A choice of systems

[Polarbear]

Reading the 'what games are you playing' thread there seem to be some cracking games I'd like to give a go. The trouble being my archaic laptop wouldn'd pull the skin off a rice pudding graphics wise although it does fine with my day to day stuff so....

Would you recommend a gaming laptop or desktop which I would guess will set me back the best part of a grand or would buying an XBox or Playstation (about £500?)and keep my old laptop serve my puropse for gaming? That is obviously cheaper but are the games machines limited? I know nothing about them as my last games consul used to play ping pong!

Most of my coputer use is internet or office so I don't need anything special for that.

My inclination is to go for a gaming computer because i presume some games are for the xbox and some for the PS.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[Nobby the Bastard]

Desktops are easier to upgrade etc. and you'll typicallly get more bang for your bulk than a laptop.
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trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Triumph Sprint ST 1050

[Easy-X]

All depends on what space you have available. If you have a proper office area with a desk then the desktop PC gives you the best long term value.
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Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[Robby]

You can get the most performance from a desktop PC built for gaming. You can also spend a huge amount, and have to vaguely know what you're doing (or ask someone who does) to buy the right bits.

The latest version of xbox or playstation will come close, at a set price. The performance is still incredible, the differences tend to be around whether a game runs at 60 or 120 frames per second, or if it's in 1080P or 4k. Either will look very sharp and very smooth, unless you know what you're looking for and have the eyes and screen to notice.

Some games are xbox or playstation exclusive. I don't know how this translates for PC gaming. I assume some games are PC exclusive.

Much like with bikes, for some people this is their life and the tiny differences matter. Personally, I just play games sometimes, so I have a laptop and a switch for modern stuff. That said, I will buy something more powerful when GTA6 comes out, either an xbox or the next steam deck.

[Polarbear]

[Easy-X]

Unreal Engine 5 is turning out to be a bit of a beast, judging from the various tech demos I've seen on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/ELHpwYKa9tw
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Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[Islander]

[Easy-X]

Remember: all just pixels...

https://usagif.com/wp-content/uploads/gify/gta-6-girl-twerking-on-top-car-usagif.gif
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Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[Polarbear]

[P.]

If you just want a bit of casual gaming a PS5 or Xbox would be your best bet.

Esp if gta6 tickles you (in 2025...) and that's from a pc gamer. I spent about 2k on my current pc and given my current list of games an Xbox would have been fine. I just can't use controllers.

[to v or not to v]

i have both pc and console. id go console for gaming only. plug and play is so much simpler.
PS tends to have more exclusives but Xbox has game pass which gives you dozens of games for a sub.

beware the new Xbox s is not as powerful as the x.
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current bike Yamaha Thunderace.
its old and fat, but its a damned good ride. the bikes not bad either.

[MarJay]

Wait until GTA6 is released, then buy one step down from all the top of the range components. You'll then have half a chance of running it. If you buy now, the chances of it being able to run a game 2 years out is very slim indeed. I was thinking of upgrading my graphics card, but I won't until we have PC specs for VI.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Easy-X]

I have no regrets upgrading my desktop system. There's absolutely nothing in gaming at the moment that can faze it (but I'm only running 1080p.) I'm also grateful for the reliability. My old system would fail to wake up or even power up some times
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Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[DaddyStu]

The upscaling software nowadays is getting decent. You can for example play a game at 720p yet have it render at 1080p with very little discernible difference in image quality. When GTAVI comes out many folk will be using such GPU features so they dont have to upgrade.

I have to throw a little bit of this magic in myself if I want to play Cyberpunk with Ray Tracing on.
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Daddystu
Zontes 125-G1 (part-ex'd). Yamaha Tracer 700.

[MarJay]

[t121anf]

Buy both a PS5 and Xbox Series X (or whatever the top of the range is) and it'll still cost less than a graphics card for a gaming PC.

When people used to ask me what laptop/PC should they get for Christmas to play games on my response was always just get a console.

PC is for serious gamers imo*, if you don't already have one you aren't a serious gamer.

*I imaging a choice of either someone with about 20 monitors learning to fly planes into buildings or someone in a black hoodie in their mom's basement.

[Ayrton]

[t121anf]

[Rob W]

[DaddyStu]

[MarJay]

[Polarbear]

OK, so the conseus for a computer numpty like me is a console. That's fine, I'm not surprised but which should I go for, an xbox or a Playstation? Is it just down to seeing which has more of the sort of games I prefer or is there other differences? I presume from quick seaching on Amazon it seems like comparable machines are comparable prices.

Plus I would need a monitor as well. Do I need a 4k one for a console or just a 1080?
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[Nobby the Bastard]

Even Sheldon couldn't decide that one.

If it helps we got a Switch.
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trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Triumph Sprint ST 1050

[drkbishop]

I've got a PS5, Switch OLED and Xbox Series S (Did have the X)

PS5 gets most use at the moment, loads of decent exclusives like The Last of Us.

Xbox is ok with Gamepass, but can't remember the last time I switched it on

And Nintnedo Switch is great, play handheld or docked, can't beat a bit of Mario Kart

[Easy-X]

Sony tends to have the better exclusives. Yes, my PC is way better for playing Elden Ring but I still haven't got the option to play Bloodborne
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Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter