Even the most diehard PC gamer has to admit that their console gaming brethren get the better end of the deal as far as costs are concerned. But exactly how much does a console gamer save over the system'ss lifespan? A poster over at TechConsumer crunched the numbers and found that, when everything is added up, the savings aren't necessarily that great.

When all is said and done, the full Xbox 360 gaming setup (including TV, accessories and Xbox Live subscription) costs $3,152 over six years, about $350 less than a basic gaming PC for the same period. Of course that cost includes a 42" 1080p TV, while the comparable PC uses a relatively paltry 22 inch display. When a comparable screen is used on the PC, the savings on the console side balloon to near $1,200.

The real killer for the PC, of course, is the upgrades (estimated in this study at $250 every other year) and recommended full-on replacements (every three years) that come much more frequently than the console equivalents (one replacement every six years). So, PC gamers, is it worth the extra money?

The non-game avalanche continues in merry old Japan, this time with a digital check register for the DS called Ganbaru Watshi no Kakei Diary, or "Doing My Best Family Finance Diary". The app lets you input all your expenses (food, bills, gambling debts to the mafia) and helps track your spending with several different types of graphs. After a month's worth of spending, cute fuzzy animals help you reach your spending goals. If that doesn't get your accounting cells are getting all hot and bothered, we're not sure what will.

[Via Infendo]