How big is the difference in visuals/performance between PC and PS4/Xbox really?

Graphically really small.

Only noticeable differences are sharpness and fps, even though ultra settings may have more things on screen like extra foliage etc.

The gap is smaller than last gen. The 720p of ps360 was really blurry in comparison, and the fps was worse, specially on ps3 games, the abundant use of bloom and smeared vaseline made everything worse. This gen games look and run better, they have more color, new tech like PBR is awesome.
 
The difference ranges anywhere from marginally better to massively better. Both in terms of graphics and in terms of performance. Once you go PC, there really is no going back.
 
For me, going from 360 to a high end computer (at the time) The biggest difference I notice is the framerate- 30 to 60 as well as the additional graphical effects.
 
Depends if you're like me and not sure what graphical effects you're missing. If I look at a pc screenshot the most notable thing to be me aliasing is much better, everything else has to be pointed out to me or I'll miss it. Its like playing a game of where's waldo, so even if i bought a $1000 pc that blows away the ps4 I don't think I'd notice the better shadows, the texture bump from high to ultra, the draw distance that goes for a mile longer...
 
Depends on how much you value tech.

There is an aspect of game graphics/performance that I think is often lost in enthusiast discussions.

And that is the reality that visual appeal (which is also subjective to a degree) =/= tech. Which explains why there's a divide on opinions (some think the difference is small, some think it's huge, neither are wrong).

People gave shit to Ubisoft for AC Unity running like shit (on every platform). The fact is, though, that this particular game is actually sporting a lot of performance-hungry technology. Objectively speaking, it has "better graphics" (maxed out on PC) than most other games out right now and as such is very demanding on hardware.

Now it's completely a subjective thing if you think this game doesn't look as good as other games or that you think pushing for that level of technology is not at all worth the performance cost. You might prefer a game that runs far better (and sports less features) like MGS5 and you might even think it looks better. Optimization on consoles these days is not generally about pushing for better performance while using the same level of technology. It's about how much you can cut down on/substitute with lower-performance options while still maintaining an appealing look.

As far as raw aesthetics and visuals go (in terms of how things will "look" to the average person) there isn't that big of a difference, really, between playing a game on consoles (or a low-end PC for that matter) compared to a high-end PC. I'd say frame rate is the biggest and most noticeable difference across the board and completely would be worth the extra cost by itself for me personally. If you're playing at a higher resolution like 1440p, that's the next most substantial thing.

But as far as the level of technologies you can add onto your games, like increased LOD, higher shadow resolutions, increased AA, higher res textures, etc., there is quite a lot. Whether you will notice and appreciate these things is an entirely different matter.

Also, performance/graphics technology scales pretty linearly depending on how much you spend (an $800-900 PC performs twice as well as a PS4/equivalent PC) but I find that actual overall visual appeal has diminishing gains in terms of cost.
 
As said it depends on the game and the PC. I honestly do not think the difference is big enough to warrant all the extra money and more importantly time one would have to put into a PC to get a comparable or better performance. That might change in 5 or so years but by then you might have a newer console.

I say time because I feel that is the hidden cost one has to consider and it doesn't get talked about enough. You might get a better looking game but will it be running as well as it should? Those are two different things I find. Are you willing to deal with messing with the settings (Default settings, etc don't always give the best result. Hell most of the time I find they don't work well and I have to mess around the individual settings.) to get a solid frame rate and overall performance? Let's not get into messing around with the .ini file depending on the game. Willing to have a room your are in get extremely hot due to the heat your PC generating and your fans are kicking out of the tower in order to keep it cool if you don't have good ventilation in the room? This is something I didn't experience before until this summer and has been making PC game less and less. You don't have to do this tinkering on the console side. The game runs a certain way no matter what. The console isn't going to be increasing your room temp another 10 degrees. You don't have to invest time to get things to run before actually playing the game. Constant restarting of the game to see if setting changes make a different. The time investment more then money is something more people should take into account I believe.

I honestly overall feel the benefit you get from PC gaming in terms of graphics and frame rate isn't worth it due to the time you have to invest to get those results and to maintain them on top of the monetary investment itself. The simplicity, saving your time and lower cost (cause it's not just the processor and card. It's the new case, possible power supply, extra fans or cooling system, new ram for the motherboard, new monitor, do you need new a new keyboard, etc ) is worth not having a few extra effects or draw distance I feel.

I know some will bring up lower costing games on the PC side but I've not found that to be true if we're just talking retail games. There are a lot cheap games but that's only a big factor if you're interested in those smaller and independently made games.
 
I moved to PC just a couple of months ago and its the best thing I ever did gaming wise. The framerates are the biggest difference obviously but it shouldn't be understated. Its a game changer.

Other big differences imo are AA solutions far less pop in in most games (a pet oeeve of mine)
 
Solid Samus said:
The rest of your post is pretty spot on and I say that as a PC enthusiast, but I don't know why this particular factoid is often repeated as though it is the standard case and not the outlier, these days at least.
Click to expand...

I definitely agree it's more the outlier than the standard, I know a lot of PC Gaf actually does play multiplats just fine. I said 'often' because a mix of those things really does happen a bit too frequently within the context of the biggest console games. The Witcher wasn't broken but it had a ton of crashing and instability issues for Nvidia users, console essentials like EA Sports and Destiny are missing, while GTA came way late. I would also say the poorly implemented UI and input part holds true for a great deal of games as well.

I personally play PC gaming for the unique experiences the ecosystem exceeds at and I would recommend others to do the same instead of chasing the console experience. If someone wants to keep up with the release schedule and conversations revolving around the biggest multiplatform games with a thoroughly-optimized 1080p experience, I definitely think picking up a console bundle for $350-400 is still the best way to go.
 
On PC, the difference is how much your money can buy. If you have enough, it will look really A FUCKING LOT BETTER.

On the other hand the difference between PS4 and XBox One is basically 1080p vs. 900p. The assets in pretty much every game so far have been identical.
 
Since the PS4 is a super-charged PC already and devs can code to the metal, which gives you like three times the performance from identical hardware for free, you should really be asking, how much worse games look on PC.
 
Graphically, it's a huge jump. However, the big reward I get put pf PC gaming is image quality.

FXAA used to be my bane, before I got a tower. I love that I can turn off visual effects I'm not a fan off, and inject better AA solutions when the situation asks for it.
 
Ps4 exclusives - best graphics and best exclusives.

Pc multis - best graphics, no AAA exclusives, most great games also come on Consoles, on PC you can't play Uncharted, God of War, Halo, Forza and usually some of the best games that will come this gen etc...

Xbox One - best online shooters that you won't be able to play anywhere else.

So my opinion :

Want F2P/cheap games? Pc

Want amazing exclusives and all the best games always available on day 1? Console
 
IMO, it's the smallest difference in years.

As pointed out, console to PC is more or less the same game but with cosmetic changes to assets and image quality. In some cases, PC actually looks worse (and don't kill me. I'm not saying PC is weaker. But there have been some ports this gen where PC games do ship without the "next gen" effects of a PS4/XBO game).

That said, this gen feels like no platform really looks "bad" or "unplayable". PS1 vs N64 was an example of games that almost played completely different from each other. Today, everyone plays identical games but at slightly different levels.
 
AmyS said:
I do understand that, though I didn't indicate that in my post. I know almost every game has to be built with console in mind because devs/pubs wouldn't be able to afford it. And I know consoles certainly hold PC back. But I was also thinking, maybe in the next few years another game like Crysis will come along (well maybe not) that pushes PC like in 2007/2008. Unlikely I know.




True.
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I don't think you'll see many (if any) games leading on the PC to such an extent that the engine technology pushes high end PCs so much that they cannot be simply ported to consoles. So no Crysis.

I do think that there is still more to get from the consoles, and as they push to get more out of their fixed targets, that may help to give PC at least a decent base from which to do the usual 'increase resolution/framerate/effects'.
 
Excluding ports quality consideration :

1) Perfs are much better unless you're running on low-profile/older/cheappy gaming spec on PC

2) Aeshetic is somewhat on par, as they are primarily designed for consoles (and it's the main point that would make it look "the same")

3) Image quality is potentially much greater on PC, but it also depends on specs/settings/display
 
viHuGi said:
Ps4 exclusives - best graphics and best exclusives.

Pc multis - best graphics, no AAA exclusives, most great games also come on Consoles, on PC you can't play Uncharted, God of War, Halo, Forza and usually some of the best games that will come this gen etc...
Click to expand...
I'm having deja vu over here.
 
Hektor said:
The slightly better resolution that you only see if you're a total pixelnerd isnt worth upgrading for 300$ every 2 years. Let alone the viruses and Drivers. And you'd be missing out on gamepad control and the comfy couch.

Look up some Digitalfoundry articles if you're unsure, but the difference is rather huge for the most part
Click to expand...

Umm....

PC's have supported HDMI input since as far back as 2007 and USB input has been a thing for ages. Hell in fact a significant majority of PC games released use the Xinput format was introduced since when the Xbox 360 first came out in 2005. Direct Input is even older than that and works with ANY plug-in USB gamepad

You never need to upgrade every two years for $300 either.

The only thing worse than misinformation is archaic misinformation.
 
Lol at the "small difference" crowd.

The same crowd that goes crazy about 900p vs 1080p, by the way.

High-end pc can give absurd performance and quality advantages.

Some games on consoles struggle to maintain 30fps at 1080p while they can run at 4k60fps (or near that) with ease on pc (see Alien).

And then there's options. Tons of options.

3D, VR, gsync/freesync, high refresh rates, 21:9, multi-screen setups, crazy peripherals, etc.
 
I find the difference quite visible and pronounced, it depends on the game and your specs of course.

1. Framerate
2. Resolution
3. Draw Distance

Those 3 things are the most visible differences in "recent" games I've noticed.

Now if you truly care about these differences is another question. If a game allows it you can even get more out of it by modding or ini editing etc. It can be a hassle doing this but the results are worth it.
 
Much better. 1440p and 60 with better AA and AF and higher texture quality could be had for $1000 range. And 1440p is very noticeable compared to 1080p and 900p.
 
viHuGi said:
Well I'm right so that's it.

Pc still great for competitive gaming.

Ps4 line up next year is insane and that speak for itself, also Xbox one has insane line up.

But if he likes pc I respect that, just don't expect to play those games there.
Click to expand...

image.php


martin3.png
 
Modding has always been my primary reason for picking PC over consoles.

Going to buy a PS4 for Persona 5 though. But that's because I'm a crazy person.
 
viHuGi said:
Ps4 exclusives - best graphics and best exclusives.

Pc multis - best graphics, no AAA exclusives, most great games also come on Consoles, on PC you can't play Uncharted, God of War, Halo, Forza and usually some of the best games that will come this gen etc...

Xbox One - best online shooters that you won't be able to play anywhere else.

So my opinion :

Want F2P/cheap games? Pc

Want amazing exclusives and all the best games always available on day 1? Console
Click to expand...

Atraveller said:
I'm having deja vu over here.
Click to expand...

PC exclusives just aren't "AAA" enough or the "best exclusives" - obviously they are all that matter

And "most great games also come on Consoles" - definitely not the other way around by a wide margin

Definite deja vu. Each to their own of course but it's ammusing to see the difference in content and audience thrown out to trivialise a discussion
 
viHuGi said:
Ps4 exclusives - best graphics and best exclusives.

Pc multis - best graphics, no AAA exclusives, most great games also come on Consoles, on PC you can't play Uncharted, God of War, Halo, Forza and usually some of the best games that will come this gen etc...

Xbox One - best online shooters that you won't be able to play anywhere else.

So my opinion :

Want F2P/cheap games? Pc

Want amazing exclusives and all the best games always available on day 1? Console
Click to expand...

PC exclusives - best graphics and best exclusives.

PS4 multis - NOT best graphics or performance, a few AAA exclusives, most great games also come to PC, on PS4 you can't play Total War, Path of Exile, Pillars of Eternity, Star Craft 2, Diablo 3 Seasons, Star Citizen, Xcom 2, Civilization, Unreal Tournament, Shadowrun, Torment Tides of Numeneria, Dota 2, CS GO (the ONLY version), Mount and Blade, etc etc (LIST WARZ!!!)

So my opinion :

Want overpriced, on rails, super linear and bland action adventure games? Console.

Want amazing exclusives and all the best games always available on day 1? PC.


(Aside: Yes, I'm proving a point. The actual difference is I don't believe the above. While the guy I quoted, actually does).
 
Atraveller said:
No you're not, and seeing ignorant comments like these really makes me sick.
Click to expand...

So please tell me about all those AAA exclusives to Pc next year and this one please. Refresh my memory.

Want me to tell Console only games next year? I won't even, pc elitist never change. I should state Gears of War 4 and Uncharted 4 and maybe Horizon and Quantum Break but thank God I will be playing those =)

Peace.
 
viHuGi said:
Well I'm right so that's it.
Click to expand...

Well if anyone uses reductionist statements towards a specific platform, their argument could be "right" just the same.

For example your claim of no AAA PC exclusives existing is patently false for one thing.

Edit: I see Kinthalis basically is doing the same thing you did, which proves my point (And his point too I suppose)
 
I've been surprised at how significant the differences have been this early in the generation, I didn't really expect it, even on lower end hardware, this early on. The difference in performance in many games so far this gen especially has been especially large, that's a big thing for me.
 
Mivey said:
Since the PS4 is a super-charged PC already and devs can code to the metal, which gives you like three times the performance from identical hardware for free, you should really be asking, how much worse games look on PC.
Click to expand...

Damn good stuff, sir.

About the PC thing. Yeah, the difference is massive. I started The Witcher 3 on PS4 and couldn't stand the framerates. Bought a GTX 970 and played the game at 1080p 60FPS high. Day and night difference. I can't go back to consoles except for the exclusives now.
 
viHuGi said:
So please tell me about all those AAA exclusives to Pc next year and this one please. Refresh my memory.

Want me to tell Console only games next year? I won't even, pc elitist never change. I should state Gears of War 4 and Uncharted 4 and maybe Horizon and Quantum Break but thank God I will be playing those =)

Peace.
Click to expand...

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

OmegaDL50 said:
Umm....

PC's have supported HDMI input since as far back as 2007 and USB input has been a thing for ages. Hell in fact a significant majority of PC games released use the Xinput format was introduced since when the Xbox 360 first came out in 2005. Direct Input is even older than that and works with ANY plug-in USB gamepad

You never need to upgrade every two years for $300 either.

The only thing worse than misinformation is archaic misinformation.
Click to expand...

Like someone else already pointed out, i have been joking. Sorry. :)
 
the performance/frame rate difference is huge. games that struggle for a locked 30 on ps4 and i can get a locked 60 on my pc

otherwise, they're still the same games - they just run better
 
viHuGi said:
So please tell me about all those AAA exclusives to Pc next year and this one please. Refresh my memory.

Want me to tell Console only games next year? I won't even, pc elitist never change. I should state Gears of War 4 and Uncharted 4 and maybe Horizon and Quantum Break but thank God I will be playing those =)

Peace.
Click to expand...
Goddamn junior post. Seems like I'm on IGN forum.
I'm out of this thread.
 
viHuGi said:
So please tell me about all those AAA exclusives to Pc next year and this one please. Refresh my memory.

Want me to tell Console only games next year? I won't even, pc elitist never change. I should state Gears of War 4 and Uncharted 4 and maybe Horizon and Quantum Break but thank God I will be playing those =)

Peace.
Click to expand...

Zoned said:
Goddamn junior post. Seems like I'm on IGN forum.
I'm out of this thread.
Click to expand...
It's like we traveled back in time.
 
Depends on PC. I disagree that it depends on the game as others have said, as almost every PC game ever will have resolution options. If you have a powerful enough PC, you can downsample games. The IQ alone is a HUGE difference, nevermind any framerate boosts you might see.
 
I'm due for a new gaming PC but I feel like I should wait a little while for 4k gaming, DDR4, windows 10 and DX12 to be more prevalent.

I'm also debating if I should do a gaming laptop with a graphics extender thing, so I can take it to my tv and play pc games easily. (A desktop would not be close to my tv)

I've also never used a pc for gaming on a tv, not sure how well it works with a PS4 or XB1 controller wirelessly.
 
Biggest difference for me was FPS and it's been significant enough that as of a year ago, after 20 years of console only, I'm now a PC-first gamer.
 
Tbh, I just like the choice of playing games however I want on PC. I can make sure I get 120 fps in competitive shooters and lock fps to 30 to max out eye candy in games if I choose. Also doesn't hurt to have access to all last-gen ports without having to dish out $30 or more for remasters. Dead Space looks pretty nice at 3200 x 1800 on a $120 GPU. I do sometimes miss playing games from my bed and not worrying about anything but the game, but hopefully the Steam controller alleviates that to some extent.

viHuGi said:
So please tell me about all those AAA exclusives to Pc next year and this one please. Refresh my memory.

Want me to tell Console only games next year? I won't even, pc elitist never change. I should state Gears of War 4 and Uncharted 4 and maybe Horizon and Quantum Break but thank God I will be playing those =)

Peace.
Click to expand...

Are you "cool mood" on Youtube? Same picture, same attitude.
 
Hektor said:
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL
Click to expand...

Please have some games to show, that comment doesn't do anything to this topic.

Ps4 - Uc4, Horizon, Persona V, Yakuza, GR2, Last Guardian, Gran Turismo 7, Ratchet and Clank, Quantic Dream new game, Uncharted Collection.

Xbox One - Gears of War 4, Scalebound, Quantum Break, Recore, Inside, Forza 6, Halo 5 and Tomb Raider.

Just facts, Consoles line up is outstanding.

My opinion is that Console is way better and too bad some people can't handle that and get mad.

You have to respect people opinions like I respect pc gamers although I would never game on pc apart from CS and that's it.
 
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