Is a PC better than a console for gaming?
Whether you’re a serious gamer or you play casually, you have an important decision to make…
Do you opt for a gaming PC (personal computer) or a console?
While the most important thing is to enjoy the game, choosing one platform over the other is not as simple as you might think.
They both come with their advantages and disadvantages and there are several factors you’ll need to consider – including (but not limited to) the cost, performance and your game selection.
In this blog, the industry experts at Inside Tech explore the pros and cons of both gaming formats to help you make an informed decision based on your needs and preferences.
Advantages of PC gaming
- Better visuals
Gaming computers typically have integrated graphics or a graphics processing unit (GPU) or graphics card, providing sharp visuals.
As well as enjoying stunning graphics, PC gamers can use several screens. They can have their game running on one screen and then other applications and chat boxes on others – enhancing their overall experience.
- More options to customise hardware
By building your own gaming PC, you can choose where, when and how much you spend.
Most gamers will invest and upgrade the GPU, RAM and hard drive or solid-state drive (SSD), creating a system that’s tailored to their exact needs. You could do the same!
- Access to a variety of games
Thanks to their powerful hardware and a larger library of optimised titles for different resolutions and framerates, PCs are perfect for playing graphic-intensive games.
- Unrivalled control and accuracy
You can’t beat the accuracy and precision of a gaming computer mouse and keyboard.
PCs are often favoured by competitive gamers for this reason – especially if they play action-packed first and third-person shooter games like Call of Duty.
- Cheaper games
Instead of just focusing on the price of building a gaming PC, it’s worth considering the price of computer games, too.
Many digital distribution platforms offer PC games – meaning gamers can shop around and find the type of games they want to play, without breaking the bank. Independent studios often offer these games at much lower prices than big-name releases, yet they can be just as entertaining!
Disadvantages of PC gaming
- Higher costs
Building a high-end gaming PC is likely to cost you more upfront than buying a console, depending on your custom choices for hardware.
Upgrading components will also increase the overall cost of your gaming device.
- Need for technical knowledge
If you’re to enhance your gaming experience, you’ll need to know how to adjust the graphics settings and troubleshoot technical issues.
With that in mind, building your own gaming PC is often better suited to tech-savvy gamers.
Advantages of console gaming
- Lower cost
Game consoles are less expensive to buy than high-end gaming PCs, and it’s not surprising once you’ve taken the necessary components into account.
Unlike gaming computers, consoles don’t require upgrades, helping to keep your costs down even more, which is great if you’re on a budget or new to the gaming scene!
- Ease of use
Consoles require minimal setup when compared with gaming PCs. Most come with a controller, so all you need is an HDMI cable, a reliable power source and a secure internet connection.
- Access to exclusive titles
Some games are only available as console exclusives, which means you won’t be able to play them on PCs.
Take PlayStation, for instance. They have more exclusive titles than any other console system, which can be appealing to gamers seeking the widest range of games possible.
- Greater comfort
Whilst gaming PCs use a conventional mouse and keyboard, console controllers are designed to provide a comfortable grip and typically come with vibration and motion control, adding an extra layer of immersion during gameplay.
Another great thing about consoles is that, unlike PCs, you can sit in a comfortable position (i.e. on the sofa or a bean bag cushion) – you don’t need to be perched at a desk.
Disadvantages of console gaming
- Limited hardware customisation
A console’s hardware is predetermined, which removes the possibility of modifying your gaming setup to suit your preferences.
As opposed to gaming computers, upgrades are not usually possible. Some consoles allow for limited memory expansion, but that’s about all.
- Limited performance
Accessible and affordable to the masses, consoles tend not to have the advanced technical specifications of high-end PCs.
As a result, they may struggle to run demanding AAA titles at the highest resolutions or frame rates.
PC gaming vs console gaming
While PCs and consoles offer unique benefits and drawbacks, the best platform for gamers often comes down to their personality, interests and preferences.
Below, we summarise some of the key comparisons between gaming PCs and consoles to help you determine which is best for you.
- Performance – A gaming PC includes a wide range of components that can easily be upgraded, as and when required. Consoles, on the other hand, are typically made up of pre-built parts that cannot be modified or upgraded.
- Graphics – Although console graphics are impressive and improve with each new generation, high-end gaming PCs tend to offer the best graphics because of their advanced hardware components (e.g. faster processors, more memory, modern graphics cards, etc.).
- Cost – The costs are often greater for computer gaming than they are for console gaming, especially if you plan on configuring your own PC. The console itself might be cheaper than a gaming computer, but PC games usually cost less than console games designed by the likes of Microsoft and Sony.
- Gaming experience – PCs tend to include powerful graphics cards and processors. They also provide more random access memory (RAM) than consoles, which allows games to run as quickly and smoothly as possible.
- Game types – Consoles often have exclusive titles which aren’t available on PC, whereas the game genres are more varied for PCs.
Toying with the idea of a gaming PC?
After weighing up the pros and cons of PC and console gaming, you may be swaying towards one of these platforms more than the other.
If you’d like to reap the powerful performance and high-resolution graphics that come with a gaming PC, then look no further than our extensive range, here at Inside Tech.
We stock everything from simulator PCs to budget gaming PCs and fanless gaming PC models, as well as designated PC gaming computers. Whether it be Minecraft, GTA 5 or Fortnite, you’re bound to find a PC that’s compatible with your favourite titles!
If you’re thinking about building your own gaming PC and need help choosing the best components for it, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the team.
We’re always on hand and will happily answer your questions.
Give us a call on 0800 009 6084 or drop us an email at info@inside-tech.co.uk, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
