FFXIV package

[Khamsin]

Since the preliminary FFXIV alpha specs have been posted (which are bound to be higher than the retail specs, but still a good goal to reach), some people may need to upgrade either their memory, CPU, graphics card or all three to meet the minimum requirements. Personally, I'm worried about my laptop's 256MB GeForce 8700M compared to the "512MB GeForce 8800 or higher" listed in the specs, although I can just use my desktop if needed.

Does anyone want to help put together a cheap set of: CPU (2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo / AMD Athlon X2 minimum), compatible motherboard, and graphics card (GeForce 8800 / Radeon HD 2900, 512MB minimum) that can be upgraded in most people's existing computers with the greatest reliability in terms of not fucking with everything else they have? As long as you upgrade those three things together, there shouldn't be too much compatibility issues, right?

An Intel/nvidia and an AMD/ATI build should cover the bases. I have a feeling this will be something a lot of people may be interested in, in the coming months.

[Isiolia]

Hm, well, I'd still say that if someone's main goal is playing FFXIV...wait until launch time-ish and buy/build something then. Get more for the money that way.

A Geforce 8800GT/9800GT is what, an $85-100 card now? Chances are that between code optimization (okay, it's SE, that's somewhat unlikely) and market progression (inevitable) that something decent for the game won't break the bank when it comes out. Or now really.

An upgrade like what you're talking about may be fine without messing with other stuff. Or not. Depending on the hardware, you might also need a new power supply (and case if it's an HP or Dell or something). Depending on Windows license, it may not activate on a new set of hardware (you know, for those of us that don't just steal it).
Honestly, at that point, what's left? Drives? At that point, why not spend the extra few bucks and keep the old system intact?

I agree, there will likely be a number of people looking at FFXIV, their old rig, back at FFXIV, and then making a post about what to build/upgrade. However, generally speaking, it'd just be a matter of building a decent gaming rig, and there are sites dedicated to that sort of thing. Which is not to say that people should never ask questions here...but more that a good build for x amount of money changes often. What was good last month may not be the best deal this month, and so on.

[desertigloo]

From reading the OP, it looks like you're looking for a quick fix taking 30mins tops when you've got the compenents together.

I dont know if this still holds true, but everytime I've tried to swap a motherboard/cpu out for a new pair, I've run into major issues. Only a handful times i've been able to get the PC to boot into windows, and even then it registered a lot of errors. It won't be as simple as just putting in a new graphics card and making a sandwhich while your PC boots.

I'd agree with Isiolia that this would probably be best done closer to ffxivs actual launch. It really depends on what the poster wants to do with his/her PC beyond ffxiv, but personally, if I had built or rebuilt, or even upgraded an old PC and spent a couple of hundred bucks to barely meet the minimum system requirements, I'd be a little annoyed. Especially since the price drop of the compenents from now to launch would have covered getting better equipment anyhow. Remember the minimum system requirements are what they are now, at launch. WoW is a great example of this. A PC that could max out WoW 6 years ago, can still run it decently, but won't be maxing out settings.

I'd be more than happy to help closer to launch, as long as I don't have to view prices on the monster I just built ._.

[Kurp]

There are more things to worry about than just replacing a motherboard, CPU, and graphics card. Many mass produced PCs come with mediocre power supplies that are just enough to power what they come with. Another thing to consider is that some of those cases are a nightmare to work with, especially if you're going far enough to replace a motherboard.

I'd wait until much closer to launch when people could get a better system than what they could get now. Tech ware prices also change a lot week to week with sales and package deals which makes it difficult to just pick a few certain components and call it good.

I really think that PC upgrades suggestions should be done on a case to case basis when you can consider budget, current hardware, needs, etc.

[Celeras]

A Geforce 8800GT/9800GT is what, an $85-100 card now?

You can get them on ebay for under 50 sometimes. And if you run two of them in SLI, you're looking at performance that isn't that far behind something like the 5870 (the current fastest single GPU on the market). So if anybody is staring at their 8800 and upset that they're the minimum, my suggestion would be to just get another and run SLI. Making sure your motherboard supports it of course.

As far as the OPs question, you just want a build with the minimum requirements linked?

[nitsuj]

You can get them on ebay for under 50 sometimes. And if you run two of them in SLI, you're looking at performance that isn't that far behind something like the 5870 (the current fastest single GPU on the market). So if anybody is staring at their 8800 and upset that they're the minimum, my suggestion would be to just get another and run SLI. Making sure your motherboard supports it of course.

As far as the OPs question, you just want a build with the minimum requirements linked?

Hopefully FFXIV supports SLi a bit better than FFXI :/


(FFXI has random models just disappearing off screen in SLi mode :/)