Xbox360 VS Upgrading AGP Video Card

[Prince of Persia]

My current PC specs

Athlon64 3200 (s754)
1gig of ram
Radeon9800pro (Possible upgrade to x1950 pro?)

I'm willing to spend around 250 dollars on an upgrade for one or the other. For the Xbox360 I will play on my 19 Widescreen LCD (Have no HDTV). Between those two options which would people think is my best option in terms of future games/visual benefits/etc...

This is going to be a long term upgrade too, that should last around two years.

Thanks for any advice!

 

[Eomer of Aldburg]

I have a 32 Inch HDTV anda similair setup as you but with a 6800GT, I plan to upgrade my mb to a socket 754 pci-express board and a X1950XT. Personally, Its hard going from PC back to console. I just can't seem to do it although I do want to play Gears of Wars and Halo3. Only problem Is I love the Metal Gear Solid Series, so it sucks. I just choose pc

 

[Prince of Persia]

Bump for more opinions!

 

[Modular]

What kind of games do you like to play?

I guess either way, for me, the answer is clear. Get the video card upgrade. Why would you spend 2x more for a console rather than spending 250 for a good video card, and then another 250 on games?

 

[tornadog]

Like he said depends on the types of games you play and how familiar you are with console gaming. If you play a lot of shooters and RTS, then upgrade ur video card. If you have been playing mostly on current gen consoles, then go for the 360.

But IMO, the 360 definitely needs a large size tv for the best experience. I know because I had ur same idea, but after getting a 32" LCD, I can say it made a world of difference.

Also if you have $250 for a video card, try to find the 7900 GTO, they are simply the best bang for your buck and will last you a long time.

 

[Kabob]

I say the console simply because the rest of your system won't be able to keep up even if you upgrade your video card. You can spend that $250 on a video card and then where will you be in 2 years when you have to re-upgrade?

If you're going for bang for the buck go console. Just my thoughts.

*edit* call me pessimistic but I don't think the x1950 pro will be $250, but ya never know.

 

[Prince of Persia]

I was looking at some benchmarks and for example it seems the xbox360 has the edge over some of the $200 dollar range video cards. My primary comparison is Oblivion which runs well on the x360 and high 20's on PC Video Cards. It seems graphically speaking the xbox360 will have a longer longevity than an AGP video card? I'm really on the fence lol. I've been playing World of Warcraft for the past two years and got rid of my account, now trying to figure out the next two years. For my comp specs what video card would be most beneficial (without letting it go to waste) for an Athlon 64 3200? (Keep in mind it has to be AGP) I've always played on PC but have always had fun playing console with friends and now that LIVE is so popular online play is possible with both. Still on the fence =P

 

[tornadog]

get the 360 and be done with it. At least you wont have to upgrade that puppy...oblivion definitely looks better on the 360 than any $200 card can perform

 

[Kabob]

For $250 you're gonna have to go the used route methinks. Not a bad thing though. I just bought a used 360 myself.

 

[Centurin]

Just keep in mind that you don't get all the player mods for Oblivion on the 360. IMO, the player mods are what make Oblivion so enjoyable for me. Vanilla Oblivion really does nothing for me.

 

[Kabob]

They've got a huge one coming out in a week or two for the 360. Didn't read the article but I saw it on Gamespot's front page.

 

[Chadder007]

Originally posted by: kabob983
They've got a huge one coming out in a week or two for the 360. Didn't read the article but I saw it on Gamespot's front page.

A huge ...what?

 

[Eomer of Aldburg]

Originally posted by: tornadog
get the 360 and be done with it. At least you wont have to upgrade that puppy...oblivion definitely looks better on the 360 than any $200 card can perform

The Ati X1950 Pro can be found for around 200 and with the oblivion mods it sure could look better than the 360.

 

[Kabob]

Originally posted by: Chadder007
A huge ...what?

Mod I believe.

 

[Centurin]

The only mods availble for 360 are the official plugins. The player made mods are what really make the game.

 

[A554SS1N]

Make sure when considering a console (if you've never used them before) that you realise it might be more difficult playing the usual first person shooter games with a gamepad; it depends what games you play, but I know that's one factor that stops be from going the console route - mouse & keyboard are sooo much nicer! If you intend to play games that work well with a gamepad, then get the Xbox 360 - it's a fantastic console from the hardware perspective. Also consider that console games cost alot more than PC games.

 

[Kabob]

I wouldn't say "alot more" than PC games. $50 PC vs. $60 console. Heck, some of the new 360 games are $50 as well (Viva Pinata).

And I do know of some people who prefer the gamepad controls on an FPS. Not many, but a few. For me, it's going to take some getting used to.

 

[uo7]

Don't forget to addin the possible price of a psu upgrade that you might need to do as well. And another gig of ram if you play bf2 or bf 2142.

 

[Noema]

Get a 360, play GoW, wait till the DX10/Vista dust settles, and then upgrade your whole PC

 

[gi0rgi0]

Well I bought a 360 thinking i wouldnt need the pc. Boy was I wrong. I cant play multiplayer worth a ****** with a gamepad.
GoW is pretty cool but I only played it a few times and havent been back.

 

[tuteja1986]

Get the 360 and buy Blue dragon , Mass effect , Crack down , Lost planet and Golden Axe when they come out next year arround march. Mass effect alone defeats any RPG coming out next year. Also Alan wake and bioshock will be coming to XBOX 360 and PC too. Bioshock has been shown running on xbox 360 at e3 06 and it ran great.