Believe it or not...I don't only care about graphics when I play PC games.

I upgrade my computer every few years. It looks AMAZING in the beginning, and by the end of its life, it's not so great. I don't care though...all the games I own transfer to my next PC, and they only look better later on.

Like if I bought Gears of War for my current PC, it'd probably run like crap, but it'd run. On my PC that I'll own later this year, it'll look great. And on my PC I own in a few years, Gears of War will look as good as it possibly can ever look.

But still...I upgrade every few years because otherwise my PC won't be able to play the new games, basically...not because it won't look TOP-NOTCH.

Yeah, so? How about you answer my Crysis conundrum first?

Whether your rig can run Oblivion better than mine is not relevant in this case: what's relevant in this case is that regardless of who can run a better Oblivion, Crysis, whatever, in your vaunted 5-8 year lifespan PCs will obliterate any advantage that the PS3 purportedly has at the moment. The PS3's longevity will be 10 years only because that's how long Sony plans to market it - not because in 10 years' time it will still magicall retain relevance to the advancements made on the PC front.

And I disagree with your assessment of a minimum of 1000$ to build a good PC - I recently built a Core2Duo 6400 with 2GB RAM, a Radeon 1950 and an Asus Deluxe MB - all for 700850$ (EDIT: Forgot to convert from HKD to USD) (here in Hong Kong we get really good prices - oh, and that includes a CoolerMaster case). The computer so far has been able to handle everything I've thrown at it, including the uber-demanding S.T.A.L.K.E.R. That's my reserve gaming rig, however, the one I let buddies use when they come over to play.

Interesting observation - that' normally the REVERSE of what happens with consoles.

First, console games don't look as nice, but after a few years they look much nicer.

I guess since programmers are all familiar with PC tech, they already know how to squeeze every single bit out of the hardware to start with... 

$700 every few years for me.

I don't understand where you guys get your ideas from. I'm not a "serious" PC gamer...who wants to be serious about videogames? I just like a lot of PC games, and play them a lot, and so do my friends. We play lots of FPSs, and a fair amount of RTSs. Some of us have crappy computers, some of us have high-end PCs. My current one is closer to "crappy" range...but it's still tons of fun...I don't know why you guys hate PCs so much.

Yeah, you'd think that'd be a con for PC games...games gradually seem graphically worse over your PC's life...but I don't really care...

I buy the game.

It's on my computer.

If I buy a new computer, that same game goes on my new computer, and looks better! You can't do that with consoles...

I don't think anyone is arguing that PCs are less expensive than the PS3, even if you assemble them yourself (which I also do).

I think it's odd that PS3 owners are saying: "Yes, but the PC is more expensive!" even though you could factor in additional utility (word processors, 3d rendering software, music burning, etc), when that is precisely the same argument that Wii owners can cast at PS3 owners. Does the PS3 look better than the Wii? Yes, but it's twice as expensive! Although you could factor in the additional utility for the PS3 (music, photo, video player) as well.

Here's the deal (and this gets right back in to a thread that annoyed me earlier):

If PS3 owners continue to point out that high end PCs are more expensive than the PS3, I will point out that the Wii is less expensive than the PS3. Your complaint can be thrown right back in yourface.

If PS3 owners continue to point out that the PS3 has better graphics than the Wii, I will point out that the PC has better graphics than the PS3. Again, your complaint can be thrown right back in your face.

How about instead of using these trollish arguments, we simply agree that everyone can have their cup of tea? That everyone has a place on the spectrum that is right for them? If that place is the PS3 for you, great! But please stop arguing that the PS3 is the least expensive, or that it has the best graphics, or that it's library of games is the largest. None of those are true.

However, if the graphics are just right for you (how much are you willing to pay) and if you feel the games on the PS3 are best, also great! Buy that system. If you want to argue that the PS3 is, in your opinion, the best, use these arguments instead.

I know I annoyed you in that earlier thread, Akuma, and while I apologize for that, this has really been getting on my nerves for some time. Whenever I bring up my interest in PC graphics, PS3 owners will say: "sure the graphics are better, but it costs so much more!" and then when I say I enjoy the Wii, I hear: "sure it costs a lot less, but the graphics are so much lower!"

"That's cause the PS3 is just right!" -.o

 It's not about hate. Pretending high-end PC is a standard for PC gamers is just something totally wrong.

meh? you guys were the ones who think that all PC gamers own high-end machines and pay fortunes...

Most PC gamers upgrade their machines every few years, and run great machines at first, which are average by the time they get new parts or whole new machines.

Experienced systems builders would ever skimp on the power supply.

And 130$for a case? Even a fully aluminum case primed for watercooling in the vein of the 3DAurora costs less than 100$. you must find better sources from where to purchase your wares - that, or be more thorough on your research.

Anyhow, akuma587, that may be the case (I admit as much - I upgrade at least once a year, sometimes more frequently, but that's just because I love gadgets and it's my only hobby so I can afford to spend on this), but I don't think BenKenobi88 is in it for serious gaming. He's in it for gaming, period.  And if you look at it that way, being able to be productive on a PC and game at the same time, all for the ballpark figure of 500$, isn't all that bad. In that regard, a PC is very cost-effective. It can last you a few years - and what's more, for many, it can actually make you money!

I just landed a freelance contract worth 1200$ with my PC that coincidentally allows me to game as well. I think that's not too shabby for a "jack-of-all-trades, master of none" machine. But that's just me.