That's crazy. A top of the line video card will run you that much. A "good" and even "great" one will run you 180-250 bucks.

I'd go PC if I had the choice, the users are more likely to get around to totally fixing the game (ya know, the job we're paying the company to do by buying their product).

Modding seems like it'd be fun, too.

Lots of PC gamers build their own machines. I'm a little bit older and don't have the time to spend getting knowledgable about the subject. I want my PC to play my games and that's it. What I found though is that if you look around you there are probably plenty of small business people that will do the labor for you at a reasonable price. Their is a LAN party store near me that I take my PC to to upgrade/repair. It isn't their primary business but the staff there has the know-how and always charges me very reasonably.

Really? Who is willing to pay $3800 on a rig that will be obsolete?

Let me tell you. I built my rig in 2004. Bought top of the line everything at the time. It ran me close to $5500, in 2004.

It runs Fallout New Vegas at medium/high settings.

That hardly seems obsolete to me.

It depends on the game, I play FNV on the PC but for games like GTA IV or Assassins Creed the 360 is my platform of choice.

ok my take on it
Consoles
Pros
Cost 300 dollars on average
Pop in your game and go
No maintence hardware/software level like a pc
You dont upgrade its hardware
console have exlclusives alot more than the pc

Cons
Fast food of gaming expectations set lower on what you get in a game
If you do mod your console you will spend $$$ and should had gotten a pc any ways.
Games graphics are reduced to what a high end pc can put out
Hardware limitations on Gen 3 games once you go over 480p for your resolution resulting in drops in fps below 30
No modding games your stuck with the expanshions/content the devs give you, nor do you have options to fix games via a mod community
Games Generally cost 10 dollars more than pc
uses tech that is outdated when its off the assembly line, does not improve much or any over the next 4-5 years resuling in 480p gaming for the most part, and in the 2-3 year games start to chug as the next gen of games are released throwing anything over 480p out the window.
Your parts internally cannot be used for the most part on your next console
You cannot overclock your console to get extra performance/fps


PC
Pros
Higher Quality graphics
The ability to upgrade your hardware
3D Vision
Surround gaming
eye infinity gaming
3d Gaming
Faster load times
Mods and lots of them you get to add to games not just stuck with what devs give you
ability to get into developers consoles and put in commands
The ability to control every aspect of the game from visuals, to performance
The ability for a modding community to fix issues in a game way before patches are released by devs
Visually it looks better and can have well over 30 fps in 1080p like in the 120+ fps range
Many different flavors for you to choose from from pre built-to custom made
You can build your computer yourself cutting the cost 40-60% of an OEM
If you dont think you can build one get an OEM pre-built
It is basically the luxury of gaming visually
PC Gaming if you know enough about computers is more enjoyable "if that was not the case I would be playing my 360, wii and ps2 more"
PC has more use than a console in terms of work and play.
You get to take advantage of all the latest features/eye candys in gaming
If you built your pc or even bought a pre built many parts can be used on your next pc to cut cost big time resulting in the cost of a new 300-500 dollar console for you to upgrade your pc
Overclocking your hardware will give you more performance and can keep you from upgrading for an extra year or more, some oem companys, and Many hardware vendors allow this not voiding your warranty.
You can customize your pc more than a console without costing a ton of $$$$
If you got your pc from a good OEM company or built it from parts from Good hardware vendors many times its overnight to 3 days turn around on having your pc parts replaced so your up and running again.
Driver/bios/firmware updates can up performance 10-30% with games on average also adding extra visual goodys at times as well.
Better Aiming than a console w/ keyboard and mouse. Microsoft did a study when they where going to merg games for windows live with xbox life gamers the result, the console gamers in fps got smoked bad... resulting in them abandoning the idea.

Cons
Not meeting system requirements for games
Updating OS weekly to monthly
Cost vs Console but you get what you pay for
Drivers knowing what ones are best for what game
Maintence of hardware/software
Being a notebook gamer "Some no named chip makers/sound cards are not supported by game developers"
Having to know how to properly update/install video/sound drivers so you dont have issues.
If your do not know alot about computers and how to take care of them inside/out from hardware/software your in for a bumpy ride
OEM Pre-builts for the most part minus a few small companys take your money and run... caugh caugh alienware.... your also getting charged 40-60% more than what it cost to build it.
Cost you need at least 800-1200 dollars to build a semi high end gaming pc, spending 3-4k for an extreme system building it yourself"but spending this much you get about 3-4 years if not a little more out of your machine"
after 2-3 years you need to think about upgrading at least your gpu. 4-5 years its pretty much manditory. 4-5 years or more cpu has to be upgraded On average you spend enough on a top of the line rig you can squeeze 5-6 years out of it but thats pushing 4-7 years is when you need to start lowering settings for games big time.
Console ports to pc for the most part are dog poo
less big exclusives like the consoles
If you early adopt you have about 1 year if not a little more or a little less on average until your top of the line rigs parts get a refresh like take the Core i7 980x next year the Core i7 990x comes out or the GTX 480 Tues the refresh named the GTX 580 comes out all 512 cuda cores, runs cooler, uses less power is about 15-20% than a GTX 480, but some companys will let you do a stepup if your in the 90 day window and upgrade to it.

My system cost between 3700-4k Since I built it myself if purchased from an oem pre built company would had cost me 8-12 grand....
HP Blackird 002 Case "scored it on flea bay"
HP/Voodoo Asetek Cooling Duel Rad cpu cooler w/Shin Etsu Thermal Compound
I7 980x
IDLE
Cpu 17c
Cores 28-33c
LOAD under linx
CPU 40c
Cores 45-50c
EVGA X58 770 Classified 3 "I miss my 759 limited Edition classified..."
2x EVGA GTX 480's w/high flow brackets and backplates.
Killer 2100 network card I am all about 5-20 extra ping "was worth the cash"
10tb of of hd space wd raptors/segate barracudas and samsung hard drives Hot Swapping
Western Digital VelociRaptor 600GB WD6000HLHX
Corsair Dominator DDR3 Tri-Chn 1600 12gigs
Corsair Ram Cooler
SILVERSTONE ST1200 1200W
not the best power supply but decent. 100% modular Corsair 1200AX was sold out
HP DVD/CDR Lightscribe slim
Nvidia 3D Vision
Alienware OptX AW2310 23-inch 3D Full HD Widescreen Monitor
HP Blu Ray, DVD/CD Burner w/ lightscribe
2x 6" Red Cathoids
1x 12" Red LED tubes
1x Asustek vreg fan
360 wired controller black
Wacom Tablet

I use my machine for gaming/work Maya is all I will say...

No comparison for me, on my PC I'm running with:

1. Phalanx - so I have all the followers I want (Currently hanging with Boone, Cass, Veronica and Ralph).

2. DarNified - beautiful new user interface with better hardcoe mode indicators for hunger/thirst/sleep.

3. FOOK - got some nice new guns and originals, plus tons of little fixes and tweaks.

4. Compilation Patch - I havn't found a bug in a long time now.

5. NoAutoAim - Yes the game is Finally as hard as a FPS should be, iron-sights with this is THE BOMB for combat IMHO.

6. MyHosueMod - spun up a mod to turn stoves into crafting sites, adjusted my containers, sink and made things a little more like home. Also removed the level cap.

7. Princess Stompers Veronica mod - makes her look more like Felica Day.

.. and these are early days, I can't wait to see the mods that get produced in the weand months ahead!

PC all the way.

Miax

Being a radio and electronics hobbyist. I've been home brewing my own rigs since the mid 80s. I wouldn't touch a pre-built box with a ten foot pole. I find that my custom machines last me longer then other people's store bought ones. My current setup cost me around $2,500.

I think the PC's mouse and keyboard give far more precise and better control then those crazy looking gadgets consoles use. I'm left handed and can optimize the controls to suit me and my play style. Never having owned a gaming console. I'm not sure if a console player would have as many options as I do.

I can work from home on my PC. Don't think that would be possible on a gaming console.

High-end PC, there is just no comparison. I own an Xbox 360 on a 42" HD tv with 5.1 surround system, but I never touch it.

My set up was about $800 +a $150 23" screen (black Friday deal like 2 or 3 years ago). and it ran everything even crysis on max settings. ( since then I spent another $200 to replace my video card because it died!!! stupid XFX never buying from them again) oh and its custom built. and why its better? Well you can get better graphics then on the console, mouse+keyboard=win its just simple math there. And theres some more reasons I don't want to post.
so around $1000 for a full set up

its about $200 cheaper for a console (if your buying the console new with a new tv about the same size as my screen right now for my PC)

oh and theres a better community!

PC for me, for games like this at least. I have a custom-built computer as well, though I didn't build it for Fallout (I built it for FFXIV, and since it can play that game on high settings, it can basically destroy FNV on the absolute maximum possible settings). The computer itself cost me about $800-900 (CAD), plus a little bit for the monitor and peripherals, which I didn't have because my previous computer was a laptop (which probably could have played New Vegas pretty well anyway). A computer built specifically for New Vegas would probably be significantly cheaper (i.e., you could probably shave a good $200-300 off that price, especially if you already have a monitor and other peripherals).

I think PC has some very distinct advantages over any console in a game like this, as long as you have the budget for it. Obviously if you're on a tight budget, building a computer may simply be out of the question for you. After all, even $500 is more than an Xbox 360 or PS3 will cost, and that's assuming you don't already have one. But cost really is the only disadvantage, if you ask me. For a game like New Vegas (or FO3, or Oblivion, or Morrowind), modding is an incredible advantage. Not only will it allow you to surpass bugs and glitches that will hold back console users until an official patch is released, but you get additional content as well, and the ability to modify the game to play the way you want it to.

You could cite Steam as another disadvantage, but that's really only the case if you're someone with a very poor internet connection, or none at all.

My PC only costed me about $250. A core 2 duo 5.32 ghz, 2.5 gigs ddr2, a 9800gt 512mb and dual power supplies. One for the main frame as I like to call it, and the stock psu for the optical drive and hard drives. I can run this game at high settings along with a lot of other games. Though I feel 2.5 gigs isn't enough for this game. I'll eventually upgrade to a core 2 quad with 4 gigabytes of ddr2 and a better graphics card.
I bought my pc from a wholesale retailer that was selling this one for $130 (sold old pc for $190 so I profited by upgrading haha). Just the pc without any hard drive and 512 mb. It was a steal considering most core 2 duo motherboard combos go for a higher price. And I bought my graphics card on ebay for $50 and sold my old 9400 gt for $40. I hardly have to put forth a lot of money when I upgrade because I'm a smart tech shopper. And no, I don't suffer reliability issues as some claim when purchasing used equipment.

But back to the OPs question. Which is better?
For first person shooters, which New Vegas seems to sport, a PC dominates any gaming console because of resolutions and control. For first person shooters, a mouse and keyboard is hierarchy then a controller regardless of ergonomics. For a game like new vegas where details load from a far, you need something better then the 512mb the consoles give you.

^This, and the ability to debug your game if something goes wrong. If your on a game console, cross your fingers hoping you don't run into a glitch or something that ruins your gaming experience.

So which is better for this game? Ultimately, the only way your going to get a similar PC experience is if you hook up your gaming console onto an HD TV or computer monitor.

Not necessarily, I would imagine most places these days have a local "computer shop" or small business type place that will build one for you. I typically build my own PC, but the last one I got (just before NV came out) I had built for me. Give them the general specs you want and let them worry about the rest. A relatively small service fee and I still got a much more powerful computer at a cheaper price than you can buy pre-fab and none of the worry. Check your local yellow pages.

Oh, that's another thing I meant to mention but forgot. "Know-how" is not an obstacle to building a computer. Believe me when I say that. You may think you know absolutely nothing about them and therefore can't build one; this is not true. Two reasons: one, everyone who ever built a computer at one point did not have the "know-how" to do it. Two, we live in a time where you can basically look up a detailed walkthrough for anything on the internet and become an expert in about an hour, if not less. Building computers is no exception.

And I'm not just blowing hot air here. I am one of those people who didn't have the know-how. I didn't know the first thing about building a computer before I started. I asked a few friends for advice, read a couple of guides, and did lots of research on parts. Two weeks of research and parts-shopping was the hardest part of the whole thing. It took only four hours of actual building time (it would have been less, but the CPU fan gave me a bit of trouble) before I had a brand new computer.

I play on 360, but there's no denying that for games such as this, a good PC blows the 360 out of the water. Should have a capable PC pretty soon, so I'll be getting involved with a modded FO3 and NV. Looking forward to it quite a bit.

For me, I say consoles are better. Consoles are not better at specs or being a power horse, the PC will always kill the console. But I am fed up of upgrading. I am fed up of updating, and tweaking trying to get a game to run. I easily screw up my computer, because I am not so knowladgeable of computers. Yes I give up alot.

I give up better graphics. I give up modding the game. I give up the keyboard and mouse. Thing is now, I am use to the controler now. I have a hard time playing on a mouse and keyboard now. So for me, lack of stress with not fighting the PC and trying to tweak it to play a game, out weighs the things I am missing.

As stupid as this sounds, the one thing I haven't seen on the PC yet is an motion controller options. Agree or disagree with this, (I don't care for them personally) but I have kids and they love them. So guess what the family plays on. That's right the console. So it is not just about me, but about the family. So far you can say that the PC is all about ME ME ME. It doesn't do the famil any good when you want a family event. Sorry I never saw or even herd that the family goes around the PC to play a game as a family. Now the consoles are perfect for that. One machine, can have 2 to 4 people playing, the other machine can only have one person playing at a time. No split screen for PC games. (If there is split screen for PC games, it's been ages since I herd of them.)

As for computers being made for $800 (I swear this is impossible because I can't do it, just goes to show I don't have the computer knowladge) I was able to get 3 consoles for the price of ONE gaming PC. So now the family can all play on the consoles. I play multiplayer iwth my son. I can't play multiplayer with my son on one Super Gaming PC. So what we don't have mods. So what if we don't have the jaw dropping awsome graphics that PCer's have. We can play agaisnt each other for the same cost of one gameing PC. So now, for the price or $800, I can have upto 8 people playing now instead of just one.

So now, I ask what is better? Better graphics? Better power? PC wins hands down. Now I ask, how many family members or friends can play at the same time with the same unit? That is the console hands down.

Ok, I saw my daughter surfing the Internet with 5 friends hovering over her. How this is fun for the other 4, I will never understand. But I guess that is a girl thing.

So for my $800, or lets round it off to a nice $1000, I have 4 or more family members playing the console instead of one at a time. So for me, consoles is more cost effiicient than a super duper PC gaming rig.

Also as to the cost for a HD TV it isn't being used just for consoles. I also watch TV and movies off it too, so that is not really an issue there for me.

So I have to disagree here saying that PC is the better way. It is a better way for YOU (single person in most cases), but the consoles is better for US (family or more than one person in most cases). So as we can see, there is pro and con for both types of platforms.

Davor

Well Thing is if you are buying a new console and don't already have a TV its going to end up around about the same price, most people want at least a 32" TV (because your further away from it then your PC) and thats where the major amount of the money comes from. So you have to buy 4 consoles $300 each your at $1200 now you have to have a TV for each of those consoles. so how much is a tv worth having now? like 30" TV is $400 without tax so now your at another $1600 without tax and electronic recycling fees. my computer for $800 included tax and all the fees. so in reality its really all about the same price. and that $800 was like 3 years ago or so so same computer build would be like $600 now

as for multiplayer, yea that is great and all for some games like shooters. but shooters are more competitive on the PC excluding Halo games (cause those are not on the PC) Mouse and board give a better edge then a controller. And most importantly you can't really mod games that have multiplayer.

as for Fallout New Vegas it is better on the PC then the consoles. without mods and all, I have played and beat it on the pc now no mods no fixes or updates, not one crash or glitch or any of that stuff. The console versions have many many reports of crashes glitches and corrupt data.

This is a you and your family scenario and the type of person you are yes a console is more viable for you that is not what the op asked.
PC's can be built for around 300-500 dollars if you shop super smart might not get everything new but you will have something that will play games on high settings and some settings you can squeez to very high.
But yes family/friends on one machine console is best in that area. But a computer is more than a gaming machine for most its also a tool, it does a bit more than a console can any day in that department.
800 dollars would include everything, you also have to keep in mind once the new console comes out what are you going to do with your old one? can you take parts from your old console to build a new one? Nope not really....
pc lets you do that letting you cut cost by 3/4 if not a little more down the road once you are at the point you need a new mobo/cpu/ram.

if your buying multiple consoles you need multiple tvs as well and since your a family guy that cares about your kids you do not want them gaming on a small screen, tends to mess up peoples eyes=)

The question really wasn't about weather your family will enjoy a gaming console or a pc. Besides fallout new vegas isn't exactly ment to be played infront of an audience or multiple ongoing saves. Cache can be problem on the xbox 360 with multiple profile saves of the same fallout game. With one player alone it'll still need a dump of cache once a month. Its really a one on one type of game. I couldn't watch someone play and think its fun.

Also, I'm highly positive you didn't research motion sensors. The pc does have options for motion sensors however they are not rooted for pc gaming yet, at least most likely not a general one. Proprietary, possibly. Even arduino chips with extra power can be programmed for motion sensors. The PC is the only tool with the most functions. However its only as good as the user, as any other tool. So if your not good with a pc your definitely going to be extinct in the near future. A game console has one function to serve, to entertain. Its a media player, web browser (ps3), and a relic gaming pc. Plus, you can't upgrade it without completely modifying both the console's built in OS and the game you feel like running. In order to upgrade the ram you'd need to desolder the ram chip and resolder a new one in. Yes people have done this with the xbox 360 however there probably isn't any difference in gaming considering the programming code is rooted at a specific system requirements therefore a full 1 gigabyte of ddr3 installed will likely not get used to its full potential unless you modify the gaming console to allow further ram usage, and modify the game of choice to allow higher sets of ram usage. Which in the end, its only good for tech bragging rights. Assuming you'll get this far without having personal experience building the kernal and OS for the xbox 360.

If I am lazy I choose console games. Just hanging around on the couch with some good friends playing ps3 or xbox. PC is too much work sometimes tweaking and getting the right options too run a game smoothly.

I am lucky I can choose though

I take it you don't do too much research on video cards then? A 460 runs for $170 on Newegg, which will handle most games fine on the highest settings.

I custom built mine and I paid $600 then had to upgrade my motherboard, video card, and memory and I also got a new case so that all cost $500, but having to pay for the new stuff was my own fault because I bought crappy stuff, but everything else I got was great and now my computer is great so overall I paid $1000 for it not including monitor, keyboard, etc.

I also go to school so the computer works for other things too. I also have a ps3 but computer games are cheaper and I love computer games. It's a personal choice I think that really depends on the person.

Basically everything FalloutFTW just said. I can't emphasize enough just how much more control you have with a mouse and keyboard, I could never go back, console controls are awful in my opinion. The ability to fine-tune your graphics settings and resolution is an immense luxury on a computer that consoles aren't afforded, which svcks IMO, I play my videogames on a 42 inch HDTV at 1360x768 resolution... console users can basically do the same thing, but toss in that I can tweak my graphic settings waaaayy higher than them like FalloutFTW mentioned and it's just plain superior IMO. I actually play on a laptop I had built through Alienware about 3 years ago, it cost me roughly $3,600... this laptop survived Afghanistan and still runs the newest games at or close to max graphics, love this baby. :user:

PC. No doubt. If a game is released on both then both my PC or console can handle it. For shooters and the like mouse + keyboard wins. For the rest I have a xbox controller for the PC.

Leaving modding and the likes outside in the end I can play on either just fine but on PC the games a cheaper. The choice was always made for me. Pay more for the exact same experience? Why would I ever?

For me PS3 beats all. It's an all in one home entertainment center and it has my favorite franchises (LBP, Uncharted, Killzone, God of War and Metal Gear) including IMO the best game ever: Uncharted 2. For the price it can't be beat. I don't like twitchy FPSs so the lack of KB&M makes no difference to me.