Fifteen years ago, personal computers were the worst gaming platform. PC versions of games had a lot of bugs and poor optimization. Developers constantly added anti-piracy protection systems to their projects, which caused significant installation issues. Moreover, some games might not release on personal computers at all and remain console exclusives.
But today, things are different. Now, it can be confidently said that PCs are the best platform for gaming, and we will explain why.
PC Exclusives
For many years, one of the main advantages of consoles remained their exclusives, but today this is no longer the case. Microsoft has long abandoned the practice of releasing its games exclusively on Xbox. Sony started to follow suit only recently, but with each passing year, more and more of their games are becoming available on PC. Therefore, buying consoles just for the cool exclusives today makes no sense. You can simply wait until they are released on PC.
The largest game library
No other platform has as vast a collection of games as personal computers do. You will always be able to find a project that suits your tastes and preferences. For example, Steam, GOG, and many other digital distribution stores offer a vast number of filters that simplify the search for games.
This also applies to outdated projects released 20-30 years ago. They can be easily installed on a PC, but not on consoles, as modern consoles simply do not support them. This issue is particularly relevant for Sony devices.
The modern PlayStation 5 only has backward compatibility with the PlayStation 4. If you want to play games from PlayStation 1, 2, or 3, you will not be able to do so. Outdated projects simply cannot be installed on a modern console.
Low prices and the ability to play for free
Purchasing games on PC is not limited to Steam, GOG, or Epic Games Store, but also possible through various platforms selling licensed keys - official activation codes that, once entered, add the purchased game to your account. The prices for these keys can be significantly lower than those in official stores, allowing for savings.
Activation keys are also available for consoles, but their prices almost match those of game copies in official stores like the Microsoft Store, PlayStation Store, and Nintendo eShop. Activation keys for PCs are much cheaper.
Additionally, it's possible to install games on personal computers for free. Of course, we do not endorse piracy, but we understand those who engage in it. Not all gamers can afford to buy official game copies, which are very expensive today. In many countries, the cost of a couple of AAA new releases can be comparable to a month's salary for many gamers.
Technical condition of PC versions of games at release
Many developers approach the task of porting games to PC very irresponsibly. As a result, numerous projects perform terribly even on very powerful personal computers. "The Lord of the Rings: Gollum," "The Last of Us Part I," "Star Wars Jedi: Survivor," "Battlefield 2042," "Remnant II" – these and many other games still have significant issues with bugs and performance even though they were released quite some time ago.
This applies to consoles as well. If previously only PC versions of games were in a poor technical state, today console versions also perform terribly. Therefore, many reviewers and journalists do not recommend buying new releases immediately. They advise waiting at least 2-3 months. Usually, this amount of time is sufficient for developers to fix bugs and improve performance.
So, buying a console today for the sake of more polished games at release makes no sense.
Ability to customize the game for yourself
Console gamers do not have access to graphical settings. At best, they can choose between two options:
60 FPS with low resolution;
30 FPS with high resolution.
Console users cannot finely tune the level of graphics. They have to play with the parameters that developers have preset.
This is a plus for gamers who are not knowledgeable about graphics. They don't need to spend time learning what each parameter does. They simply launch the game and play. However, for users who are knowledgeable about graphics, this is a significant drawback. They do not have the ability to finely tune the visuals to their tastes and preferences.
For example, two technologies are used to create reflections in modern games – screen space reflections and cube maps. These algorithms create very low-quality reflections, making it nearly impossible to look at puddles, water, and any other reflective surfaces. To improve their quality, many PC gamers enable ray tracing reflections, and they compensate for the FPS drop by lowering other settings, such as shadow quality, effects, and vegetation.
Personal computers allow for very fine-tuning of performance and graphics level. This maximizes the enjoyment of video games.
Ability to connect any device
Imagine you've purchased an expensive sound card to play with very high-quality virtual surround sound. You connect the device to your PlayStation or Xbox and download the official app to manage the card. However, when you try to install the program, an error message appears. You cannot install the app and enable virtual surround sound. Thus, your money, time, and effort are wasted.
This scenario would occur with any third-party device you try to connect to a console. If devices are not certified by Microsoft, Nintendo, or Sony, they either will not work at all or their functionality will be severely limited.
With personal computers, you can connect any third-party devices. You won't have to worry about whether they will be supported by the operating system.
Possibility to replace outdated components
If you're unsatisfied with your computer's performance in games, you simply remove the old components and replace them with new ones. There's no need to completely change the PC. RAM modules, power supply, hard drives, case, and SSDs – in most cases, you don't need to update these.
If you're dissatisfied with the performance of a console, there's nothing you can do about it. You won't be able to upgrade its components and timely boost its performance. The only option left is to wait for the next generation of the console to be released and buy a new one.
Possibility to create a device in an individual design
The computer components market is vast. You can easily create a PC whose appearance thrills you. You can also easily assemble a system that perfectly fits into the design of your interior. This is not possible with consoles. When buying a console, you cannot change its appearance.
For most users, the design of the device isn't too important as long as it looks acceptable. However, among gamers, there are many for whom the appearance of the platform is very important. And only personal computers offer the opportunity to build a gaming device to match your tastes and preferences.
The opportunity not only to play, but also to work
On a console, you can play games, watch movies, and listen to music, but you can't type up an essay, edit photos, edit videos, or prepare a presentation for colleagues. With personal computers, it's the opposite. You are not limited and can do whatever you want. Computers offer the possibility not only to play games but also to engage in a wide range of digital activities, from professional work to learning new professions.
PC gaming vs console gaming: Conclusions
Let's briefly summarize and list the main advantages of PCs over consoles:
A vast library of games, including console exclusives;
The ability to create a device with a unique design;
The ability to not only play but also work professionally;
The ability to replace outdated components and make the device more powerful;
The ability to customize graphics and performance to personal preferences;
The ability to connect any third-party devices, whether they be sound cards, VR headsets, etc.
This doesn't mean that gaming consoles are unnecessary or pointless. In fact, they have advantages over personal computers:
Consoles don't need to be assembled or configured like personal computers. You simply buy them, create an account, and start using them.
It's not possible to install third-party software on consoles, including cheat utilities, which means that players on consoles play fairly.
Gaming computers HYPERPC
HYPERPC's gaming computers embody the pinnacle of what we've discussed: an extensive library of games, including those formerly exclusive to consoles; the freedom to customize not only the aesthetics but also the power and performance of your gaming setup; the ability to seamlessly transition from high-octane gaming to professional-grade content creation; and the luxury of connecting a myriad of devices for an immersive gaming experience. Moreover, with the cost-effectiveness of game purchases and the potential for hardware upgrades, a HYPERPC gaming computer is not just an investment in your gaming future but also in your digital lifestyle.
Every HYPERPC computer is the result of 15 years of experience and expertise. Our experts know exactly what a gaming PC, workstation, or server should be like.
To get started, we just need to talk. Tell us about your tasks, timelines, and budget, and we will offer the best solution.