Amazon Cuts the Price of the PS3

[maxcue]

I bought my only console, a PS3, about a year ago, figuring I'd use it 90% for Blu-Ray movies, which I do. It has been a really nice piece of kit, with no problems (like the common RRoD on 360's), etc. It *is* about time Sony cut the price of it, though. Just wanted others to know it's been totally reliable.

 

[skalagon]

I doubt this is the full price cut. Instead Amazon are being very clever, cutting the price a little before the big cut to make people think that this is the full price cut and so all the people holding out buy the PS3 at a still inflated price and Amazon laugh all the way to the bank.

 

[Dave_69]

The only difference between an everyday computer and a gaming computer for the most part is just the graphics card.

Speak for yourself. My PC isn't just a Dell pre-build with a beefy GPU. I built the whole thing myself. A good gaming PC begins (and ends?) with a solid mobo. The mobo is never the selling point on "standard" PCs, and is usually one of the parts that pre-build companies like Dell never tell you is cheap crap (the selling points are usually the processor and hdd size). Gaming PCs also usually have a lot more RAM than your standard PCs. I also have 7 Scythe case fans, a 5.25" bay fan controller, a custom CPU fan, a 64 GB SSD for my OS, two 500 GB hdds in RAID_0 for all apps, a high-end headset, a 750W PSU, etc.

I would submit that if all you're doing to make a gaming PC is slapping a hotter GPU on a "standard" machine, you're missing out (or, you're not getting the full potential of your machine).

 

[99lawrence]

[citation][nom]NuclearShadow[/nom]Yeah the whole argument that a good PC for around the same price of the console can't be done is dead. PC hardware has not only advanced quite well these last few years but the prices are great as well. What's even better is the fact that we can buy dirt cheap blu-ray drives as well and just hook our PC to our TVs and enjoy the movies. Of course we are also not limited to just games or movies like the consoles. The cost of each console keeps increasing with every generation while PC hardware is getting cheaper and is still superior. Lets not forget when a new console comes out the old consoles cannot play the new games. PC's on the other hand can just on lower settings making it no rush to go out to play the games. Upgrading at your own convince and still being able to play the games beats being forced to buy a new console to play the new game at all.[/citation]

Where is the OS, looks and ease of use for the consumer? Plus gaming with no minimum specs and Sony 1st party exclusives? I like PCs, but people need to drop bashing the PS3 for value. That doesn't mean it wouldn't be nice to be cheaper though.

 

[njalterio]

[citation][nom]Dave_69[/nom]Speak for yourself. My PC isn't just a Dell pre-build with a beefy GPU. I built the whole thing myself. A good gaming PC begins (and ends?) with a solid mobo. The mobo is never the selling point on "standard" PCs, and is usually one of the parts that pre-build companies like Dell never tell you is cheap crap (the selling points are usually the processor and hdd size). Gaming PCs also usually have a lot more RAM than your standard PCs. I also have 7 Scythe case fans, a 5.25" bay fan controller, a custom CPU fan, a 64 GB SSD for my OS, two 500 GB hdds in RAID_0 for all apps, a high-end headset, a 750W PSU, etc.I would submit that if all you're doing to make a gaming PC is slapping a hotter GPU on a "standard" machine, you're missing out (or, you're not getting the full potential of your machine).[/citation]

I was speaking strictly in terms of performance. I build my own computers as well and definitely spend more then most when it comes to the motherboard. The motherboard does not directly affect performance in games. For purposes of making an ordinary PC with integrated graphics competitive with a PS3, I was suggesting all you really need to do is put in a graphics card and maybe a PSU.

 

[Dave_69]

The motherboard does not directly affect performance in games.

Uh... it doesn't? Hmm.... maybe I should send back my Gigabyte board for a piece of crap Shuttle or something and save myself some $$$... You know, since it doesn't really affect gaming or anything... Okay, enough sarcasm.

You might not agree, and that's fine, but for me, the mobo represents the spine of my whole machine. If the mobo is crap, it doesn't matter what I put on it. At least that's my experience.

 

[reichscythe]

[citation][nom]99lawrence[/nom]Where is the OS, looks and ease of use for the consumer? Plus gaming with no minimum specs and Sony 1st party exclusives?[/citation]

*shrugs* The PS3 OS is streamlined and simple because the PS3 is only designed to do 3 things (and one of those things, it does badly): Serve/Play Audio/Visual Media, Browse the Web, Play Games. Most PC gamers do a smegg-ton more than those simple functions on their PCs, naturally PC OSs are more complicated--they're FAR more versatile, and, I'd say, given the functionality and ability of PC OSs, they're plenty easy to get around... it doesn't take a PhD in Astro-Physics to understand a Windows/Linux GUI Desktop.

No Minimum specs? Of course not...with consoles, you have NO option for investment potential--as soon as the next generation of games comes out, you can't just pop in a new board, chip, or card and scale up to the newest feature set/support as you see fit, you have to BUY A WHOLE NEW CONSOLE...

Sony 1st party exclusives?? MEH.

Metal Gear Solid 4 - If I wanted to watch hours of amazing HD Cinematics between all-too-brief spurts of actual gameplay, I'd just dust off my Wing Commander IV DVD...at least I can INTERACT with the branching Wing Commander cinematics

inFAMOUS - A great game... done faster, better, and with more intensity, a month later as Prototype. Sure, inFAMOUS had greater "depth" than Prototype, but for depth, characterization and complex moral choices, I'll play a PC RPG (ANY of which have far superior moral mechanics than inFAMOUS's oft touted "Good/Evil" scheme)--not an action sandbox...

Uncharted - Nothing new to the table: Max Payne meets Tomb Raider... I'll wait for Max Payne 3...

Killzone 2- ANOTHER FPS? The arguments for Killzone 2 bein' a Killer App remind me of when the xbox kids first started screamin' about Halo... Again, brings nothing that hasn't been achieved somewhere across the VAST back catalog of over 4 gagillion PC FPSs that have been available since Catacombs 3D... Graphically? Sure, it's pretty, but so are FEAR 2 and Crysis running at HIGHER resolutions with MUCH better textures...

About the only PS3 exclusive that looks remotely interesting/innovative is Heavy Rain... and that one WAS bein' developed simultaneously for PC until SONY gobbled it up...

 

[rooket]

[citation][nom]Matt87_50[/nom]Actually the GPU is the LEAST impressive part of the PS3, and whats wrong with its I/O? Hdmi/hdmi audio, gigabit, wireless, support for 3rd party peripherals, eyetoy, bluray/DVD, media streaming...The only thing i can think your saying is that its only useful as a supercomputer, and in this regard, i'll think you'll find its a bargain.I don't think its overpriced, i think its just too expensive for a games console.[/citation]

It's only 1080p and no usb3 I guess. Although the former is something important to mention since a PS3 isn't really a very high end system any more mainly due to age and progress in the computer industry.

 

[Dave_69]

No Minimum specs? Of course not...with consoles, you have NO option for investment potential--as soon as the next generation of games comes out, you can't just pop in a new board, chip, or card and scale up to the newest feature set/support as you see fit, you have to BUY A WHOLE NEW CONSOLE...

And that, my friend, is why I don't go console.

 

[Guest]

Yeah, most people think the 360 was such a bargain when it first came out, but there was an article which compared the 360 and it's features to the ps3 and it's features. If you equaled them out (at launch mind you) the 360 came out to be more with all the added peripherals. And don't get me started on all the pointless crap they shove down kids' throats for the Wii. Of course the mindless parents don't mind spending $100 for a block for their kids to stand on. Consumers are very blind and props to nintendo for knowing/taking advantage while they can.

What happened to the two button controller and the gun? Mario Bros./Duck Hunt was all Nintendo ever needed =D

 

[njalterio]

[citation][nom]Dave_69[/nom]Uh... it doesn't? Hmm.... maybe I should send back my Gigabyte board for a piece of crap Shuttle or something and save myself some $$$... You know, since it doesn't really affect gaming or anything... Okay, enough sarcasm.You might not agree, and that's fine, but for me, the mobo represents the spine of my whole machine. If the mobo is crap, it doesn't matter what I put on it. At least that's my experience.[/citation]

Please reread my post carefully. I said it does not directly affect performance. Technically speaking, your right; A good motherboard can enable you to get a stable overclock or have an additional graphics card for crossfire or SLI, but as I said earlier; we are comparing a computer to a PS3. We do not need a great motherboard with extra features to get better performance. Only an additional graphics card.

 

[anonymousdude]

[citation][nom]megabuster[/nom][citation]CChick 08/05/2009 4:48 AM[/citation]Easily done!!! Newegg parts as listedItem #: N82E16811162037 Case w/ 600w P/S $49.99Item #: N82E16822145233 1TB HDD $74.99Item #: N82E16813157160 AMD Mobo $54.99Item #: N82E16814131140 Radeon HD 4870 $126.99 w/o $10 MIRItem #: N82E16820227195 OCZ 2x2GB RAM $44.99Item #: N82E16819103694 Phenom II X2 3.0Ghz $89.99Item #: N82E16827106325 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Player $59.99Total: ~$500Now you provide me with custom OS which will fully take advanage of this hardware then we'll talk about which system is faster PS3 or $500 PCAs far as 60fps without lag, you might be in denial if you think games on PS3 don't dip below 60 fps during intense fight scenes.[/citation]


Ageed, but do it with parts from 2006 and then the argument is more relevant.

[citation][nom]sony sucks[/nom]$499 - $349.30(70%) = $149.70I still don't think $450 is a good deal. Sell the damn thing for $175.00 without a harddrive, which seems to be a HUGE markup with $ony, and I will buy my on HD and install it.[/citation]

Wrong the original PS3 cost well over the price tag of $600 to make. I believe it cost around $850 of course those were only estimates. 850-595=$255.

 

[fatedtodie]

I have a question about that "computer" you list there. You forget 2 VITAL components for that computer to even boot up, 3 if you count an OS that provides useful support.
The 3 missing features are keyboard, monitor, and mouse. While a game console is allowed to assume you have a TV, a new computer build rarely assumes you have a monitor. Try that same setup with an input device and cabling (the PS3 does come with a cable capable of 1080p in the box) and I would be a bit more impressed. Your mind controlled box perplexes me though.

On a side note, playing a game on a game console is very different from playing on a computer. How often have you used 1 computer with 7 input devices to play the same game with 6 other people?

You take the gaming features alone on a PS3 and compare them to your POS "500 dollar computer" and the ps3 will win every time. You take the media features and both are comparable (though the PS3 still has the cabling that your computer setup lacks [btw did you forget to include a sata cable for your hard drive? as it is OEM thus it does not come with one] oh ouch I forgot you can fight fanboy tactics with logic... that is bad!).

Before you post your 500 dollar setup again please don't be an idiot.

 

[fatedtodie]

BTW I admit I get idiot points there... my first line says 2 vital components, then in the third line I assume 3... add and edit for 3 on line 1 and 4 on line 3.

 

[njalterio]

[citation][nom]fatedtodie[/nom]BTW I admit I get idiot points there... my first line says 2 vital components, then in the third line I assume 3... add and edit for 3 on line 1 and 4 on line 3.[/citation]

You get a lot more idiot points that that.

If you are savvy enough, you can get Windows 7 free legally.
You can connect a computer to any modern TV. It's called HDMI. Heck, some TVs even come with VGA and DVI connections. So no, you really don't need to buy a monitor.

Also, a cable that supports 1080p is nothing special. Any HDMI or DVI cable will support well over 1080p, and they always come with a new graphics card. You honestly think a SATA cable is a big deal? You always get at least three of them when you buy a motherboard!

You want to whine about the computer not having multiplayer on one computer? Fine, go ahead and enjoy your terrible split screen and the vastly reduced performance that goes along with it. You may as well just play the wii at that point.

Your lack of cabling argument is completely bogus. The necessary cables always come with the motherboard and graphics card, and if not they can be had for $10.

And....you have completely ignored all the extra capability you get with that $500 PC that the PS3 will never have, and the fact that performance is vastly superior on the PC setup.

You have thoroughly embarrassed yourself.

 

[99lawrence]

[citation][nom]rooket[/nom]It's only 1080p and no usb3 I guess. Although the former is something important to mention since a PS3 isn't really a very high end system any more mainly due to age and progress in the computer industry.[/citation]

Each to there own... buddy.

My comment aout the OS was a nod towards the cost factor of making a machine witht the PS3s abilities. Yeah, most of us readers here do a "ton more stuff" on our PCs, and have built them ourselves. For average Joe though, the PS3 has an armoury the PC can't match. A warranty for a single product with easier support. I mean, you know who to blame for software faults and hardware faults.

Your argument for the whole console upgrade option is a bit lost on the average consumer, not Tomshardware readers obviously, but the average person thinks I do have a "PhD in Astro-Physics" simply because I'm not attached to Windows or mac even though "we" know it's no harder than the spoon fed aforementioned operating systems.

As for 1st party games. Well... I'm sorry I want to play Heavy Rain, Uncharted 2, MGS4, GT5, GOW3, Team Ico's Last Guardian is it? and whatever Japanese RPGs come out on it.

Otherwise, my PS3 is a better media hub in my front room than my PC. But hey, maybe that's because I'm lazy, not like the average Tomshardware reader, more like the average consumer.

Anyhow, nice rant by the way. I enjoyed it. Particularly "Uncharted - Nothing new to the table: Max Payne meets Tomb Raider"

We all know good games "have" to bring something new to the table. Like films, books and other media.

Funnily enough, games I have enjoyed most though recently have been PSN titles. Echochrome, PixelJunk Eden, Flow and Flower. PixelJunks new one looks fun too. So I can be a snob about games too! Hooray! Let's all wave our giant flags of superiority for only playing genre defining classics! Although clearly, enjoying Prototype is a serious black mark on your reputation.