Upgrade PC ~ XBOX 360 ~ PS2 ??

[gorvid]

I want to play stuff online...it sounds like fun.


I currently have a new desktop [VISTA / 1 meg / AMD Sempron processor 3400+ 180GHz] and a PS2.

I'm thinking, either an XBOX 360 or ajn upgraded desktop [budget about £650]

If I get an XBOX - can I run it on wireless?

Will a desktop be better for online games or should I have a the specialised machine and keep the desktop I have...???

Help..?

[Mr E]

gorvid said:

If I get an XBOX - can I run it on wireless?

Yes, either with the wireless adaptor (£50 or so) or via a second cheap wireless router acting as a bridge.
Utterly depends on what sort of games you play to be honest.

The online gaming is generally reliable and easy to use. I like the 360 as you know everyone is playing with the same hardware and software, so playing field is more even.

However, once you've purchased the 360 premium pack + wireless adaptor (and bear in mind you will need a gold live account to play online, you are getting towards PS3 money, which will do wireless out of the box. Worth considering.

Certainly the console is more cost effective than the PC, although games aren't as cheap.

[gorvid]

I suppose the other consideration is games support....

ie:

Lots for XBOX
Will be lots later for PS3

Lots for PC - but not the same as the XBOX - in the sense that I wouldn't be able to join in with all the established PC stuff that goes on through here

[Stevenj214]

I was thinking about going for a PS3, but went with the computer upgrade instead. Simply because with consoles, I find that I play it for a few weeks then it sits gathering dust.

Although if you've just bought your PC whole, you may find that upgrade potential could be limited.

[gorvid]

Stevenj214 said:

Although if you've just bought your PC whole, you may find that upgrade potential could be limited.

Basically, it is a semi-temporary replacement, I would start again with the £650

[R1 GTR]

Don't forget about the number of 360s that have died...

[gorvid]

R1 GTR said:

Don't forget about the number of 360s that have died...

??

[RobDickinson]

Theres definatly a reliability issue witht he 360's, anything from a few % to 3/4rs go pop.

Newer ones are better, mine has been fine for over a year.

[Stevenj214]

gorvid said:

Stevenj214 said:

Although if you've just bought your PC whole, you may find that upgrade potential could be limited.

Basically, it is a semi-temporary replacement, I would start again with the £650

Fair enough, well here's my computer recommendation from another thread:

£107 Asus P5B Deluxe WIFI Socket 775 - http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/116481

£132 Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 (2.4ghz) - http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/112706

£54 2GB RAM - http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/91091

£110 GECUBE X1950Pro 512MB - http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/119303

£86 Creative Soundblaster X-Fi Xtreme Gamer - http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/119557

£110 HDDs 1 x 100, 2 x 250


Total: £599 + Case + PSU

Will run any top end game at the moment, very overclockable if you do that, motherboard can handle more if needed in the future.


You could take the 100GB HDD off that and save £30ish.

[gorvid]

Although i genuinely appreciate your help there....

...it seems to be it Latin

[RobDickinson]

gorvid said:

Although i genuinely appreciate your help there....

...it seems to be it Latin

About 700 quid for a PC(no monitor) thats up to gaming about the same as an xbox 360.

[ajg31]

Stevenj214 said:

gorvid said:

Stevenj214 said:

Although if you've just bought your PC whole, you may find that upgrade potential could be limited.

Basically, it is a semi-temporary replacement, I would start again with the £650

Fair enough, well here's my computer recommendation from another thread:

£107 Asus P5B Deluxe WIFI Socket 775 - http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/116481

£132 Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 (2.4ghz) - http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/112706

£54 2GB RAM - http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/91091

£110 GECUBE X1950Pro 512MB - http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/119303

£86 Creative Soundblaster X-Fi Xtreme Gamer - http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/119557

£110 HDDs 1 x 100, 2 x 250


Total: £599 + Case + PSU

Will run any top end game at the moment, very overclockable if you do that, motherboard can handle more if needed in the future.


You could take the 100GB HDD off that and save £30ish.

If its a gaming rig i would trim alot of that PC down. a 6420 chip is fine for £100. lose the X-Fi for now, and just get a 500gig HDD for £60. A good board is the Asus P5B SLI IIRC, about £80. That has saved you enough money to get a decent GPU, something like the 8800gtx if you have a nice monitor. If your on a 19" monitor still then a 8800GTS OR the new ATI offering would do you proud. Still within budget, easily. Buy the best PSU you can afford too, and as the processor has alot of potential maybe a better and quieter CPU cooler could be added. X-Fi great (still get the X-Fi music if you look hard for £40 and less) but not needed.

[gorvid]

Oh oh...its all complex...I need a picture to point at, and a person to give my cash to...

I can carry it to the car

[ukross]

Watching this thread...

I'm with Gorvid - got a PC, Xbox and PS2 but love the thought of some online race action. Looks very complicated going the PC route!!
And I keep reading about patches!?! Thought these went onto the elbows of old-man suits!
I'm a simple ply n play sort of chap! Maybe a console looks easier!

[gorvid]

I think...

[peterpeter]

get a 360

You hear about unreliable machines, but at least 10 of my mates have one and have never had a problem.

ive got a pretty good PC and have always traditionally been a pc gamer (counterstrike addict/ Grand prix legends etc. etc)

But since the 360 came out my pc has hardly been touched because the games on the 360 are just so much easier to connect, setup and the graphics on a 43 inch telly are impressive. compared to a 20 inch monitor...so the games seem more immersive to a degree.

I know technically PC games are more hardcore, and Im sure I could spend much longer playing them, but thats the point, I dont have the time. Much easier to ping on the 360, easily connect with other online gamers for PGR3 or COD3 GOW etc...with a fast reliable link that for me hardly ever crashes and you dont need to hunt around for bloody drivers and updates all the time. great for half hour/ one hour gaming sessions with no hassle.

I will get a new PC, but itll probably be a 8000 geforce laptop for when Crysis and Quake wars come out.

Forza2 and Guitar hero 2 (best game ever) are reasons enough to buy a 360.
wouldnt bother with a PS3...imminent game release list looks pretty pathetic with NO killer app games like Forza or Halo coming out within the next year.

[ajg31]

peterpeter said:

get a 360

You hear about unreliable machines, but at least 10 of my mates have one and have never had a problem.

ive got a pretty good PC and have always traditionally been a pc gamer (counterstrike addict/ Grand prix legends etc. etc)

But since the 360 came out my pc has hardly been touched because the games on the 360 are just so much easier to connect, setup and the graphics on a 43 inch telly are impressive. compared to a 20 inch monitor...so the games seem more immersive to a degree.

I know technically PC games are more hardcore, and Im sure I could spend much longer playing them, but thats the point, I dont have the time. Much easier to ping on the 360, easily connect with other online gamers for PGR3 or COD3 GOW etc...with a fast reliable link that for me hardly ever crashes and you dont need to hunt around for bloody drivers and updates all the time. great for half hour/ one hour gaming sessions with no hassle.

I will get a new PC, but itll probably be a 8000 geforce laptop for when Crysis and Quake wars come out.

Forza2 and Guitar hero 2 (best game ever) are reasons enough to buy a 360.
wouldnt bother with a PS3...imminent game release list looks pretty pathetic with NO killer app games like Forza or Halo coming out within the next year.

A PC could also obviously run that tv, at a lovely genuine 1080 res Sure PC's are more fiddly, but they could be a one box solution to your front room. Can be quieter as well. I had a 360 and couldnt stand the noise. Not sure if this has altered in later generations.
connections for all the big games on the pc are pretty simple, and normally have alot of better options than the 360, and tens nore online players per map/grid. I do think the 360 had better driving games tho

[CombeMarshal]

Get a 360, far better if you want online play, you can instantly see what your mates are playing, and either join them or invite them, it works so well, unlike other platforms where you have to phone them and get them to arrange to meet you!
Plus, Xbox 360 £200
Pc to 360 spec £1000 at least!

And no, A few of the first year 360's died, but they are the only ones that really had a problem, mines nearly 2 now and is fine, it's just the normal reason people use to not buy one as there is no other reason!