What the hell? I am on page one, and over 10 posts about thread being locked or a flame war? The tread will be locked because of spam comments, come on guys you are smarter than this. Nothing is being added.

As for the question, would you buy a game for $800? This is bascially what you are saying. Should I buy Skyrim for the 360 for $60 or should I buy Skyrim for $800 so I can use mods and have better graphics?

Since you play on the 360 more, it seems like a waste of money to buy Skyrim for $800 even $400 still seems alot for just one game.

Questions you should be asking your self is, are you unhappy with what Bethesda has shown so far in the teaser trailer and screen shots? They are all from the 360. Do you really need better graphics, even it is said the PC will not be much better than what we see, but since we haven't seen any PC shots yet that is still debatable. I am a 360 player, I know the PC will be so much better on PC visually than the 360 or PS3. For me I don't care. Does it for you? Also, do you really need to play with mods? Isn't the vanillia game good enough for you? Do you really need to play with mods that bad that you need to spend $400-$800+ for?

For me it's not worth. For others it is. The question is, is it worth it for you?

Well actually the PS3/Xbox doesnt boost that good equipment since they are very very old in "computerterms".
Even when a new console is released the hardware to catch up is aviable and its not that expensive compared to a console - if any.
And after buying new parts - every upgrade you do on your PC just makes its superior to consoles.
e.g. my computer is superior to a XBox360 so I know I can run Skyrim without any problems.

You know how PS3s and 360s run games pretty decently with 512 mbs of RAM while their PC equivalents DEMAND at least 2 gb for lower settings? The similar equipment allows them to (Charmin-style) do more with less. PCs vary so broadly that optimization for them isn't as well-done. That's not to say a good gaming PC isn't more powerful, or anything, but console stats shouldn't be taken completely for face value and then directly compared to PC tech for the reason I've stated.

Whatever you want to do, do it. But I wouldn't advise spending $500 on a new PC for one game.

PCs are not as expensive as people would like to think. You can get a computer that is better than a 360 for cheaper, but only if you custom build it (for the most part). You should still go with a console unless you plan on playing a lot of computer games or unless you want to be guaranteed modding capabilities. If you want to spend $200-$2,000 on a PC, go to newegg.com, pick out the parts, and construct it yourself.

Minimum specs for computer: I would recommend at least a 2 core processor with at least 2 GHz, 2 Gb of DDR 2 or 3 RAM, a $30-60 video card, a power supply with >250 watts of power, a motherboard compatible with our processor and whatever power supply you get, a tower built with fans already in it that will fit your hardware, and a decent hard drive with a somewhat fast speed on it. Take the disk drive from your old computer, take the hard drive if you can't afford a new one, use the old case and fans if your hardware will fit in the old shell, and use the old RAM if it is compatible. If you cannot afford to install a new copy of windows, definitely keep your old hard drive or find someone with a backup copy of your preferred version of windows and install it until you can buy or acquire it from somewhere else. Use your old keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, and other accessories unless there is something wrong with them.

Here is an example of a cheap, but low spec computer: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813121517 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116039 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182001 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814162067 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820313101 Price=$183+shipping & handling.
While that could likely run the game on the lowest settings, you would need to invest $120 on a core duo processor to be able to run it on higher than Xbox settings.

If you want to run it quick, smoothly, and better (I am reluctant to use that word in one of these types of forums) than an Xbox, you will need to beat the following specs: 512MB (1/2 Gb) of DDR 2 RAM (+512 in-board memory), triple-core 3.2 GHz processor, and a decent video card (~$50)

Final Note: I recommend spending much more on a computer than you would on a console because they last longer than consoles if built well. Definitely get better than what I recommended for minimum specs for Skyrim. The processor I recommended actually may be unable to handle Skyrim, but you can get some decent deals on Newegg. Also, if you are really worried about saving money, remember that most PC games start off $10 dollars cheaper than console games and grow cheaper much faster. If you have upwards of 15 Xbox games, you will begin to feel the savings from those $10 savings, everything adds up. I recommend spending $350-$600 on a computer if you want it to last for a few years (4-5) or $1000 if you want it to be better than most things out there for the next 10-12 years.

Well if you have the money to get a good pc why not? otherwise you'll also get a very good experience on consoles

Maybe another way to look at it is this: do you want the chance to play the whole series (almost), or just stick with 3 games? You'll never play Arena or Daggerfall on a console. Or any of the Ultima Underworlds. Might and Magic. And so many other 'old' games that have devoted fanbases to this day...and for good reason. And numerous projects to upgrade their graphics, or just to let them run in an environement where the can't touch the metal anymore, due to Windows OS design plans. That is actually one of the few real advantages consoles have over PC's; they still get coded so they can access the hardware directly, at least to an extent. Which speeds some processes up considerably.

And you can't create mods on a console. Load them =maybe=, if the console owners relax their fists enough to allow some kind of import....which would open their platforms to all kinds of other malicious mischief. One unsecured port is all it takes for a competent script kiddie to give you a nasty surprise.

Are PC's more work? Sure. They are general purpose tools, and can create, edit, text, render, calculate, and many, many other functions. And require more upkeep because of that flexibility; Tanstaafl. Consoles are plug and play. Only. If that is all you want, don't bother with a PC.

You can do that with a pc, so I don't see how that is a reason at all. And if you do play with a gamepad on pc and sit on the coach then the console UI would be a good thing.

Like I said, It depends on how much SR matters to you. For example I don't play many other games so SR is very important to me, therefor I am will to send a lot of money on it. I spend $350 bucks just to play OB(game and graphics card) I never played another game for any significant amount of type with that card, it basically was just for OB. So if your a so called "hardcoe" fan then pc is the way to go. On the other hand if SR is just one of many games your looking forward to, then just buy for whatever you already have. Only if you plan on spending hundreds of hours with the game will it makes sense to get the pc version for mods.

PC. Because you'll want mods for sure, yes?

Not really, the only reason to be constantly upgrading your PC is (like me) personal preference to keep up with technology. The same PC I first played OB and FO:3 on years ago would be more then sufficient to play Skyrim on. You really wouldn't need to upgrade your PC any more often than your console generations roll around, unless you are playing a number of PC only titles.

build a cheap gaming desktop with inexpensive DX11 card

• 1080p resolution gaming
  
• hi res textures
  
• 10s of 1000s of mods will be available for Skyrim for free
  
• DX11 optimization features (performance boost)
  
• future upgrade potential
  
• allows you to install mods for many games beside Skyrim
  
• better performance for non-gaming computer tasks

buy a console

• 720p gaming
  
• low res textures
  
• remote chance of some mods becoming available, most likely for sale but certainly the most interesting mods will not be possible to adapt for console
  
• no upgrade potential

easy choice IMO
/thread

If you are happy with the console then stick with it. Pc gaming is a little more demanding than console gaming, and it sounds to me that you may be a console gamer at heart and want the easy life. Ok visually it won't be as good as pc, but it will still be good. Mods can add a lot to the game, but there is already plenty there really. I recon you could prob get a year out of the console version at the very least, then you could always push the boat out and get your pc for Skyrim and also get it much cheaper to max it out than you would now...

Actually that is such a good idea I think I might do that!!

Er... You forgot to mention a couple of things.

1. The game will be amazing on both.
2. ￡40 vs ￡500-￡800.

Ohnestly! Get both. Im going to buy the game on 360 first and probably play it through 2-3 times in order to get a feel for what I usually play games on. However I already have a nice Alienware which I use for Blu-ray and playing rts games (mostly total war). So after I play on console I will most likely by Pc and study up on the mods and play it that way as well. I understand you might not be willing to throw this much money at it. So if your going to get a Pc or laptop for the game I would say make sure you can also use the Pc for other purposes and games. IMO the computer Is only good for MMO, RTS and TES. There are few exceptions such as a couple RPG's and also Battlefield. That's coming from someone who owns both.

Edit: also! I'm very happy to see that we are all expressing our opinions on the matter without snagging the other side. In another forum sight you see it alot. I think because we all know TES games are good from wherever you play it on whatever you play it, your going to immensely enjoy the experience.

I myself plan on geting it for ps3 and xbox360,But ill prob play it more on my ps3 and once i get a new labtop i might get it....but i dont think the labtop will be able to handle it,its not going to be a $2000 gaming laptop..So in other words i dont have the cash to throw down on a gaming reg.console/PC wars are stuipd just have a pc and a console and enjoy.

PC. mods, better controls, mods, better graphics, mods, much faster load times, mods and of course you can do so much more on your pc than any console..........did i also mention mods?

you can build a very powerful PC for less than $800 and ive seen people post computer builds even cheaper that will run the game much better than the xbox. consoles are ridiculously overpriced considering your paying for 5 year old technology. at this point the most expensive part of the console should be its case.

What are your current PC specs?

Maybe you just need to upgrade your video card and RAM.

cheapest 1GB DX11 cards are around $100-150
NVIDIA GTS 450(~$100-120)
NVIDIA GTX 460 (~$130-150)
AMD HD 5770 (~$110-130)

4GB RAM (2x2GB) can be as little as $30-40, depending on what kind you buy

ide personally go with the console Verson mainly cause i can't upgrade my PC right now. but anyway its easier to relax with s controller then an entire keyboard in your hand. mind you TES is really great for the PC and should definably be bought for it when you get the chance to

You do know that it doesnt require $2000 for a "gaming laptop" right? You could find a laptop that would run games fine for $800-900, even less if you did a bit of looking. Something to remember, never buy Alienware, you pay so much money for just the brand name.

Well when AMD's new chipsets come out they'll have more power than a 360 and you'll be able to put them in a 200-300 $ notebook. And the talk of modding coming to the consoles isnt going to happen.

PC: Mods, Graphics, Price of game

Console: plug and play.

Controllers/tv/monitor are irrelevant b/c you can plug a 360 controller into a pc and a pc into a tv.

Also pc has like x10 the exclusives the 360 does coming out this year, (being the 360 has like 1 or 2).

Off the top of my head:
diablo 3, The Witcher 2 (game is god mod), Red Orchestra 2, Tribes universe, planetside next, swtor, anno 2070, Tropica 4, Starcraft expansion possibly theres a few more $40+ exclusives coming out.

So those are equal reasons, and those are just PC EXCLUSIVES. PLUS if you want you can always do what i do and plug my tv into a 42" hdtv. Except it doesnt work so well for PC fps games which require a bit more reflex action and are much more easily played on a 22"-32"

I bought a relatively inexpensive Optoma HD20 projector from Best Buy and I run HDMI from my laptop to the projector.

Result is that the projected 1080p image is around 96" x 171" on my wall - looks pretty amazing for games at max detail settings with hi res textures or graphics mods

(use Bluetooth NumPad and wireless mouse to game on my sofa)

For blu-ray playback - fuggedaboudit. The image quality in my living room is better than most of the cinemas in Los Angeles.

thx for the heads up,i guess i might just have to get it on all 3 then,but i think ill prob have it on my console's for awhile before i get it on my laptop.
do u think these spec's would work for skyrim?

Intel Core i5-460M Processor
4GB memory and 640GB hard drive
Windows 7

If it included a newer gfx card yeah, Laptops are terribade for gaming, Heat issue's, hardware issue's, price of repair, non-upgradable, THEY are only for if you have the cash you want to waste it.

Which graphics card does your laptop have? Also what resolution is your display?

If you want to run games at 1920x1080 on a laptop, I wouldn't consider anything less than either 1GB NVIDIA 460M or 1GB AMD 5830M. Both are DX11 cards and can run most recent games at 1920x1080. Forget about Metro 2033 however.

i dont have one as of yet my desktop crashed out on me about a month ago because of dated hardware and im useing my wifes old gateway laptop she used in college.
ill prob just play on consoles i cant really shell out to much on a gaming laptop the most i prob can spend is maybe around $650 max.oh and im not to PC smart when it comes to gaming regs but any help is most welcome.