Desktop/Laptop Specifically for FFXI

[Deelo]

So I'm looking to buy a new PC or laptop that will run FFXI on *MAX* settings (high res n'stuff) very smoothly, while browsing the net. Thats all I'll be using it for. I know a desktop would probably be cheaper, but if there is a laptop that can do the job, I'll consider it since I'm always traveling. If anyone could point me in the right direction I'd appreciate it.

Keep in mind, its just for FFXI and Firefox browsing...could care less about new games n'stuff.

[Avanarius]

e8400
2gb ram
HD 4670 <100$

Whole build shouldn't be more then $500

A laptop that will play FFXI on max (with no lag) is a little more difficult because you have to pay extra for the cpu to keep up with the game.

[Deelo]

nevermind, i google'd!

Ok thanks, I'll look into it. Is it possible i could find that in a bundle? Like on the dell site perhaps? or similar. Not looking to build one myself, I just wanna buy it with everything in it ready to go.

[Avanarius]

intel cpu and ati graphics card. The cpu is what you want to focus on mainly for FFXI.

e8400 is what I have in my build and it can run at 30fps regardless of character models on screen until I ramp up the shadows, in which case it drops to around 16-20 in heavily populated areas. I don't think a cpu exists that can honestly hold up 30 fps regardless anywhere (mines already overclocked to 4.0ghz).


edit** ummmm, I would never buy a dell desktop, that's for sure..... I would check out newegg.com if you live in america, or ncix.com if in canada. They both probably have pre-built systems.

[Blabj]

E8400 is your CPU, it's an Intel chip.

HD 4870 is the model number of your graphics card. There are various manufacturers, but they are recognised as "ATI" cards.

I would suggest you could buy a 4770 instead of a 4670, it'll be around $100, but they're faster cards, and you can add another in the future in crossfire mode for even more graphics processing power.

This is assuming that you'll be building the computer that is. I'm not up to speed on PC suppliers in the US.

[Avanarius]

I would suggest you could buy a 4770 instead of a 4670, it'll be around $100, but they're faster cards

This, only reason why I recommended the 4670 is that it really is all you need for FFXI. But the 4770 is such a good deal that it can play any new games as well for $40 more. The 4670 wouldn't stand a chance against any new games at a decent resolution.

And please for the love of god consider building your own computer....it's SOOOO SOOOO easy, like easier then lego easy.

[Deelo]

I did consider building my own......for about 3 seconds. I'd rather just pay extra for the labor lol. If it was just those three things needed for a complete pc, I would...but I'd have to buy sound stuff, monitor, keyboard, cd/dvd drives, speakers, etc etc. On top of dealing with mass screws and cords....I'd rather pay for the whole thing, i get it, press "power/on" on the tower and I'm good to go.

[Jakson]

Any recommendations for a laptop? I don't care much about making it look nice (shadows, draw distance, etc.) I just want the fps to stay as high as possible as much of the time as possible. I'm not rich, so I also plan on using it for simple things, word processing and internet surfing.

[Avanarius]

Any recommendations for a laptop? I don't care much about making it look nice (shadows, draw distance, etc.) I just want the fps to stay as high as possible as much of the time as possible. I'm not rich, so I also plan on using it for simple things, word processing and internet surfing.

intel cpu and any non-gma (intel integrated graphics) will give you respectable playability.

Look for an nvidia 9500m or similar. I prefer nvidia video chipsets in laptops over ATI.

If you can get over how ugly it looks, buy this: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1218044029168

It's like the HOLY SHIT of good laptop deals considering the specs.

[Mafai]

intel cpu and any non-gma (intel integrated graphics) will give you respectable playability.

Look for an nvidia 9500m or similar. I prefer nvidia video chipsets in laptops over ATI.

If you can get over how ugly it looks, buy this: Asus - Laptop with Intel® Centrino® 2 Processor Technology - Brown/Yellow/Black - G50Vt-X5

It's like the HOLY SHIT of good laptop deals considering the specs.

you lost me @ Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 9800M GS

laptop manufacturers require you to rig drivers since they never let u install the gfx card manufacturer drivers, which is straight up retarded.

[Avanarius]

you lost me @ Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 9800M GS

why?

Just don't be stupid and let the thing get clogged with dust and overheat.

Also the driver issue isn't straight up retarded, but it's not the best solution either. They want to have control over the drivers they provide so they can provide direct support (debatable) for the drivers you use. Manufacturers asked Nvidia not to provide support directly for laptops to prevent convoluted support issues, but websites such as http://www.laptopvideo2go.com/ has all the drivers you'll need anyways with custom .ini's.

[Olo401]

Laptops are tough for gaming because of the extra heat generated by the CPU/GPU when playing.. plus a half-way decent video card for a laptop is difficult to find for even a reasonable price (I haven't been able to find that GeForce 9800M for under $500 bucks used.. haven't found it ANYWHERE new in a box yet)

[ErzaScarlet]

I have been having a similar issue with laptops, at least ones that are sold in stores, (canada). Theres so many lately with AMD athelon processors and I've been told that they overheat quickly with vista and slow down a lot.

I do all my main gaming from home on a PC, but i'm looking to get a laptop when i'm mobile work/school and dont really need anything exceptional, but I dont want to constantly be lagging.

I find a lot of AMD^2 with ATI or Nvidia 256 cards 3-4 GB DDR2 ram for 600-700, but when you want to go Intel (centrino) its like double the price and then if you want to go Intel Core 2 Duo or 512MB graphics it starts getting near 2k.

I'm curious, is AMD really going to have an issue, do i really need a 512 Card, do i have to be picky ATI vs Nvidia.

And then, I have been told to look at IBM or Toshiba makes only, its frustrating because so many people have different views.

Does anyone here have opinions on makes for gaming reliability, I dont know how intensive FFXI really is on a machine.

Thanks,

[Olo401]

The whole Intel > AMD thing is about 90% fanboi-ism.. If someone's telling you shit like "oh don't buy AMD laptops they overheat" they're a salesperson trying to pad their commission NOT a computer guru trying to help. The reality is...

- Any new laptop out today will run FFXI at least on basic settings without a hitch.
- Those with faster-clocked, more efficiently-designed processors (in which case Intel Core 2 does have the advantage on AMD's Turion & Athlon) will improve your game experience.
- Having a somewhat decent laptop video card helps a lot but is expensive.
- Gaming on a laptop, no matter who makes the parts, is gonna put out a LOT of heat.

[Rydir]

intel cpu and any non-gma (intel integrated graphics) will give you respectable playability.

Look for an nvidia 9500m or similar. I prefer nvidia video chipsets in laptops over ATI.

If you can get over how ugly it looks, buy this: Asus - Laptop with Intel&#174; Centrino&#174; 2 Processor Technology - Brown/Yellow/Black - G50Vt-X5

It's like the HOLY SHIT of good laptop deals considering the specs.

I can tell you right now that I own that asus laptop from bestbuy, and it is not a good choice for FFXI. It will play Crysis on high with no hickups but in final fantasy your FPS will drop to 4-7 FPS and the game will be unbearable. The Nvidia 9800M GS sucks for FFXI.

[Olo401]

^ Sounds like that driver issue popping up again. Check out the FFXI/NVidia thread.

[Rydir]

^ Sounds like that driver issue popping up again. Check out the FFXI/NVidia thread.

Yeah been there done that. Spent hours upon hours researching. Tried multiple Nvidia drivers. I am quite sure switching to XP would resolve the issue, I have a desktop to play FFXI on so its not a big issue for me. I am not going to switch to XP 64 bit.

[Avanarius]

Yeah been there done that. Spent hours upon hours researching. Tried multiple Nvidia drivers. I am quite sure switching to XP would resolve the issue, I have a desktop to play FFXI on so its not a big issue for me. I am not going to switch to XP 64 bit.

and I have a friend with the laptop with no issues whatsoever. Again, nothing to do with the laptop.

ALSO TO CLARIFY:

A laptop or desktop that you ONLY want to play FFXI on needs the fastest fucking processor you can find/afford and something around a 9500gt (nvidia) or HD 4670 (ati)

everything else is diminishing returns for FFXI.

[The Stig]

Fastest? What about for multiple boxing, i.e. 3-4 instances? Would a quad core benefit more then?

[Avanarius]

Fastest? What about for multiple boxing, i.e. 3-4 instances? Would a quad core benefit more then?

Personally I've never seen any benefits from a quad core over a dual core for FFXI. The game is definitely not multithreaded and forcing the process to one core doesn't seem to help, so I don't think having more cores would allow more practical multiboxing.

From the vanadial benchmark tool, an e8400 performs nearly identical to it's quad core counterpart: q8400