Announcement

**Jaice** · 04-03-2008, 11:14 AM

Re: Cheapest FF:XI PC Build

Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more!

With those machines you'll need to upgrade the ram to the maximum that the motherboard can accept and find a better video card to cut back on sluggish/choppy screens and a better view for when more objects are on your screen.

**Guyver03** · 04-03-2008, 11:15 AM

Re: Cheapest FF:XI PC Build

I guess I could start off with a generic machine build and upgrade it. Hadn't really thought about that path.

**Omniblast** · 04-03-2008, 11:22 AM

Re: Cheapest FF:XI PC Build

2 GB RAM recommended for anything operating in Windows XP.
BTW, did you factor in costs for windows xp and any other associated software?

Please avoid Vista like the plague that it is. That will save you TONS of headaches.

Also if your trying to configure a specific motherboard, I recommend going to something like Welcome to Corsair :: Memory Configurator and checking to see what's the best DDR2 Memory for your mobo. They will also specify timings and voltage as well.

Since your going with Intel, maybe getting a 9600 GT from EVGA is good? Their about 200 bucks or less. I recommend staying off motherboard video.

**Guyver03** · 04-03-2008, 11:31 AM

Re: Cheapest FF:XI PC Build

Originally posted by Omniblast View Post

2 GB RAM recommended for anything operating in Windows XP.
BTW, did you factor in costs for windows xp and any other associated software?

Please avoid Vista like the plague that it is. That will save you TONS of headaches.

Vista is a definate no-no. Will be XP all the way I didn't include that in the price because I'm mainly focused on hardware right now.

Originally posted by Omniblast View Post

Also if your trying to configure a specific motherboard, I recommend going to something like Welcome to Corsair :: Memory Configurator and checking to see what's the best DDR2 Memory for your mobo. They will also specify timings and voltage as well.

Since your going with Intel, maybe getting a 9600 GT from EVGA is good? Their about 200 bucks or less. I recommend staying off motherboard video.

I'll definately check out the Memory Configurator. And yeah...I will be adding a Video card...just haven't picked out yet.

**Zoltar** · 04-03-2008, 11:31 AM

Re: Cheapest FF:XI PC Build

when i first started ffxi on pc, i had 1gb ram and a 128mb video card. these both worked just fine...i've since upgraded to 2gb and a 512mb card with little difference. only things i've noticed is characters render a bit faster when you walk into crowded places (jeuno auction house)

your machine will be more than ok for ffxi on pc, no worries ^^

**Omniblast** · 04-03-2008, 11:47 AM

Re: Cheapest FF:XI PC Build

I tend to think higher specs because I use my rig for other games.
This build isn't something that you can play Crysis with. I've heard heating issue problems with micro-atx cases, not sure how they are now. (over 2 years ago on over heating issues)

**Negklar** · 04-03-2008, 12:38 PM

Re: Cheapest FF:XI PC Build

I know most people like Intel now-a-days, but I've never had any issues with AMD, and they're usually better when considering price/performance ratio (not max performance, which you don't need for MMO's anyway). I also don't like integrated video or cheap motherboards. You can always upgrade memory, processor, video card, etc... but it's a pain to upgrade the mobo.

This is more than what you NEED for just FFXI, but imho it's very good price/performance and allows you to do much more than just FFXI and is relatively up-to-date.

$99.99 - ASUS M2N-E AM2 NVIDIA nForce 570 Ultra MCP ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail (nice AMD based Asus board)
$55.99 - AMD Athlon 64 X2 4000+ Brisbane 2.1GHz Socket AM2 65W Dual-Core Processor Model ADO4000DDBOX - Retail (cheap dual core)
$64.99 (after $30 rebate) - XFX PVT84JUDD3 GeForce 8600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card - Retail (cheap, DX10, 256MB, GDDR3, PCIE, SLI, what more could you want)
$29.00 (after $40 rebate) - CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400C4 - Retail (wow this is cheap compared to when I bought it)
$50.99 - Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3160815AS 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM (
$22.99 - Linkworld 3210-04-C2628 Black/ Silver Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail (whatever case you like per taste)
$51.99 - Rosewill RP550-2 ATX12V v2.01 550W Power Supply - Retail (whatever you like, just don't get a POS, you'll regret it eventually)

$375.94 (not including OS, Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse, Headphones/Speakers, which you may or may not still need)

**Kitalrez** · 04-03-2008, 01:58 PM

Re: Cheapest FF:XI PC Build

I'm in the same boat as the OP right now. I'd like to upgrade my desktop when I get a chance. Could someone explain to me the differences in GHz between single and dual core, as well as how AMD specs compare to Intel?

For instance, Right now I'm running a 3.0 GHz P4. If I wanted to compare that to a dual core processor's performance, would I take the GHz of a dual core setting and double it? How do I compare an AMD processor to a pentium? On a P4 I used to just read the GHz rating and figured that more was better. On P4s that worked for years. What's the standard now? Do the higher GHz processors still have higher FSBs or should I be looking at other settings when I shop?

Right now I have a self-built rig with an Asus P4P800-deluxe, Intel P4 Prescott at 3.0 (OC'd to 3.4), an ATI Radeon x800 Pro (AGP), and 1.5 GB of DDR 2700s.

Obviously, I'll want to upgrade the RAM, ditch the AGP card for a PCI-express one, and update the motherboard. I'm just not sure where to go beyond this step. A socket 472 intel board won't cut it, need to know what processors are like now to pick my next configuration here. I'm also not giving up my HD or Waterblocks, spent too much time upgrading these where I want them.

**Mhurron** · 04-03-2008, 03:34 PM

Re: Cheapest FF:XI PC Build

Originally posted by Omniblast View Post

2 GB RAM recommended for anything operating in Windows XP.

1 GB is plenty for XP and FFXI. In fact, it's plenty for XP and most things.

I'm running a 3.0 GHz P4. If I wanted to compare that to a dual core processor's performance, would I take the GHz of a dual core setting and double it?

Nope. Mhz != Mhz. Speed ratings are only useful comparisons for processors of the same core. P4's, P4 D's and Core Duos can not be directly compared that way.

**Feba** · 04-03-2008, 04:21 PM

Re: Cheapest FF:XI PC Build

Originally posted by Mhurron View Post

Speed ratings are only useful comparisons for processors of the same core.

And, honestly, manufacturing year. There are some 2Ghz processors out there that are technically faster than 3Ghz processors because of improvements in how they work.

As for your PC, it is a complete waste of money to buy parts and assemble them if all you want is a PC for FFXI. You're practically going to spend more on the case and the XP license than anything else.

My PC has 512MB of RAM and used to have an MX440, and it ran FFXI just fine. Any computer you can buy nowadays will be the same.

Those cheap computers on newegg jaice linked are cheap, but they don't come with a monitor, which I'm assuming you'd want. Otherwise, I would have to recommend against them anyway, given that one doesn't come with XP (needed for FFXI, since it won't run under Wine), and the other is an eMachines (Yes, I am biased. Be very, very biased against eMachines. You should never even consider one.)

If you already have a monitor, look on newegg for cheap desktops running Windows XP or Windows XP pro; keep in mind that if they have integrated graphics you WILL want to add in another 30-40$ to cover the cost of a cheap graphics card. If you don't have a monitor, I'd recommend going to local PC shops and seeing what they still have left in Windows XP boxes.

**Guyver03** · 04-09-2008, 09:31 AM

Re: Cheapest FF:XI PC Build

Hey all,

I know it's been a few days but I just wanted to come back and say thanks for all the suggestions you made. The after day I put this thread out though, I was offered to pick up two old non-working PCs from a couple of friends (thanks Cory and Dan).

They both happened to be ASUS MoBos w/ AMD processors. After some Frankenstein-ing, I managed to put together the following:

AMD Athlon 64 3200+ (2.2 GHz)
ASUS A8N5X Motherboard
1 GB DDR2 RAM
Sapphire 1900XT Video Card (512 MB, Dual DVI)
350W PSU (Wish it was a little bigger)
75 GB 10,000 RPM SATA HDD
160 GB IDE Slave HDD
All wrapped up in a rather ugly PC case

That was WAY more than I could have hoped for. I need to invest in a larger PSU though. Most places online say you need at least a 450W one for this video card. Also may pick up more RAM and possibly another or larger slave HDD, but all in all it's pretty solid and those are all things I can add "when I get to it". All it cost me was a copy of Lost Odyssey for 360 and a large stuffed crust meat-lovers pizza. Pretty good deal if you ask me.

Now my cup runneth over, I was hoping to just run FF:XI, but now I should be able to push things like Oblivion or UT3...pending a new PSU of course.

Thanks again for the responses!

**Negklar** · 04-09-2008, 10:00 AM

Re: Cheapest FF:XI PC Build

<All Right!> Glad you got your computer up and running. Never underestimate the power of a pizza!

**Feba** · 04-09-2008, 10:09 AM

Re: Cheapest FF:XI PC Build

yeah, used PCs are great if you can get your hands on some.

**little ninja** · 04-11-2008, 11:08 AM

Re: Cheapest FF:XI PC Build

Try tigerdirect .com, They are always running deals, and combination deals. Not to mention they have some decent barebone kits that sell allot cheaper then if ou were to buy the parts seperately.

Announcement

Cheapest FF:XI PC Build

Cheapest FF:XI PC Build

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment