Considering a move to the console
Considering a move to the console
Electronics have never stayed at their cost unless they become rare and experience a sudden resurgence like Nixie Tubes, but most won’t pay $1300 for a win2000 machine. Over time, 1.5 Electronics have become more powerful and cheaper to make—roughly true, though he also talked about rising RAM prices across the board. There’s no truly cheaper way to avoid the suspected price fixing, and newer models now use DDR4, making older options feel like a loss. Not completely accurate. Many PC games are still poorly optimized, and newer titles often demand more power than before even at 1080p. That’s always a choice, but I tend to prefer buying new. I haven’t noticed much discount on previous generation cards since the latest ones arrived and made them obsolete.
Right now, buying a new computer isn’t the ideal moment. Patience is essential as things will eventually balance out. Many users own both a PC and a gaming console for entertainment. For instance, I own a Switch and really enjoy Nintendo titles—I find them excellent and portable, allowing me to play anywhere from home to travel. Having a job that requires sitting often makes it enjoyable to relax and play.
On the other hand, you have two strong options: the XBox One and the PlayStation 4. The XBox One has evolved significantly over time, adopting new strategies since its launch, while the PS4 offers enhanced graphics and performance. Both are popular choices, especially if you can afford them.
Keep in mind that cross-play isn’t supported on the Sony console. If you link your PC or Switch accounts to the XBox system, it may prevent access to the PlayStation network without notice. To avoid issues, use separate accounts for each platform.
The XBox One and PS4 were released around late 2013, meaning they’re nearing their fifth anniversary. A newer console could appear in the next 1-2 years, potentially offering more power or compatibility concerns with older systems. We can’t predict the future, but if you’re worried about timing, consider refurbished models.
If budget matters, explore refurbished options. These are cheaper and available through official channels or online marketplaces. You might also find deals in the used market, though availability is limited.
What are you focusing on when you think about a particular product later? Or the bigger picture? Prices are definitely rising overall, especially with inflation affecting costs over time. When something becomes outdated, its value drops—so you end up paying more for things like RAM. If you notice anything unrelated to building a PC as an investment, it’s likely to let you down. Most of the time it isn’t. It all comes down to how much effort you’re willing to put in and how much you’re prepared to do. As I mentioned, I assembled my whole setup for $350, which already covers a $300 pair of studio monitors.
It makes sense if the price goes up again. As a seller, selling one of my GTX 980 units for $400 was a good decision just a few months prior when they were worth $200. Don't dwell on the present market value—just hold patience or explore alternative ways to assemble your PC.
In general terms, new items bring inflation, but the overall picture still holds. When RAM was $8 last year for a product and inflation is around $0.03, this year it’s $15—something doesn’t add up. The MSRP for a 1080 was $600 while they sold it for nearly $1000. Used or even newer models usually drop in price, but not the 900 or 1000 series cards. I meant that any future upgrade would essentially mean replacing an entire system, needing a new motherboard, RAM, and CPU, so upgrading to something outdated now doesn’t make much sense. It’s a quick loss of value, not gradual decay. It’s like buying a new Ferrari and driving it off the lot, only to see a new one drop next week and lose $20,000. Modern AAA games are popular and widely played—this isn’t a big deal. This is the era of pushing graphics to the limit, but many cards can’t keep up. That’s fine. I’m not traveling far to save money. I can’t imagine how bothersome it is when people use that as an excuse. “Well I got a great deal, you just don’t because you suck or are lazy. You’re not looking HARD enough. Gotta be SOO HARD.”
I’m starting a heated discussion... Honestly, your card seems similar to what you’d get from a GT 1030/RX 460 in terms of performance. Which games do you enjoy playing? Do you like gaming with friends? Mostly which platforms are they available on? In actuality, I have to admit it varies by title. Your i5 could possibly beat my Ryzen 7 1700, but that really depends on the specific game. Still, Intel remains the leader in single-threaded speed, while AMD shines when memory matters. Their latest chips aren’t keeping up with Intel’s recent improvements, especially after Haswell.
I've been hoping for something meaningful for a long time, so I'm learning to be patient. Your computer is still fine for gaming, though the GPU and RAM might need updating for newer games. If you don't mind spending a lot on one component, opt for a mid-range GPU like the 1060 instead of chasing ultra-high-end options. Anything better than that 750 will outperform current consoles. Also, console games aren't cheap—when you switch to a new console, you'll likely need new titles since your existing PC games won't run (that's expected). So it might cost more upfront to start with consoles rather than just upgrade your GPU and RAM.
That sounds promising! Haswell remains sufficient for most tasks. DDR3 is typically more affordable, so consider getting an ECC motherboard. An Xeon from Haswell could work well, and using the savings to upgrade to a 780TI might be a smart move. What are your thoughts?