Xbox Series X vs PC: Which is the best for gaming?
Almost every gamer is faced with the dilemma of choosing between a console and a PC. Xbox Series X is one of the best consoles ever from Microsoft, and if you're looking to buy a gaming system, choosing the one for you can be confusing. Thus, comparing the Series X with a PC can surely be interesting.
While one can't really quote a fixed price on a PC setup, we all know exactly how much an Xbox would cost. However, several other factors make the Xbox a very desirable console. In this article, we'll do a thorough comparison to settle it once and for all.
Note: This article is subjective and reflects the author's opinions.
Xbox Series X vs PC: What are their differences?
The Xbox Series X is a pre-built console with fixed specifications while a PC offers a huge range of customizable parts and fits varying budgets. On the Series X, storage is the only thing you can modify, and can't upgrade much in terms of performance. However, the Xbox is so advanced, you hardly need to upgrade, albeit there are some exceptions.
One thing is sure; an Xbox Series X would be much easier to handle and set up compared to a PC. This is because all you have to do on an Xbox is plug in the console, set it up, and you'd be good to go.
Compared to that, in the case of PCs, unless you're buying a pre-built desktop, you'd have to buy each component and set it up yourself, which can be a hassle if you're new to the process.
Moreover, launching a game on a console is much smoother and faster, not to mention easy. On an Xbox, it'd be as easy as installing a game on your phone, in the sense that you're installing from a store and can start playing right away.
Xbox Series X vs PC: Which one has a better library of games?
PCs have been around longer than consoles and games have been played on them for a really long time. So, undoubtedly, PCs have a much larger game library. You also have multiple marketplaces to download the titles you need from, which makes the whole process a lot easier.
However, the Xbox Series X has a strong focus on AAA titles like Halo and Forza, with some being exclusive to the Xbox consoles. By exclusive, we mean both Xbox consoles and Microsoft Windows, as the Xbox is a Microsoft product as well. Basically, they aren't available to play on PlayStation consoles.
Overall, PCs have a larger game library, but options on the Xbox aren't too limited. It comes down to what kind of games you want to play. If you like modern games but also want access to some retro titles, go for PC as the latter is easier to download and play there. However, if your sole focus is on modern AAA titles, go for the Xbox.
Check out: Xbox Game Pass games for May 2024
Xbox Series X vs PC: Which one has more value for money?
Value for money is highly subjective and can vary from person to person. The Xbox Series X comes at the fixed cost of $499.99 for the 1TB variant and $599.99 for the 2TB variant with the added design. There is no fixed price for a PC though, as it can widely vary based on the components you're going for.
A low-spec PC can cost you as low as $300, whereas a very high-spec 4K PC build can cost you as high as $3000. It depends entirely on what you're going for.
If we're comparing directly, let's choose the $599 price point. If you buy an Xbox, you have a console ready for gaming. But a $599 PC setup wouldn't be that impressive, as the graphic card and processor alone would take up a big chunk of that money, and added peripherals like coolers, RAM, and storage make it even more expensive to be on par with the Series X.
Thus, it is possible to build a budget gaming PC, but it won't match the level of an Xbox that costs the same. But as PCs are highly upgradeable and typically much more future-proof than an Xbox, we feel it offers greater value for money and would be a good long-term investment overall.
Xbox Series X vs PC: Final Verdict
Both the Xbox Series X and a PC are excellent options for gaming. And you wouldn't be at a loss if you bought either one. Choosing a single best choice can be quite hard, but we feel buying a PC is a better choice. This is because of the countless customizations that you can make to your gaming rig even after the purchase, essentially making it future-proof.
The Series X is an incredible console that offers a simpler plug-and-play experience with controller support, and almost anyone with minimal technical knowledge can start gaming easily. However, the lack of customization options is a a downside.
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