Xbox Series X vs. Gaming PC: How Do They Compare?

Are you looking to buy an Xbox Series X or a Gaming PC? Let's help you make that decision by putting them head-to-head.

Xbox vs PC is a discussion that sparks every time a new generation Xbox comes to the light. With Xbox Series X leading this generation of Microsoft's gaming console, it is yet again something to think about.

Especially considering that you may not be able to get your hands on one easily in its initial year of launch. If you are reading this later, you may not have a problem with that.

Here, we shall compare Xbox X to a gaming PC based on important factors to help you make the ultimate decision.

Things to Keep in Mind When Comparing Xbox to PC

While this article aims to provide you with essential pointers, you will have to keep a few things in mind:

• The pricing for Xbox Series X console and PC components can vary with time and country.
• The availability of the console and graphics card for a gaming PC is another deciding factor.

Now, with that in mind, let us walk through some important points comparing Xbox Series X and a gaming PC.

Xbox Series X vs. Gaming PC: Which Is Better?

Both the Xbox and Gaming PC have a lot to offer, but which one comes out on top when comparing the two? Let's look at the key factors you should consider when deciding whether to buy an Xbox or a Gaming PC.

The Xbox and PC Game Ecosystem

It is not just the hardware that you interact with, you should also consider the availability of games and the pricing of titles.

While the Xbox Game Pass offers a considerable value for both PC and console, the base subscription for PC offers an extra EA Play subscription included. To access EA titles on your Xbox console, you will have to opt for the ultimate game pass.

Xbox Game Pass for both platforms offers plenty of games and discounts for purchases. So, if you rely on Xbox Game Pass, they are equally valuable with a slight edge to PC subscribers.

However, this restricts you to the Xbox store (or Microsoft's store) when using the Xbox Series X.

With a gaming PC, you can access a variety of other game stores like Steam and Epic Games, that feature massive collections of games with regular deals/free games.

Related: How to Use EA Play With Xbox Game Pass for PC

Xbox and PC Hardware Capabilities

The Xbox Series X is a capable console that features an 8-core Zen 2-based AMD processor with AMD's RDNA 2 architecture-powered GPU, providing 52 compute units.

Xbox Series X specs are almost equivalent to a Ryzen 7 3700X desktop processor paired with Radeon RX 6800 or Nvidia RTX 3070. So, the Xbox Series X graphics card is impressive enough for 4K gaming and 120 FPS experience on paper.

Of course, the performance will also depend on the type of game you play. So, you should not expect a full-fledged 4K gaming experience with 120 frames for all the games.

A gaming PC with that specification may not be enough for a full-fledged 4K gaming either, but you get the option to utilize NVIDIA's DLSS or use AMD's Fidelity FX Super Resolution to improve the performance. But, you may be able to experience better on the console for its optimization.

However, if you consider a high-end gaming PC, you can easily get to experience more.

Xbox and PC Price

Building a high-end gaming PC is certainly an expensive endeavor. If you want every component of your component as a top-notch selection, the sky's the limit. You can even end up purchasing a ~$700 PC cabinet just for its aesthetics.

Not just limited to the price, you will have to be careful that you are not overpaying for the components.

So, it takes a significant amount of research to set up a good gaming rig. You can choose to purchase a pre-built gaming system from NZXT and others, but it is limited to the US/Canada.

In contrast, Xbox Series X is significantly cheaper for its gaming capabilities and hassle-free one-unit purchase.

Xbox Series X and Gaming PC Upgrade Options

It is important to understand whether you want to upgrade your system after a few years or just purchase a new one.

If you consider a PC, you can easily upgrade it. In fact, you can choose to upgrade every component, which is a massive advantage for longevity. For instance, if your gaming PC performance is not satisfactory after a few years, you can simply choose to upgrade the graphics card while keeping the rest intact.

However, you get limited upgrade choices with Xbox Series X. You can only upgrade the storage space and not the chip or graphics card.

So, in the case of a console, you will need to purchase a new Xbox (next-gen). But, a PC upgrade may save you more money over the years.

Xbox Series X and Gaming PC Portability

When it comes to portability, a gaming PC may not be as convenient as the Xbox Series X.

Technically, you can build a mini-ITX gaming system that is similarly portable. But, it is a challenging task to do it the right way.

When it comes to a gaming desktop, you will have to take care of the cooling and the form factor for the components you use. It could end up being a disaster if you do not know what you are doing.

Of course, if you want the ultimate portability, a high-end laptop can prove to be better than the Xbox Series X, but you may lose out on the performance with the money you spend. Furthermore, a laptop has limited options for upgrade.

Overall, when considering a PC, you get choices for portability, but a console is already a portable machine from the get-go.

Xbox Series X and Gaming PC Warranty and After-Sales

With Xbox Series X, you get a limited warranty of one year for the machine. You can consider extending the warranty for up to three years, but it may not be available with retailers.

In the case of a PC, you get a warranty issued for every component you purchase. Most of them offer a three-year warranty period and some even offer five to ten years of warranty.

This is a massive difference in terms of assurance and longevity.

Of course, the Xbox Series X may not fail for years (for most), but you have the assurance of getting it replaced in the case of PC components.

What Should You Go For; Xbox Series X or Gaming PC?

If you want to focus on playing games with 4K support and want the convenience of a console, the Xbox Series X should be a great choice.

But, if you want the ability to upgrade, access to more games, and a multi-purpose system, a PC should be your pick.

Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Ultimately, you will have to weigh down your priorities and pick what is more important for you.

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