FFXIV Hardware Requirements

[MakinBaconNeked]

WTH ... when I first looked at that memory it was available ><


I should have ordered this morning.

[alecrast]

WTH ... when I first looked at that memory it was available ><


I should have ordered this morning.

See my updated post. There are some very close alternatives.

[MakinBaconNeked]

So my next step is to start running the Prime95 and check for stability baseline or start adjusting the FSB?

[alecrast]

So my next step is to start running the Prime95 and check for stability baseline or start adjusting the FSB?

Now you can start with prime95. Let that burn for a while. If your memory checks out in memtest86+, a prime95 failure (which probably won't happen) could be the result of a bad CPU, voltage sag, or overheating. I suspect you won't have any failures, however. After you're satisfied that you're completely stable in prime95 at stock, then you can start messing with the FSB. Just remember not to let your HT link speed get above 2600 and choose the memory ratio that gets you as close to 1333 without going over as possible. You should make note of your CPU temps at stock with 100% load from prime95 so you also have a temperature baseline.

[MakinBaconNeked]

I had to run to the liquor store before they closed ... got through 6 memtest with no errors. I have changed the following settings:

Cool n Quiet - Disabled
Speed Spectrum - Disabled
Both DRAM timmings set to 9-9-9-24
Set the other thing to 2T

I have started the Prime95 test and currently the temp is 47C at the 3rd test. I will probably let it go to like test 20 or so before recording the temp again. How many tests should I let it run for? Not really thinking I need 12-24 hours for a baseline test. Also, the Prime95 torture test I picked was the one with high RAM usage (default when the app opens)

I was looking at this fan as a possible upgrade from the stock that I have:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835185125

I am not looking at any sort of crazy liquid cooled system and the reviews seem to be pretty good. I don't mind going a little higher in cost but it needs to stay reasonable.

[Aristio]

Need some help getting the best upgrade for my PC.

Currently running a GT 9100 Nvidia (Intergrated) and looking to upgrade for XIV. I have only 1 PCIE slot open, so no crossfire/sli available. Only a 300W power supply available as well, so that is another factor I need to think about.

I'm running with an Athlon IIx4 and 8GB of ram to work with. I've been looking through the 4850/70's and wondering if that would be the best option to go with right now? My absolute maximum price would be 200$, but really looking to go below that. Any options?

[alecrast]

I had to run to the liquor store before they closed ... got through 6 memtest with no errors. I have changed the following settings:

Cool n Quiet - Disabled
Speed Spectrum - Disabled
Both DRAM timmings set to 9-9-9-24
Set the other thing to 2T

I have started the Prime95 test and currently the temp is 47C at the 3rd test. I will probably let it go to like test 20 or so before recording the temp again. How many tests should I let it run for? Not really thinking I need 12-24 hours for a baseline test. Also, the Prime95 torture test I picked was the one with high RAM usage (default when the app opens)

I was looking at this fan as a possible upgrade from the stock that I have:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835185125

I am not looking at any sort of crazy liquid cooled system and the reviews seem to be pretty good. I don't mind going a little higher in cost but it needs to stay reasonable.

Temps typically stabilize after about 30 minutes of prime95. You shouldn't need to test much longer than that. The test you want to run in prime95 is the one that says "max power and heat" - I forget the exact name at the moment.

If you have a Microcenter anywhere near you, get this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835103065

Microcenter sells it for $30 bucks and it's one of the best coolers on the market, in the same class as Megahalems, TRUE, Noctua, etc, for a lot less.

I didn't realize you were on stock cooling. If you're on stock, then you want to watch your temps very closely as you can actually cost yourself performance by overclocking if the CPU throttles due to overtemp conditions.

Need some help getting the best upgrade for my PC.

Currently running a GT 9100 Nvidia (Intergrated) and looking to upgrade for XIV. I have only 1 PCIE slot open, so no crossfire/sli available. Only a 300W power supply available as well, so that is another factor I need to think about.

I'm running with an Athlon IIx4 and 8GB of ram to work with. I've been looking through the 4850/70's and wondering if that would be the best option to go with right now? My absolute maximum price would be 200$, but really looking to go below that. Any options?

That power supply is going to severely limit you from almost every graphics card that would make FFXIV a halfway decent experience, unfortunately. Even the 5570 which I wouldn't want to play FFXIV on has a minimum recommended PSU of 350W. The GTX460 which would be the ideal $200 upgrade for you wants at least a 450W PSU.

[Adajer]

get a gtx 460, a new power supply is in order with any real upgrade.

[MakinBaconNeked]

This is going to be kind of a dumb question ... I am not going to run memtest and prime95 every time I bump up the FSB right?

[shaddix]

This is going to be kind of a dumb question ... I am not going to run memtest and prime95 every time I bump up the FSB right?

of course you are! how else would you know that it's stable?!

[MakinBaconNeked]

ok so I am fine running them again each time, but all I did so far is change the ratio to 1:2.66 and the FSB to 210 (from 200) that was a pretty small change to then run 2-3 hours of stability tests .... right?!

Or am I supposed to then change the FSB until the ram is back at 1333, which occurs at FSB 250. That seems to me like a huge change without adjusting anything else.

[Twentytwo]

GTX 470 Superclocked or ATI RADEON 5870?! Help me pick!

[shaddix]

ok so I am fine running them again each time, but all I did so far is change the ratio to 1:2.66 and the FSB to 210 (from 200) that was a pretty small change to then run 2-3 hours of stability tests .... right?!

Or am I supposed to then change the FSB until the ram is back at 1333, which occurs at FSB 250. That seems to me like a huge change without adjusting anything else.

just go ahead and put it to 250, if it won't boot then drop it to 245, if it boots but prime95 gives errors then drop it to 240 etc etc. You won't need to run it for 2-3 hours, every time, you'll get errors quickly if its very unstable.

ps. and watch your temps

@Twentytwo: benchmark seems to be doing better with ati cards. People with a 5850 at stock speeds get 4k on high wheras I can barely hit 3k on my 460@900mhz

[alecrast]

ok so I am fine running them again each time, but all I did so far is change the ratio to 1:2.66 and the FSB to 210 (from 200) that was a pretty small change to then run 2-3 hours of stability tests .... right?!

Or am I supposed to then change the FSB until the ram is back at 1333, which occurs at FSB 250. That seems to me like a huge change without adjusting anything else.

225 is where you had problems originally? Try 220, run prime95 for 10-15 minutes, and keep an eye on your temps.

If 220 works and temps are okay, try 225 and see if it runs stable for you.

Overclocking is a lot of trial and error. Once you find your last stable FSB increment, then you can apply a tiny voltage bump and see how much further you can get. How far are you trying to take it?

[MakinBaconNeked]

So far it looks like its ok at 235 in prime on the medium ram, high cpu and temps setting - test 7 complete so far. 240 crashes.

All I am trying to do is go above 3000 on the benchmark. Stock settings scored me in the 2300's. Of course I wouldn't be upset with a higher score than 3k.

I ordered those sticks of ram you suggested (the 1333 since that is what I have now and planning to use the new ones in the primary slots with the others)

I also ordered that fan ... got it for like $24 but its on back-order so a little more than a week to get here.

Temp is holding at 52C.

[MakinBaconNeked]

Oh yeah ... vodka has me thinking about stuff I'm not typing.

Tiny voltage bump to where? There are 6 categories.

Scratch that 235 crashed on test 11 going back to 220 and going to run it.

[Adajer]

GTX 470 Superclocked or ATI RADEON 5870?! Help me pick!

wait and see what the 475s are like?

[shaddix]

wait and see what the 475s are like?

Get an evga -AR model 460/470 so you can use their step-up program to a 475 if/when they are released.

[Crazyd]

GTX 470 Superclocked or ATI RADEON 5870?! Help me pick!

Generally speaking I think Geforce is the way to go with FFXIV... from what I've heard SE tuned the game towards it.

[MakinBaconNeked]

Ok looks like I am stable at 230 with temps at 52-53C. I have run 2 Prime95 tests - The temperature one and the heavy RAM one and both have passed.