People keep asking what platform they should buy. PC or console? Which GPU? Should I get a gaming phone?
Wrong questions.
The right question: what do you actually need for the games you play?
The Philosophy
It’s not about having everything. It’s about using what makes sense for each game and each mood.
I have a PC and a PS4. My game libraries “mostly” mirror each other so that almost the same games on both platforms. But I don’t play them the same way on each.
How I Actually Use Each Platform
PC Gets the First Playthrough
Most games start on PC. AC Valhalla, AC Odyssey, AC Origins, Ghost of Tsushima, etc. finished them all on PC first.
Why? Because that’s where I spend most of my time. It’s convenient. I’m already at my desk.
PC Owns Certain Genres
Shooters stay on PC. Ghost Recon Wildlands, Ghost Recon Breakpoint, Division 2 all keyboard and mouse. Controller aiming feels like swimming through mud for these.
Modded games live on PC. Fallout 4 and Skyrim with mods can’t happen on console. The power of PC gaming shows up here. Texture overhauls, gameplay fixes, quality of life improvements, this is where PC wins outright.
PS4 Gets the Relaxed Replays
Here’s where it gets interesting.
Witcher 3? Played it on PC first. Keyboard and mouse, precision combat, the whole thing. But when I want to replay it for immersion and relaxation? PS4 on the couch with a controller.
Same with the AC games. Finished Valhalla, Odyssey, Origins, AC 3, Black Flag on PC. But they’re better enjoyed laid back on the couch with a controller on the big screen.
Ghost of Tsushima? Same thing. Played and finished on PC. Better experienced on the PS4 for the atmosphere.
It’s Not About Which Is Better
It’s about what the game needs and what mood you’re in.
First playthrough? PC. I’m focused, engaged, learning the mechanics.
Replay for atmosphere? PS4. I’m relaxed, soaking in the world, not worried about precision.
Precision required? PC with KB+M wins.
Exploration and immersion? Couch with controller wins.
The Gaming Phone I Don’t Use
I have a ROG Phone 7 Ultimate. Barely game on it.
Not because it can’t handle games. It can. Battery lasts 3-4 hours of gaming. Performance is fine.
I don’t use it because I have a 43″ monitor on my desktop, a 55″ TV for my console, another laptop with multiple monitor displays at home. Why would I torture myself on a 6-inch screen?
Touch controls are objectively worse than physical inputs for anything beyond puzzle games.
Gaming phones are overhyped when you have actual screens available.
What Actually Matters
Match the platform to what the game needs and what you’re trying to get out of it.
The Right Questions
Before you buy anything:
- What games do you play most?
- Do those games need precision or atmosphere?
- Are you playing for challenge or relaxation?
- What do you already have that works?
- What’s your actual budget?
Real Usage Patterns
I mirror my libraries because I know some games I’ll want to replay differently later.
I don’t buy everything twice. But the games worth replaying? Yeah, I’ll grab them on PS4 when they’re on sale because I know I’ll want that couch experience eventually.
Not every game deserves this treatment. But the ones with strong atmosphere and exploration? Those get the double-dip.
Stop Copying Setups
Your games aren’t mine. Your play style isn’t mine. Your space and budget aren’t mine.
You only play competitive shooters? Depends on your input preference. Some people are deadly with controllers and aim assist. Others need KB+M precision. Neither is wrong.
You only play story-driven single-player games? Console might be all you need.
You mod everything? PC is mandatory.
You travel constantly? Handhelds might make sense. Switch for Nintendo exclusives, Steam Deck for your PC library on the go, ROG Ally or Legion Go for Windows handheld gaming. But if you’re home most of the time like me? They’d just collect dust.
Small apartment? You might not have room for multiple platforms. That’s fine. Pick one and optimize it.
Build for Your Reality
Figure out your constraints first:
- What you actually play
- Whether those games need precision or immersion
- Whether you replay games or play once and move on
- What space and budget you have
- What you already own that works
Then buy the minimum that works for your use case.
I don’t optimize for screenshots or flexing. I optimize for what actually gets used and how I actually play.
Build what works for you. Ignore the rest.
Runs an i7-8700 + GTX 1660, a PS4, and doesn’t game on his ROG Phone 7.
Believes the best setup is the one that actually gets used, not the one that looks good in screenshots.
Runs HobbyEngineered where platform wars don’t exist and optimization beats benchmarks.
Also writes about QA systems at QA Journey and cuts through AI hype at Engineered AI.
Same practical philosophy, different domains.
