FFXIV - Where am I being let down (hardware wise)?Follow

Hiya,

I'm currently playing the FFXIV open beta with the following settings and it's really jerky and glitchy graphically:

Windowed
1440x900 (I read it's good to put it in a resolution one step down from your monitor's which is 1680x1050)
Multisampling: None. I've tried 2x but turned it off last night. Makes a slight difference in performance, but not a great deal.
Buffersize: Resolution (anything less is a huge difference in graphical quality)
Shadow detail: Low

As you and see I'm not trying to run it at a high setting. All the in-game performance configurations (shadows, physics etc) are all off too. While the characters look pretty good still, the graphical lag is awful. The lighting is glitchy. Sometimes the characters' shadows glitch out for a brief moment and look almost as if some black thing is leaving their body. It's getting unplayable at the moment.

I know my PC is fairly old. I can accept this, but I *think* some of the components are still fine but as I am out the loop on hardware, I thought I'd ask you guys.

First thing's first. It's a Dell XPS 420. The ins and outs of the speeds of components and what-not can be found at the following link. I'll just tell you what I have as I don't understand all cache sizes and speeds and that.

http://reviews.cnet.com/desktops/dell-xps-420/4507-3118_7-32716531.html

Intel QuadCore Q6600 2.4GHz
4GB RAM
GeForce GTS250 1GB (bought it off eBay recently as I had a 8800GTS before and I thought the upgrade would help).
On-board sound
2x 500GB HDDs
Windows 7 64-bit

Err... I dunno what else you need. And it's likely in the link posted above.

I've a feeling it's the graphics card which is letting me down again. I thought this was one of the better *budget* cards around but I've no clue really. I got it cheap off eBay so if I need another upgrade in that department I won't be too fussed.

I'm on a very tight budget so please take that in to consideration.
What I am hoping to get out of FFXIV is a smooth gameplay experience. The same resolution as I am running it in now is fine. I don't want everything maxxed out if it's financially improbable. I just would like smooth and half decent.

Sorry for rambling on. I wanted to provide as much info as possible.
Thanks very much.

Edit: Forgot to mention that I am running the Nvidia 8.17.12.5896 drivers which are dated 09/07/2010 (9th July).

Edited, Sep 18th 2010 1:00pm by Unohana

I am using the latest drivers, aye. Checked that.

I downloaded RivaTuner and I have it running in the background.
It's giving me these stats:

Core Clock ROP Domain: 738
Core Clock Shader Domain: 1836
Memory Clock: 999.

All of these are stable and are not moving. Something wrong? The figures don't match.
Also the temperature is showing anywhere between 80-103C. I created a new character in Limsa and during the opening cutscene it went to 103C but mostly was around the 96ish mark. Even now it's at 99C and I have just spoken to Hob on the dock who takes you to the Adventurer's Guild.

Something doesn't seem right, right?

Thanks for your replies.

I've lowered, lowered and lowered the graphics again and again. I'm not at a point where it's perfectly playable, but not pretty to look at. However, I'll stick with it until I can either i) save some money or ii) win on the horses! Either way once March comes around I'll get it on my PS3 if I have to.

Again, thanks for your replies though. I'll keep looking for a new graphics card when I can and will take your advice on board.

Holy crap! how did I miss that? 269 degrees Farenheight is insanely way too high for a video card. I must be slipping.

65 degress Celsius under full load is the highest you ever want to see a GTS 450. Kastigir gets the gold star. Your video card is massivly overheating, likely due to a nonfunctional fan, unless those are actually fahrenheit temperatures.

I'm suprised it hasn't stopped functioning entirely at that temperature range.



Edited, Sep 19th 2010 12:35am by Kaolian

I've only got a 9800GT, so I know nothing specifically about that card. However, I at times have seen 70C at full load with mine. Typically I'm in the mid 60s at full load. (i.e. WoW)

Edited, Sep 19th 2010 11:22am by Kastigir

You've all got rate ups.

I bought the card about two weeks ago off eBay. Used. But for a pretty cheapo price. I thought it was too high too. Now I've lowered the game a bucketload graphically it seems to be hovering around 70ish. Something doesn't seem right. I'll check the card out physically when I get time. Make sure the fan's plugged in correctly, on and running. Hopefully I haven't damaged it yet. At the moment though I can't really do a great deal money-wise as I am saving for a house and have a baby due next month. Final Fantasy is going to be my last game purchase for a while (despite a million releases due in the next few months).

Maybe worth purchasing a few extra fans as they're pretty cheap, right? 'Specially as I'm not even going to overclock it.

Okay, plan B.

I can possibly come up with around £200. So is it possible for you to recommend me a new graphics card please?
The thing I'd better mention is that the PSU is only 375W, I believe, so I may have to factor a new one of them in the budget too.

I've included a few pics so you can gauge the type of PSU I need etc.

http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/3043/20100920113340566peterb.jpg

http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/4445/20100920113243417peterb.jpg

http://img693.imageshack.us/img693/7544/20100920113229838peterb.jpg

I have to go work now but I'll keep checking back when I can. This graphics card I got is doin' my head in now.

Thanks again.

Thanks again.

FFXIV arrived this morning, so I am really very keen to get my PC in a good working condition.

Could you have a look at these please and see that they will be adequate:

PSU: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-014-CS&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=1084

Graphics: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-122-HT

I couldn't stretch to a 5850 as they're about £200 upwards on their own.

Excellent. Thanks.

You're welcome!