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Forums - PC - Really need help

Alright i have an xbox 360 and ps3. I have heard that PC offers a better experience and better graphics. Also a overall better performance. I am new to this so i really dont know what im doing. Des PC have free online like xbox live or something? Also can i chat with mic or is it only text? I also need help making a PC. WHat parts do i need> Or do you recommend me buying a PC on amazon rather than making one.



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SpartenOmega117 said:

Alright i have an xbox 360 and ps3. I have heard that PC offers a better experience and better graphics. Also a overall better performance. I am new to this so i really dont know what im doing. Des PC have free online like xbox live or something? Also can i chat with mic or is it only text? I also need help making a PC. WHat parts do i need> Or do you recommend me buying a PC on amazon rather than making one.

Ummmm wow lets see here.

A better experience can be subjective based on the preference of the person. I can tell you my opinions of why I like the PC version of an FPS more than the console version, but somebody else will have the exact opposite opinion. Generally people find common ground that the PC with it's ability to use the keyboard and mouse can be better for certain genres than only having the controller on the PS3 or 360.

When it comes to performance it's true, but that all depends on how much money you want to invest into your computer which can range from a few hundred dollars to a thousand dollars or more. If you do invest in good enough hardware, you'll find youself getting a higher frame rate and crisper visuals on the PC when compared to the consoles. Not to mention that lots of games have mods that can breathe new life into the game (ex- the mods of Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion).

As far as online is concerned it depends on the game. PC doesn't have one large unified service for everything in the same vein as Xbox Live or PSN. However, a service like Steam is growing in features and games/deals offered. You'll find that some games use Microsoft's Games For Windows Live (PC version of Xbox Live essentially) and you can get stuff like achievements and it uses your Xbox Live account. Compared to Xbox Live, you'll find that PC games can offer things like dedicated servers which can provide better gameplay with less lag/delay versus a lot of the peer-to-peer online found on consoles. However, more games like Modern Warfare 2 are arriving on PC with only peer-to-peer multiplayer and lacking in things like mods which is sad. About paying to play online, that'll generally be for a game like World of Warcraft and not playing multiplayer in a game like Call of Duty 4 or Team Fortress 2.

You'll find voice and/or text chat in practically every multiplayer game. Since the PC is an open platform, you're not out of luck if a game doesn't support or implement chatting that well. Through programs like Skype, Ventrillo, or Team Speak you can easily run the program in the background and voice chat all you want with friends while you play the game.

Building a PC isn't terribly difficult, but it's important that you do all the necessary research about compatibile hardware, prices, ect. If you don't have much of an idea of what you're doing, it might be a better idea to get somebody who does to do it instead. It's hard to say what kinds of hardware would be good for you without knowing anything about what you want.



SpartenOmega117 said:

Alright i have an xbox 360 and ps3. I have heard that PC offers a better experience and better graphics. Also a overall better performance. I am new to this so i really dont know what im doing. Des PC have free online like xbox live or something? Also can i chat with mic or is it only text? I also need help making a PC. WHat parts do i need> Or do you recommend me buying a PC on amazon rather than making one.

Most multiplayer PC games have free online play and mic support. As for building a PC, it's terribly easy. You'll need a substantial budget, though - at least $800 if you don't already have an OS or monitor.

If you want me to spec something out for you, then please let me know the resolution of your monitor (if you have one), your budget, and anything else you'd like to use it for (basic desktop work, 3D modeling, scientific simulations, etc.)



"'Casual games' are something the 'Game Industry' invented to explain away the Wii success instead of actually listening or looking at what Nintendo did. There is no 'casual strategy' from Nintendo. 'Accessible strategy', yes, but ‘casual gamers’ is just the 'Game Industry''s polite way of saying what they feel: 'retarded gamers'."

 -Sean Malstrom

 

 

Garcian Smith said:
SpartenOmega117 said:

Alright i have an xbox 360 and ps3. I have heard that PC offers a better experience and better graphics. Also a overall better performance. I am new to this so i really dont know what im doing. Des PC have free online like xbox live or something? Also can i chat with mic or is it only text? I also need help making a PC. WHat parts do i need> Or do you recommend me buying a PC on amazon rather than making one.

Most multiplayer PC games have free online play and mic support. As for building a PC, it's terribly easy. You'll need a substantial budget, though - at least $800 if you don't already have an OS or monitor.

If you want me to spec something out for you, then please let me know the resolution of your monitor (if you have one), your budget, and anything else you'd like to use it for (basic desktop work, 3D modeling, scientific simulations, etc.)

It's terribly easy if you know what you're doing.  If you don't, it will be a chore to make sure you buy the right thing and at the best or close to the best prices.

I promise you someone who doesn't know what they're doing like the OP (and no offense meant by that), if they build a PC for $800 it's not going to be anywhere near the PC you build for $800.

As for better experience, like others have said, it's subjective.  Consoles and PC's both offer positives and negatives.  Consoles offer simplicity but will never look as good as the most awesome PC.  PC's offer free online multiplayer but aren't generally as well as supported as consoles.  Look into both and see what's important to you.



twesterm said:

It's terribly easy if you know what you're doing.  If you don't, it will be a chore to make sure you buy the right thing and at the best or close to the best prices.

I promise you someone who doesn't know what they're doing like the OP (and no offense meant by that), if they build a PC for $800 it's not going to be anywhere near the PC you build for $800.

Well, that's why I offered to spec something out. :)   Most people do buy parts incorrently (over-buying on the CPU and GPU and then sticking them into a cheapass case + PSU + mobo = an unstable, top-heavy, LED-laden monstrosity), but there's plenty of people (myself included) around these boards who can help in that respect.



"'Casual games' are something the 'Game Industry' invented to explain away the Wii success instead of actually listening or looking at what Nintendo did. There is no 'casual strategy' from Nintendo. 'Accessible strategy', yes, but ‘casual gamers’ is just the 'Game Industry''s polite way of saying what they feel: 'retarded gamers'."

 -Sean Malstrom

 

 

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Garcian Smith said:
twesterm said:
 

It's terribly easy if you know what you're doing.  If you don't, it will be a chore to make sure you buy the right thing and at the best or close to the best prices.

I promise you someone who doesn't know what they're doing like the OP (and no offense meant by that), if they build a PC for $800 it's not going to be anywhere near the PC you build for $800.

Well, that's why I offered to spec something out. :)   Most people do buy parts incorrently (over-buying on the CPU and GPU and then sticking them into a cheapass case + PSU + mobo = an unstable, top-heavy, LED-laden monstrosity), but there's plenty of people (myself included) around these boards who can help in that respect.

Having someone helpful like you without a doubt helps, but then there's still the task of putting it together.  Putting it together is pretty much a pretty simple following of instructions, but if you've never done that type of thing it can be pretty daunting. 



Never buy one pre-made from a store. They are way overpriced.



twesterm said:

Having someone helpful like you without a doubt helps, but then there's still the task of putting it together.  Putting it together is pretty much a pretty simple following of instructions, but if you've never done that type of thing it can be pretty daunting. 

This illustrated guide breaks it down pretty well.



"'Casual games' are something the 'Game Industry' invented to explain away the Wii success instead of actually listening or looking at what Nintendo did. There is no 'casual strategy' from Nintendo. 'Accessible strategy', yes, but ‘casual gamers’ is just the 'Game Industry''s polite way of saying what they feel: 'retarded gamers'."

 -Sean Malstrom

 

 

stick with consoles for now since you already have the 2 HD ones... maybe try PC games at a friends house... or instal 5 year old games on your home computer... HL2 is 5 years old and cheap. Also try Warcraft 3 or Starcraft. they should all run fine

if you can't have fun with these, then PC is not for you...



OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

I would strongly recommend PC online. TF2, CS:S and BF2 are more fun than any console games I have ever played.