PS3 advice needed
 

Okay, braintrust. I want to get a PS3 to run GT5. Buying a race wheel (and seat/cockpit setup if I can manage).

Unlike older computers, these consoles still seem to command significant money. But there appears to be quite an array of units -- from slim to 'fat,' 20, 40, 60, 120 and 160GB disks. I've been around electronics enough to not be enamored of new if I can save significantly on used.

Looking to buy the console and wheel and the choices are bewildering. What do you guys recommend?

TIA

I'd avoid a used console. The first few revs always have issues, some that will leave you with a boat anchor out of no where.

If you must go used get it at GameStop so you have some sort of warranty.

No advice on wheel/pedal sets.

Logitech g25 or g27 is a great wheel/pedal set for GT5. We have 2 at our office on a PS3 for daily GT5 fixes.

g25/g27 are great but damn expensive at $250-270! if those aren't in your budget, logitech driving force pro gets u 80% there. cheap at $100 or lower. or if money's not an issue, there's the Fanatec Porsche 911 GT2 Clubsport wheel for $500. heh

as for the console, shop around on craigslist for a used one. just to see how the market is. not saying u should def buy used. but at least look at what's out there. ps3's went thru a couple of generations. for a new console owner, just buy the one with the biggest hard drive that u can afford.

Been contemplating a console too... Anyone know when the PS4 is coming out? You just KNOW as soon as I pick up a PS3 for GT5 the PS4 will be announced...

If it's going to be anytime soon I'd rather hold out and get the next gen console.

They're like Apple products, the only time the price goes down is when the new model hits the market.

I picked up a PS3 slim bundle about a year ago for my birthday, it depends on what all you want to do with it, you can always add external storage if you need to. Only complaint I have is the inability to connect my iPod to dump to or stream video thru it. For gaming, pure enjoyment.

Make sure you hook it to a worthy TV.

Not likely for a while. PS3 and 360 are very capable machines and neither have really been pushed to their limits.

They sell the hardware at a loss which is made up for on the software side.

PS3 has not been as successful as hoped so they'll give it some more time to recoup.

I don't think you'll see it before 2012.

Define new model. As in the 720/PS4 or variants of the 360/PS3?

Both current systems have seen multiple price drops but have also seen different configurations hit the market.

I have a Playseat and Logitech G27 wheel an older 80GB PS3. Very happy with this setup although it is a 'commitment' to have the seat/wheel/pedal rig in the family room semi-permanently. Fortunately my wife is tolerant. Years ago I kept real car parts in the house too but that is over the line now.

I have an AppleTV 2G, so the streaming is covered. Hooking it to a 120Hz Samsumg 40" LCD so that's covered.

Appreciate the input, but on the shelves now I have a choice of a 160GB PS3 and a 250GB PS3. Why should I care about storage? I'm not an RPG player or FPS, only RTS, which I play on my Mac or Dell.

Sounds like a very nice gig. If it were me, I'd go with the 160 GB. You're right IMHO, the storage is overrated. Unless you're goign to buy every game over the wire and direct download, you wont need it. I used to do all the FPS on the PC, I'm slowly migrating away to the PS3.

Try PM'ing Equality72521 on here, ask him for some pics of his home-brewed drivers seat. Friggin awesome setup...

Yeah, the driver's seat/cockpit setup is a big part of the sim. I like this setup:

o b u t t o - gaming cockpit

if you buy the one with less storage, you could always swap out the hard drive later on with something much bigger...

So the HD is only for storage -- no boot or OS information on the drive?

No, it's on the HD. You can always backup the drive and upgrade much like a PC. More of a PIA that it's worth though, you'd be better off getting the smaller HD, then adding a TB of external storage plugged into the USB port - if needed. Keep it simple.

IIRC, I think you can get a TB drive for less than a c note these days, and they keep going lower.

I've got a 160 GB unit with 4 user accounts on it and a buttload of downloaded demo games. Not even close to approaching capacity. Dont spend the money until you have to in this case.