Extensive Console VS PC Price to Performance Analysis

[PCPartPickerPro9171787]

This analysis aims at strictly looking at cost of a gaming devise over a generation vs estimated performance. It dose not take into account other advantage or disadvantages of consoles, desktop pc, and laptop pcs. Also, this analysis was not aim at 0% error but rather clean ballpark figures. It's fine if you point out were you think I significantly overestimate or underestimated something, but I was never shooting for 0% error so I'm not intersected in nit-picking

 

Initial Buy In Cost (Desktop PCs include Keyboard and Mouse)         

Devise	Cost	Link
Next Gen Console	$300
Low Range PC	$410	https://pcpartpicker.com/list/hXTDKZ
Mid Range PC	$550	https://pcpartpicker.com/list/B4C9BP
Mid Range PC (Embellished)	$710	https://pcpartpicker.com/list/P29vYr
Inspiron 15 7559 Gaming	$800	http://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/productdetails/inspiron-15-7559-laptop
Acer Aspire E5-573G	$510	https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B012IBOCRU/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B012IBOCRU&linkCode=as2&tag=youtube0b80-20&linkId=N2QSF5I75HNNYMFI

 

Console games typically run demanding games at low/medium setting. PC benchmarks, on the other hand, typically run at max setting. In order to to compare apples to apples, I need to establish conversion ratios between detail settings. Conversation ratios are based on console settings. 

 

Conversion Ratios 

Game	Settings	FPS	Console Multiplier	Link
GTA 5	Normal	167	0.71257485	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmgXs7kTUFU
	High*	119	1
	Very High	98	1.214285714
	Ultra	75	1.586666667
Far Cry 4	Low*	60	1	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLU60P1S0pk
	Medium	50	1.2
	High	40	1.5
	Ultra	33	1.818181818
Determining Far Cry 4's Graphic Settings by cross referencing GTA 5
GTA 5	Ultra	65	0.769230769	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puQ8uCyLui0
Far Cry 4	Ultra	50
Battlefield 1	Low*	200	1	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=po36nhjufXU
	Medium	146	1.369863014
	Ultra	102	1.960784314

 

 

Console Ration is based on Performance compared to a console. For instance, if all other variables were equal and PC x ran a game at 60 fps and Console ran a game at 30 fps, then PC x would have a FPS multiple of 2 and therefor run at twice the speed as a console.

 

To Console Conversons (Detail Settings Multipler come from converson ratios)

Game	Devise	Display Size	Detail Settings	FPS	Display Size Multiplier	Detail Settings Multiplier	FPS Multipler	Console Rato	Link
GTA 5	Console	1080p	High	30	1	1	1	1	https://www.reddit.com/r/GrandTheftAutoV_PC/comments/3c9g6v/gtav_xbox_one_and_ps4_settings/
	Low Range PC	1080p	High	75	1	1	2.5	2.5	http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/hardware-canucks-reviews/73652-nvidia-gtx-1050-ti-gtx-1050-review-5.html
	Mid Range PC	1080p	High	102	1	1	3.4	3.4	http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/hardware-canucks-reviews/73652-nvidia-gtx-1050-ti-gtx-1050-review-5.html
	Mid Range PC (Embellished)	1080p	High	102	1	1	3.4	3.4	http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/hardware-canucks-reviews/73652-nvidia-gtx-1050-ti-gtx-1050-review-5.html
	Inspiron 15 7559 Gaming	1080p	High	60	1	1	2	2	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrE0OunQ-U4
	Acer Aspire E5-573G	1366*768	Very High	25	0.51	1.214285714	0.833333333	0.516071429	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pk7t5W0tNz4
Far Cry 4	Console	1080p	Low	30	1	1	1	1	http://www.ign.com/wikis/xbox-one/PS4_vs._Xbox_One_Native_Resolutions_and_Framerates
	Low Range PC	1080p	Very High	53	1	1.5	1.766666667	2.65	http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/hardware-canucks-reviews/73652-nvidia-gtx-1050-ti-gtx-1050-review-5.html
	Mid Range PC	1080p	Very High	97	1	1.5	3.233333333	4.85	http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/hardware-canucks-reviews/73652-nvidia-gtx-1050-ti-gtx-1050-review-5.html
	Mid Range PC (Embellished)	1080p	Very High	97	1	1.5	3.233333333	4.85	http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/hardware-canucks-reviews/73652-nvidia-gtx-1050-ti-gtx-1050-review-5.html
	Inspiron 15 7559 Gaming	1080p	Low	55	1	1	1.833333333	1.833333333	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPfaUDqjjIY&t=11s
	Acer Aspire E5-573G	1366*768	Low	35	0.51	1	1.166666667	0.595	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCBTiZoOVmA
Battlefeild 1	Console	1080p	Low	40	1	1	1	1
	Low Range PC	1080p	Ultra	46	1	1.96	1.15	2.254	http://www.gamersnexus.net/hwreviews/2658-gtx-1050-ti-and-1050-review-benchmarks-vs-460-more/page-4
	Mid Range PC	1080p	Ultra	95	1	1.96	2.375	4.655	http://www.gamersnexus.net/hwreviews/2658-gtx-1050-ti-and-1050-review-benchmarks-vs-460-more/page-4
	Mid Range PC (Embellished)	1080p	Ultra	95	1	1.96	2.375	4.655	http://www.gamersnexus.net/hwreviews/2658-gtx-1050-ti-and-1050-review-benchmarks-vs-460-more/page-4
	Inspiron 15 7559 Gaming	1080p	Medium	33	1	1.37	0.825	1.13025	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHQGIpJ3DzE
	Acer Aspire E5-573G	1200*720	Low	40	0.44	1	1	0.44	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URwtKy7CKZM

 

Average Console Perfomace Ratio

Devise	Average Console Perfomace Ratio
Console	1
Low Range PC	2.468
Mid Range PC	4.301666667
Mid Range PC (Embellished)	4.301666667
Inspiron 15 7559 Gaming	1.654527778
Acer Aspire E5-573G	0.51702381

 

Video game cost is typical the most expensive part of Video gaming. Hence I need to figure out a ratio between the cost of PC games and next gen console games. I used G2A for PC and Gamestop used games for console as they typically will be your best bet on best price.

 

Video Game Prices Analysis

Game	G2A Price	Gamestop Price	To Console Price	Links
GTA 5	$22	$55	0.4	https://www.g2a.com/grand-theft-auto-v-cd-key-global.html
				http://www.gamestop.com/xbox-one/games/grand-theft-auto-v/115457
GTA 4	$15	$35	0.428571429	https://www.g2a.com/grand-theft-auto-episodes-from-liberty-city-steam-cd-key-eu-na.html
				https://www.g2a.com/grand-theft-auto-iv-steam-cd-key-global.html
				http://www.gamestop.com/games/grand-theft-auto-iv-complete/84462
Far Cry 4	$11	$20	0.55	https://www.g2a.com/far-cry-4-steam-cd-key-global.html
				http://www.gamestop.com/browse?nav=16k-3-Far+cry+4,28zu0
Battlefield 1	$38	$40	0.95	https://www.g2a.com/battlefield-1-origin-cd-key-preorder-global.html
				https://www.g2a.com/battlefield-1-xbox-one-cd-key-global.html
Fallout 4	$17	$30	0.566666667	https://www.g2a.com/fallout-4-steam-cd-key-preorder-global.html
				http://www.gamestop.com/xbox-one/games/fallout-4/122222
Fallout 3 Game of the Year	$7	$20	0.35	https://www.g2a.com/fallout-3-game-of-the-year-edition-steam-cd-key-global.html
				http://www.gamestop.com/pc/games/fallout-3-game-of-the-year/75001
Left 4 Dead 2	$7	$25	0.28	https://www.g2a.com/left-4-dead-2-steam-cd-key-global.html
				http://www.gamestop.com/games/left-4-dead-2/75064
BioShock Infinite	$8	$15	0.533333333	https://www.g2a.com/bioshock-infinite-global.html
				http://www.gamestop.com/games/bioshock-infinite/84469
Bioshock 2	$4	$10	0.4	https://www.g2a.com/bioshock-2-steam-cd-key-global.html
				http://www.gamestop.com/games/bioshock-2/73955
Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare	$40	$60		https://www.g2a.com/call-of-duty-infinite-warfare-steam-cd-key-us-ca.html
				http://www.gamestop.com/xbox-one/games/call-of-duty-infinite-warfare/130466
Call of Duty: Ghosts	$7	$15	0.466666667	https://www.g2a.com/call-of-duty-ghosts-steam-cd-key-global.html
				http://www.gamestop.com/xbox-one/games/call-of-duty-ghosts/109967
The Walking Dead: A New Frontier	$21	$25	0.84	https://www.g2a.com/the-walking-dead-a-new-frontier-steam-cd-key-prepurchase-global.html
				http://www.gamestop.com/xbox-one/games/the-walking-dead-the-telltale-series-a-new-frontier/133771
The Walking Dead: Season Two	$9	$20	0.45	https://www.g2a.com/the-walking-dead-season-two-steam-cd-key-global.html
				http://www.gamestop.com/xbox-one/games/the-walking-dead-season-2/115661
FIFA 17	$34	$38	0.894736842	https://www.g2a.com/fifa-17-origin-cd-key-global.html
				http://www.gamestop.com/xbox-one/games/fifa-17/130203
NBA 2K16	$8	$15	0.533333333	https://www.g2a.com/nba-2k16-steam-cd-key-global.html
				http://www.gamestop.com/xbox-one/games/nba-2k16/125404
Need for Speed	$16	$25	0.64	https://www.g2a.com/need-for-speed-origin-cd-key-preorder-global.html
				http://www.gamestop.com/xbox-one/games/need-for-speed/121881
Project CARS Game Of The Year Edition	$20	$25	0.8	https://www.g2a.com/project-cars-goty-steam-cd-key-global-1.html
				http://www.gamestop.com/xbox-one/games/project-cars-game-of-the-year-edition-only-at-gamestop/134247
DiRT Rally	$17	$28	0.607142857	https://www.g2a.com/dirt-rally-early-access-steam-cd-key-global.html
				http://www.gamestop.com/xbox-one/games/dirt-rally/128428
F1 2016	$21	$35	0.6	https://www.g2a.com/f1-2016-steam-cd-key-global.html
				http://www.gamestop.com/xbox-one/games/formula-1-2016/131037
Average To Console Price			0.541602691

 

Next I calculated the cost of video games over a generation

 

Variable cost

Amount Spend on Games a Month	Yearly Cost	6 Years Cost	Console to PC Ratio	Console to PC Price
$10	$120	$720	0.54	$388.80
$20	$240	$1,440	0.54	$777.60
$30	$360	$2,160	0.54	$1,166.40

 

 

Finally we get to the lifetime costs analysis

 

Lifetime Costs Analysis

Devise	Initial Cost	Amount Spend on Games a Month	Variable Costs Lifetime	Total Cost	Average Console Performance Ratio
Console	$300	$10	$720	$1,020	1
		$20	$1,440	$1,740
		$30	$2,160	$2,460
Low Range PC	$410	$10	$388.80	$799	2.47
		$20	$777.60	$1,188
		$30	$1,166.40	$1,576
Mid Range PC	$550	$10	$388.80	$939	4.3
		$20	$777.60	$1,328
		$30	$1,166.40	$1,716
Mid Range PC (Embellished)	$710	$10	$388.80	$1,099	4.3
		$20	$777.60	$1,488
		$30	$1,166.40	$1,876
Inspiron 15 7559 Gaming	$800	$10	$388.80	$1,189	1.65
		$20	$777.60	$1,578
		$30	$1,166.40	$1,966
Acer Aspire E5-573G	$510	$10	$388.80	$899	0.52
		$20	$777.60	$1,288
		$30	$1,166.40	$1,676

 

 

 

 

 

I think the results speak for themselves. I plan on making a flowchart from this data of how to choose your video game devise getting a Mid Level ($550) PC had a cheap laptop vs just getting the Inspiron 15 7559 Gaming ($800) for instance. Let me know what you think of the analysis or how I can construct my flow chart. 

[Enderman]

Holy crap.

[Guest]

Why G2a? Gamestop is more legit than G2 afaik

[PCPartPickerPro9171787]

3 minutes ago, Enderman said:

Holy crap.

This took like 14 hrs to do

[Adreyu]

You made very clear concise points that made a lot of sense here, the only thing I would change is I would have used steam. 
As I think more users on average are steam users realistically. 

[Mooshi]

1 minute ago, deXxterlab97 said:

Why G2a? Gamestop is more legit than G2 afaik

QFT

 

G2A is a scummy plague full of stolen keys. Not even Gamestop is that evil. 

[PCPartPickerPro9171787]

1 minute ago, deXxterlab97 said:

Why G2a? Gamestop is more legit than G2 afaik

I have bought like 2 dozen games without issue.

[PeachyUwUSenpai]

1 minute ago, Mooshi said:

QFT

 

G2A is a scummy plague full of stolen keys. Not even Gamestop is that evil. 

yeah but its the lowest price a pc gamer could get

 

[Mooshi]

1 minute ago, Alaradia said:

yeah but its the lowest price a pc gamer could get

 

I'd rather spend a little more for keys that aren't stolen, actually work and support the dev tbh

[PCPartPickerPro9171787]

1 minute ago, Mooshi said:

QFT

 

G2A is a scummy plague full of stolen keys. Not even Gamestop is that evil. 

I have heard that they have issues with that from time to time. I far as I know, they don't generally have a problem with it.  

[Dingus]

Am I the only one having difficulty reading most of this in night theme?

 

[PeachyUwUSenpai]

Just now, Mooshi said:

I'd rathet spend a little more for keys that aren't stolen, actually work and support the dev tbh

a lot of devs work with g2a and most g2a keys are not stolen and simply bought during a sale

[PeachyUwUSenpai]

Just now, Dingus said:

Am I the only one having difficulty reading most of this in night theme?

 

you just have to highlight it

[PCPartPickerPro9171787]

Just now, Mooshi said:

I'd rather spend a little more for keys that aren't stolen, actually work and support the dev tbh

If you could give me a ratio of stolen to not stolen keys, that would be great.

[Princess Luna]

I would appreciate if the formatting was fixed for night theme users

[PCPartPickerPro9171787]

1 minute ago, Princess Cadence said:

I would appreciate if the formatting was fixed for night theme users

If I knew how to do that, I would.

[Princess Luna]

Just now, PCPartPickerPro9171787 said:

If I knew how to do that, I would.

It is funny that you put over 14 hours of effort on this but won't add 10 minutes to figure out how to change the fonts colour in order to please half the audience you expected to check on your work.

[PCPartPickerPro9171787]

1 minute ago, Princess Cadence said:

It is funny that you put over 14 hours of effort on this but won't add 10 minutes to figure out how to change the fonts colour in order to please half the audience you expected to check on your work.

-Was going to fix it 

-got snide remark

-not going to fix it.

[Mooshi]

Just gonna say, when you get sold a bum key, spent extra on sheild and had a refund take over half a year, you tend to not like said company. 

[Flavio hc 16]

great work man, i would also prefer steam prices rather than g2a, but that shows how much you save in the long run going to the pc route. 

It would be very nice to have also a graph on discounts : sales discount vs discounts that you find on consoles store ( and at that point the lead would be even more ridicoulous)

[Zodiark1593]

9 hours ago, Princess Cadence said:

It is funny that you put over 14 hours of effort on this but won't add 10 minutes to figure out how to change the fonts colour in order to please half the audience you expected to check on your work.

Way to go. Now OP won't fix. Dum Dum.

[PCPartPickerPro9171787]

3 hours ago, Flavio hc 16 said:

great work man, i would also prefer steam prices rather than g2a, but that shows how much you save in the long run going to the pc route. 

It would be very nice to have also a graph on discounts : sales discount vs discounts that you find on consoles store ( and at that point the lead would be even more ridicoulous)

Well I was just looking at the big picture. Generally, Gamestop used games is going to be the best prices for console and GTA is going to reflect the steam sales on a games and be the best prices for pc. So I though it was roughly an apples to apples comparison assuming your a intelligent consumer on either platform (which is what I was interested in).  

[keenhydra]

Nice research man, got to admit.

 

But honestly I still get why people prefer the consoles over a PC. It just has a living room setup for most people. It's plug and play in a living room so you and your buddies can go from watching a TV show to shooting pixels easy. Like it used to be with the kids that had a SNES or PlayStation 1 when I grew up. 

 

I'm not here to advocate console gaming as better or anything, I just wouldn't dismiss it at worse or less than a PC just because of the performance.

 

10 bucks on me getting some hate comment in an hour :D,

[divito]

Hard to read on dark theme; will check back later.

[JoeCoke]

Very nice work! Your profile pic is also amazing, so you get a thumbs up from me.

 

Only issue was I had to switch to the day theme to read it, but oh well.