After over two decades of Xbox gaming, I’ve finally bid farewell to my console and embraced the world of Gaming PCs.
I was amongst the early adopters of the Xbox when it first hit the market. The constant need for updating drivers and dealing with incompatible hardware had worn me down. I longed for a “plug-and-play” experience, which back then, essentially meant popping in a game DVD and getting started. Over time, this evolved into downloading games, eliminating the need for DVDs. No matter the changes, the Xbox always offered a hassle-free gaming experience.
Over the years, I consistently upgraded to the latest Xbox console, with my most recent one being the powerful Series X.
However, as my gaming preferences shifted from arcade racing to sim racing, I found myself playing fewer games, primarily Forza Motorsport and my all-time favourite, Assetto Corsa Competizione. I even invested in a Logitech sim racing wheel set, later upgrading to a Thrustmaster wheel with Loadcell pedals and a playseat. My gaming was becoming more serious.
The console version of ACC (Assetto Corsa Competizione) was a port from the PC version, and it was plagued with bugs and updates that didn’t work. After seeing the superior PC version, I began to question my console choice. The allure of iRacing and a new upcoming version of ACC only added to my doubts.
After weeks of planning and getting the budget in place (do not underestimate the cost), I finally purchased a gaming PC with specs powerful enough to run the latest games at the highest quality.
So, after more than 20 years, I’ve returned to the realm of “Gaming PCs”, while continuing to use my MacBook for everyday tasks, as I have a preference for MacOS over Windows.
Here are the specs of my new PC:
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
- Memory: 32Gb 5200Mhz
- Video Card: Geforce RTX 4070 Super 12Gb
- Storage: 1Tb Fast SSD and 2TB 3.5″disk for “slow”storage
- Casing: Be quiet Pure base Black
- Cooler: Be quiet Dark Rock Pro 5
The Build:
After ordering all the components online, the next step was assembling it all. I had built PCs over 30 years ago and felt confident I could still do it. Thanks to YouTube, I was able to quickly brush up on my knowledge. After about 3 hours and a struggle with the cabling, it was time to power it up for the first time…
The moment was exciting, and everything fell into place. The PC booted up, and Windows 11 was installed smoothly.
The Outcome:
I can now run all my favourite games at the highest resolution and settings, with a high frame rate. I’ve sold my Xbox Series X and am now getting acquainted with my PC and its games.
The only major downside is having to repurchase all my games and content, as licenses can’t be transferred. Additionally, while iRacing is fun, it can be quite costly if you want a lot of content.
Despite this, the immersive experience on PC is incredible.
While I still appreciate consoles, especially for their value for money and ease of use, I’m thrilled with my transition to PC gaming.
–Game On