in it, as far as i know.. it can store games on it.. and wont require the dvd game when running it next time.. does this mean that I can go rent 10 games, and install them all on the hdd without having to buy them? Right now I have a normal CRT tv, will it be better to get a lcd hd tv to run with ps3 should i get one? Big difference in quality?

Thanks guys. Advice appreciated.

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#178166 15-Nov-2008 20:24

Depends what games you want to play. Some games are basically PC only eg World of Warcraft (Mac too), Fallout 3 (xbox 360 too), Diablo III, Starcraft II, Crysis, Farcry 2, Doom 3, most of the Half Life series, Doom series etc

Other games are on PS3 only eg Grand Turismo!

List of PS3 only games: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:PlayStation_3-only_games

I doubt PS3 hardware running linux would be fast enough to run most modern PC games (you could probably run old games). Also you should consider the Xbox 360 if you're looking at consoles imo

I would say many gamers own a PC + either an xbox360 or a PS3 thesedays.

pebbles

741 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#178170 15-Nov-2008 20:37

It is actually possible to play world of warcraft on a PS3... tricky but possible

pebbles

741 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#178172 15-Nov-2008 20:39

Also I recently made the switch from CRT to LCD for my PS3 and yes it does make a difference! I previously could barely play Battlefield bad company, the graphics just looked really terrible! I will admit I happily survived with the CRT though - it works but its just not sexy

Batman

Mad Scientist
29771 posts

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Lifetime subscriber

#178173 15-Nov-2008 20:41

Right now I have a normal CRT tv, will it be better to get a lcd hd tv to run with ps3 should i get one? Big difference in quality? .

you got to be kidding :)
crt tv's resolution is say at best 400x250 pixels for widescreen ones (crt computer monitors however can achieve a lot more, but they're also way smaller) - lcd/plasma has upto 1920x1080 pixels. the difference between the ranges determines the contrast you're able to achieve ie when playing batman games you can tell between batman and the tree under the moon's shadow. and some other measure of clarity is affected too.

msian

93 posts

Master Geek

#178186 15-Nov-2008 22:34

thanks for the info. So I guess if PS3, ill get a lcd tv. But still fickle minded. Anyway as pebbles was saying.. possibility of playing pc games on ps3. I think after installing linux, emulator.. windows.. and then run pc games? that will be laggy as it will be running on 3 OS though. Also, was I right about saving/backing up games on the HDD? Cd not required after that to play? Too good to be true.

msian

93 posts

Master Geek

#178197 16-Nov-2008 04:02

sorry, to add. can somebody also suggest what HDMI cables i need? I have no clue about these. People say buying 100-200 dollar cables are a waste.. So I found these on trademe.. Pls help.. need them for DVD player too.. links are:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Electronics-photography/TVs/Cables-aerials/auction-186890590.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Electronics-photography/TVs/LCD/3039/auction-186909828.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Gaming/PlayStation-3/Accessories/auction-187870330.htm

By the way the guy in the 1st link wrote, sounds impressive, but maybe there is no diff between link 1 and others?

bradleycampbell

32 posts

Geek

#178298 17-Nov-2008 00:53

Also, was I right about saving/backing up games on the HDD? Cd not required after that to play? Too good to be true.

Some games require you to copy files to the hard drive before playing the game. But they all require the disc to be in the PS3 when playing them.

People say buying 100-200 dollar cables are a waste..

In my opinion they are too. I have a $15 and a $40 hdmi cable, and both are good.

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krisby

19 posts

Geek

#178953 19-Nov-2008 23:18

As ragnor said, very dependant on the games you want to play, I for one love my PC for gaming, the only console we have in the house is a SNES which my 7 year old daughter loves. I had a PS2 that I sold 2 years ago cos it never got used. I love the PC for the modability of the games, rFactor for instance, I bought 2+ years ago, it only came with a handful of cars and tracks, now I have over 200 tracks (about 40 of which I love and keep installed) and about 50 mods downloaded but I run about 6 of the best.

I also downloaded GRID demo for my PC on the weekend and a mate downloaded it for the PS3, he also has a 60" LCD TV, it looked good on his, but not as sharp as on my PC, even on my modest 19" CRT at 16x12, the difference being I had the option to turn everything up, whereas the PS3 has less graphic options, AA and Aniso being quite necessary for PS3 and seeing it on a 60" just accentuated the need.

I also love the Half Life series and COD series, worth the PC alone for those. So you possibly need to sit down and work out which games from either camp you want.

Of course with the PS3 you get the added advantage of Blu-Ray and basically a 2nd computer for browsing and crap, but its seems a waste to me, its a games machine, not an internet browser.

msian

93 posts

Master Geek

#178964 20-Nov-2008 00:57

agreed. but ur always been gaming on ur pc where as i have only played on consoles and not pc. So it will be me who has to get used to pc gaming :p Also, blueray option is awesome.. but in terms of costing.. both are gonna cost me about the same. this is because I need to purchase a new LCD tv for PS3. Still contemplating. But in the end I guess its what you guys said. All Depends on me and what I like to play :)

BazNZ

258 posts

Ultimate Geek

#180592 27-Nov-2008 06:54

I have a PS3 and a Gaming PC. I would go with the Gaming PC everytime. The PS3 is over priced for basically a Blu Ray player that games. With a PC you get the best graphics the best media center for Music, Movie Videos, DVD, Blu Ray, Photo's Pictures etc. The PS3 web browser is ordinary and not that easy to use. I'm not saying the PS3 is bad it has good quality's but nothing to sway me from a Home Theatre/Gaming PC all in one solution. With a PC you can build to your needs and wants...without limitation's.

eXDee

4032 posts

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#180643 27-Nov-2008 11:30

Each to their own pretty much.

For me it'll probably be always PC, i don't like the innaccuracy of a controller.

Mozart

9 posts

Wannabe Geek

#180664 27-Nov-2008 13:17

Personally I think that if you want a machine specifically for gaming, go with a console. My past experience with PC's is that whilst they have the potential to be fantastic, you're forever having to upgrade the darn things when the latest and greatest game comes out - it can wind up getting expensive. Having said that, I guess it depends what sort of games you like. If they're not dependant on a high frame-rate, fast hard-drives and heaps of memory (like first-person shooters, combat simulators etc...), a PC with a gaming keyboard might be the way to go.

The PS3 is a pretty good console - even better value for money if you view it as a Media Centre. It's actually a great Blu Ray player and plays CD's, DVD's etc... too, along with heaps of other formats. You can copy stuff onto the hard-drive (music, movies etc...) if you want also. I've read reviews that rated it a better Blu Ray player than a top end Pioneer, costing NZ$2500. Believe it or not, you can't actually even play normal CD's on that!

It also gives the peace of mind that if a game says "PS3" on the box, you can chuck it in the console and IT WILL ALWAYS WORK! Unlike the PC game that you purchase, take home, install and then discover that it won't work because some obscure element of your PC's spec isn't up to it.

Personally, I've got a Mac, a PC, an XBOX, a PS3, a high-def 42" LCD and a reference quality sound system, all wirelessly connected and making sweet digital love to each other. I find that covers all the bases!

Mark

1653 posts

Uber Geek

#180933 28-Nov-2008 14:59

Personally, I've got a Mac, a PC, an XBOX, a PS3, a high-def 42" LCD and a reference quality sound system, all wirelessly connected and making sweet digital love to each other. I find that covers all the bases!

I've got to ask .. what is a "reference quality sound system" What differentiaites it from not reference quality ? (apart from $$$$ I assume)

Mark

pebbles

741 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#180935 28-Nov-2008 15:09

BazNZ: The PS3 is over priced for basically a Blu Ray player that games.

Just have to ask, how can you think its overpriced when you're saying that its just a bluray player with games - yet its one of, if not the most cheapest bluray players on the market alone AND you get to play games on it. Bargain more like it! (Yeah, PS3 fangirl but hey)

Nightwyrm

588 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#180945 28-Nov-2008 15:57

pebbles:
BazNZ: The PS3 is over priced for basically a Blu Ray player that games.

Just have to ask, how can you think its overpriced when you're saying that its just a bluray player with games - yet its one of, if not the most cheapest bluray players on the market alone AND you get to play games on it. Bargain more like it! (Yeah, PS3 fangirl but hey)

Seconded. I saw a standard Sony Blu-Ray player the other day advertised for the same prices as a PS3, and the PS3 had games thrown in.

msian: can somebody also suggest what HDMI cables i need? I have no clue about these. People say buying 100-200 dollar cables are a waste.. So I found these on trademe.. Pls help.. need them for DVD player too.. links...

This has been covered quite a lot on Geekzone. Basically, the expensive cables are a scam and cheaper ones are perfectly good (although I have read something somewhere about HDMI over distances greater than 5m). Have a search through the site and check the previous opinion postings - I think sbiddle may have done a blog post on it too.

[edit] btw, I got the Madcatz PS3 HDMI cable for $40 from The Warehouse... never a quality issue.

Post-geek, opinionated mediaphile, and natural born cynic. Jack of all genres, master of none.

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