Xbox vs PC Graphics ?

[Xorg]

I've read in various forums that consoles cannot come close to the graphics of a PC.
Also read that the Xbox has the best graphics of the consoles.

I don't have an Xbox.
My PC is a Dell Dimension 2400 P4 2.2 with 512 RAM with the stock video card.
(when I get the cash I'll buy a good video card)

The Question:
There are some games that have been released for both Xbox and PC.
So what I'd like to know is this:
If you had a PC like mine (see above)and you play the same game on the Xbox and my PC how much difference is there in the graphics?

Just really curious.
.

[Alexander B.]

It depends on what kind of output the game supports on the XBOX, as you can have games in 480, 480 progressive, 720 progressive and 1080 interalced [ 480 720 or 1080 horizontal lines... ]

Games I've played in 720p look really good on the xbox. but ofcourse, with a PC you can 'crank up' the resolution a lot more in most games that have been ported "successfully" such as Grand Theft Auto 3, etc.. Bad ports are best played on the console, as on the PC it will become all to apparent how low-res the textures etc are. They look good on a tv/projector because of the resolution.. its so "low quality" it kinda acts like Antialiasing, and thus looks better than it really is :-)

Anyway, I dont know what video card your Dell dimension has, but I'd say that console games are best played on the console, except for a few good ports such as Knights of the old republic 1, Grand Theft Auto 3 (& Vice City) and Splinter Cell.. but these require a fast computer to utilize the capabilities of the game running on the PC (view range, bigger textures, higher resolution)..

Choose the pc/console depending on what you want to play.. Sudeki is a great XBOX game.. KOTOR is better on the PC than the Console, but I found the console version had a more 'theatrical' feel to it.. mostly because I played the console version on a 100" projector screen ;)

[OmegaBob]

GTA3 & VC are better on the XB.

Little gameplay tweaks and such

Remember... it's not all about the gfx.

[U.2.K.]

I would have to say the xbox, my computer specs aint all that, but its enough to see whats better and my vote is the xbox.

[Xorg]

GTA3 & VC are better on the XB.

Little gameplay tweaks and such

Remember... it's not all about the gfx.

Yeah I know it's more than the gfx but some of the latest PC games are just not playable
on my PC even with the gfx detail turned down and certain effects turned off.

I'm really looking forward to Star Wars Republic Commando.
It's going to be released on PC and Xbox.
From what I've read so far (above) I'd be inclined to get a used Xbox
so I can play that game without having to adjust everything to get a smooth frame rate.

[Xorg]

Anyway, I dont know what video card your Dell dimension has, but I'd say that console games are best played on the console, except for a few good ports such as Knights of the old republic 1, Grand Theft Auto 3 (& Vice City) and Splinter Cell.. but these require a fast computer to utilize the capabilities of the game running on the PC (view range, bigger textures, higher resolution)..

It's your basic Intel video card with 64 MB memory.
I'd like to play the games you listed plus some others and, like I posted above,
not have to adjust things for a smooth frame rate.

The Xbox might be the way to go.

BTW - I have a PS2 and the graphics are good just not great.

[SupaTroopa]

Yeah an Xbox would look better over-all I think if you have a nice TV. If your TV has an S-Video port - make sure you pick up the XBox S-Video adapter cable kit (or a generic one) as it also makes a noticeable difference I found in picture quality.

Outside of that even my Radeon 9800 Pro 128MB blows my Xbox away as far as newer games go and the graphic quality.

Your system memory and CPU will be a bit of bottleneck actually on newer cards also unless you upgrade a few notches.

[Xorg]

Yeah an Xbox would look better over-all I think if you have a nice TV. If your TV has an S-Video port - make sure you pick up the XBox S-Video adapter cable kit (or a generic one) as it also makes a noticeable difference I found in picture quality.

Never thought of the S-Video cable. Like I said above my PS2 picture isn't that great.
I'll probably get the S-Video cable for my PS2.
We have 3 TVs and fortunately the 32" set has an S-Video port.
Thanks that was really helpful. :thumbup:

Outside of that even my Radeon 9800 Pro 128MB blows my Xbox away as far as newer games go and the graphic quality.

I waited months for the release of Pacific Fighters.
With all the detail and everything else turned down or off it was unplayable.
Disappointment.

Now I'm waiting for Star Wars Republic Commando.
I'd rather get the Xbox version even though the gfx may not be as good as on a PC.
But, at least I'll be able to play it.

Your system memory and CPU will be a bit of bottleneck actually on newer cards also unless you upgrade a few notches.

Your correct.
I talked to someone about getting a high-end video card and they said I'd need more than just the card for my PC.
They also said the cost to upgrade the Dell wasn't worth it and I'd probably be better off just saving up and having a gaming machine built.

[Chylde Roland]

I've been using S-video on all my consoles (PS2, XB and GCN) for as long as I've had them. You won't believe the difference when you use it.

And outside of having a high resolution set, your computer graphics will generally be better because of the high native resolutions. My Radeon 9800 Pro and flat panel monitor blow away anything I play through my 27" TV.

That said, XB wins the console contest hands down, imho. If I have a choice for a multi-platform game, I buy it on XB for two reasons: betterg gfx and I can use the HDD for saves.

[Alexander B.]

After replacing the supplied cable for my PS2 with a S-Video cable from Monster (yea yea.. only that was availble) it improved the graphics quality tremendously on the PS2. and games such as Star Ocean 3, GT4 and San Andreas, as well as Metal Gear Solid 3 look fantastic on the PS2.. so dont disqualify it .. could be your cables :)

I'd go with a XBOX to play those games.. And Upgrade it (mod chip, Hard-drive) and use it as a Media Center PC :-)

[Dwango]

While you are at it, if you have a surround sound system, I'm not sure about X-Box, but PS2 has fiber-optic output so you can get amazing DVD surround sound from quite a few games.

You can't get that on a PC with Sound Blaster because those cheap-skates set up there card so you can only get a dolby stream from the card. Most games use SB's sound system for surround, which can't be read by any reciever except the Sound Blaster speaker system. Real nice :rolleyes: .

Also, PC's don't play nice with most HD TVs like X-Box can. You really have to work it really hard to get it to look nice, without cutting off the image, and usually you can only get it working so far. And you can damage a real expensive piece of equipment, your HD TV. Of course, if it works, the PC does look real sweet. I got it going at 1024x768, and it looks wonderful. Too much hassle though.

[OmegaBob]

My PC looks wonderful on my HDTV. It has PC inputs.

NOTHING can compare to widescreen gaming. :D:

[Xorg]

Following SupaTroopa recommendation about the S-video cable I rushed right out and bought one.

The only one I could find was the Mad Catz.
The guy in the store said I wouldn't notice much difference on my PS2 gfx wise.
So I hooked it up and WOW!
I'm impressed. There was a noticeable improvement with the gfx.
I put a DVD into the PS2 and could definitely see a better picture.

Thanks everyone. :thumbup:
I now have a better appreciation for my PS2.
I'll probably still get an Xbox.

[Xorg]

I'd go with a XBOX to play those games.. And Upgrade it (mod chip, Hard-drive) and use it as a Media Center PC :-)

When you say upgrade it with a "mod chip, Hard-drive" I don't know what that means?

Is that a modification you do or is there a parts kit or something you buy from MS?

And what do the upgrades add to the Xbox?

Sorry if the questions sound stupid but I just don't know that much about the Xbox.

[NotSoFast]

When you say upgrade it with a "mod chip, Hard-drive" I don't know what that means?

Is that a modification you do or is there a parts kit or something you buy from MS?

And what do the upgrades add to the Xbox?

Sorry if the questions sound stupid but I just don't know that much about the Xbox.

The mod chip (among other things) allows you to play MP3's and other media files on your Xbox. The harddrive (much larger than the stock one) gives you room for all of these files. I currently have 1200 MP3's on mine as well as other assorted files. Mobile jukebox, if you will.

And no, MS doesn't sell the mod chips. Google will probably do wonders, though.

[Alexander B.]

While you are at it, if you have a surround sound system, I'm not sure about X-Box, but PS2 has fiber-optic output so you can get amazing DVD surround sound from quite a few games.




Note: "Amazing DVD surround sound" on the PS2 is the following:

Movies - DTS/DD 5.1
Games - Dolby Pro Logic ][ at best [Which is 2+1 channel surround] {Stereo front and a rear speaker..}]

A few games have "DTS Interactive" [Grand Theft Auto Vice City] which requires a DTS Interactive capable decoder, some early DTS decoder, such as my old Rotel one were not capable of decoding this signal. the DTS interactive sound is only for the music, however.


The XBOX along with 10-100$ of cables [depending on quality and manufacturer] lets you have optical digital sound output... and supports Realtime Dolby Digital Encoding of audio. Meaning it has the best game sound on any console [assuming those who created the game were up to to the task].

GameCube and PS2 have at best Dolby Pro Logic II.. which is kinda.. weak.

[Alexander B.]

The mod chip (among other things) allows you to play MP3's and other media files on your Xbox. The harddrive (much larger than the stock one) gives you room for all of these files. I currently have 1200 MP3's on mine as well as other assorted files. Mobile jukebox, if you will.

And no, MS doesn't sell the mod chips. Google will probably do wonders, though.


Although, in many cases you do not need a mod chip. You can just flash the original bios and upgrade it, then replace the hard drive.

WIth a mod chip you are however, in many cases, still able to play on XBOX Live.. With my flash-updated XBOX I can only play on KAI XLINK, which is good anyway, since I dont have to pay for a XBOX LIve Subscription.

[Dwango]

My PC looks wonderful on my HDTV. It has PC inputs.

NOTHING can compare to widescreen gaming. :D:


I wish I could get the wide screen going. I can connect my PC through the DVI, but I can't ever really configure it to work just right with the software I got. The RGB port works really nice, but only can do 1024x768, and that is not the full screen area. I'm not sure what ports are left to try, but maybe I can get it to work. I've never really quit on trying, just keep hoping it will work at some point (without burning out my tv).

[OmegaBob]

Damn! That sucks. I hope you do eventually get it working on day.

[Cloudw4lker]

I'd have to go with computers, the xbox/ tv's blur the image to make it look good. Of course there's some games you can't play on the computer as well (fighters, racing) and the computer costs a hell of a lot more. And people never take into a account the cost of the TV, NEVER!

All in all, they both have upsides and downsides but for the rich go with a computer.

I'd love to have widescreen gaming...

[night]

for snappy-all-over-OMG-teh-flood-r-h3r3 nobody can touch my mouse,
but for mwahahahaha-im-tracking-the-flag-carriers-dome-with-a-sniper-rifle-he-is-so-screwed... the Xbox controller is better

[Xorg]

... the Xbox controller is better

Is that the regular controller or the "S" controller?

I read where a lot of gamers prefer the "S" controller.

[SupaTroopa]

Glad the S-video thing worked out Xorg. The "S" controller is just a smaller version of the standard X-Box controller - and I use two of them and they are perfect.

[night]

Standard controller, but with lotsa shiny green lights so i can find it in the dark

[Xorg]

Glad the S-video thing worked out Xorg. The "S" controller is just a smaller version of the standard X-Box controller - and I use two of them and they are perfect.

Thanks.

Check out the pix of what the next Xbox (Xbox2) might look like and the controller for it:

http://www.thenextbox.com/images/xbox2/images/SnappaConcept.jpg

[night]

woooowwww..... :cool: :cool: :cool: