Console vs gaming PC: Which one should you buy?

The console wars began anew in late 2020 with the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. We’ve written our reviews, but there’s more to the console wars than that. Now, we’ve decided to pit the next-gen consoles against their ever-present rival. No, not the Nintendo Switch, we’re talking about the venerable PC.

The hardware and even the design of Sony and Microsoft’s newest consoles have become more and more PC-like than ever before. It begs the question: should you splash your cash on one of the new consoles, or is buying a gaming PC  the smarter decision?

We thought it best to present arguments from each side of the PC and console divide for such a heated topic. In one corner, we have the MOBA-loving, PC-building enthusiast Suzana. In the other, there’s Ollie — a career console apologist who would take a gamepad over WASD any day of the week.

Console vs PC: Track down the PS5 and Xbox Series X or buy a gaming PC?

Why you should buy a gaming PC

The first hurdle most aspiring PC gamers have to overcome is a mental one. Building a PC is not the easiest job in the world. If you’re a lifelong console player, it may seem extra daunting to move away from the plug-and-play format.

Don’t be afraid, though! Building your gaming PC is far from something only techies can accomplish. We have already seen plenty of celebrities with no prior experience get the job done, and you can do the same. There are plenty of online resources, including websites that compare part prices and those with example builds you can easily follow.

Of course, you don’t even have to make a custom rig if you think it’s too much of a hassle. There are plenty of affordable prebuilt gaming PCs and even gaming laptops that can fit your needs.

That said — in my opinion — building a PC is a project worth undertaking. After all, how often do you get to choose every single part that goes into a piece of tech you own? This is the beauty of creating a custom build compared to buying a single-configuration games console. It can be as powerful or as modest as you’d like. You don’t have to spend over $1,000 on the latest AMD or Nvidia graphics card if you primarily play indie games with pixel graphics. On the other hand, if you want to create an RGB lighthouse that attracts swarms of moths, that’s absolutely something you can do.

Monitors give you a lot more freedom than you get when hooking a console up to a TV. Curved, flat, big, or small, you can choose between types of panels, refresh rates, and more. For those that enjoy highly competitive games like MOBAs and FPS titles, a 144Hz refresh rate monitor will boost your performance more than any next-gen console attached to an old flat screen.

I can already hear some of you asking, “but what about the price?” Yes, a decent gaming rig will usually cost more than a console. However, the PS5 and Xbox Series X are the most expensive consoles so far. In fact, the standard PS5 touches the $500 barrier. It’s also worth noting that a desktop PC can be repaired and upgraded much more easily, meaning it could cost you less in the long run. Not to mention all the other things you can use a powerful PC for, such as video editing, programming, and more.

Instead of having to upgrade to the inevitable PS5 Pro in five years to get the very best console hardware, with a PC, you can just swap out your graphics card or even your CPU and motherboard if you’re fixing up a really old rig. A top-tier gaming PC will always be more powerful than any games console, and that’s just a fact.

My other favorite aspect of PC gaming vs console gaming is the choice of peripherals. I can play FPS games with a mouse and keyboard, but if I want to use a controller for Dark Souls or fighting games, I have plenty of choices. Aside from Microsoft’s Xbox and third-party PC-compatible controllers, I can even use the Nintendo Switch Pro controller or one of Sony’s DualShock 4 controllers because they’re both compatible with plenty of Steam games.

Hardware freedom of choice is far from the only thing PC gaming has going for it. In fact, when it comes to games, you will find more variety on a PC than on any console. Competitive free-to-play MOBAs, countless battle royale shooters, MMORPGs, obscure indies, and shiny Triple-A games alike call online game stores their home. Better yet, there are no extra monthly fees for online play — unless it’s a subscription-based game — and sales are frequent. I have to concede that consoles have an advantage with some exclusives, but that is becoming rarer as time goes on. Even famous console franchises like Final Fantasy can now be found on Steam.

PC gamers aren’t confined to one game storefront either. You can shop around for the best deal on Steam, the Epic Games store, Origin, Uplay, or get DRM-free games from stores like GOG, Humble Bundle, and Itch.io. The latter specifically is a treasure trove of hidden indie gems that you will rarely find anywhere else.

Backward compatibility is not an issue either, as emulating opens the door to retro games in sky-high definition without the need for remasters or remakes. Modding can also change your experience completely. You only have to look at games like Skyrim to see how much a community can transform a game. Without modding, we wouldn’t have games like Counter-Strike or DayZ either.

It’s hard to deny how open and accessible the PC ecosystem is. It’s a long-term investment into your gaming hobby and one that’s bound to outlive the hype of the next-gen consoles. — SD 

Why you should buy the PS5 or Xbox Series X

The problem with arguing for a dedicated gaming machine in the console vs PC debate is that a PC does far more than just play games. For example, you can’t build and run an entire home business from it or research and study for a university essay.

This throws any potential argument about cost-effectiveness out of the window. Even if it was cheaper in the long run to buy a new console every five or so years — which isn’t the case if you’re a savvy shopper — a PC is a far more versatile machine than a games console.

Nevertheless, consoles do have some advantages over PC. Let’s start with the obvious one — the games.

Incredible initiatives like Game Pass and Play Anywhere mean that all of the genuinely great exclusive Xbox One games can be played on a Windows machine. Likewise, Sony has committed to bringing more fun to PC. We’ve already seen this with Horizon Zero Dawn and the otherwise PS4-exclusive Death Stranding.

However, there are plenty of great PS5 games you just can’t play on PC. From just the current console generation, a PC-exclusive player would miss out on incredible PlayStation 4 games like The Last of Us Part 2, Bloodborne, Shadow of the Colossus, The Last Guardian, and many more.

PC has its fair share of exclusives too, but if Triple-A blockbuster adventures are your thing, you’re going to miss out on some of the best if you don’t buy a PS5.

Speaking of PS5, Sony’s two models give buyers the option to go fully digital or take the more traditional disc-based route. Microsoft also follows this model with the Xbox Series S to go alongside the Series X. Do you know what doesn’t typically have an option for physical copies of games these days? Yep, PCs.

There are very rare exceptions, but almost all PC games come from digital stores. This means you never really own anything you buy digitally unless you hunt out a DRM-free version. With physical copies, you can trade it in once you’re done to get some money off your next purchase. You’ll also be able to loan it to a friend — as long as Microsoft doesn’t try to pull a fast one again.

Do you know what else you’ll be able to do with friends on a PS5 or Xbox Series X that isn’t anywhere near as workable on a PC? Local co-op!

There are technically more games you can play couch co-op on PC compared to consoles, but who wants to sit huddled around a desktop to smash faces in Streets of Rage 4? Gaming with friends in person is easier and more comfortable while sitting on a comfy couch with a big TV in front of you. In fact, all gaming is more comfortable that way. Plus, you don’t have to shell out for an expensive gaming chair to complete your setup.

Let’s not forget another important factor — pricing. The entry point for a gaming PC is generally higher than that for a console. These $500 boxes are easier to justify for the average person than spending between $300 to $1,500 on the GPU alone for a PC, and that’s assuming you can grab one at MSRP. There are a ton of factors here, including the fact that console games generally cost more money, and PCs have a higher ceiling with performance. However, the lower barrier to entry makes for a solid case for consoles, especially the current generation ones.

This brings me to the ultimate reason I’ve never fully entered the waters of PC gaming — simplicity.

Games consoles may be pseudo-media centers too, but their primary purpose is still booting up a game and getting straight into the action. While it’s far from the plug-and-play experience of yesteryear, consoles require almost zero effort. You buy a game, you play the game.

With a PC, there are a ton of things to consider before you even hit play. Which launcher is the game on? Does your PC meet the minimum requirements? Which graphics optimizations are necessary? Do you need to update your GPU drivers before playing? Do you actually need to upgrade your core hardware to get a decent experience?

The PS5 and Xbox Series X are closer to decent gaming PCs in terms of raw hardware and architecture than any previous console generation. While that may not last for long — or at all thanks to NVIDIA, apparently — I’d much prefer to live with slightly fewer pixels and marginally downgraded lighting effects for the simplicity that consoles offer. — OC 

Console vs PC: Have your say!

It’s pretty clear there are various pros and cons to buying a gaming console instead of a PC and vice-versa. Two of our writers have had their say, now we want to hear from you! Which should you buy: a brand new PS5 or Xbox Series X or a powerful gaming PC today? Cast your vote in the poll below.