FFXIV Hardware Requirements

[Reality]

From wiki;



lol

The mere fact that you're seriously arguing that a PS3 is graphically superior to a mid to high-end PC right now, pretty much invalidates anything you've said thusfar. The PS3 is a decently powerful DirectX9 gaming platform that is hard to program for.

Any Core2+Radeon 4x00 or Geforce 88xx or higher card will run the exact same games on PC at higher framerates with more visual effects enabled

The Cell is cool, though.

[Kingkai]

Actually, I was arguing that a PS3, which does not have to run windows in the background, has a 3.7GHZ processor with a 6 core subprocessor (Cell chip) directly performing the mathmatical computations that would normally be left to a GTX260+ setup.

And the comparison I am using is F@H to simply compare math processing I/O since we can't benchmark a PS3, I was comparing how each would process the same math. Since the cell engine is better at that type of math than a Core2 Quad chipset, or an i7, THAT part of the equation would not have to be handled in the GPU, it could be handled before and then you would only have to use the GPU to display that output.

And, while others are speculating, I actually posted a video of the 2 SIDE BY SIDE. And they were similar. All to point out, a maxxed system costs ~$3000 while a PS3 costs 300 ish. So, this time, SE will be engineering FFXI based on the limitations of MOST PC users. Say the Min req's being Core 2 Duo 2.0G with 2G DDR2, and a 9XXX series GPU. All the while the PS3 user is running mid to max settings enjoying the game for the next 3 years.

As most people have said the PS3 would take 2+ years for dev's to even figure out how to fully use.

However PS3 has issues a PC could easily and cheaply overcome, if you started with my first post and read till now you would see that I am not saying PS3 is the end all, but it is better than most mid to high range PC's right now, especially the crap most people buy, will it be better than my setup, I doubt it. First, RAID 0, 1, or 5 architecture would make a PC user load faster than a PS3, which is a real problem for people waiting for a mob to pop or zoning into whitegate.

PC's CAN be better, but right now the PS3 is very close to the top of the line, and is not what is limiting FFXIV.

Furthermore I would guess that SE already has direct X 11 at it's disposal, software has to be developed to use it before releasing it to the public would make sense. I would assume SE's comment about PC's getting full use of this software in 2 years, would be a reference to that and the next series of GPU's. While the PS3 will be playing it just fine because the max setting is 1900X1080 anyway, making the GPU to run it smaller than a person trying to run a maxed 2560X1900 setup on a PC.

Simply put, the PS3 requires less to be awesome and perform well, because it is limited as to what it can do at any given time. You won't be running fraps, windower, scripts, messenger, youtube, FFAssist, etc etc etc, on a 2560X1900 display.

You will be running PS3 OS and the game at 1080 with a max FPS of 60.


My entire train of thought is the differance between how PS2 which was limited by the 30FPS of thee NTSC and PAL settings of TV's, both in the computer world and on the PS2, and now, where the limitation of FPS, etc are damn near equal between console and PC. So, summing it up, don't expect requirements equal to the PS3, I would expect the min reqs are near Dual core 2G 2GB DDR2, for 1200X1024 setting and low 3D settings. While the PS3 will be comperable to a Core i7 920 OC'd with a GTX260 simply because it doesn't take near as much processor power to interface as a PC does.

But, like everything else here this is speculation. While I have shown side by side comparisons, direct quotes and links, you have only said your point is 100% true, with nothing showing how mine isn't. I more than welcome any opposing views, but simply posting "lol" after a quote from me and not backing it up with how something works, is "lol". So I replied with a direct quote of how the system works.

[Reality]

I'm not going to individually quote each part of that book you typed, because most of it I don't disagree with, and I want to be clear on my arguement: PS3 is not capable of the same quality visuals as a mid-high end PC using at least a Radeon 4x00 or Geforce 8x00/GTX2xx series GPU

edit: thought you said "PS3 can be better", my bad.

[fussel]

While there were a lots of theoretical ideas here, there's a big difference between theory and practice.

Your code wouldn't necessarily run significantly faster by throwing faster hardware in.

There might always be compatibility issues on the PC. I'm looking at threads of big game releases where you almost always find threads about "doensn't run on vista" or "graphics are glitching with a geforce (radeon) card at that specific place in the game". Sure, they'll be patched earlier or later, but issues have to be worked around on the PC which slows everyone down.

Also, on a PS3, you can test render a scene and stress test the engine and then be sure, that it will run exactly the same everywhere. Then there's the missing experience with the Cell CPU.

Then again, we don't know exactly when 14 will be released and what PC hardware and software will be available then (new GFX cards and CPUs and Windows 7 will be out then, but people might still use XP at that point).

So I'd rather like to see official min/max requirements from SE. However, IMO those are pointless at this time, because it's still a year. It might need a high end card now, but upon release, a 100 bucks card will do fine (I bought a geforce 9800gt this year for 100 bucks, which used to be a high end card under the 8800gt name).

[Kingkai]

I agree that "Faster" hardware doesn't make things faster. This is about the type of math it takes to make objects shiny.

On a PC, that math is only handled by the GPU, the processor isn't really set up for the complex equations necessary to make your character run while swinging a sword with eye's blinking and explosions around. The cell processor is, it handles that math so you don't need the big card.

Another way to put it;

PC = Processor > GPU > TV

PS3 = Processor > Cell > GPU > TV

More of the load of the processing and rendering of images is placed on the 6 core cell chip than on the GPU, making the GPU's job much easier. Thus a smaller GPU.

F@H was only an example of math that a processor really isn't set up for. The design of a GPU is just better for that math, and the higher end the GPU the better. However, a PS3 does that math just fine.

I agree with fussel though, you can't really set it in stone, too many variables. I am trying to argue from the point of what SE is saying about pushing the abilities of PC's 2-3 years from now and what that really means. It doesn't mean that they will make this game so graphics intensive that you need to call Asus right now just to load it.

It does mean that if you want to run this game with max settings @2560X1920 so that you can see the beads of sweat on your character as they run through the forest, it may be 2-3 years before a PC is able to. And it very well may be a reference to the new card sets and DX11.

[Kingkai]

One more little tidbit, I am building 2 PC's for this next game.

1) Fatal1ty FP-IN9-SLI machine, replacing the 2.4 GHZ (OC'd) dual core chip I put in it and adding a quad core 3.0 ghz . Adding more, newer RAM 4GB, adding 2 HDD in raid 0, and replacing the broken 8600GT with a 260 core 216. All built for a 22" monitor.
Total cost of pimping that machine from it's FFXI days to now, ~$450.

2) Core i7 Classified with a 920 chipset, a GT260 core 216 (To be moved in the first machine for sli setup once the 300 series cards arrive), 6GB of DDR3 SD RAM, 4 500GB HDD in raid 5, with a 1200w PSU and the HAF932 case. Total cost, $2000. I will be adding a water cooling system for the mobo, the CPU, and the GPU's once the 300 series comes out, until then it will be air cooled with the V8 cooler from master cool and the wicked airflow of the 932. The only other change that will be made will happen when the i9 chipset hits the market for a 6 core chip.

Both of those machines will run the game, that is the only thing of which I am sure.

[Aikar]

You've got 6GB of memory but only one graphics card? Fail.

You saw his GFX Card was a 285 right?.... he doesnt exactly NEED 2.

I plan to build an i7 system with 6gb (or 12gb prolly) memory and I only intend to get 1 card.

Those things are beastly and huge. Don't need 2 285's until some Crysis 2 comes out or something.

[Gits'N'Shiggles]

I received my new pc from Dell about a week before FFXIV was announced. If i had known about it sooner i would've held off on buying one til it was closer to being released. I'm really hoping it's good enough to run it halfway decently. I own a ps3 also but i really prefer gaming on pc. Anywho the specs are:

Intel I7 920
8gb DDR 3 ram
Radeon HD 4850

One of these days i really need to start building my own computers. Laziness sure can be expensive.

[Celeras]

@ DX11 in FFXIV, that render path cannot be used with a ps3 game - it's not even fully dx10 certified.

Quote from Tanaka & Komoto Interview:

In regards to the PC version, the game will utilize the most current version of Direct X that is out when beta testing begins. This goes for Operating System as well. Similarly, they do not specify Vista or Windows 7 as an operating system, saying again that it will depend on what is out at the time. For those of you looking to prep a new PC, Tanaka claims they are really looking to get on the cutting edge of technology with this installment. Like Final Fantasy XI, the game specs will be extremely high for the time, but in about 5 years, an average machine can run it on max settings with little to no issues. Tanaka also expressed interest in making a benchmark program available.

So if beta starts after October 22nd, say hello to DX11.

[Reality]

Quote from Tanaka & Komoto Interview:



So if beta starts after October 22nd, say hello to DX11.

He clearly said the PS3 version cannot use DX11 in his post. You quoted SE saying the PC version can. GG.

Nevertheless, the fact that it (at least right now) sounds like they're not PORTING the PS3 version to PC, makes me super fucking giddy.

Don't tie attack speed/movement speed to framerate and you can actually develop the two platforms independantly where someone who's playing the game on PS3 at 50-60fps won't be at a disadvantage to someone on PC playing the game at ridiculously high visual settings at 100+fps

They're learning from (some of) their mistakes it seems

[Vuitton]

I thought this was interesting:

ZAM Interviews Hiromichi Tanaka :: Final Fantasy XIV (FF14) at ZAM

ZAM: Do you feel confident that FFXIV on the PS3 won't suffer from the same limitations that FFXI eventually experienced on the PS2?

Tanaka: With FFXI, there were many PS2 limitations, but this time, we can work with hi-def and the network for PS3s and PCs are almost the same, so there shouldn't be any problem. The one difference between PCs and PS3s could be around the memory management system, so that's something we're really taking care of. Even when we say PC, there are different specs, so the system itself is going to be scalable. One of the settings we have should be the "best" for PS3, so there shouldn't be as many limits as we experienced with FFXI.

[Celeras]

He clearly said the PS3 version cannot use DX11 in his post. You quoted SE saying the PC version can. GG.

If you read the rest of his post, he was using that to say that the PC version couldnt use DX11 if the ps3 version didnt. So you completely misunderstood his context(probably my fault for not quoting the whole thing ;p).

[Vuitton]

Just to drive a nail through the coffin of the PS3 v PC debate:

Gamescom 2009: Producers Hiromichi Tanaka and Sage Sundi Talk Final Fantasy XIV | One Last Continue:

Tanaka told OneLastContinue a couple of reasons why he felt the need for a PC version; first of all, for the MMO to succeed there must be a PC format version for those gamers who generally feel uncomfortable with console gaming, and secondly, having a PC version as the lead platform made it easier for them to port the game to the PlayStation 3.

FFXIV is being made for the PC and then ported to the PS3. This is opposite of what happened with FFXI, where it was created for the PS2 and then ported to the PC.

Its nice to have some official clarification on this.

Edit:

What this means to me is that there will never be "PS3 limitations", because it isn't made to be maxed out on PS3 technology, its being made to be maxed out on PC technology that is always becoming more advanced and powerful. This is reinforced by the statement Tanaka said about wanting the game to be utilizing hardware five years from now, aka future proofing graphical upgrades.

So, it is correct to say that the PS3 will be limited by PC limitations. But it ultimately means nothing because the PC limitations will be constantly increasing eventually leaving the PS3 in the dust.

[Kawfee]

Some nice new info in that onelastcontinue interview. Another juicy tidbit:

This helped Square get around a problem that dates back to their original MMO; Final Fantasy XI’s lead development platform was the PS2, and as such it was never able to reach the graphical levels they were hoping for. The graphical resolution on PS2 also kept the team from having an in-depth HUD on the screen for players; in the HD era of the PlayStation 3 this will no longer be a problem for either version. Tanaka confirmed that the game is most certainly portable to other platforms if the need arises, but at the moment their focus is on the PC and PS3 versions; any announcements or releases of other platforms will come as those two are finished. Another thing to note is that the PS3 version also supports a keyboard and mouse, making it the second full-scale PS3 title to support such a feature.

I know people were asking about that earlier.

[sodapep]

Sorry to bump this thread, but it is the only place I can find a (somewhat) active discussion about ffxiv, more specifically its system requirments. I know that it is all still under speculation, but I'm about to buy a new laptop and I would be devistated if I couldn't play ffxiv on it

So, I found what I would believe is the perfect laptop for me... except the graphics card...

Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD

It also has a 500GB harddrive and 6GB of RAM (and an 18.4" screen ). I really don't know a lot about graphics cards, but I do know it is near impossible to replace one in a laptop, so what you have, you have for the life of the laptop.

Anybody have a clue if I will be able to run FFXIV or should I be looking elsewhere?

Thanks a lot )

[Rokku]

Sorry to bump this thread, but it is the only place I can find a (somewhat) active discussion about ffxiv, more specifically its system requirments. I know that it is all still under speculation, but I'm about to buy a new laptop and I would be devistated if I couldn't play ffxiv on it

So, I found what I would believe is the perfect laptop for me... except the graphics card...

Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD

It also has a 500GB harddrive and 6GB of RAM (and an 18.4" screen ). I really don't know a lot about graphics cards, but I do know it is near impossible to replace one in a laptop, so what you have, you have for the life of the laptop.

Anybody have a clue if I will be able to run FFXIV or should I be looking elsewhere?

Thanks a lot )

The only thing you could possibly use as a benchmark for what would run FFXIV would be the PS3s specs. Aside from that, it's absolutely impossible to guess what kind of PC/Laptop would or wouldn't be able to run it.

If you absolutely must make a decision with XIV in mind, your only choice for a concrete benchmark is making a computer similar in it's composition to a PS3.

[SubzeroDiabolos]

Sorry to bump this thread, but it is the only place I can find a (somewhat) active discussion about ffxiv, more specifically its system requirments. I know that it is all still under speculation, but I'm about to buy a new laptop and I would be devistated if I couldn't play ffxiv on it

So, I found what I would believe is the perfect laptop for me... except the graphics card...

Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD

It also has a 500GB harddrive and 6GB of RAM (and an 18.4" screen ). I really don't know a lot about graphics cards, but I do know it is near impossible to replace one in a laptop, so what you have, you have for the life of the laptop.

Anybody have a clue if I will be able to run FFXIV or should I be looking elsewhere?

Thanks a lot )

That thing doesn't have any memory to it, it's not optimised for gaming at all. Sure you have 6gig in the laptop itself but iirc it's the graphic card that handles all the particles effect.

[hawkie]

What this means to me is that there will never be "PS3 limitations", because it isn't made to be maxed out on PS3 technology, its being made to be maxed out on PC technology that is always becoming more advanced and powerful. This is reinforced by the statement Tanaka said about wanting the game to be utilizing hardware five years from now, aka future proofing graphical upgrades.

So, it is correct to say that the PS3 will be limited by PC limitations. But it ultimately means nothing because the PC limitations will be constantly increasing eventually leaving the PS3 in the dust.

I think you are drawing the wrong conclusion for the following reason. In an MMO game covering various platforms the developer will always be limited by the lowest common denominator in order to give a comparable experience to all players.

For example if the PS3 or XBox360 is maxed out at let's say 150 inventory slots then PC players will be limited to 150 inventory slots also.

Graphically, it's easy to imagine a far better experience on the PC but there most likely will be a point where one of the consoles (or both) limit some aspect of the PC-side of the game (possibly avoided by the release of the next-gen console cycle).

Also let's remember, the consoles, as far as I am aware, cannot run full Dx10 (Dx9 + some Dx10 features) and therefore are limited to Dx9 indicating that the hardware is roughly equivalent to being already a good 2-3 years behind current PC trends. I would also put forward that it would therefore be reasonable to assume that a Dx9-capable setup will be able to run this game on PC albeit nowhere near full settings.

[xopher]

You saw his GFX Card was a 285 right?.... he doesnt exactly NEED 2.

I plan to build an i7 system with 6gb (or 12gb prolly) memory and I only intend to get 1 card.

Those things are beastly and huge. Don't need 2 285's until some Crysis 2 comes out or something.

The funny thing is, after I said that, I'm now running 6gb of memory and only one gfx card.

[Gulkeeva]

I'm waiting till FFXIV beta comes out, then probably get the latest video/cpu etc upgrade my PC to run it at max settings, kind of why I'm hesitating on upgrading "now" because I don't really need an upgrade "now" to play anything.

But I rather not be playing ffxiv on eyecandy mode at 5-10fps like people on wow/ffxi and think its normal, I need 30fps minimum...! Anything lower makes me cringe ;/