PC vs Console for Teenager

[bonjo]

Hello,

I have the following setup at home:

1. Xbox 1
2. Pentium I3-4160 3.6GHz with 8GB ram and a 2GB Radeon Video card. (this video card is probably about 8 years old)

I have 2 boys, 10 years and 14 years and the competition in the house for the PC is getting out of hand so I am considering getting either:

a. A entry level gaming PC) or
b. Another XBox console + normal pc/laptop..the latter to be used for school work and normal pc stuff

I myself have been out of touch with games and gaming hardware for probably 10 years, so need some advice. I am having a difficult time to justify option A vs option b above.

I would appreciate your feedback.
Thanks

 

[ariz04]

Would recommend probably getting another gaming pc... They probably hog the pc coz they enjoy playing a certain game on it or enjoy doing many things on it.

Either way, the pc would be a more versatile option and maybe just upgrade the graphics card on the current pc so they don't fight for the new pc

 

[Polymathic]

Xbox One + Game Pass (+- R150 per month) gives you access to 100 somewhat games to download and play.

 

[Beyond.Celsus]

I use a computer, because that is what I prefer, but in your situation I would go the console route.

Upgrading two gaming PC's will get expensive. With gkids there will always be moaning about who has better hardware in their PC.

 

[Ancalagon]

You could buy a Radeon APU that would probably beat the pants off your current GPU.

In other words, you would not need to buy a discrete GPU.

You could probably get away with spending R8k or so on a gaming PC and it would be a lot faster than your current PC. Then they would fight over that one!

 

[SauRoNZA]

How about asking them?

The console would be more economical if you use Game Sharing as you'd only ever need to purchase any game once (digitally) and both consoles would receive it.

Game Pass will work the same for sharing.

It also brings parity as they will both have the same experience and therefore not argue to play on the better/newer one.

 

[Hamster]

The majority of the people on MyBroadband own PCs. If you want your son to be wrong like them then don't get him a console.

 

[konfab]

You already have a console. I would suggest a gaming pc as it opens to doors to games not on the Xbox ecosystem.

 

[ponder]

Budget?

How often do they use the console and why are they fighting over the PC?

 

[ryu]

my vote for the pc, no point in having two xbone's in the house although they have been going for very cheap lately like R2999 for the "S" model and 1tb hdd ... so i can see the appeal pricewise.

 

[Splinter]

PS4

 

[ryu]

PS4

i knew this was coming

 

[Barbarian Conan]

PC. Always PC.

Why even consider another Xbox if they are arguing about PC time?

It will also add another layer of education when they invariably try to do network related stuff.

 

[Bryn]

Xbox One + Game Pass (+- R150 per month) gives you access to 100 somewhat games to download and play.

I'd strongly recommend PC rather. They've already shown a preference for that platform over the XB1. Also, a Humble Monthly subscription and maybe also one for EA Origin Access Premier (once it goes live later this year) would be an extremely cost effective way of providing a deluge of awesome games. That's probably the best value you can get anywhere. There's a good chance that a 10 and 14 year old want to play FIFA, Anthem, Unravel 2, Plants vs Zombies GW2, the many vault games etc.

Not to mention PC games can be purchased much cheaper from CDKeys and Steam/GOG/GMG etc. sales, so a few additions out of their own pocket won't hurt like on console (or require a hefty online subscription fee).

 

[RexxGrim]

So nobody is going to comment on the fact that given the choice between an Xbox 1 vs Pentium I3-4160 3.6GHz with 8GB ram + 8 year old GPU and the kids are fighting over the PC.

I would suggest that you find out what the kids are doing on the PC (what are they playing, if its gaming) and base your choice on that.

 

[Bryn]

So nobody is going to comment on the fact that given the choice between an Xbox 1 vs Pentium I3-4160 3.6GHz with 8GB ram + 8 year old GPU and the kids are fighting over the PC.

I would suggest that you find out what the kids are doing on the PC (what are they playing, if its gaming) and base your choice on that.

My old i5-3570K and 8GB memory is still going fine. Plays any modern title maxed out at 1080p with over 60fps, albeit with a 6GB GTX 1060.

 

[Hamster]

Do you want your kid to talk about Radeons and GPU cycles etc all day or do you want him to one day get laid?

 

[Barbarian Conan]

Do you want your kid to talk about Radeons and GPU cycles etc all day or do you want him to one day get laid?

Who wants to bang some fat uggo IRL chick when they can bang hot porn stars in their imaginations?

 

[KleinBoontjie]

Get a PC (and hint at a online course....maybe they'll stumble onto a programming course and start earning money )

 

[Hamster]

Who wants to bang some fat uggo IRL chick when they can bang hot porn stars in their imaginations?

Not virgins?