Getting started, a little help please

[bogdantw]

Hey guys

Thinking about getting my feet wet in console territory.
After long scrutiny between PS3 and Xbox360, I've started to lean towards the latter simply because Forza 4 attracts me more than GT5.
On a practical level it is the more expensive solution because I would need a new wheel as well (my DFGT is not compatible with the Xbox).

Now ... there is a huge variety of Xbox360's on the used market and I must admit I'm a bit lost.

The main reason of this thread is to ask you guys this:
What would be the cheapest model that can run Forza4 and the upcoming Horizon at a decent level?

I don't need anything else apart from basic functionality. Just wanna be able to plug in my wheel and have some fun racing (online and offline).
Everything else is secondary as my budget is very tight.

Thanks

[markspeed]

Hey guys

Thinking about getting my feet wet in console territory.
After long scrutiny between PS3 and Xbox360, I've started to lean towards the latter simply because Forza 4 attracts me more than GT5.
On a practical level it is the more expensive solution because I would need a new wheel as well (my DFGT is not compatible with the Xbox).

Now ... there is a huge variety of Xbox360's on the used market and I must admit I'm a bit lost.

The main reason of this thread is to ask you guys this:
What would be the cheapest model that can run Forza4 and the upcoming Horizon at a decent level?

I don't need anything else apart from basic functionality. Just wanna be able to plug in my wheel and have some fun racing (online and offline).
Everything else is secondary as my budget is very tight.

Thanks


All Xbox consoles will be able to run Forza 4, Forza Horizon, and perhaps even Forza 5, as that will be out next year around October, and I don't think the next Microsoft Console will be out by then, or we'd have heard rumors of it's arrival in the run up to this weeks E3.

So, if you're looking for the cheapest possible solution, then a used Arcade console is probably gonna be the cheapest bet. It has all the kit it needs to run Forza, the only difference being it has a 4 gig harddrive, which will not be enough space to load either disc 1 or 2 onto, so you'll have slightly increased loading time. And, it would have the potential used console problems. Examples would be a shorter potential life cycle. Possible Red Ring of death issues if it was made before 2009. And the lack of a warrantee, thus any potential problems and the costs are on you. Except maybe for the Red Ring Of Death. Microsoft has been very good about fixing those free of charge, regardless of the console purchase conditions. Or so I hear.

I highly suggest saving some extra pennies and getting an Elite. You can get a brand spanking new one anywhere with a 320 gig harddrive for 299.99. I paid that much for my Elite which only has 120 gig. A year later they put the bigger harddrive into the 299 price point. Doh. Anyway, the newer consoles will have no problems. I got mine in 2009 and my only issue is that my power supply brick gets too hot because my apartment tens to be about 10 degrees hotter than ambient, and I don't have a place to put my powerbrick so it's in a good airstream. My solution is an Vornado brand micro desktop fan ($15 at CVS). I call it The Ninja. Because it's ultra-quiet, it's elusive, and it comes in "PROPER" midnight blue paint, because "REAL" Ninja never ever wore black to do anything except maybe go to a funeral. The fan works perfectly and keeps my Xbox and it's overheating powerbrick nicely warm and comfy. Never lets it get above warm. The only trouble with the fan is it's so Ninja Silent, I forget to turn it off all the time.


So, in conclusion. I highly recommend a new console, as most used consoles you'll find from credible retailers won't be cheaper enough to justify the the potential expenses replacing or repairing parts. Just spend a month or two eating nothing but Top Ramen Noodles(we've all done, so I don't wanna hear it) and save those xtra pennies and get the Elite 320 gigger. You'll thank me later when you've got all 12 plus gig of Forza and it's content loaded up on your harddrive, and still have more room than you need for just about every other game you could possibly want.

Do you like old school games. Because the Xbox live Arcade is litterally bursting with so many old school games ported to the console, it's almost the complete Gamers Paradise. The Indie games section alone it huge, and most of those games will cost you 1 dollar each. You wouldn't have paid 1 dollar for these Indie games even back in 1986 when they were calling them "GAMES" because they were brand new. Hahaha.

Seriously dude. If you like games, and you feel an attraction to Forza, get the newer console, perhaps wait for a bundled deal. And than Spring for an Xbox live account later on when you can afford that. Get a 12 month subscription around Christmas time. You might pay as low as 40-45 dollars. That's a little more than 3 dollars a month. You can't beat that, because from what I hear, Sony's free live can't compete.

Anyway, start with the console, and work your way from there. As to wheels, someone else will have to advise you from there, cause I'm Controller Driver.


The main reason of this thread is to ask you guys this:
What would be the cheapest model that can run Forza4 and the upcoming Horizon at a decent level?

To reiterate, consoles aren't like PC's in the regard I think your making here. Every Xbox will run Forza at it's max. If you've got a flatscreen, and your wheel, you WILL experience Forza at it's greatest potential possible. Just about any kind of flatscreen will display Forza in it's full glory. There is no upgrading the console. And as I stated, the only differences between the variety of Xbox's and their price points will be harddrive sizes, and a gang of periphery none of which mind you, matters in the least where Forza's level is concerned.


To get the best out of Forza you will need.

An Xbox with a harddrive of at least 20 or more gig of space.

The ridiculously expensive 400 dollar Forza wheel and it's pedal kit.

A decent flatscreen LCD or better built in the last two years.

And atleast the equivalent of my 200 dollar Yamaha 5.1 Dolby Surround with Subwoofer. (because sound is excellent in this game and you shouldn't miss out if you can help it.)


Now these last three, are optional, as I played Forza 3 and 4 quite happily on my old Toshiba 27 inch CRT(remember those anyone?), with a controller. I had already purchased the Yamaha setup, so I don't really know how Forza 4 sounds in just plain old stereo.

But if you want the best out of Forza 4, than that's what ya need. And of course, the last two, will make all the other forms of home entertainment more enjoyable as well.

[bogdantw]

Thanks for the info Mark, I appreciate it.

Seems like the Xbox 360 Elite would be the way to go, if i can find one cheap enough.
Most that I've found rivaled in price a brand new Slim 4GB.
Btw, is it possible to upgrade a lower capacity console (4Gb, 20Gb whatever...) with a larger hdd?
I've seen a lot of 250GB or 320GB hdd's on sale at reasonable prices.

In terms of games I only plan to use the xbox for Forza Motorsport. That's essentially the sole purpose of buying it.
I've been racing on the PC for well over a decade and that will probably remain my main rig. The console will be sharing the same wheel and screen.

[MadDAWG]

If your trying to save a few bucks try a Microsoft refurbished unit. My wife got me one for Forza 3. IIRC she got it from Buy.com. It came with a 2nd controller and three games (even Forza 2). It had 20gig hard drive (since replaced with a larger one). Along with a few other discounts through the retailer she got it for $125-150 range. I think it started around $175. I've even seen the refurbs in Best Buy a couple times.

[markspeed]

If your trying to save a few bucks try a Microsoft refurbished unit. My wife got me one for Forza 3. IIRC she got it from Buy.com. It came with a 2nd controller and three games (even Forza 2). It had 20gig hard drive (since replaced with a larger one). Along with a few other discounts through the retailer she got it for $125-150 range. I think it started around $175. I've even seen the refurbs in Best Buy a couple times.



You can also find them at Gamestops as well. And they will probably include some sort of limited warrantee, especially at Best Buy. They're good that way. And like MadDAWG states here, you can certainly purchase a larger HDD seperately. And if that nets your best combined deal, than I say go for it. Just try to find a refurbished one that comes with some sort of warrantee just in case, if you can. I haven't heard of people having any problems with the newer HDD's so that might not be a worry. Mine HDD has been tooling along flawlessly. It's a 2009/2010 model, not certain which. Purchased about late January 2010 as I recall.

[MadDAWG]

Mine had a 1 year warranty from Microsoft.

Biggest thing I rember was getting one with a HDMI port as a lot of the older ones do not.

[bogdantw]

Thanks for your input guys.
Unfortunately I do not have Gamestop, Best Buy and these kind of options where I live (EU).
Only reliable source of decent deals is actually the used market. Buying new is really prohibitive as the prices for new consoles start at around 300$ or so for a basic slim 4gb model. Compare that to the 180-1200$ average price on the US market and you'll get the picture of what sort of prices we got over here.

Anyways I've settled for an Elite 120GB which seems decent enough for bit under 200$.
I'll be meeting with the seller in a few days to test the console and probably buy it if all goes well.

[transam1998]

I also bought a refurb for around $100. It did not have a hard drive, but I was able to purchase a rather large one, also refurbished for $50. The Xbox doesn't even have a scratch on it, it looks brand new. Was very pleased with my purchase.