12 reasons why gaming on a PC is better than game consoles

gaming PC setup

Ah, the old gaming PC versus video game console debate.

Each have their merits, and each have their own league of fans who vehemently swear by one or the other.

At the end of the day, it's all about personal preference.

Sure, it's true that gaming consoles are easier for casual gaming on the couch, but there are 12 good reasons why gaming on a PC can be better.

Check it out:

You can play games with better graphics than consoles — if you have a powerful gaming PC.

This is one of the main arguments in favor of PC gaming, as the hardware inside a gaming PC can far outperform the parts in a console like the Xbox One or PlayStation 4. As a result, games on PC can play with graphics settings set to higher levels, as well as play at higher, smoother frame rates, than that on a console.

With that said, gaming PCs that outperform consoles can come at a high price. A great gaming PC for 1080p resolution screens — the same resolution that the PlayStation 4, original Xbox One, and Xbox One S — can cost anywhere north of $500. Compared to the $250 price tag of those aforementioned consoles, a gaming PC suddenly doesn't seem so tempting.

But, again, better graphics and smoother gameplay are available, if you're willing to pay. And, at the same time, you save money in the long run when you play on PC, as you'll see next.

The Steam game platform.

Steam is a platform where, among other things, you can browse, buy, and launch your games, and it's better than the stores on Xbox One and PlayStation.

For one, game sales are superior on Steam. During a sale, you can get older games for a significant discount compared to console stores. For example, I bought "GTA V" for $30 during a sale compared to the $60 it costs from the Xbox store.

Microsoft and Sony have made great strides with sales and discounts, but the deals will rarely be as good as you'd find on Steam.

You don't have to pay to play multiplayer games on PC, and you save money in the long run.

To play multiplayer games on console, you have to sign up for the paid Xbox Live and PlayStation Network services, depending on which console you own. PC gamers don't need to pay to play games online.

For a year of service, an Xbox Live Gold or PlayStation Plus membership costs $60. That may seem like a trivial annual expense, but it builds up over the years. After paying $60 for five years or membership to either service, you would have paid $300. That's money you could spend on a PC graphics card upgrade.

See the rest of the story at Business Insider