[skinnyman9000]

I've been having a dilema recently. Basically i have £1000 to spend on a computer, i did have 2 options:

1 - Spend £1000 building a gaming computer
2 - Spend £500 on a computer and £500 on a PS3
3 - This option has just come about, i've heard that you can run a PS3 like a computer.

So is it possible to do option 3? Attach an external HD to the PS3, run all of the computer software from that HD using the hardware within the PS3, and then also use the PS3 as a normal gaming device? The only games i play on the computer are strategy games such as Command & Conquer and civilisations etc, so it wouldnt need to be especially faster or powerful.

So, what do people think?

[Dave Hybrid]

You need 1k for the PS3 option really as you need a 1080p HD LCD TV to get the best from it.

[Dave Hybrid]

Originally Posted by skinnyman9000 So is it possible to do option 3? Attach an external HD to the PS3, run all of the computer software from that HD using the hardware within the PS3, and then also use the PS3 as a normal gaming device?

I highly doubt it mate.

[skinnyman9000]

Originally Posted by Dave Hybrid You need 1k for the PS3 option really as you need a 1080p HD LCD TV to get the best from it.

Would an 21" LCD computer monitor be up to the task? My bro has a 19" one plugged into his 360 and that looks waaaay better than his old tele.

[Dave Hybrid]

Originally Posted by skinnyman9000 Would an 21" LCD computer monitor be up to the task? My bro has a 19" one plugged into his 360 and that looks waaaay better than his old tele.

It would work, but a PS3 runs in Blu-Ray 1080p HD so without a matching TV you may as well buy a PS2.

[skinnyman9000]

Originally Posted by Dave Hybrid It would work, but a PS3 runs in Blu-Ray 1080p HD so without a matching TV you may as well buy a PS2.

So there is no way of gettin the 1080p picture quality through a computer monitor? Because i know the one my bro has displays his 1080i xbox signal perfectly well.

Also, im guessing that when purchasing a HDTV for it i would need to get one that runs thw 1080p signal? As these are rather expensive.

Maybe i should just purchase my computer and get a PS3 when the interesting games come out such as metal gear solid, killzone, GTA etc

[Dave Hybrid]

Originally Posted by skinnyman9000 So there is no way of gettin the 1080p picture quality through a computer monitor? Because i know the one my bro has displays his 1080i xbox signal perfectly well.

Any console will work with any TV/monitor within reason, but, the picture will only be TRUE 1080p if the monitor/TV is 1080p also.

Originally Posted by skinnyman9000 Also, im guessing that when purchasing a HDTV for it i would need to get one that runs thw 1080p signal? As these are rather expensive.

Yes.

Originally Posted by skinnyman9000 Maybe i should just purchase my computer and get a PS3 when the interesting games come out such as metal gear solid, killzone, GTA etc

Depends what you want doesn't it, personally if i was that into games I'd have a PS3 over a PC any-day, they are way less hassle as they are pick up and play rather than pick up, install drivers, reboot, play, stop, new patch, etc.

But I'm not and a PS3 cannot do what my PC can so it's PC for me.

[skinnyman9000]

Originally Posted by Dave Hybrid Any console will work with any TV/monitor within reason, but, the picture will only be TRUE 1080p if the monitor/TV is 1080p also. Yes. Depends what you want doesn't it, personally if i was that into games I'd have a PS3 over a PC any-day, they are way less hassle as they are pick up and play rather than pick up, install drivers, reboot, play, stop, new patch, etc. But I'm not and a PS3 cannot do what my PC can so it's PC for me.

Hmmm, a gaming PC it is then. I only play strategy games on the PC, such as Cilvilsations and Command & Conquer, so for £1k i should be able to build a very capable computer for this purpose. I'll put the PS3 on the back burner, if im going to get one i'd rather do it properly.

Now i have opened a new can of worms though.