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[tehrik-e-insaaf]

So this topic has been in my mind for the past few months. I've been meaning to bring it up, but knowing the controversy it would generate, I stayed away fearing that it would result in flames/insults on all sides.

However, with certain companies charging for DLC that is otherwise free on the PC (Mass Effect, TF2) and id Software's comments on how companies creating PC Hardware are silently accepting piracy as beneficial for their businesses, I thought it would be a good time to bring it up in an attempt to get people talking about a common myth: PC Gaming is too expensive.

Now seriously, let's think about this for a minute. What does it cost to acquire a top notch PC with an excellent graphics card and accompanying upgrades that will last you at least 5 years where you can achieve resolutions similar to what you achieve on consoles?

Maybe about 600 dollars (if we go for something high-end, but upgrade the video card after 2.5 years)? Hell let's say it's 900 with a solid 25 inch Samsung LCD

What are we paying for consoles with all of the additions? I think most of the users of the 360 paid 350+ or even more for the PS3, and then let's say we purchase a 30 inch LCD (since we have to sit further away) for 500. Same price then, 900 dollars. Let's assume we are talking about a single-console gamer.

Well, there isn't much of a difference in price you could say. For the sake of argument let's say the PC ends up being a bit more expensive with more frequent upgrades.

Now if that is all we had to look at, then I guess one could easily believe the PC is more expensive. However, consider the following:

1. Online Gaming is typically free on PC, so is all online content and downloadables (more or less) outside of MMORPG - what are you paying for this stuff on your console? What are you missing on the PC side (usermade maps, custom scenarios) meaning you are unable to maximize your gaming experience? On the flipside, some games are console-exclusive and other PC-exclusive, so content can vary

2. Games themselves tend to be 20 dollars cheaper (starting price of 39.99 vs 59.99 on consoles) on the PC (at least I tend to see that) - downloadable specials on Steam (BioShock for 15 dollars) and typical quick price drops for PC games makes PC gaming a great value IMHO versus console games that are laced with console royalties and retain high prices for a longer period of time

3. What is the cost of a failed console vs. a failed computer part? With a console you need to pay for replacement altogether (or expensive repair) vs. simply getting a new replacement part for your computer that is typically relatively cheap by the time it may end up failing...

4. What are you paying for all of your console additions, i.e. wireless adaptor, hard drive upgrades, HDMI cables, controller upgrades vs. your PC (remember we've factored video card upgrades already in the price) - new keyboard? new mouse? (I understand some of these things apply to the 360 more than the PS3, but still)

5. What are you guys gonna do to preserve the compatibility of your previous console games? For example If you purchased a PS3 without B/C for PS2, and your PS2 fails, will you have to purchase a new PS2 again in the future to keep playing? PC Gamers typically don't have to worry about these kinds of compatibility issues at least for several generations, and inevitably user-created hacks fix these issues if they occur later on

Anyways, I am a huge console fan and huge PC fan. These days I play my consoles WAY more than I play my PC, so before anyone comes after me with a pitch fork saying that I am part of the PC defense force, relax...

All I want to point out is that, price is definitely not an issue with PC Gaming, the real issue is probably complexity (building a computer, upgrading it, driver & compatibility issues, DRM issues, maintenance issues), but as I've pointed out, you end up paying a significant premium for that reduced complexity (along with inevitably weaker experience)

I can understand those people who enjoy the relative exclusive content each platform enjoys (360 vs PS3 vs PC)... For example the PC is not the place for JRPGs... However, for those of you who play primarily FPS and other mainstream games and don't play them on PC because of how "expensive" it is... Well it's a bit puzzling...

Just my 2 cents... Would love to hear what you guys have to say especially die-hard console gamers who have fiddled with the idea of getting a PC, and die-hard PC gamers that have not really ventured over to the console side of things too much...

 

[Propagandhim]

Perhaps we are all just myths in this sea of immense toll and umbrage. Perhaps.

 

[Grayman]

PCs were not always this inexpensive.

 

[Gbeav]

Call me old school but I did lots of pc gaming and upgrading and building back when it was simple. The old 440 bx stuff where you just needed to buy a new CPU or agp card or faster or more ram and off you go.

I like pc gaming but I have no urge to rebuild everything except a sound card and disk drive anymore.

Now I have a mac, a ps3 and 360 and don't need anything more.

Hate me if you want

 

[tehrik-e-insaaf]

PCs were not always this inexpensive.

No doubt... But PCs were actually more popular as gaming platforms when they WERE really expensive versus consoles.

Now consoles are bloody expensive and PCs are cheap relative to one another, yet more people prefer consoles because of the price?

 

[AlexM]

definitely a myth, but unfortunately I still feel inclined to spend a lot of money on a pc regardless (3k on a new system)

 

[zoku88]

definitely a myth, but unfortunately I still feel inclined to spend a lot of money on a pc regardless (3k on a new system)

I can't even think of how you would do that...

$2K is even hard for me to think of. what do you put in your pcs? Three blu-ray drives? :lol

 

[Grayman]

No doubt... But PCs were actually more popular as gaming platforms when they WERE really expensive versus consoles.

Now consoles are bloody expensive and PCs are cheap relative to one another, yet more people prefer consoles because of the price?

Yeah good point there about PCs being more popular when they cost two grand. Now that PC games aren't popular less people pay attention to the cost having gone down since their last computer cost a huge amount or they got a cheapo box that couldn't game because PC gaming cost so much last time they got one.

I still feel the PC price a little bit because if not for gaming a new PC wouldn't be needed and a new console usually offers more games I am interested in during a short time period.

 

[cryptic]

I can go to the store and buy a mid-range computer for 800 without monitor, I can't play Crysis on high.

I can go on to newegg and buy components for a high spec computer at about two-thirds the price of that one above.

Unfortunately, I am relatively unlearned in the inner-workings of a computer, like 90% of the world.

How will I put together those parts to build that computer off newegg without serious work, and without fear of it breaking immediately or some time after due to a small mistake?

 

[tehrik-e-insaaf]

I can't even think of how you would do that...

$2K is even hard for me to think of. what do you put in your pcs? Three blu-ray drives? :lol

3k is... crazy... he must have a liquid nitrogen CPU cooler, a designer case, a blu-ray reader, a blu-ray writer, tv tuner, a 2 terabyte RAID setup, an external HD, 30 inch hd display or some sort of an elite LED display, best video card money can buy, core 2 quad extreme, high-definition audio with the speakers to back it up, wireless high-end keyboard and mouse, and half a dozen for various cards (SD, CF, etc.)

 

[GenericPseudonym]

Because Best Buy/Circuit City/Generic Electronics Retailer computers have shit video cards unless you pay large premiums. Most people don't build PC's so they can't take advantage of most of the deals that make PC gaming inexpensive. I paid over a $1000 after tax for a laptop that has a NVidia 8400M GS, if I paid $100 less I wouldn't even have a card.

 

[Zoc]

Hmm... Actually, this is something I hadn't thought much about since this generation, but you're right. PC prices have plummeted and console prices have skyrocketed.

That said, I think at least the perception of expensive PC gaming persists because of the way you have to dial settings down as new games come out and your computer gets older. It creates the impression of being obsolete faster, and promotes an itch to dump money on upgrades. This is true even if your computer is already superior to any console.

 

[tehrik-e-insaaf]

I can go to the store and buy a mid-range computer for 800 without monitor, I can't play Crysis on high.

I can go on to newegg and buy components for a high spec computer at about two-thirds the price of that one above.

Unfortunately, I am relatively unlearned in the inner-workings of a computer, like 90% of the world.

How will I put together those parts to build that computer off newegg without serious work, and without fear of it breaking immediately or some time after due to a small mistake?

that's the point i made in my post... read the OP... it's a premium you pay for reduced complexity (console vs pc)...

even then, why are you comparing the most demanding game (crysis) to the majority of games that run just fine on a mid-range PC?

to your point though, i guess i can understand not knowing how to build a PC and wanting to take the easy way out... but come-on, it's not like we live in the 70s-80s, this stuff is super simple now...

Everything from getting a mother board, snapping in the CPU, snapping in the video card, etc... PC's were probably more complex back in the 90s...!

Now half the stuff comes integrated on the mother board! Sound card, ethernet, wireless, bluetooth, etc. The most you have to do is hook-up a hard drive, blu-ray, and video card... drop in the windows CD... you are good to go...

 

[bee]

typical uk prices

x360/ps3 game £40

pc game £18

buy 15-20 a year.....

 

[Tideas]

wow, there's a lot of PC-related threads these days.

Must be a lightning storm:lol

 

[itxaka]

Only trolls and idiots believe in this myth.

I even remember when a disk drive for the Amiga was worth almost 300€, THAT was expensive. Nowadays a good pc is 600€ +100€ for a nice 17"TFT in every store in Spain. If you build it yourself yo can get it for 400€ + monitor. And if you are hardcore you can get a ultra high end pc (latest cpu, SLI, 1Tb, 4Gb ram) for 900€ (That is my next one!)

 

[tehrik-e-insaaf]

Hmm... Actually, this is something I hadn't thought much about since this generation, but you're right. PC prices have plummeted and console prices have skyrocketed.

That said, I think at least the perception of expensive PC gaming persists because of the way you have to dial settings down as new games come out and your computer gets older. It creates the impression of being obsolete faster, and promotes an itch to dump money on upgrades. This is true even if your computer is already superior to any console.

I feel you on the second point... Every time a new PC game comes out, if you paid for a high-end PC, you expect to be able to play it perfectly without any problems at a solid 60 fps in an insane resolution... When you can't, you feel like it's obsolete

If people actually knew that consoles are rendering at a resolution that is nowhere near what your mid-range PC can typically achieve with the same frame rate, I'm sure they wouldn't feel the same way

 

[aznpxdd]

This thread will not get many replies.

 

[sprocket]

PCs are expensive. yes you can get a decent cpu video card combo for less than $500 but all these debates the pro pc side never adds in the cost of the OS , the dvd drives .. the hard drives. the keybaords , the mouse , the case, the power supply. Its always assumed everyone has something laying around to " UP GRADE WITH " .

 

[Ploid 3.0]

I'm sure a pc can be cheap as i got one for $500 a few years ago, and a laptop for around $500 this year.

What I don't like about them is maintenance, as well as other things. When antivirus run on my desktop to do a scan each morning, when I specifically told it not to, my pc comes to a crawl. Boot up time, and other things just annoy me on pc. I would browse the internet almost exclusively on ps3 if the browser was more up to par (I still use the ps3 browser a bit more). 1up show, game trailers, any kind of long tv show is watched on my ps3, and if the format don't work on it, I'll probably convert it.

My friends don't play games on PC so I can't really trade disks with them, or let them borrow mine. They play a lot of madden so I'd need to have the same format so I don't use the lack of a PC controller type as an excuse.

It's like I have just about every reason not to game on PC, it's just not compatible with me. I give them their props though. Those things can be amazing. I like treating my current computers crap, not updating software, closing scheduled virus scans, leaving them on, and not cleaning the files/registry/cookies/ whatever. I have 3, one is a 97, one is a 05 or so, and the laptop that I can't stand typing on is a 08. Backing up things seem like a nightmare. I also hear crashes are bad.

 

[Norml]

Retail Vista cost more then a good card

 

[Grayman]

I feel you on the second point... Every time a new PC game comes out, if you paid for a high-end PC, you expect to be able to play it perfectly without any problems at a solid 60 fps in an insane resolution... When you can't, you feel like it's obsolete

If people actually knew that consoles are rendering at a resolution that is nowhere near what your mid-range PC can typically achieve with the same frame rate, I'm sure they wouldn't feel the same way

If the performance isn't there it isn't there. TF2 on my PC runs at what is probably similar to ps3 and I uninstalled it because it was unplayable. Another example would be Quake 4 blows away anything on my PS2 but I cannot get a compatible racing experience to GT4 in GTR2.

 

[Evander]

Consoles may end up costing more over time, but PCs require a larger initial investment. It's easier to pay more money over time.

 

[Houston3000]

You're right, PC gaming isn't more expensive people just aren't smart enough to buy the right computer in the first place. I can't tell you how many idiots would buy a $1500 Gateway and then replace it with a whole new PC 2 or 3 years later.

You're even looking at the situation too deeply. A good gaming computer costs about $800 but it's obviously much more than a simple gaming machine like an Xbox. I mean, it's an entire computer and a much more capable and multipurpose machine. The initial cost is an investment but only a fraction of that cost goes toward the gaming components of that PC. A non-gaming computer costs $300 to begin with and no one can doubt that RAM and processor speed come in handy for things besides gaming.

I built my computer almost 2 years ago at this point and I am still maxing out every new game that comes out. The only upgrade I've made from my initial purchase of $600 is a $200 8800GT late last year (after selling my 7900GS for 80 bucks to a friend). So basically I've put $720 into my PC Gaming over the past 2 years and am still at the top of all the new games coming out. In two years time an Xbox owner would of put about $500 Into their console and Live alone not counting $10 extra on every new game purchase (PC games still aren't $60). I want to see an Xbox do even a tenth of what my PC does in terms of productivity.

I have a PS3 and a 360, I'm definitely not a console hater, I just understand the cost associated with my purchases. Everyone is going to own a computer anyways, having a gaming ready computer cost less than buying and maintaining any console save for maybe the Wii.

 

[dionysus]

New computer for browsing the internet, word processing, day to day tasks. $400

Gaming computer with future proofed CPU, RAM, etc. $800

Graphics card upgrade in 2.5 years. $180

Total cost of PC gaming for a consoles life cycle. 800-400+180=$580

10 games for a console = $55*10 = $550
10 games for a PC = $40*10 = $400

Total cost of playing PC games vs. console games. -$150 (saving money)

DL content for a console over 5 years. $5*10=$50
DL content for PC. $0*100=$0

Total cost of DL content for pc vs. console. -$50 (saving money)

Total cost of a console. $300
Total lifecycle cost of PC gaming vs. console gaming for the hardcore gamer.

580-300-150-50=$80

Qualitative characteristics.
+Can do all the things a PC can do.
+Larger indy community of developers.
+Many free-to-play games.
+PC games drop price faster.
+Free online.
+MMOs (bleh)
+Infinity backwards compatibility (with a few exceptions)
+PC gaming is even cheaper for computer savvy people. Reusing power supplies, cases, wireless card, etc. Only have to actually have to buy a new hard drive, cpu, RAM, and gpu.

-People may not buy new computers every 5-7 years like accounted for in this analysis.
-The couch (even though you can PC game on the couch too but whatever)
-No local multiplayer games.
-DRM
-Have to install new graphics cards.

 

[Spoit]

This thread will not get many replies.

hi5

 

[imek]

Retail Vista cost more then a good card

Who buy's retail operating systems when they're building a new computer?

(Hint, go OEM).

 

[zoku88]

Retail Vista cost more then a good card

You can get Home Premium DVD for $95 at Amazon....

 

[tehrik-e-insaaf]

PCs are expensive. yes you can get a decent cpu video card combo for less than $500 but all these debates the pro pc side never adds in the cost of the OS , the dvd drives .. the hard drives. the keybaords , the mouse , the case, the power supply. Its always assumed everyone has something laying around to " UP GRADE WITH " .

Dell has like 2 dozen deals a year that include all of the basics, upgrade your CPU and HD through them, buy an extra ram chip and an excellent video card

Doubt you would spend more than 500 dollars all said and done, and yes this includes the OS

I understand what you are saying... There are hidden costs of PCs as well, but seriously, aren't the hidden costs of consoles more annoying (i.e, no generic substitutable 360 hard drive without cracking it open)?

 

[cryptic]

I feel you on the second point... Every time a new PC game comes out, if you paid for a high-end PC, you expect to be able to play it perfectly without any problems at a solid 60 fps in an insane resolution... When you can't, you feel like it's obsolete

If people actually knew that consoles are rendering at a resolution that is nowhere near what your mid-range PC can typically achieve with the same frame rate, I'm sure they wouldn't feel the same way

This gimping scenario is why I mentioned Crysis, as I don't see many games other than those released by Blizzard not seeking to be at or around Crysis level in a year or so.

Also, my current PC, an HP, cost 800 last week and had the best graphics card out of all the mid-range PCs available, an 800 gt, and I still can't even play the original half-life 2 on anywhere near max (1280x1024) at 30 fps.

This fact makes me feel like shit, as I'm sure it does to many others, especially those with even more expensive PCs that have integrated graphics.

 

[aznpxdd]

PCs are expensive. yes you can get a decent cpu video card combo for less than $500 but all these debates the pro pc side never adds in the cost of the OS , the dvd drives .. the hard drives. the keybaords , the mouse , the case, the power supply. Its always assumed everyone has something laying around to " UP GRADE WITH " .

You have no idea what you are talking about.

E8400 ~ $180
HD4850 ~ $150

 

[tehrik-e-insaaf]

This thread will not get many replies.

Yeah my posts tend to have that effect on people in general... =/

What we need is a troll that hates console games and comes in guns ablazing insulting console owners... We're talking a 20 page thread very fast

 

[zoku88]

This gimping scenario is why I mentioned Crysis, as I don't see many games other than those released by Blizzard not seeking to be at or around Crysis level in a year or so.

Also, my current PC, an HP, cost 800 last week and had the best graphics card out of all the mid-range PCs available, an 800 gt, and I still can't even play the original half-life 2 on anywhere near max (1280x1024) at 30 fps.

This fact makes me feel like shit, as I'm sure it does to many others, especially those with even more expensive PCs that have integrated graphics.

Either you're lying (and its the 8800 GT) or your computer is a POS. My laptop (with a 8600M GT) can do better :-/

 

[Norml]

Who buy's retail operating systems when they're building a new computer?

(Hint, go OEM).

OEM is nice but only works on one motherboard.If it were to die I would be forced to find the same model and not be able to upgrade to a new.

 

[Esperado]

You have no idea what you are talking about.

E8400 ~ $180
HD4850 ~ $150

You can even get a Pentium Dual Core (E2180, E2200) and a 8800 gt for less than 200, which is more than "decent."

 

[tehrik-e-insaaf]

This gimping scenario is why I mentioned Crysis, as I don't see many games other than those released by Blizzard not seeking to be at or around Crysis level in a year or so.

Also, my current PC, an HP, cost 800 last week and had the best graphics card out of all the mid-range PCs available, an 800 gt, and I still can't even play the original half-life 2 on anywhere near max (1280x1024) at 30 fps.

This fact makes me feel like shit, as I'm sure it does to many others, especially those with even more expensive PCs that have integrated graphics.

ugh that sounds horrible.. why did you buy it from HP? can you return it? i'll give you a few links you can build a killer machine for that much

 

[Son of Godzilla]

PC gaming isn't expensive, it's time consuming. Case in point: Having to read all that text to dispel the notion that PC gaming is expensive.

 

[Stoney Mason]

Always the same arguments/discussions... sigh...


Yes. If you know what you are doing getting or building a cheap powerful PC that can outperform the PS3 or 360 isn't extremely difficult.

Most average people however don't know how to do this. When the average person says a PC is too expensive they are talking about the ones you go down to Best Buy and purchase and even then often times those machines won't be able to run something like Crysis like you would want.

Not to mention the oddities of getting certain games to run on a system properly. In addition since the tech is a moving target you eventually still may have to upgrade your system with more memory or a better videocard to run them properly unlike a 360 or a PS3 which is a one time investment where you know nearly all games are made specifically to run in the best optimized version as possible on that console (shitty ports aside)


So in a technical sense if you want to debate semantics then yes it is a complexity issue but for the average joe who isn't even thinking about building his own computer it is a price issue. Not sure why we spend so much time debating these issues.

 

[sprocket]

You have no idea what you are talking about.

E8400 ~ $180
HD4850 ~ $150

$320 is below $500. :/ compare that to a new 360 or ps3.

and again you might can dig up some web site that will sell a top of the line ati or nvidia card for $200 less. But I can walk into any best buy and buy a 360 or ps3 for one the price you guys are trying to reach.

 

[Wallach]

OEM is nice but only works on one motherboard.If it were to die I would be forced to find the same model and not be able to upgrade to a new.

I've never had a problem with it. If you call the number they provide and tell them your motherboard failed and had to be replaced they give you another key on the spot. They really couldn't give a shit so long as you actually purchased a copy originally.

 

[zoku88]

But the 8400 and the 4850 combo would probably perform better >.>

 

[Esperado]

Either you're lying (and its the 8800 GT) or your computer is a POS. My laptop (with a 8600M GT) can do better :-/

I have the 256mb version of the 8800 GT and I get near consistent 60 fps in Half Life 2 at 1920 x 1200. It's gotta be a 8400 or something.

 

[I AM JOHN!]

Last year I built a computer for $1200. It is an awesome computer and I love it. Had I not bought a brand new keyboard, mouse, and headset, I would have saved $200.

I don't remember what the point of this post is.

 

[Wallach]

$320 is below $500. :/ compare that to a new 360 or ps3.

and again you might can dig up some web site that will sell a top of the line ati or nvidia card for $200 less. But I can walk into any best buy and buy a 360 or ps3 for one the price you guys are trying to reach.

Sure, but you'd have nothing to play it on, which would be disappointing.

 

[dionysus]

$320 is below $500. :/ compare that to a new 360 or ps3.

and again you might can dig up some web site that will sell a top of the line ati or nvidia card for $200 less. But I can walk into any best buy and buy a 360 or ps3 for one the price you guys are trying to reach.

What most people overlook in the analysis is that anyone who owns a console ALSO owns a PC. So to actually compare the costs, you must discount the cost of the PC over the difference in years between a consoles lifespan vs. how often they upgrade it. If they buy a new PC once in a consoles lifespan (which is not unreasonable), then you need to compare the cost of a gaming rig vs. the cost of a non-gaming PC + the console.

 

[cryptic]

ugh that sounds horrible.. why did you buy it from HP? can you return it? i'll give you a few links you can build a killer machine for that much

I bought it from circuit city with the help of a $400 dollar gift card.

Anything with a decent graphics card cost upwards of 1200.

An interesting thing to note is that they only seem to sell a small selection of parts that would basically bring you to a final price equivalent to one of their pre-built PCs should you try to build your own through them.

I'm looking to just upgrade the graphics card but am unsure of how many fans I need.
Plus, school is looming and I have no idea what kind of power supply I need to run an ATI4850 or if one of those cards will even fit this Micro ATX board.

 

[tehrik-e-insaaf]

Always the same arguments/discussions... sigh...


Yes. If you know what you are doing getting or building a cheap powerful PC that can outperform the PS3 or 360 isn't extremely difficult.

Most average people however don't know how to do this. When the average person says a PC is too expensive they are talking about the ones you go down to Best Buy and purchase and even then often times those machines won't be able to run something like Crysis like you would want.

Not to mention the oddities of getting certain games to run on a system properly. In addition since the tech is a moving target you eventually still may have to upgrade your system with more memory or a better videocard to run them properly unlike a 360 or a PS3 which is a one time investment where you know nearly all games are made specifically to run in the best optimized version as possible on that console (shitty ports aside)


So in a technical sense if you want to debate semantics then yes it is a complexity issue but for the average joe who isn't even thinking about building his own computer it is a price issue. Not sure why we spend so much time debating these issues.

Your argument would make sense if the casual person who walks into Best Buy buying a PC is looking to get incredible performance out of their games in the first place...

I think those people are more likely to purchase a Wii instead of a 360 or PS3 anyways... But that's just my opinion...

If someone is really serious about buying a PC and want to play any kind of games on it, they will visit let's say HP or Dell's site and upgrade and get a pretty decent deal if they aren't wanting to build it entirely themselves...

 

[tehrik-e-insaaf]

I bought it from circuit city with the help of a $400 dollar gift card.

Anything with a decent graphics card cost upwards of 1200.

An interesting thing to note is that they only seem to sell a small selection of parts that would basically bring you to a final price equivalent to one of their pre-built PCs should you try to build your own through them.

That's tragic... I suggest you return the computer... Flip the gift card on eBay for a slight discount... Visit the "Let's build a new PC" thread... You will save tons of money and get a superior experience...

 

[fresquito]

I think the OP is right in the message, but not on the arguments given. You cannot say PC gaming is inexpensive cause you will invest 900 dollars on a platform that will last five years. I mean, that's a retarded argument. 900 dollars is a lot of money to invest in a platform.

I came in thinking the OP would talk about how nowadays you can get a PC for less than 300 dollars that let's you play games like Call of Duty 4, Crysis or Bioshock with medium/high settings and at a decent resolution.

When I last bought a PC it was around 2002, and I paid like 350€ and couldn't almost play any 3D game. Some years later I bought a 60€ graphics card and could play some games setting them really low.

Just mere weeks ago I spent 270€ in a new PC, and I'm able to play any game being released today with medium/high settings.

Sorry, but this is the true story on why PC gaming being expensive is a myth now, not because you can spend 900 dollars on a platform that will last you five years.

 

[tehrik-e-insaaf]

What most people overlook in the analysis is that anyone who owns a console ALSO owns a PC. So to actually compare the costs, you must discount the cost of the PC over the difference in years between a consoles lifespan vs. how often they upgrade it. If they buy a new PC once in a consoles lifespan (which is not unreasonable), then you need to compare the cost of a gaming rig vs. the cost of a non-gaming PC + the console.

I think with the laptop revolution, most people would have those two things as seperate anyways (Gaming PC + Laptop -- Console + Laptop) - but interesting variable in the analysis nevertheless