Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

PC Gaming Is Still Way Too Hard (vice.com)

Posted by msmash on from the build-your-own-device dept.

Motherboard has an article in which it argues that PC gaming is still way too hard. The author of the article claims that for one to build a gaming PC, they need an "unreasonable" amount of disposable income, and also have an unreasonable amount of time to "research, shop around, and assemble parts" for their computer. The author adds that a person looking into making one such gear also needs to always have to keep investing time and money in as long as they want to stay at the cutting edge or recommended specifications range for new PC games. The author has shared the experience he had building his own gaming PC. An excerpt from it: The process of physically building a PC is filled with little frustrations, and mistakes can be costly and time consuming. I have big, dumb, sausage fingers, so mounting the motherboard into the case, and screwing in nine (!) tiny screws to keep it in place in a cramped space, in weird angles, where dropping the screwdriver can easily break something expensive -- it's just not what I'd call "consumer-friendly." This is why people buy from Apple. It designs everything from the trackpad to the box the computer comes in, which unfolds neatly to reveal everything you need. Apple reduces friction to the point where even my mom could upgrade the RAM on her iMac, and it can do this because it controls everything that goes in that box.That's accurate. But it also means -- at least as of today -- that the current Apple computer -- MacBook Air, MacBook, iMac, Mac Mini you purchase packs in at least three-year-old components.

3 of 729 comments (clear)

  1. An article in search of a problem by H3lldr0p · · Score: 5, Insightful

    This "article" screams intern assignment. The premise is predetermined and everything that goes against it is ignored. There are so many part pickers and guides available through a single search it's frustrating and stupefying that someone would even try writing this.

    Likewise, building a PC now is nothing close to what it used to take. How would have this person felt trying to configure their IRQ interrupts? Not well, I'm guessing.

    All told, it is sad that /. even allowed this to be submitted. This is an article in search of something to be upset about.

  2. Negative by Karmashock · · Score: 5, Insightful

    1. PC gaming is the same price as console gaming for the hardware and cheaper for the games. A PC in your home is a zero sum game. You will own one. The cost of a PC gaming machine is the cost of a PC gaming system minus the cost of a conventional PC. A console will run you perhaps 300~400 USD. Add 300 to 400 to the cost of a PC and you have a reasonable gaming PC.

    2. As to difficulty, the difficulty of PC gaming is only difficult if you don't know how to use a computer. The difficulty of PC gaming minus again the assumed competence with a PC which you should have anyway is about zero.

    3. If you're talking about how hard the actual game is... adjust settings or get good, noob.

    --
    I've decided to stop wasting my time responding to AC trolls/sockpuppets... so if you want a response from me... login.
  3. It's not like you just go out and buy a gaming pc by Crashmarik · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Oh wait you can

    http://www.alienware.com/

    Not for you ? Oh if only there were someplace that would let you pick your components and they would build the PC for you

    https://www.google.com/search?...

    Tooo hard to figure out what you need ? If only there were a guide of some kind

    http://www.tomshardware.com/

    http://www.hardocp.com/