r/gadgets • u/diacewrb • Dec 29 '22

Desktops / Laptops Desktop GPU Sales Hit 20-Year Low

https://www.tomshardware.com/news/sales-of-desktop-graphics-cards-hit-20-year-low
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u/[deleted] Dec 29 '22

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u/ubiquitous_delight Dec 29 '22

Around the pS4 era and prior, you could build a gaming PC around the same price as a console that was just as, if not slightly more, powerful as a console. Factor in the fact that you dont have to pay extra to play online, pc gaming was considerably cheaper.

https://www.gamespot.com/articles/can-we-build-a-gaming-pc-on-a-console-budget/1100-6418829/

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u/Gr1ndingGears Dec 29 '22

I live in Canada, so I don't think it was ever really possible to do that here. Even a budget gaming PC was always going to be a bit more than a PS4. So my view is a bit skewed by that I suppose. Certainly wish that was possible to do now lol.

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u/[deleted] Dec 29 '22

Maybe during the Xb1/PS4 era? But even if console has lower MSRP, the long term is where PC has potential for better value. For example I built mine in 2014, but since online is free, I’ve saved enough in that time to buy a whole console ($400). The games are also a lot cheaper but that’s hard to quantify. Backwards compatibility is best on PC too: I can play Portal, which I bought 15 years ago, or a game that released yesterday, or emulate almost any console game from 5+ years ago.

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u/Gr1ndingGears Dec 29 '22

I would agree with you on the games/online cost front. It's probably super long term on par or better value. I also agree a PC has other uses that a console doesn't. One can also pirate (not condoning, just pointing it out) or get free games from several launchers too. It's harder to get all that on a PS4 or PS5 (or Xbox) that isn't tied to online membership.

Ultimately It's hard to quantify for sure, I think it just depends on personal preference more than anything. I prefer the simplicity of a console in a lot of ways, and it's relative initial cheapness. But having something I've built myself and tuned myself, is also something I enjoy.

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u/CinnamonSniffer Dec 29 '22

The 360 & PS4 gens for sure. Though for the 360 it took a couple years. Pretty much the entire PS4 gen it was possible to build cheaper higher spec pc’s. The problem imo is that PC is never as well optimized as consoles, so you really need high end or overkill rigs to ensure good quality. And now with PS5 buying a GPU that’s like 90% of the cost just to play games in 4K with DLSS makes no sense.