Old threads and discussions here:

FFXI Gameplay problems.
http://www.bluegartr.com/forum/showthread.php?t=87383
TL;DR Results: Never specifically fixed. Went to a SSD ( therefore a new drive - which could have been problem) and problems didn't seem to recurr.


New "20 month" PC - Please check for stupid oversights
http://www.bluegartr.com/forum/showthread.php?t=89711

TL;DR: Current rig (e8400 wtih 4GB RAM and a 4870 1GB card) should chew up FFXI. Something's wrong
Results: Memtest OK'd RAM, collossal HD failure at later date. Replaced with SSD. Never bought the proposed system.



OK. So the PC worked fairly well until early June when things got horrible. My SSD started having SMART errors (end to end error count) and my system became increasingly unstable. There were several BSODs as I tried to run PC. Rebooting became a bit of a chore. I had to use recovery console once or twice to successfully get up and running. However, eventually I was able to hit F1 during post to acknowledge bad SMART status, and proceed. Then this happened:

June 5th - over about 30 minutes
http://www.madeofdoom.com/Kiine/Kiin...1-58-08-27.jpg

http://www.madeofdoom.com/Kiine/Kiin...1-58-22-55.jpg

Error code 1000008e, parameter1 c0000005, parameter2 8053a8e3, parameter3 ba3079e8, parameter4 00000000.
Error code 10000050, parameter1 d0886ebc, parameter2 00000000, parameter3 80505f23, parameter4 00000000.
Error code 1000008e, parameter1 c0000005, parameter2 805afec6, parameter3 a9f2abc4, parameter4 00000000.
Error code 1000008e, parameter1 c0000005, parameter2 805afec6, parameter3 a9f2abc4, parameter4 00000000.
Error code 0000004e, parameter1 00000002, parameter2 00066eb0, parameter3 000cff6f, parameter4 00000001.


I know my SSD is toast, and I am in the process of getting it replaced. I actually have the replacement drive, but I'm holding on the broken one because I'm trying to do some high-tier tech support with MS about MSE (read here if curious: http://social.answers.microsoft.com/...4-6e829de88aba ) - if they ever call at the time I've requested - and I want to have the same installation available. A quick note on the Intel SSD. I got an Intel X25m 80gb that failed. Sucks to be me. I got unlucky. However, their tech support and RMA procedures are outstanding.


Performance Goal:
1280x1024 full screen. 2560x2560 background res. Full shadows. 28-30fps (22+ in high activity areas/combat)

Anyhow with all the history out of the way, on to the real questions/solutions:

ONE
Hoping (perhaps unrealistically) that my video card is not toast. I've not installed GFX drivers on my rebuilt SSD yet. I've been very busy and I want to ghost the drive at its fully patched state before putting on gfx drivers. My intent is to install the 9.1 (or 9.2) drivers and use ATI Tray Tools (using the settings from http://www.bluegartr.com/forum/showp...12&postcount=6 (yes, I will adjust to two threads for duo core). Any other suggestions or specific install order or configurations?

TWO
Assuming my GFX card IS toast, I'll get one of the following cards:

XFX HD-487A-ZWFC Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150436

OR

HIS H487Q1GH Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161292

Are there existing opinions or experiences with either manufacturer. Again, specifics of setting up for optimal performance would be welcomed.

THREE
Assuming I have unrealistic expectations of performance from my current system:

New PC Path:
Processor: (I got this at a Microcenter for $199 - link for HW compatability's sake)
Intel Core i7-875K Lynnfield 2.93GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Unlocked Desktop Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-368-_-Product

Motherboard:
ASUS P7P55D-E Pro LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131621

RAM (Three Choices - going for highly rated parts. I will go for 8 GB of ram. x4 2GB)
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231277

OR

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-4GBRM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231303

OR

CORSAIR DOMINATOR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMD4GX3M2A1600C8
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145265


Case (Two Choices - I've gotten hands-on with the Coolermaster it seems good. Antec is sturdy, but drive install is p.i.t.a):
COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119160

OR

Antec Twelve Hundred Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129043


Power Supply: (modular for preventing cable snarl)
CORSAIR HX Series CMPSU-850HX 850W ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 2.91 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139011


Optical Drive:
LG Black 10X Blu-ray Burner - Bulk SATA Model WH10LS30 LightScribe Support
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827136181

Opperating System:
Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders

Graphics Card:
SAPPHIRE TOXIC 100282TXSR Radeon HD 5850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102881

Main (only) Drive: (I use a NAS for data storage and a separate PC for internet and torrenting. "main" PC only goes to bank & credit card sites and plays FFXI)
Intel X25-V SSDSA2MP040G2R5 2.5" 40GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820167025

Processor Heatsink:
Reccomendation Needed! I would like something much more towards the silent end of things.

So, there we have it. Thank you again for your time.