DIY, PS4 or Steam Machine

[spiderpower100]

I am planning to buy either a customized windows CPU, PS4 or steam machine (SM) to serve as my gaming machine. Whichever one I choose will be hooked up to my 40" TV.

However, all 3 options are very different so i will list down my thoughts here and hope the experienced bros here can share your ideas as well.

Option 1: desktop is versatile, can be used as advanced media center for movies (compared to ps4 and SM). It is also more upgradeable than the ps4, though not sure about SM. Allows access to my Steam library. More powerful components for the same price (traditionally - see option 3). Can buy immediately.

Option 2: PS4 currently has promotions. Unique game library (vs desktop and SM). Can double as media center but limited functions. Sleek design + smaller footprint than desktop. Can buy immediately.

Option 3: SM - no promotions, not available. But potentially cheaper than desktop for the same performance. Better utilization of my Steam library with SteamOS. May be able to run linux programs. Potentially revolutionary control system.

Thanks for reading! So now I am in a dilemma about what to buy. A PS4 will be the cheapest but not when considering the games I have to buy for it. Both desktop and SM will have access to games I already own, not to mention the often large discounts on PC games. But should I wait for SM then? I also read that Aftershock plans to introduce desktop systems (see link below). Heard good things about their laptops so feel like waiting to see what they offer in desktops.

I will appreciate greatly any ideas/thoughts/opinions that you have. Thanks!

 

[shadow84]

You are better off comparing DIY pc and PS4. Steam machine cant do much as compared to a normal pc except for gaming. So might as well get a normal DIY PC.

For me, i would get both. But you have to see whether the games u wanna play supports PC or PS4 platform. If it leans more towards one side, then get that console/pc 1st. If it is in between, i recommend PC. You can do non-gaming stuff better on a pc than ps4.

 

[Alternative X]

1)You may want to consider reverse compatibility when buying a console. This is because console makers nowadays intentionally make their consoles not backwards compatible to help sell more consoles and if the PS5 comes out in the future, all your PS4 games will no longer be playable. Sony does offer the Gaikai service for playing PS3 games on your PS4, but their rental fees are more expensive than buying the game itself and is a massive rip-off.

2) The Steam OS is based on the Linux Debian distribution and is completely free. Nobody says that you can't just build your own Steam Machine and put in the OS to create your own Steam Machine.

3) You may not want to get an Aftershock gaming desktop if they ever started selling one. This is because boutique system builders like Aftershock usually charges a premium for their system parts and hence it is actually much more cheaper to just source the components yourself and DIY. Aftershock desktops will be a more vivable option for people who are either lazy to DIY and troubleshoot their rig or just wants the warranty from a system builder.

 

[GeForce]

To sum it all up

 

[Jian19]

Up to how much $ u willing to fork out or how tight is ur budget

Ideal scenario will be ps4 + pc

Each serve diff purpose

 

[spiderpower100]

To sum it all up

lol that's a good summary

 

[spiderpower100]

Up to how much $ u willing to fork out or how tight is ur budget

Ideal scenario will be ps4 + pc

Each serve diff purpose

I also wish to haf both

but must one at a time, not too obvious haha

 

[shadow84]

I recommend PC first. Wait for more games to come out for PS4.

 

[spiderpower100]

You are better off comparing DIY pc and PS4. Steam machine cant do much as compared to a normal pc except for gaming. So might as well get a normal DIY PC.

For me, i would get both. But you have to see whether the games u wanna play supports PC or PS4 platform. If it leans more towards one side, then get that console/pc 1st. If it is in between, i recommend PC. You can do non-gaming stuff better on a pc than ps4.

Thanks for making the choice easier to grasp! Yea since PC can access Steam, it is really the most versatile option. So I should think on the games I want to play more ar... another tough choice haha, coz there are JRPGs and console exclusives I want to play but I also have a large steam library waiting for a new PC to unleash it...

any bro here who has both, please comment on the games that are available for each, espcially for ps4 which i am less familiar with.

Thanks!

 

[spiderpower100]

I recommend PC first. Wait for more games to come out for PS4.

Yea, wait for more games and the inevitable price drop right?

 

[Jian19]

I will hoot pc first since I pcw , watch show, light gaming

 

[shadow84]

Thanks for making the choice easier to grasp! Yea since PC can access Steam, it is really the most versatile option. So I should think on the games I want to play more ar... another tough choice haha, coz there are JRPGs and console exclusives I want to play but I also have a large steam library waiting for a new PC to unleash it...

any bro here who has both, please comment on the games that are available for each, espcially for ps4 which i am less familiar with.

Thanks!

this one quite hard, since each person's genre are different. Just go to a game shop and see see look look around.

 

[spiderpower100]

1)You may want to consider reverse compatibility when buying a console. This is because console makers nowadays intentionally make their consoles not backwards compatible to help sell more consoles and if the PS5 comes out in the future, all your PS4 games will no longer be playable. Sony does offer the Gaikai service for playing PS3 games on your PS4, but their rental fees are more expensive than buying the game itself and is a massive rip-off.

2) The Steam OS is based on the Linux Debian distribution and is completely free. Nobody says that you can't just build your own Steam Machine and put in the OS to create your own Steam Machine.

3) You may not want to get an Aftershock gaming desktop if they ever started selling one. This is because boutique system builders like Aftershock usually charges a premium for their system parts and hence it is actually much more cheaper to just source the components yourself and DIY. Aftershock desktops will be a more vivable option for people who are either lazy to DIY and troubleshoot their rig or just wants the warranty from a system builder.

Thanks bro, good point about making my own steam machine! I totally forgot that it's freely distributed.

Like you said, I think the investment in a console over long-term can actually be greater than for a PC, especially if there's no backward-compatibility.

As for Aftershock, what I am attracted to is their customer service, read from online reviews that they know their craft and generally satisfy customers' needs and queries. So then I guess the question is is their premium worth that level of customer service + warranty + assembly?

 

[shadow84]

Hw many yrs are they giving? Coz if u DIY, it is at least 2-7 yrs. 2 yrs for case, 7 yrs for psu, 3 yrs for mobo, cpu, gpu, ssd, hdd.

 

[spiderpower100]

I will hoot pc first since I pcw , watch show, light gaming

I use laptop for pcw, anytime anywhere haha.

But because I'd consider my gaming habits to be between moderate and heavy, I want to consider carefully.

 

[spiderpower100]

Hw many yrs are they giving? Coz if u DIY, it is at least 2-7 yrs. 2 yrs for case, 7 yrs for psu, 3 yrs for mobo, cpu, gpu, ssd, hdd.

They haven't introduced PCs yet. Supposed to be end of August.

Their laptops' warranty is 2 yrs parts, 3 yrs service (carry in).

if diy, I have to send any faulty parts to manufacturer on my own right? that seems like a very troublesome and long process, is it not?

I guess my biggest concern with diy is what to do when problems arise. i think with the internet these days troubleshooting is pretty easy to do. but even then, there is the time and energy required to do it. furthermore, once problem area is identified, the process to remedy it (besides replacing with brand new), seems quite troublesome and long to me.

However, I speak without personal experience with this issue, so please correct me if i'm wrong!

 

[Alternative X]

if diy, I have to send any faulty parts to manufacturer on my own right? that seems like a very troublesome and long process, is it not?

No, you bring the faulty parts to the local distributer for RMA. You will only RMA direct with the manufacturer when you buy online or when you buy some brands.

 

[royfrosty]

I would say go for DIY PC & PS4 (when PS4 slim or mature in market further and when more games are introduce)

Gaming PC is much more powerful than the PS4 or any other console type.

PC you if there is any failure in components, you will need to see what went wrong and you have to travel down to the distributors depending on the brands you bought.

Examples

Ban Leong - ASUS ROG boards and ROG Graphics Card, Powercolor Graphics Card, CM products, Razer etc. @ Ubi

Corbell - MSI boards and Graphics Card, Seasonic PSU, AOC monitors, Roccat mouse, Avexir Ram @ AMK techplace II

Convergent - EVGA boards and Graphics Card, Sapphire Graphics Card, Club Graphics Card, Corsair PSU, Corsair SSD @ Ubi

Each and individual parts have warranty from 1 year minimum up to a total of 7 years.

 

[igniz12000]

Better to get PC first then console later down the line. Your PC games will stay with you for as long as Valve remains in business and anything not on the PC, you can get on the PS4 later on.

Im not sure Steam machines qualify as an option. Its not like they have any propriety hardware unique to them alone and the OS is still not a deal breaker. MS isnt abandoning PC gaming yet and in fact they look to be getting back into the picture with DX12.

Either way I think this gen you cant go wrong with one or the either but objectively the PC just seems a much better option. The PS4 comes out in terms of price in the initial investment and games depending on your taste but in the long term the PC is a better option for a hardcore gamer with a added bonus of also being a versatile piece of hardware for other tasks.

 

[spiderpower100]

Thanks for all the feedback bros! Really good info for me to make a decision

Haha, given the doubts over steam machine, i am actually more interested than before to see how it performs in the market. I guess their OS has to be really ground-breaking to be a viable alternative to win-based PCs.

So I will most likely go with a DIY, now need to decide on budget. Will seek your advice again once that is decided.

Cheers!