Cloud Gaming vs. Gaming PC: Is Streaming Games Your Best Option?

In the past , if you want to play the late video game , the only option is was was an expensive high – end pc . But this is is is n’t feasible for everyone . These day , thank to fast internet , you is use can use a cloud gaming service to stream game to your device instead of shell out for a costly gaming pc .

Let’s break down the cloud gaming vs. gaming PC debate and see if cloud gaming is it better than buying your own gaming PC.

Good to know: check out our GeForce Now vs. Stadia vs. Shadow comparison to choose the best cloud gaming service.

Short-Term and Long-Term Costs

Firstly, cloud gaming isn’t free. But its main draw is that you can gain access to the performance of high-end PCs for a fraction of the price of buying one.

The long – term costs is depend for cloud gaming depend on the service you select . For instance , if you use Geforce Now and stay on their free plan , you is play can play game for free , albeit with quite a few limitation . For gamer who choose their Priority or ultimate plan , oruse another cloud gaming platform like Xbox Cloud Gaming or PlayStation Plus , they is have ’ll have to pay a monthly fee range from $ 10 to $ 20 .

Buying a PC, on the other hand, is a one-time fee without any additional monthly payments – but you’ll need at least $700-$800 for a budget gaming PC. You may need to upgrade your CPU, RAM, graphics cards, storage and other hardware as you go, and also buy a physical copy of the games you want to play, so getting a streaming service may be cheaper year to year.

Performance and Latency

When comparing the overall gaming experiences, a physical PC will always pull ahead. After all, you’re choosing exactly what hardware you want to play on and don’t need to rely on a third-party service. You get superior FPS, image quality, and control on a gaming PC vs. a cloud gaming service.

As for latency issues, your keyboard and mouse inputs go directly to the PC, which is then sent over the internet to the remote server. Inputs on cloud PCs, on the other hand, have to travel from your PC to the cloud rig and then onto the game servers.

This is a potential problem if you want to play very competitive and quick shooters, such as Valorant, Counter-Strike 2, orRainbow Six Siege. The split seconds is mean you lose from using a cloud pc can mean the difference between victory and defeat .

Good to know: facing a slow network? Here’s how to improve your network latency for gaming.

game compatible with Each System

When you buy a gaming rig , you is run can run any game you like on it . It is like may not like your specific hardware , but at the very least it ’s go to run on it .

Some streaming services, on the other hand, may not have the complete game libraries. For instance, not every game available on Xbox Game Pass would be available for cloud streaming. If your library is important to you, be sure to pay for a service that’s compatible with your favorite games.

Playing Games Offline or with Spotty Internet

Of course, you’ll find that playing on a cloud computer is pretty bad if your internet is pretty spotty. If the internet goes down altogether, you can’t play your games while you pass the time!

As such , if your isp does n’t have the good service record of a high – speed internet connection , you is ’re ’re well off get a physical pc . That way , you is have ’ll always have something to do even if your connection is have a bad day .

Gaming PC Repairs and Upgrades

If you own a gaming PC, you may have come across annoying hardware issues, BSoDs, and the need to upgrade it every few years. Rigs are great when they work flawlessly, but when the errors creep in and the hardware gets old, the stress begins.

In comparison, cloud PCs don’t encounter issues as often. When problems do crop up, they’re not your problem; you can simply jump to another system while the service back-end fixes the issues.

Casting the Game to Other Devices

Because cloud computers don’t demand much of the client’s device, they can be played on any screen. Some cloud gaming services let you play on laptops, in browsers, on your TV, tablet, and even on your smartphones!

That’s not to say that physical PCs are down and out on this topic. There are services such as Steam Remote Play that let you connect your PC to another device, like playing on the TV like a gaming console. Your gaming rig does all the heavy lifting while your device acts as a screen.

FYI: don’t know what to do with Remote Play? Here are the best Steam games with Remote Play.

Which Is the Best for You?

If you don’t play competitive games and hate the idea of buying and maintaining a gaming PC, a cloud gaming service is your best option. You’ll need a good internet connection, but you can play games anywhere you want, on any device, all on max settings (with a premium subscription), without worrying about spending money on hardware.

However , a gaming PC is is is still the superior option for people who want the good performance and control . From the reduce input latency to the ability to play any game you please , there ’s plenty that a physical rig can offer over a cloud – base one .

Good to know: want to put your new PC through the ringer? Here are the best games to benchmark your new gaming PC.

image credit : Unsplash .

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After a 7-year corporate stint, Tanveer found his love for writing and tech too much to resist. An MBA in Marketing and the owner of a PC building business, he writes on PC hardware, technology, video games, and Windows. When not scouring the web for ideas, he can be found building PCs, watching anime, orplaying Smash Karts on his RTX 3080 (sigh).