im having trouble making up my mind

DzRocked

So, my birthday is coming up  {HOORAY}  but i dont know what im gonna buy?

At first i thought, wel a few new games came out that look pretty sick, but then i thought "well my computor did just get trashed by a roomate of mine" (the computer cost me $2500, i miss it so much)

So that got me thinking of buying a new computer, 

What should i do guys?

Any suggestions on a new computer? Tell me what you think is good.

Gameloading

Unless you love MMORPG's, I would drop PC gaming all together, perhaps buy a cheap PC and stick to consoles. Cheaper and has a superior lineup in terms of games.

Cabe2323

I would get a new PC.  Consoles are pretty much at their peak for this generation now that all three "next gen" consoles have come out.  While PC games will be looking better and better before another console comes out.  (Crysis for example)

Gameloading

Originally posted by Cabe2323


I would get a new PC.  Consoles are pretty much at their peak for this generation now that all three "next gen" consoles have come out.  While PC games will be looking better and better before another console comes out.  (Crysis for example)

It's going to take many, many years before Crysis's graphical level becomes the standard for PC games. And no, consoles aren't at their peak yet.

Keebs1984

Get a new PC.

PC games have more RTS games, MMORPGs, ORPGs, and MUCH better FPS controls for gaming. Not to mention better online multiplayer. . .

Seriously, Xbox 360 and PS3 games can only do 8 v 8 max, unless the developer/publishger wants to opt in for dedicated serves, which it never does.

Consoles are fun and there are a lot of great games out there for them, but in reality they are such a claustrophobic experience that after a while you'll dream of the openness of the PC gaming world.

Spathotan

New PC, or a Wii and a 32inch LCD.

Gameloading

Originally posted by Keebs1984


Get a new PC.
PC games have more RTS games, MMORPGs, ORPGs, and MUCH better FPS controls for gaming. Not to mention better online multiplayer. . .
Seriously, Xbox 360 and PS3 games can only do 8 v 8 max, unless the developer/publishger wants to opt in for dedicated serves, which it never does.
Consoles are fun and there are a lot of great games out there for them, but in reality they are such a claustrophobic experience that after a while you'll dream of the openness of the PC gaming world.

That's incorrect. the Xbox360 version of Call of Duty 4 supports 18 player maps, and does not have dedicated servers. And the way I see the "openness" of the PC gaming world is to lay down more and more money just to upgrade the darn thing.

Spathotan

Ditto to Gameloading. 16 players are possible on Console games for this gen on several titles already using dev/publisher servers. I know that Medal Of Honor for the Wii supports 16 on EA servers.

Cabe2323

Originally posted by Gameloading

Originally posted by Cabe2323


I would get a new PC.  Consoles are pretty much at their peak for this generation now that all three "next gen" consoles have come out.  While PC games will be looking better and better before another console comes out.  (Crysis for example)

It's going to take many, many years before Crysis's graphical level becomes the standard for PC games. And no, consoles aren't at their peak yet.

By next year Crysis level of graphics will be the standard. 

 

Consoles are at their peak hardware wise.  Sure developers will tweak to get more power out of the hardware but the consoles are set for most likely the next 6 to 10 years for the PS3 especially (since sony has shown a certain time table on releasing consoles already)  MS might come out with a new Xbox sooner to capitalize on the gains they have already made. 

While PC Gaming hardware gets more and more powerful very quickly and will surpass anything the consoles are capable very quickly. (and by surpass consoles I mean the everday PC that you can buy at Best Buy, Top End PCs surpassed this "gen" of consoles awhile ago).

Korusus

PC.  I wish I had the resources to upgrade my PC.

I love console gaming, but I love PC gaming even more (except for bad console to PC ports, /stab stabby stab stab).

And since you're posting this on an MMORPG forum, I'm guessing you play MMOs in which case a new state of the art PC is always a good thing.

Spathotan

Originally posted by Cabe2323


 
Originally posted by Gameloading

Originally posted by Cabe2323


I would get a new PC.  Consoles are pretty much at their peak for this generation now that all three "next gen" consoles have come out.  While PC games will be looking better and better before another console comes out.  (Crysis for example)

It's going to take many, many years before Crysis's graphical level becomes the standard for PC games. And no, consoles aren't at their peak yet.

By next year Crysis level of graphics will be the standard. 

 

 

Consoles are at their peak hardware wise.  Sure developers will tweak to get more power out of the hardware but the consoles are set for most likely the next 6 to 10 years for the PS3 especially (since sony has shown a certain time table on releasing consoles already)  MS might come out with a new Xbox sooner to capitalize on the gains they have already made. 

While PC Gaming hardware gets more and more powerful very quickly and will surpass anything the consoles are capable very quickly. (and by surpass consoles I mean the everday PC that you can buy at Best Buy, Top End PCs surpassed this "gen" of consoles awhile ago).

Once again this argument has to come up, /sigh. Consoles are a 1 time deal, you pay for it, and thats it, you never have to dump another dime into it other than the same shit you would buy for a PC, games.

 

Consoles are optimized to squeeze every drop of juice out of the hardware, and the games look better and better every few months and still continue to run smooth and great. Whereas a PC, a video card will produce great results, but 1 and 2 years down the road, that $600 video card you bought has hit a brick wall, while that Xbox 360/Wii/PS3 you bought 2 years ago is still kicking and producing great looking games.

PC and Consoles have their ups and downs both. I figured this shit was common sense by now, damn.

Cabe2323

Originally posted by Spathotan


 
Originally posted by Cabe2323


 
Originally posted by Gameloading

Originally posted by Cabe2323


I would get a new PC.  Consoles are pretty much at their peak for this generation now that all three "next gen" consoles have come out.  While PC games will be looking better and better before another console comes out.  (Crysis for example)

It's going to take many, many years before Crysis's graphical level becomes the standard for PC games. And no, consoles aren't at their peak yet.

By next year Crysis level of graphics will be the standard. 

 

 

Consoles are at their peak hardware wise.  Sure developers will tweak to get more power out of the hardware but the consoles are set for most likely the next 6 to 10 years for the PS3 especially (since sony has shown a certain time table on releasing consoles already)  MS might come out with a new Xbox sooner to capitalize on the gains they have already made. 

While PC Gaming hardware gets more and more powerful very quickly and will surpass anything the consoles are capable very quickly. (and by surpass consoles I mean the everday PC that you can buy at Best Buy, Top End PCs surpassed this "gen" of consoles awhile ago).

Once again this argument has to come up, /sigh. Consoles are a 1 time deal, you pay for it, and thats it, you never have to dump another dime into it other than the same shit you would buy for a PC, games.

 

 

Consoles are optimized to squeeze every drop of juice out of the hardware, and the games look better and better every few months and still continue to run smooth and great. Whereas a PC, a video card will produce great results, but 1 and 2 years down the road, that $600 video card you bought has hit a brick wall, while that Xbox 360/Wii/PS3 you bought 2 years ago is still kicking and producing great looking games.

PC and Consoles have their ups and downs both. I figured this shit was common sense by now, damn.

And if money is no issue (and with the value of PC Games being much much higher usually then Console Games you do save money there) The PC is a much better experience for gamers. 

 

Sure Consoles are a 1 time cost but that is only nice if you are on a budget.  otherwise you are stuck with an old crappy console comparitively to PCs within 1 year of the Consoles Release. 

Spathotan

Originally posted by Cabe2323


 
Originally posted by Spathotan


 
Originally posted by Cabe2323


 
Originally posted by Gameloading

Originally posted by Cabe2323


I would get a new PC.  Consoles are pretty much at their peak for this generation now that all three "next gen" consoles have come out.  While PC games will be looking better and better before another console comes out.  (Crysis for example)

It's going to take many, many years before Crysis's graphical level becomes the standard for PC games. And no, consoles aren't at their peak yet.

By next year Crysis level of graphics will be the standard. 

 

 

Consoles are at their peak hardware wise.  Sure developers will tweak to get more power out of the hardware but the consoles are set for most likely the next 6 to 10 years for the PS3 especially (since sony has shown a certain time table on releasing consoles already)  MS might come out with a new Xbox sooner to capitalize on the gains they have already made. 

While PC Gaming hardware gets more and more powerful very quickly and will surpass anything the consoles are capable very quickly. (and by surpass consoles I mean the everday PC that you can buy at Best Buy, Top End PCs surpassed this "gen" of consoles awhile ago).

Once again this argument has to come up, /sigh. Consoles are a 1 time deal, you pay for it, and thats it, you never have to dump another dime into it other than the same shit you would buy for a PC, games.

 

 

Consoles are optimized to squeeze every drop of juice out of the hardware, and the games look better and better every few months and still continue to run smooth and great. Whereas a PC, a video card will produce great results, but 1 and 2 years down the road, that $600 video card you bought has hit a brick wall, while that Xbox 360/Wii/PS3 you bought 2 years ago is still kicking and producing great looking games.

PC and Consoles have their ups and downs both. I figured this shit was common sense by now, damn.

And if money is no issue (and with the value of PC Games being much much higher usually then Console Games you do save money there) The PC is a much better experience for gamers. 

 

 

Sure Consoles are a 1 time cost but that is only nice if you are on a budget.  otherwise you are stuck with an old crappy console comparitively to PCs within 1 year of the Consoles Release. 

The lifespan of a console is 4-6 years average, and its great the entire time. Are you trying to tell me that if I go out and spend $5000 on a bleeding edge PC right NOW, that 4-6 years from now, WITHOUT UPGRADING IT WITHIN THAT TIME, it will still be able to play those games 4-6 years from now at top notch performance and look? Is this what im reading you type?

Cabe2323

Originally posted by Spathotan

Originally posted by Cabe2323


 
Originally posted by Spathotan


 
Originally posted by Cabe2323


 
Originally posted by Gameloading

Originally posted by Cabe2323


I would get a new PC.  Consoles are pretty much at their peak for this generation now that all three "next gen" consoles have come out.  While PC games will be looking better and better before another console comes out.  (Crysis for example)

It's going to take many, many years before Crysis's graphical level becomes the standard for PC games. And no, consoles aren't at their peak yet.

By next year Crysis level of graphics will be the standard. 

 

 

Consoles are at their peak hardware wise.  Sure developers will tweak to get more power out of the hardware but the consoles are set for most likely the next 6 to 10 years for the PS3 especially (since sony has shown a certain time table on releasing consoles already)  MS might come out with a new Xbox sooner to capitalize on the gains they have already made. 

While PC Gaming hardware gets more and more powerful very quickly and will surpass anything the consoles are capable very quickly. (and by surpass consoles I mean the everday PC that you can buy at Best Buy, Top End PCs surpassed this "gen" of consoles awhile ago).

Once again this argument has to come up, /sigh. Consoles are a 1 time deal, you pay for it, and thats it, you never have to dump another dime into it other than the same shit you would buy for a PC, games.

 

 

Consoles are optimized to squeeze every drop of juice out of the hardware, and the games look better and better every few months and still continue to run smooth and great. Whereas a PC, a video card will produce great results, but 1 and 2 years down the road, that $600 video card you bought has hit a brick wall, while that Xbox 360/Wii/PS3 you bought 2 years ago is still kicking and producing great looking games.

PC and Consoles have their ups and downs both. I figured this shit was common sense by now, damn.

And if money is no issue (and with the value of PC Games being much much higher usually then Console Games you do save money there) The PC is a much better experience for gamers. 

 

 

Sure Consoles are a 1 time cost but that is only nice if you are on a budget.  otherwise you are stuck with an old crappy console comparitively to PCs within 1 year of the Consoles Release. 

The lifespan of a console is 4-6 years average, and its great the entire time. Are you trying to tell me that if I go out and spend $5000 on a bleeding edge PC right NOW, that 4-6 years from now, WITHOUT UPGRADING IT WITHIN THAT TIME, it will still be able to play those games 4-6 years from now at top notch performance and look? Is this what im reading you type?

NO!!!! You are reading me typing that the only real major advantage (unless you love sports games) consoles have is their relative low cost compared to PC Gaming. 

If you have the money to spend 1500 to 2000 dollars every 2-3 years on PC Gaming then you will always have a better product then with consoles. 

Spathotan

The average person, average gamer, does not have $2000 to spend on a PC every 2 years. Not to mention that "better product" isnt really all that much better at all, and sure as hell not worth $4500-6000 (4-6 years) worth better.

Cabe2323

For Example when the Playstation 2 released you could get a Thunderbird AMD Processor around 1ghz in speed or a P3 (that performed way less then the AMD processor did) around the same 1ghz speed. 

 

In 2006 when the PS3 launched you could get AMD 64 X2 Processors running at up to 2.7 GHZ and have an incredible increase in performance compared to the Thunderbird AMD of course.

 

Now keeping in mind all of the leaps in technology in all other areas (Video cards, RAM, Motherboards, etc) of the PC through the years and really other then Cost what advantage does the Console have? 

Cabe2323

 

Originally posted by Spathotan


The average person, average gamer, does not have $2000 to spend on a PC every 2 years. Not to mention that "better product" isnt really all that much better at all, and sure as hell not worth $4500-6000 (4-6 years) worth better.

Well that is in your opinion.  I have always had a lot more fun with the games released on PC then on Consoles.  Console games generally have less depth, are shorter, and generally are easier then their PC equivalents. 

 

So in your opinion it isn't worth spending more on the PC than the console but of course the same could be said of any hobby.  Why pay TaylorMade or Callaway Golf clubs (usually around 1K for the set)  when I can get the Kmart special (usually around 170) to play with. 

Everyone has their own opinions and are entitled to them but really console gamers are making sacrifices in between console launch years compared to the PC Market.

 

 

Edit - Plus how do you know what the average gamer has to spend?  The Average gamer is the head of their household and is 33+ years old. 

Spathotan

Originally posted by Cabe2323


 
Originally posted by Spathotan


The average person, average gamer, does not have $2000 to spend on a PC every 2 years. Not to mention that "better product" isnt really all that much better at all, and sure as hell not worth $4500-6000 (4-6 years) worth better.

Well that is in your opinion.  I have always had a lot more fun with the games released on PC then on Consoles.  Console games generally have less depth, are shorter, and generally are easier then their PC equivalents. 

 

So in your opinion it isn't worth spending more on the PC than the console but of course the same could be said of any hobby.  Why pay TaylorMade or Callaway Golf clubs (usually around 1K for the set)  when I can get the Kmart special (usually around 170) to play with. 

Everyone has their own opinions and are entitled to them but really console gamers are making sacrifices in between console launch years compared to the PC Market.

 

 

Edit - Plus how do you know what the average gamer has to spend?  The Average gamer is the head of their household and is 33+ years old. 

So being in your 30s and the head of the household means you have $2000 to spend on a PC? Give me a fucking break. Its basically FACT that the average person cannot afford to spend $2000 on a PC every year or 2. Hell the average "middle class" person in this country can barely afford gas for their cars and insurance right now.

Cabe2323

Originally posted by Spathotan

Originally posted by Cabe2323


 
Originally posted by Spathotan


The average person, average gamer, does not have $2000 to spend on a PC every 2 years. Not to mention that "better product" isnt really all that much better at all, and sure as hell not worth $4500-6000 (4-6 years) worth better.

Well that is in your opinion.  I have always had a lot more fun with the games released on PC then on Consoles.  Console games generally have less depth, are shorter, and generally are easier then their PC equivalents. 

 

So in your opinion it isn't worth spending more on the PC than the console but of course the same could be said of any hobby.  Why pay TaylorMade or Callaway Golf clubs (usually around 1K for the set)  when I can get the Kmart special (usually around 170) to play with. 

Everyone has their own opinions and are entitled to them but really console gamers are making sacrifices in between console launch years compared to the PC Market.

 

 

Edit - Plus how do you know what the average gamer has to spend?  The Average gamer is the head of their household and is 33+ years old. 

So being in your 30s and the head of the household means you have $2000 to spend on a PC? Give me a fucking break. Its basically FACT that the average person cannot afford to spend $2000 on a PC every year or 2. Hell the average "middle class" person in this country can barely afford gas for their cars and insurance right now.

They need to learn how to budget better then.  I have three children and am enlisted in the US Navy (E5) and I still build a new computer ever 2 years.  I spend roughly 1200-1500 dollars on a new PC.  Usually I offset some of that by selling my old PC or if I can salvaging some of my old parts to re-use. 

I do this and still can afford a 2006 Kia Sedona van, sending 1 of my children to private school, and paid for my wife's college education (she completed her Bachelor's in Psychology).  While being able to do this we also went on numerous vacations to Dublin, London, Tennessee, Florida (around 6 times) and visit Alabama all of the time.    I make roughly 24K dollars per year now of course I get medical for free which absorbs some of my expenses but even if my job was equated to the same level as a civilian I would still be in the lower middle class (around 35 - 40K per year). 

zoey121

Spathotan,

 i agree as far consoloes go after all any mmorpgs coming out in the near future you are looking forward to or the pickings some what same ole same ole slim?

 As far as consoles go overloards is nice, blue dragon taking up lots of time, it is a matter of perspective, instead of buying games you can rent them as well.

  The econmy has changed this year with rising prices of gas/home heating oil, electritcy grocries sky high things have changed , figure out what looks good and go from there

Spathotan

What you make and what your family makeup is dosent concern me one bit cabe, as I dont care. Point, no, fact is that $2000 isnt exactly pocket change, like it apparently is to you, to most people.

This thread has gone off into the deep end, so let me take it back out of the insanity and bullshit and put it back on track. OP, it comes down to how much money you want to spend and what your playing habits are. You want MMOs, FPS and RTS, go PC. If you want platformers, stability, and good games at a low price, get a console, and maybe a LCD TV if you dont have one already and have the extra cash, to complement it like I stated in my original post.

Cabe2323

In all actuality your best bet is to spend around 1500-2000 on building a new PC (if you know how) and the rest on some console games that you want.  That way you get the best of both worlds. 

 

***Edit***

I never said that 2K was pocket change, I said it isn't a lot to spend on a Hobby.  For instance I see people spending a lot more then that on a lot of hobbies. 

If you like Golf (as I gave an example before about) you probably spend somewhere in the Neighborhood of 600-1000 on your clubs (if not more) and around 25-100 dollars per greens fee.  So if you play 2-4 times per month you might spend upwards of over 5K per year on your "hobby". 

My Aunt loves scuba diving and underwater photography (now she can afford a really expensive hobby since she is an Executive VP for JPMorgan Chase) she spent around 30K on her camera and lenses.  She also spends around 10K per year on vacations to go scuba diving (or at least did before when her health was better). 

Table Top games can be super expensive as well.  You can spend thousands of dollars on your "armies" for that as well. 

Heck even if your hobby is reading you can spend anywhere from 5-30 dollars per book and usually people that love to read are reading at least 2-3 books per week.  That can get over a thousand dollars in books pretty quickly. 

 

My point was that any hobby becomes expensive very quickly.  While a Console gamer might spend less on their hardware they generally spend more on Games then PC Gamers do.  Most of the games I buy for my PC are around 40-50 dollars each.  Console games are generally 60 dollars each.  So for every 10 games you buy on the PC you are saving 100-200 dollars over the console. 

Gameloading

 

Originally posted by Cabe2323


 
Originally posted by Gameloading

Originally posted by Cabe2323


I would get a new PC.  Consoles are pretty much at their peak for this generation now that all three "next gen" consoles have come out.  While PC games will be looking better and better before another console comes out.  (Crysis for example)

It's going to take many, many years before Crysis's graphical level becomes the standard for PC games. And no, consoles aren't at their peak yet.

By next year Crysis level of graphics will be the standard. 

 

 

Consoles are at their peak hardware wise.  Sure developers will tweak to get more power out of the hardware but the consoles are set for most likely the next 6 to 10 years for the PS3 especially (since sony has shown a certain time table on releasing consoles already)  MS might come out with a new Xbox sooner to capitalize on the gains they have already made. 

While PC Gaming hardware gets more and more powerful very quickly and will surpass anything the consoles are capable very quickly. (and by surpass consoles I mean the everday PC that you can buy at Best Buy, Top End PCs surpassed this "gen" of consoles awhile ago).

oh please name me one game, just one, that will match Crysis graphics next year. Far Cry 2 is probably the only one, and it's made with the same engine.

At the same time, the PS3 and Xbox360 will receive games such as Killzone 2, Resident Evil 5 and Alan Wake, games that easily match PC games graphic wise.

and it has to be said, the vast majority of games will be released on consoles, not on PC's.

You keep saying "Pc's will outdo consoles very quickly!". Xbox360 has been out for 2 years now and so far only Crysis is significantly past what a console can do, and looking at upcomming PC games it doesn't look like it will change anytime soon.

Cabe2323

Originally posted by Gameloading


 
Originally posted by Cabe2323


 
Originally posted by Gameloading

Originally posted by Cabe2323


I would get a new PC.  Consoles are pretty much at their peak for this generation now that all three "next gen" consoles have come out.  While PC games will be looking better and better before another console comes out.  (Crysis for example)

It's going to take many, many years before Crysis's graphical level becomes the standard for PC games. And no, consoles aren't at their peak yet.

By next year Crysis level of graphics will be the standard. 

 

 

Consoles are at their peak hardware wise.  Sure developers will tweak to get more power out of the hardware but the consoles are set for most likely the next 6 to 10 years for the PS3 especially (since sony has shown a certain time table on releasing consoles already)  MS might come out with a new Xbox sooner to capitalize on the gains they have already made. 

While PC Gaming hardware gets more and more powerful very quickly and will surpass anything the consoles are capable very quickly. (and by surpass consoles I mean the everday PC that you can buy at Best Buy, Top End PCs surpassed this "gen" of consoles awhile ago).

oh please name me one game, just one, that will match Crysis graphics next year. Far Cry 2 is probably the only one, and it's made with the same engine.

At the same time, the PS3 and Xbox360 will receive games such as Killzone 2, Resident Evil 5 and Alan Wake, games that easily match PC games graphic wise.

and it has to be said, the vast majority of games will be released on consoles, not on PC's.

You keep saying "Pc's will outdo consoles very quickly!". Xbox360 has been out for 2 years now and so far only Crysis is significantly past what a console can do, and looking at upcomming PC games it doesn't look like it will change anytime soon.

According to reviews Gears of War on the PC looks much better then it does on the Xbox360.  Of course the requires that you have a great PC. 

Games like Supreme Commander and the such will always be better on the PC then a console.  Consoles just aren't as capable for RTS games.  Especially games with a lot of units on the field at once. 

 

But really anyone who doesn't realize that Consoles only have two major advantages, which are the low cost compared to PCs and the larger selection of games (but of course they aren't necessarilly better games), I think is just a major fan boy of consoles. 

 

As Consoles get closer and closer in initial cost to PCs we are going to see less and less consoles sold.  They just aren't worth that excessive cost for the limited functionality when compared to a PC. 

Gameloading

Originally posted by Cabe2323

Originally posted by Gameloading


 
Originally posted by Cabe2323


 
Originally posted by Gameloading

Originally posted by Cabe2323


I would get a new PC.  Consoles are pretty much at their peak for this generation now that all three "next gen" consoles have come out.  While PC games will be looking better and better before another console comes out.  (Crysis for example)

It's going to take many, many years before Crysis's graphical level becomes the standard for PC games. And no, consoles aren't at their peak yet.

By next year Crysis level of graphics will be the standard. 

 

 

Consoles are at their peak hardware wise.  Sure developers will tweak to get more power out of the hardware but the consoles are set for most likely the next 6 to 10 years for the PS3 especially (since sony has shown a certain time table on releasing consoles already)  MS might come out with a new Xbox sooner to capitalize on the gains they have already made. 

While PC Gaming hardware gets more and more powerful very quickly and will surpass anything the consoles are capable very quickly. (and by surpass consoles I mean the everday PC that you can buy at Best Buy, Top End PCs surpassed this "gen" of consoles awhile ago).

oh please name me one game, just one, that will match Crysis graphics next year. Far Cry 2 is probably the only one, and it's made with the same engine.

At the same time, the PS3 and Xbox360 will receive games such as Killzone 2, Resident Evil 5 and Alan Wake, games that easily match PC games graphic wise.

and it has to be said, the vast majority of games will be released on consoles, not on PC's.

You keep saying "Pc's will outdo consoles very quickly!". Xbox360 has been out for 2 years now and so far only Crysis is significantly past what a console can do, and looking at upcomming PC games it doesn't look like it will change anytime soon.

 

According to reviews Gears of War on the PC looks much better then it does on the Xbox360.  Of course the requires that you have a great PC. 

 

Games like Supreme Commander and the such will always be better on the PC then a console.  Consoles just aren't as capable for RTS games.  Especially games with a lot of units on the field at once. 

 

But really anyone who doesn't realize that Consoles only have two major advantages, which are the low cost compared to PCs and the larger selection of games (but of course they aren't necessarilly better games), I think is just a major fan boy of consoles. 

 

As Consoles get closer and closer in initial cost to PCs we are going to see less and less consoles sold.  They just aren't worth that excessive cost for the limited functionality when compared to a PC. 

As far as I know, Epic has not made any improvements to the graphics in Gears of War aside from a larger resolution. consoles seem to be very capable of running RTS games as Command & conquer 3 has been running just fine and Supreme Commander has been announced for the Xbox360.

The thing with gaming PC's is that there are just too many things a person who wants to use it strictly for gaming doesn't need. If you use your PC for gaming then you don't need a 150$ operating system with all of it's bells and whistles. The current entry point for the Playstation 3 is 400$ including bluray movies and a game depending the offer of the store, the Xbox360 entry point is 350$, basing on the premium edition because the core editing is worthless as you need a hardrive, and it comes with 2 games, and in some stores it comes with 3 games. You're just not going to find a gaming pc capable of the same things for that amount of money. Yes a fully beefed up computer can do more than a console can do, as Crysis shows, but that isn't the standard. The audience that owns a computer that can run a game like Crysis isn't all that big, and most game developers prefer to not shoot themself in the foot.

It takes years before you will start to notice a significant difference between the standard console game and the standard pc game.