PC vs Console: PC builds/upgrades since '05/'06 vs 360/PS3 generation.

But the graphics are better!!!!

Built the one I am on in 2007-08 I think, spent about 800 and was about middle of the road at the time.

My crappy power supply went out and took some RAM with it in 09 and replaced the parts for 200.

Upgraded the monitor that I used for a TV for a time for 350. Bought random peripheral parts like keyboard and headphones over the years for about 100. Bought a new case in 2010 for 60.

I am on the low end of PC gaming right now but have gotten a 6 years out of it while being my main PC.

In it for about 1400, but many parts like the case, power supply, monitor, keyboard mouse headphones and speakers will carry over to the next build.

The ability to fix issues yourself is a huge deal in PC gaming. Many people I know have gone through 2 or 3 xbox's in during that time period.

In 04 I got a $1600 laptop. I spent about $120 to upgrade the ram and hdd in it at some point. I built my current pc in Feb. 09 for around $1800 ($1600 after rebates). I upgraded over last summer by adding 6 gbs of ram, a 120 gb ssd and replacing my 4870 with a 560 ti. The upgrades cost me about $280. I'll probably start thinking about building a completely new system in a year. Although my i7 is glorious, so I don't know if I'll even need to.

So we're at least 8 months before release, and a slightly better pc build costs $600.

A bought a "gaming" PC from Gateway in like 2008. Had an i7, AMD 4850, I think around 6 gigs of RAM. The mobo failed (will never buy another Gateway, hated that computer and it's just so much easier to build), so I replaced it and in doing so bought a new enclosure. Salvaged what I could, added a few parts, and over time I've upgraded a few components. If I had to guesstimate, I've probably spent about $1000 and I play every game at max settings. I plan to upgrade again this summer with a new processor/mobo/RAM when the new chips come out. I've definitely spent more, but I also feel like I'm getting more for money too.

I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. The only thing I would change is that I never would have bought a PS3, outside of using it as a way-too-expensive Netflix box it just collects dust. I could have bought a Roku or Apple TV and saved about $300.