Which graphics card is better?

[asuviolinist]

I have just installed and updated FFXI on my computer, and it won't work at all. I get through Playonline just fine, but when I click the button to start FFXI, the screen changes to black, but then it goes back and gives me this error:

Terminated as error occurred in FINAL FANTASY XI. Failed to recognize Hardware TnL. Please check that this computer has the required specifications to run FINAL FANTASY XI.(-1)

It sounds to me like my computer doesn't have the right specs to run it, but I don't know what my computer needs. Here is the system information on my computer:

CPU = Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.40GHz
CPU Speed = 2457 MHz
No. of CPUs = 1
OS = Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 Ver 5.01.2600
Version of DirectX = DirectX 9.0
Main Memory = Capacity: 511MB : Free Space: 231MB
Drive [C:\] = Local Disk Free Space: 23.51 GB (Capacity: 37.26 GB )
PlayOnline Viewer Install Path = C:\Program Files\PlayOnline\SquareEnix\PlayOnlineViewer\
Tetra Master Install Path = C:\Program Files\PlayOnline\SquareEnix\TetraMaster\
FINAL FANTASY XI Install Path = C:\Program Files\PlayOnline\SquareEnix\FINAL FANTASY XI\
Graphics Card = RAGE 128 PRO Ultra GL AGP (Microsoft Corporation)
Type of Chip = Unknown Video Chip
Video Driver = ati2dvaa.dll
Version = 6.13.10.5019
Updated = Tuesday, August 03, 2004 7:56 PM
VendorId = 0x1002
DeviceId = 0x5446
SubSysId = 0x7106174B
Revision = 0
VRAM = 32.0MB
AvailableVidMem = 30.0MB
AvailableTextureMem = 29.0MB
Sound Card = VIA AC'97 Audio (WAVE)
Sound Driver = viaudio.sys
Version = 5.12.01.3800
Updated = Wednesday, May 22, 2002 2:00 PM
Network Card = VIA Rhine III Management Adapter
Network Driver = fetnd5bv.sys
Version = 3.41.00.0426
Updated = Thursday, December 16, 2004 1:36 PM
Motherboard = P4PB 266E
Manufacturer =
Version =
Serial Number =

So if there is something on here that is not acceptable for FFXI, I can fix it, but I don't know what this thing needs. If anyone can tell me, I would be really thankful.

Thanks,
Roby (a lost Tarutaru)

[Raydeus]

Re: I can't get FFXI to work on my CPU

It's because your graphics card doesn't support Hardware TnL, oddly enough XI doesn't have a Software TnL option, so your only choice is to upgrade to a video card that supports TnL.

Radeon 9500 and up would be a good idea and they aren't too expensive nowadays.

[Icemage]

Re: I can't get FFXI to work on my CPU

Graphics Card = RAGE 128 PRO Ultra GL AGP (Microsoft Corporation)
Type of Chip = Unknown Video Chip
Video Driver = ati2dvaa.dll
Version = 6.13.10.5019
Updated = Tuesday, August 03, 2004 7:56 PM
VendorId = 0x1002
DeviceId = 0x5446
SubSysId = 0x7106174B
Revision = 0
VRAM = 32.0MB
AvailableVidMem = 30.0MB
AvailableTextureMem = 29.0MB

You desperately need to upgrade your graphics card. I do not believe FFXI will run properly under this card, as even the minimum specification asks for a 64MB graphics card (your ATI RAGE 128 has 32MB) even if it had TnL support (which it does not).


Icemage

[neighbortaru]

Re: I can't get FFXI to work on my CPU

definately the video card. that one's a dinosaur

[Thrasher]

Re: I can't get FFXI to work on my CPU

7 year old gfx cards don't play well with 5 year old games. (wow this game is geting old) Well at least they didn't buy a 3dfx card



But really you wont have to spend much more then $50 just buy something like a ATI 9550 9600 9700 or heck a 9800

[asuviolinist]

Re: I can't get FFXI to work on my CPU

Thanks for everyone's help. I figured it probably was the graphics card, but I wanted to double check. I will get a new graphics card today, hopefully. Thanks again for your help.

[asuviolinist]

Which graphics card is better?

I am about to buy a new graphics card for my CPU. Which one is better? If someone could just list them in order of best to worst, that would be greataru!

Thanks,
Roby (a lost Tarutaru)

[neighbortaru]

Re: Which graphics card is better?

dude, no need to create a new thread.

as for your question, depends on how much you want to spend. there were some very good cheap suggestions that will get the job done nicely posted above (e.g. 9550, 9600).

[valru]

Re: Which graphics card is better?

well just make sure the graphics card is AGP slot dont get PCI or PCI-E (your computer does not have these slots)

NVidia 6800 GS
NVidia 6800 GT
NVidia 6600 GS
NVidia 6600 GT
ATi 9800 XT
ATi 9800 Pro

[neighbortaru]

Re: Which graphics card is better?

well just make sure the graphics card is AGP slot dont get PCI or PCI-E (your computer does not have these slots)
NVidia 6800 GS
NVidia 6800 GT
NVidia 6600 GS
NVidia 6600 GT
ATi 9800 XT
ATi 9800 Pro

most of the cards you listed are no longer in wide circulation and thus, a bit expensive for their performance. furthermore, there are acknowledged lag problems with some of the nvidia 6 series of cards and the game.

[Murphie]

Re: Which graphics card is better?

Don't even get me started on the acknowledged lag issues. Every time I'm even near a BRD...

/sigh

[valru]

Re: Which graphics card is better?

most of the cards you listed are no longer in wide circulation and thus, a bit expensive for their performance. furthermore, there are acknowledged lag problems with some of the nvidia 6 series of cards and the game.

well thats true for almost every agp graphics card(except certain 7xxx series). they are actually really cheap, and maybe in the future he will want to play other games. true that the the geforce 6 series lags slightly in ffxi with certain , spells. i guess you could go for a x800 pro or xt but they are slightly behind the geforce 6 series. (in general performance)

[asuviolinist]

Re: Which graphics card is better?

What do I look for to make sure it is an AGP card, and how do you know my computer is has an AGP slot??

[neighbortaru]

Re: Which graphics card is better?

What do I look for to make sure it is an AGP card, and how do you know my computer is has an AGP slot??

cause of this

Graphics Card = RAGE 128 PRO Ultra GL AGP (Microsoft Corporation)

The box or description of your new graphics card will say if it is AGP, PCI (don't buy) or PCI-E (don't buy).

[bside]

Re: Which graphics card is better?

The box or description of your new graphics card will say if it is AGP, PCI (don't buy) or PCI-E (don't buy).

I think asuviolinist should know that PCI-E stands for PCI Express, and most descriptions/boxes spell it all out, rather than the abbreviated form "PCI-E," or sometimes "PCIe."

Better yet, if you're buying one at a local retail store, ask the salesman.