This sounds like a very similar problem to what I'm having, though mine isnt quite so serve.
My system:
Intel Core 2 6400 @ 2.13 GHz
1024MB RAM
Nvidia 7950GT 512MB
160GB HDD, 90GB free.
I've tried everything you guys have suggested, uninstalled and reinstalled FFXI, defragged PC, run spywayre / virus checks, nothing seems to have worked. Even changed the drivers, still no luck. (Using the ones recommended by SE atm). While my problem isnt as bad as the OP, the FPS doesnt drop that much, it's still pretty bad in some places. Only really wheres a large number of NPC/PCs about. I can stand some where with full effects on in a sandstorm or something, if theres one or two mobs or people about it runs fine. If I go to Limbus with only 12 people it runs pretty poor. Not terrible, but certainly not as well as it should, given the PC I've got. I've also checked, FFXI seem to be the only game affected by this.
Any help would be much appreciated, the problems driving me mad D: I'm not sure if it's my internet or not, I use my laptop to run FFXI sometimes aswell, and that doesnt have the same problem. Only difference is my laptop is on wireless, my PC isnt. (I've tried connecting with wireless on my PC - that didnt help).
I dont understand because it used to run perfectly, I didnt change anything for fear of breaking it, yet still it breaks. /sulk
Thanks for reading, much <3 <3 <3 to anyone who helps^^
Edited for really STUPID grammar lol
Edited, Mar 16th 2007 1:23pm by Yahavage
Edited, Mar 16th 2007 1:34pm by Yahavage