Query: Do PC parts go on special on Boxing Day?
PC Parts Boxing Day Sales
[Deactivated] on 21/12/2016 - 10:29
Last edited 22/12/2016 - 12:05 by 2 other users
Last edited 22/12/2016 - 12:05 by 2 other users
This is part of Boxing Day Sales for 2016
Comments
That would completely depend on the store. I think there will be a few deals probably mostly online though.
should i build a gaming PC or buy a console?
There are some awesome deals at the moment for consoles, especially XBones, and you wouldn't be able to build a gaming PC from scratch for that kind of money (sub $300). But there's no comparison between a good gaming PC and a console IMHO
do you need it to do anything a console can't? , if yes, PC, if no, console.
PC Gaming is better because:
- Free online gameplay
- Cheaper games upon release
- Free games
- More available game discounts (eg Humble Bundle etc etc)
- Better game quality like detail, framerate, resolution, and features (HDR, G-Sync, Stream, Screen capture, Dolby etc etc).
- Backwards compatibility (older titles not only run, they usually can be run with high settings, unlike consoles which sometimes cutdown graphics from older games for compatibility purposes)
- Game Mods (GTA San Andreas, Skyrim, DayZ, and Fallout 4… some really great MODs breathing new life into older games)
- No bull (You don't need 24/7 internet connection, connect specific hardware (*ahemKinect), or deal with game distribution limits)
- Keyboard and Mouse (yes, gamepads are optional)
- Better quality accessory support (like twitchy mouse, fast monitors, and blasting headsets)
- PC Exclusives (its mostly Indie, but some great titles never cross the Walled Ecosystem of SONY, XBOX, and Nintendo.)
- Emulators (from Atari, Sega, SNES, GBA, N64, PS1, PS2, PSP, DS, Gamecube, Wii consoles)
- Can double as a PC for work and other uses
- Upgradeability (not just storage, but the graphics, memory, cpu, and Card/Disk readers)
- Scaleable graphics (no need to re-buy a Remastered version, or wait for a Pro-patch, just increase the graphic settings to your desire)
- Cheaper (much much cheaper) in the long run
Console gaming is better because:
- Exclusive titles, for instance:
(Super Mario, Mario Kart, Super Smash, Zelda, Xenoblade, Pokemon)
(Crackdown, Forza, Halo, Mass Effect, Fable, Left 4 Dead, Alan Wake)
(ICO, Infamous, Motorstorm, Gran Turismo, God of War, Ratchet Clank, Uncharted, TLOU) - Release dates (GTA V took 1.5 years to make transition from consoles to PC)
- Games optimised for consoles (decent graphics on endemic hardware)
- Power drain (usually half of a mid-range Gaming PC Desktop)
- Simplicity (plug, setup, loading, play)
- TV optimised user experience
- Makes for a better present/or "street cred"/less dorky
- Initial costs are cheaper
So here's how the price difference adds up.
2011/2012's Optimum Gaming PC:
Windows 7 Pro - $20 OEM license
ASRock Z77 - $170
SilverStone 500W PSU - $80
Core i5-2500K - $180
2x4GB DDR3-1600 - $50
GTX 680 - $530
60GB SSD - $40
1TB HDD-5200 - $60
BluRay Optical drive- $50
Cooler Master Elite mITX - $50
Keyboard - $60
Xbox 360 controller - 50
Webcam - $40
Mouse - $30
Total: <$1,3002011/2012 Xbox 360:
Xbox 360 - $498
Kinect bundle - $1
320GB Xbox HDD - $199
Total: >$700So far, it's off to a bad start for the PC as its practically double in price.
The Xbox bundle gives you a game, Kinect Adventures, so its off to a lead.
However, there are countless free PC games as well, (and better ones), so this advantage is reversed.Now, let's say you buy a second Xbox 360 controller;
…that adds another $49-$68 to the price.
Say you keep the Xbox 360 until late 2013.
And you constantly invest in 12 month Xbox Live Gold memberships for $80.
So you have membership from 2011 - to - 2013.
That's 3 years. 3 x $80 = $240.
So, that brings the tally now to ~$1,000.Okay, well the PC still seems to be in the lead.
What about the price of the AA and AAA titles?
Average AAA Xbox 360 title sets you back around $89.
While an average AA game sets you back around $49.
And you buy an average of three AAA titles and two AA titles every year
That means you've spent 3x $89 + 2x $49 = $365.
And over three years, that's 3x $365 = $1,095.That brings your total so far to ~$1,800, so we've now exceeded the PC's budget.
However, let's say in 2013 you sold your console.
So that's a good condition console, box, two controllers, and 15 games.
You're lucky and someone buys it from you for $550.You then rush out and get a PS4 instead.
You get one 500GB for $399, with one controller, and a demo game.
With the resale and new buy, your total decreases to ~$1,650.
Now, lets say you keep the PS4 for another 3 years.
You also buy a second controller for 89.
And in that time you also invest in a 12 month PS+ subscription.
That cost comes to 3x $70 = $210.
You continue your habit of buying three AAA titles and two AA title every year.
This time it costs you 3x $88 and 2x $39 = $342.
Over three years that comes to 3x $342 = $1,026.
So far our total console adventure comes to ~$1,325 + ~$1,650 = ~$3,000.Now… let's say you sold your old PS4 (and one controller) for $290.
And you get a PS4 Pro for $500, with a new controller, and keep the games.
So now the total console experience from 2011 to 2016/7 comes to ~$3,200.
Or about $540 yearly in cost.
And at this point… the PC is STILL more powerful… AND it can be upgraded further!How about the PC gaming experience from 2011 to 2016/7 ??
Well, there's no need to pay to connect online.
And we already have a K+M and Gamepad, so accessories are on parity.
I won't factor in the cost of a monitor, as the consoles don't come with TV's neither.
So the only cost to add to the PC is just the games.
So we're looking at three AAA titles yearly and two AA titles.
And judging by fluctuating prices, we can set AAA titles at a very reasonable $59.
And AA titles at a very reasonable $29.
So a yearly games cost would be 3x $59 + 2x $29 = $235.
And over SIX years that will be 6x $235 = $1,410.
So overall it would cost ~$2,800.
Or about $460 yearly in cost.The $400 savings doesn't seem much.
However, this whole time you also get much better graphics.
And keyboard/mouse input. Access to a working PC.
Access to all the previous/backwards compatible titles.
Did I mention emulators?
And this is not even factoring sales for components, the upgradeability possibility, and Steam Sales.…the only problem is… would you have the free-time to take advantage of it all ??
WOW that is detailed!
Wow someone actually did an analysis of this!? well done Kangal! Great read
No.
Yes, most stores open at Midnight so make sure you're first in line or you'll miss the best bargains!
Yes, you will also win the lotto if you get a ticket for the numbers 1, 2, 3,4, 5, 6 because I said so… /s
I'm very on the fence about building a new system at the moment, but if the sales on boxing day for decent parts are absolutely great then I'd be tempted to do it. I'm just wondering based on past years how likely this is to be?
Parts I'd be looking for:
6600K or 6700K
500GB 850/960 evo or better
16gb ramI know shopping express is offering the 960 Pro 512gb for $399 on boxing day. Any other offers like this that have been announced in advance?
Msy has some good deals Boxing Day most years
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