• Welcome to TechPowerUp Forums, Guest! Please check out our forum guidelines for info related to our community.

What's with consoles?

Thetimewarp

New Member
Joined
Nov 6, 2010
Messages
48 (0.01/day)
Location
My house
Is there some way to dedicate a PC to playing games, like a console? Will some kind of software tweak allow me to do this or are games just coded poorly for windows which is why they require better hardware to run on windows?
 

streetfighter 2

New Member
Joined
Jul 26, 2010
Messages
1,655 (0.33/day)
Location
Philly
Huh? Your question confuses and scares me.

A traditional desktop processor is capable of a lot more stuff than similar chips in a console. Much like a server processor may have a reduced instruction set (RISC) because it only needs to perform a certain function well. As it goes PCs do play games very well because they've vastly improved the graphics subsystems in recent years while maintaining the PC's innate ability to do almost anything.

That help?
 
Joined
Jul 21, 2008
Messages
5,169 (0.90/day)
System Name [Daily Driver]
Processor [Ryzen 7 5800X3D]
Motherboard [Asus TUF GAMING X570-PLUS]
Cooling [be quiet! Dark Rock Slim]
Memory [64GB Corsair Vengeance LPX 3600MHz (16GBx4)]
Video Card(s) [PNY RTX 3070Ti XLR8]
Storage [1TB SN850 NVMe, 4TB 990 Pro NVMe, 2TB 870 EVO SSD, 2TB SA510 SSD]
Display(s) [2x 27" HP X27q at 1440p]
Case [Fractal Meshify-C]
Audio Device(s) [Steelseries Arctis Pro]
Power Supply [CORSAIR RMx 1000]
Mouse [Logitech G Pro Wireless]
Keyboard [Logitech G512 Carbon (GX-Brown)]
Software [Windows 11 64-Bit]
I dont see this thread going anywhere good...
 
Joined
Feb 26, 2008
Messages
1,037 (0.18/day)
Location
London, England
System Name Le Don
Processor Core i 5 2500K Unlocked 3.3GHz HD Graphics 3000
Motherboard Asus P8P67 Pro B3 Revision Rev 3.1
Cooling Arctic Freezer Pro 7 Rev.2
Memory 8Gb Corsair DDR3 (CMZ8GX3M2B1600C9), 1600MHz, 1.5V, 9-9-9-24
Video Card(s) EVGA Signature 2 Super Clocked GTX680 2GB
Storage Total 6 TB storage
Display(s) LG 23" D2342P and LG 42" 42LF65 LCD (Wall mounted)
Case Antec P180 Silver
Audio Device(s) Audigy 2 ZS Platinum Pro
Power Supply Corsair 850HX
Software Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit,
i thin he means can he by-pass Windows so the game loads up like a console. and besides, they only run poorly on a low-spec PCs.
 
Joined
Dec 6, 2005
Messages
10,881 (1.63/day)
Location
Manchester, NH
System Name Senile
Processor I7-4790K@4.8 GHz 24/7
Motherboard MSI Z97-G45 Gaming
Cooling Be Quiet Pure Rock Air
Memory 16GB 4x4 G.Skill CAS9 2133 Sniper
Video Card(s) GIGABYTE Vega 64
Storage Samsung EVO 500GB / 8 Different WDs / QNAP TS-253 8GB NAS with 2x10Tb WD Blue
Display(s) 34" LG 34CB88-P 21:9 Curved UltraWide QHD (3440*1440) *FREE_SYNC*
Case Rosewill
Audio Device(s) Onboard + HD HDMI
Power Supply Corsair HX750
Mouse Logitech G5
Keyboard Corsair Strafe RGB & G610 Orion Red
Software Win 10
Actually it's a rather profound question. PC's carry so much baggage from the ability to do so many different things, supporting 1000's of different harware types. Most of this support stems from a combination of the hardware and the operating system (AKA Windows). Then you get into specific software functions for hardware, such as graphic cards that in turn support DirectX, OpenGL... OpenCL, these are known as "drivers".

Consoles, on the other hand, are designed as a single system with little variation in internal hardware, little support of additional external hardware, and programs that are written for the custom operating system and hardware within the platform. It keeps them simple, and generally more reliable. The problem is they simply can't do as much, or support much in the way of custom hardware... unless someone is clever enough to write drivers to do that, and in most cases they won't because they won't make money.

So to answer your question, they really are two different things. You certainly can choose to dedicate a PC as a gaming machine, but you won't get much out of it unless you install a version of Windows (XP, Vista, 7)... then you're stuck with all the baggage that comes with it.

... I hope that helps.
 
Joined
Mar 1, 2010
Messages
3,565 (0.69/day)
Location
By the Channel Tunnel, Kent, England
System Name Benny
Processor Phenom II 1055t @ 3.3GHz; 300x11; 1.380v; NB 2700; HT 2400
Motherboard ASUS Crosshair IV Formula (2002 BIOS)
Cooling Thermalright TRUE 120 Black + 2 Xilence Red Wing PWM 120mm (push/pull) + polycarbonate fan holders
Memory 8GB GeIL Ultra 2133MHZ C9 running at 1600MHz @ 7-7-7-21 1T 1.5v
Video Card(s) MSI Twin Frozr II GTX470 @ Stock w/CPU fan cable-tied on, as one of the GPU fans broke.
Storage 60GB OCZ Agility3 (OS);500GB WDC Grn; 1x1TB WDC Blk (Backup)
Display(s) ASUS PA823Q
Case Silverstone Raven 2 (all cables custom sleeved with velcro mod on side panel...)
Audio Device(s) X-Fi (Onboard) + Harmon Kardon HK6100 amp powering JVC HA-RX700's with Zalman mic
Power Supply Corsair HX650W
Software Win7 Pro x64
Benchmark Scores No benchies so making this space useful! Corsair M90, Logitech G19. Phobya FlexLight LED's (gawjus)
You can make your own XP with nlite, or use the (hope I don't get in trouble for mentioning this) "XP Performance Edition" (unofficial). It's XP with everything ripped out of it and it's meant solely for gamers. I used it for gaming up until I switched to Win 7 x64.
 
Joined
Oct 2, 2005
Messages
3,059 (0.45/day)
Location
Baltimore MD
Processor Ryzen 5900X
Motherboard ASUS Prime X470 Pro
Cooling Arctic liquid freezer II 240
Memory 2 x 16 Gb Gskill Trident Z 3600 Mhz
Video Card(s) MSI Ventus 3060 Ti OC
Storage Samsung 960 EVO 500 Gb / 860 EVO 1 Tb
Display(s) Dell S2719DGF
Case Lian Li Lancool II Mesh
Audio Device(s) Soundblaster Z
Power Supply Corsair RM850x
Mouse Logitech G703
Keyboard Logitech G513
Software Win 11
i think you have it backwards games are coded to run on crap consoles and sometimes ported to milk more cash from the pc users, ex- MW2

Play Bad Company 2 in dx11 on a pc then play it on conslow, after that i think you will have your answer.
If not do a quick check of how many ppl can play in a COD server PC vs Conslow

After that consider my computer has never RRoD'ed or flashed intermittent yellow,red light and refused to do anything.
 
Joined
May 21, 2009
Messages
4,966 (0.92/day)
System Name i7-PC / HTPC / iMac
Processor i7 3820 / Phenom II 940
Motherboard GIGABYTE G1.ASSASSIN2 / M3A79-T Deluxe
Cooling Corsair Hydro H100i / Scythe II (HS only)
Memory G.SKILL Trident X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 1600mhz / 4GB DDR2 1066 (@800) Corsair Dominator
Video Card(s) GB Radeon HD 7950s 3GB / GB Radeon HD 7950s 3GB
Storage 2x 80GB Intel X-25, 2x600gb SATA, 1x1tb 5400RPM storage /1x600GB, 3x500GB,1x160,1x120 SATA
Display(s) 1x 27" Yamakasi / Vizio 42" HDTV
Case Lian Li Lancool PC-K58 / Antec 900
Audio Device(s) HT Omega Striker 7.1 / Onboard and HDMI from ATi Card
Power Supply PC Power & Cooling 750W / 610W
Software Ubuntu / Windows 8.1 Pro / OS X / PHPStorm / Gaming
Actually it's a rather profound question.

your answer was great ... and it was a good enough question... i just think "profound" is a little generous. I would hope most of us would at least recognize this, if not think a little deeper on it.
but the idea only goes so deep. on the surface it's exactly as you say. the only other level is the recognition that they are all machines doing the same thing - it's what you program them with that makes the difference.
after that... what else is there to it? profound hints that is some deep discussion, intense and full of insight. not that this was a bad question - it just isn't "profound"

and i am sorry... i just have this thing for words :(

and the only reason shibdib said what he did (i imagine) was because of the potential for yet another flamewar ... but truthfully i don't see that happening here.
 

Easy Rhino

Linux Advocate
Staff member
Joined
Nov 13, 2006
Messages
15,436 (2.43/day)
Location
Mid-Atlantic
System Name Desktop
Processor i5 13600KF
Motherboard AsRock B760M Steel Legend Wifi
Cooling Noctua NH-U9S
Memory 4x 16 Gb Gskill S5 DDR5 @6000
Video Card(s) Gigabyte Gaming OC 6750 XT 12GB
Storage WD_BLACK 4TB SN850x
Display(s) Gigabye M32U
Case Corsair Carbide 400C
Audio Device(s) On Board
Power Supply EVGA Supernova 650 P2
Mouse MX Master 3s
Keyboard Logitech G915 Wireless Clicky
Software The Matrix
please keep this conversation civil.

i think the OP means putting something together like an HTPC but for games.
 

Thetimewarp

New Member
Joined
Nov 6, 2010
Messages
48 (0.01/day)
Location
My house
please keep this conversation civil.

i think the OP means putting something together like an HTPC but for games.

your answer was great ... and it was a good enough question... i just think "profound" is a little generous. I would hope most of us would at least recognize this, if not think a little deeper on it.
but the idea only goes so deep. on the surface it's exactly as you say. the only other level is the recognition that they are all machines doing the same thing - it's what you program them with that makes the difference.
after that... what else is there to it? profound hints that is some deep discussion, intense and full of insight. not that this was a bad question - it just isn't "profound"

and i am sorry... i just have this thing for words :(

and the only reason shibdib said what he did (i imagine) was because of the potential for yet another flamewar ... but truthfully i don't see that happening here.

I guess what I really meant was, given the 'good' performance of consoles based on their hardware in games, to what extent can I dedicate my PC to games although being limited by some things. Sorry if there's any ambiguity there.
 

Easy Rhino

Linux Advocate
Staff member
Joined
Nov 13, 2006
Messages
15,436 (2.43/day)
Location
Mid-Atlantic
System Name Desktop
Processor i5 13600KF
Motherboard AsRock B760M Steel Legend Wifi
Cooling Noctua NH-U9S
Memory 4x 16 Gb Gskill S5 DDR5 @6000
Video Card(s) Gigabyte Gaming OC 6750 XT 12GB
Storage WD_BLACK 4TB SN850x
Display(s) Gigabye M32U
Case Corsair Carbide 400C
Audio Device(s) On Board
Power Supply EVGA Supernova 650 P2
Mouse MX Master 3s
Keyboard Logitech G915 Wireless Clicky
Software The Matrix
i am sure there is some way to build a program that loads on boot in windows, bypasses all the lame security features, and brings up a GUI that lists all of your games. then you can just use a gamepad and scroll through your games. it is a pretty neat idea actually.
 

HookeyStreet

Eat, sleep, game!
Joined
Aug 29, 2004
Messages
7,122 (1.00/day)
Location
Great Yarmouth, England
Is there some way to dedicate a PC to playing games, like a console? Will some kind of software tweak allow me to do this or are games just coded poorly for windows which is why they require better hardware to run on windows?

Sorry, but WTF are you talking about? :D
 

Kreij

Senior Monkey Moderator
Joined
Feb 6, 2007
Messages
13,817 (2.21/day)
Location
Cheeseland (Wisconsin, USA)
I guess what I really meant was, given the 'good' performance of consoles based on their hardware in games, to what extent can I dedicate my PC to games although being limited by some things. Sorry if there's any ambiguity there.

You can completely dedicate you computer to gaming. Just don't use it for anything else.
You will still need some flavor of Windows (or another OS) though.
 

Bo$$

Lab Extraordinaire
Joined
May 7, 2009
Messages
5,656 (1.04/day)
Location
London, UK
System Name Desktop | Server
Processor Intel i7 2700k @ 4.6GHZ | AMD 5350 @ 2500MHZ
Motherboard Asus P7Z77-V Pro | Asus AM1I-A
Cooling Corsair H60v2 | Stock Air
Memory Crucial Ballistix 2x8GB CL8 1600MHZ | Corsair Vengence 2x4GB CL9 1600MHZ
Video Card(s) EVGA GTX 1060 6GB | PNY GTX 750Ti
Storage Samsung 840 EVO 250GB + 4TB WD Red | 2x Seagate Barracuda 2TB
Display(s) Samsung S27D390H + Asus VE276Q | Headless
Case Fractal Design R5 | CM Elite 110
Audio Device(s) Asus Xonar D1 w/Otone Stilo 5.1 and Creative Fatal1ty headset
Power Supply EVGA Supernova 850 G2| Corsair CX430M
Mouse Razer Imperator 2012
Keyboard Corsair K90
Software Windows 7 SP1 X64 | Ubuntu 16.04LTS
i am sure there is some way to build a program that loads on boot in windows, bypasses all the lame security features, and brings up a GUI that lists all of your games. then you can just use a gamepad and scroll through your games. it is a pretty neat idea actually.

steam havent made their own OS just yet, but they are thinking of it, i read somewhere

try cloud gaming ;)
 
Joined
May 21, 2009
Messages
4,966 (0.92/day)
System Name i7-PC / HTPC / iMac
Processor i7 3820 / Phenom II 940
Motherboard GIGABYTE G1.ASSASSIN2 / M3A79-T Deluxe
Cooling Corsair Hydro H100i / Scythe II (HS only)
Memory G.SKILL Trident X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 1600mhz / 4GB DDR2 1066 (@800) Corsair Dominator
Video Card(s) GB Radeon HD 7950s 3GB / GB Radeon HD 7950s 3GB
Storage 2x 80GB Intel X-25, 2x600gb SATA, 1x1tb 5400RPM storage /1x600GB, 3x500GB,1x160,1x120 SATA
Display(s) 1x 27" Yamakasi / Vizio 42" HDTV
Case Lian Li Lancool PC-K58 / Antec 900
Audio Device(s) HT Omega Striker 7.1 / Onboard and HDMI from ATi Card
Power Supply PC Power & Cooling 750W / 610W
Software Ubuntu / Windows 8.1 Pro / OS X / PHPStorm / Gaming
I guess what I really meant was, given the 'good' performance of consoles based on their hardware in games, to what extent can I dedicate my PC to games although being limited by some things. Sorry if there's any ambiguity there.

no i get it... and believe - have thought about it before ...

the problem is that you need windows to play the game. and the versions that work with windows are coded that way.

if you had access and ability to rewrite/mod the code in all the games to work with your custom system, it is feasible that you could get many to run on slower hardware... but then you would have built a new console, when there are already good ones.

as far as windows only software goes - for an extra 1-200USD you can turn that custom low-power hardware into something much better, still small, and able to play most games at low settings.

so the way i see it the market already has it's machines in different segments. one machine to replace both would not be feasible - and there is no need for something else in the middle. they effectively separate the market between power and ease of use - there's really not much left to be done , except advance those segments imo.

i am sure there is some way to build a program that loads on boot in windows, bypasses all the lame security features, and brings up a GUI that lists all of your games. then you can just use a gamepad and scroll through your games. it is a pretty neat idea actually.

that's pretty easily done and not, i think, what he meant.
 
Joined
Dec 6, 2005
Messages
10,881 (1.63/day)
Location
Manchester, NH
System Name Senile
Processor I7-4790K@4.8 GHz 24/7
Motherboard MSI Z97-G45 Gaming
Cooling Be Quiet Pure Rock Air
Memory 16GB 4x4 G.Skill CAS9 2133 Sniper
Video Card(s) GIGABYTE Vega 64
Storage Samsung EVO 500GB / 8 Different WDs / QNAP TS-253 8GB NAS with 2x10Tb WD Blue
Display(s) 34" LG 34CB88-P 21:9 Curved UltraWide QHD (3440*1440) *FREE_SYNC*
Case Rosewill
Audio Device(s) Onboard + HD HDMI
Power Supply Corsair HX750
Mouse Logitech G5
Keyboard Corsair Strafe RGB & G610 Orion Red
Software Win 10
steam havent made their own OS just yet, but they are thinking of it, i read somewhere

The answer to Timewarps original question indeed lies in a custom OS. But you're still facing the problem of support for 1000's of differenct peices of hardware. That's where MS wins (unfortunately).
 

Easy Rhino

Linux Advocate
Staff member
Joined
Nov 13, 2006
Messages
15,436 (2.43/day)
Location
Mid-Atlantic
System Name Desktop
Processor i5 13600KF
Motherboard AsRock B760M Steel Legend Wifi
Cooling Noctua NH-U9S
Memory 4x 16 Gb Gskill S5 DDR5 @6000
Video Card(s) Gigabyte Gaming OC 6750 XT 12GB
Storage WD_BLACK 4TB SN850x
Display(s) Gigabye M32U
Case Corsair Carbide 400C
Audio Device(s) On Board
Power Supply EVGA Supernova 650 P2
Mouse MX Master 3s
Keyboard Logitech G915 Wireless Clicky
Software The Matrix
The answer to Timewarps original question indeed lies in a custom OS. But you're still facing the problem of support for 1000's of differenct peices of hardware. That's where MS wins (unfortunately).

i believe you could create a program that runs on windows but strips out all the gui BS and replace it with a sleek and lite gui for gaming. it would require some illegal coding of windows 7 but it certainly can be done.
 

Bo$$

Lab Extraordinaire
Joined
May 7, 2009
Messages
5,656 (1.04/day)
Location
London, UK
System Name Desktop | Server
Processor Intel i7 2700k @ 4.6GHZ | AMD 5350 @ 2500MHZ
Motherboard Asus P7Z77-V Pro | Asus AM1I-A
Cooling Corsair H60v2 | Stock Air
Memory Crucial Ballistix 2x8GB CL8 1600MHZ | Corsair Vengence 2x4GB CL9 1600MHZ
Video Card(s) EVGA GTX 1060 6GB | PNY GTX 750Ti
Storage Samsung 840 EVO 250GB + 4TB WD Red | 2x Seagate Barracuda 2TB
Display(s) Samsung S27D390H + Asus VE276Q | Headless
Case Fractal Design R5 | CM Elite 110
Audio Device(s) Asus Xonar D1 w/Otone Stilo 5.1 and Creative Fatal1ty headset
Power Supply EVGA Supernova 850 G2| Corsair CX430M
Mouse Razer Imperator 2012
Keyboard Corsair K90
Software Windows 7 SP1 X64 | Ubuntu 16.04LTS
what was the name of that cloud gaming service, it means you can play anthing at full FPS without a PC
 
Joined
Dec 6, 2005
Messages
10,881 (1.63/day)
Location
Manchester, NH
System Name Senile
Processor I7-4790K@4.8 GHz 24/7
Motherboard MSI Z97-G45 Gaming
Cooling Be Quiet Pure Rock Air
Memory 16GB 4x4 G.Skill CAS9 2133 Sniper
Video Card(s) GIGABYTE Vega 64
Storage Samsung EVO 500GB / 8 Different WDs / QNAP TS-253 8GB NAS with 2x10Tb WD Blue
Display(s) 34" LG 34CB88-P 21:9 Curved UltraWide QHD (3440*1440) *FREE_SYNC*
Case Rosewill
Audio Device(s) Onboard + HD HDMI
Power Supply Corsair HX750
Mouse Logitech G5
Keyboard Corsair Strafe RGB & G610 Orion Red
Software Win 10
i believe you could create a program that runs on windows but strips out all the gui BS and replace it with a sleek and lite gui for gaming. it would require some illegal coding of windows 7 but it certainly can be done.

There was mention above of something similar. It'd be quite the chore, and to optimise, much in the way of background services to kill or remove. Just don't install iTunes on it! LOL.
 

CDdude55

Crazy 4 TPU!!!
Joined
Jul 12, 2007
Messages
8,178 (1.34/day)
Location
Virginia
System Name CDdude's Rig!
Processor AMD Athlon II X4 620
Motherboard Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3
Cooling Corsair H70
Memory 8GB Corsair Vengence @1600mhz
Video Card(s) XFX HD 6970 2GB
Storage OCZ Agility 3 60GB SSD/WD Velociraptor 300GB
Display(s) ASUS VH232H 23" 1920x1080
Case Cooler Master CM690 (w/ side window)
Audio Device(s) Onboard (It sounds fine)
Power Supply Corsair 850TX
Software Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit SP1
what was the name of that cloud gaming service, it means you can play anthing at full FPS without a PC

Onlive?
 

Phxprovost

Xtreme Refugee
Joined
Apr 6, 2009
Messages
1,217 (0.22/day)
Location
Pennsylvania
System Name Result of Boredom
Processor AMD FX-6350
Motherboard ASUS M5A97
Cooling Enzo Tech Extreme-X
Memory 16gb ddr3
Video Card(s) XFX R9 290
Display(s) Asus 24in (1920X1080) X 2 @144hz
Case NZXT S340
Software WIN7 64bit HP
what was the name of that cloud gaming service, it means you can play anthing at full FPS without a PC

onlive?
edit: cd beat me to it

@OP
I really dont understand what your trying to do, if you want to dedicate a rig to gaming do it, there is software that can strip down all processes not needed for gaming but i have yet to see any proof that it actually does anything
performance wise
edit 2: something like this?
 
Last edited:

Bo$$

Lab Extraordinaire
Joined
May 7, 2009
Messages
5,656 (1.04/day)
Location
London, UK
System Name Desktop | Server
Processor Intel i7 2700k @ 4.6GHZ | AMD 5350 @ 2500MHZ
Motherboard Asus P7Z77-V Pro | Asus AM1I-A
Cooling Corsair H60v2 | Stock Air
Memory Crucial Ballistix 2x8GB CL8 1600MHZ | Corsair Vengence 2x4GB CL9 1600MHZ
Video Card(s) EVGA GTX 1060 6GB | PNY GTX 750Ti
Storage Samsung 840 EVO 250GB + 4TB WD Red | 2x Seagate Barracuda 2TB
Display(s) Samsung S27D390H + Asus VE276Q | Headless
Case Fractal Design R5 | CM Elite 110
Audio Device(s) Asus Xonar D1 w/Otone Stilo 5.1 and Creative Fatal1ty headset
Power Supply EVGA Supernova 850 G2| Corsair CX430M
Mouse Razer Imperator 2012
Keyboard Corsair K90
Software Windows 7 SP1 X64 | Ubuntu 16.04LTS

CDdude55

Crazy 4 TPU!!!
Joined
Jul 12, 2007
Messages
8,178 (1.34/day)
Location
Virginia
System Name CDdude's Rig!
Processor AMD Athlon II X4 620
Motherboard Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3
Cooling Corsair H70
Memory 8GB Corsair Vengence @1600mhz
Video Card(s) XFX HD 6970 2GB
Storage OCZ Agility 3 60GB SSD/WD Velociraptor 300GB
Display(s) ASUS VH232H 23" 1920x1080
Case Cooler Master CM690 (w/ side window)
Audio Device(s) Onboard (It sounds fine)
Power Supply Corsair 850TX
Software Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit SP1
thats it, thats what the OP should try :toast:
them bastards wouldn't let me join the beta, because i was british, facist punks :shadedshu

That's if he has a good connection, they wouldn't even let me install the app because it detected how crappying my connection was.:ohwell:
 
Top