Getting a new desktop PC . . .

[Lucres]

Hello!
I'm going to be getting a new desktop soon, and I'd like some help with getting the right specs for FFXI. Could someone help me out? The details on it I want are:
- Runs smoothly (or better than smooth!) at the 2048x2048 registry edit resolution
- Can use the bump mapping option in the FFXI config
- Can use MIP Mapping option set to 3-5
- VRAM higher than 64 minimum (whatever would be best, I've heard of people with 200+)

Please note I am entirely computer illeterate, which is why I'm asking for help on this. Thanks in advance!

[sevenpointflaw]

Re: Getting a new desktop PC . . .

Hello!
I'm going to be getting a new desktop soon, and I'd like some help with getting the right specs for FFXI. Could someone help me out? The details on it I want are:
- Runs smoothly (or better than smooth!) at the 2048x2048 registry edit resolution
- Can use the bump mapping option in the FFXI config
- Can use MIP Mapping option set to 3-5
- VRAM higher than 64 minimum (whatever would be best, I've heard of people with 200+)

Please note I am entirely computer illeterate, which is why I'm asking for help on this. Thanks in advance!

That leaves.... a lot of room to work with, and really it comes down to how much money you are planning on spending. IMHO, new computers are all about how much bang can you get for your buck? You can get a $500 computer that will run FFXI "nicely" or you can get a $5,000 computer that will run FFXI like it was made specificly for your computer.

Without knowing your price range its really hard to say since most new computers of any price range will run FFXI fine.

Some things to remember though, about FFXI and getting a computer that will run it very well:

1.) Processor is more important than the GPU (processor on the video card). If it comes down to choosing between a medicore processor and a top of the line video card, or a top of the line processor with a mediocre video card, I'd go with the processor.

2.) RAM is more important than VRAM. Getting a 256MB video card is nice. Very nice. Especially if you only have 512mb of normal ram. Getting a 128mb video card is even nicer, if it means getting 1GB of normal ram.

[neighbortaru]

Re: Getting a new desktop PC . . .

some very good information already posted in this thread: http://www.ffxionline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=52963

[Intensity]

Re: Getting a new desktop PC . . .

Your cheapest bet is going to be to find a friend who can build it from scratch. Always cheaper and usually a more reliable machine than the cookie-cutter Dell's and HP's out there. If you know someone, www.newegg.com is a great place to find good hardware for cheap and their return/exchange policy is stellar. Plus, they usually get the parts to you a day or two early.

[Lucres]

Re: Getting a new desktop PC . . .

Thanks for the nice info.. Could anyone throw out some numbers for, say, a $2000 limit? I'm going to see what I can get for that, and if I can get any more bang for just a little more I can change it up. And also as Sevenpointflaw pointed out, it'd be nice to have that feeling... of a "computer that will run FFXI like it was made specificly for your computer."

[PotentPotables]

Re: Getting a new desktop PC . . .

I'm getting a new PC to replace my $2k Alienware here in a week or 2. I'll be spending 2.5k including shipping, and I'll be getting about 3 times the power. Stray from Brand Name Computers if you have a friend who can build one.

[Intensity]

Re: Getting a new desktop PC . . .

Give me 20 minutes. I'll build you a machine on newegg.com for 2k, probably alot less.

[Lucres]

Re: Getting a new desktop PC . . .

Give me 20 minutes. I'll build you a machine on newegg.com for 2k, probably alot less.

Cool, sounds interesting.. thanks!

[Intensity]

Re: Getting a new desktop PC . . .

Keep in mind, no software included so you'll have to provide your own. And beforehand, if you get a 64 bit processor (I love them) don't use the 64bit Windows O/S. Just run Windows XP Pro or something if you're partial to Windows. The 64 bit O/S is severely lacking in updated drivers and compatibility. But the 64 bit Athlons work GREAT without the 64bit O/S. Besides that, I'd say this is a pretty sick system for the price. And it will easily run FFXI on max settings.

https://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion...tle=FFXIONLINE

[Lucres]

Re: Getting a new desktop PC . . .

That takes me to a login page- which leads me to a page for registration using credit card..

[Intensity]

Re: Getting a new desktop PC . . .

Here's a screenshot. If you go to newegg.com and search the saved wish lists, this one is labeled FFXIONLINE and you can look at the hardware from there piece by piece.



EDIT: Fixed.

EDIT AGAIN: Just noticed the grand total isn't shown in the screenie. It's $1,030.92 not including shipping. Newegg's shipping for all pieces would be around 50$-75$ I'd say.

[Lucres]

Re: Getting a new desktop PC . . .

Thanks for the sceen. I'll look into it- I'm starting to hate that site, all the numbers and stuff confuse me and I don't know what I'm looking for.. lol

[neighbortaru]

Re: Getting a new desktop PC . . .

if you don't understand computer hardware and all the terms, either learn before you jump in or don't DIY. otherwise, you'll just be wasting your money.

the dell xps400's are pretty decent machines (spec-wise): http://www1.us.dell.com/content/prod...=19&l=en&s=dhs
just be sure to upgrade the base model with Nvidia 6800 [video card], 1 GB [ram] and a bigger harddrive (if you need it). comes with a free 19" LCD and an official, licensed OS.

[Intensity]

Re: Getting a new desktop PC . . .

Yeah, if you don't know what the hardware on that site is, don't build your own machine.

[PotentPotables]

Re: Getting a new desktop PC . . .

and even if you don't know what you're doing, at least know enough not to buy a Dell...