Suggestions For An "Off The Shelf" FFXI System

Hello all,

I'm looking for suggestions for a good, stock / off-the-shelf desktop system for FFXI. I don't want to build a custom machine. I'd like something that I can buy at any major retailer, unbox the computer, plug it in, install the client and run with zero modifications... $450 maximum.

Thanks for your help,
Bill N.
Long Island, NY

Then you're delusional, mate.

Bro, ffxi is so ancient you can run this ***on a $5 Etch-a-Sketch.

I bought a $99 off the shelf from microcenter and it runs XI flawlessly.

I also bought a $20 old as *** PC on CL, a $5 power supply and a $10 graphics card, and it runs XI even better than the $99 PC.

FWIW, I play on a ~$300 HP laptop that my wife bought at the local Staples.

One of these would probably run FFXI.

That's cool.... That's the type of answer I was looking for. Thanks so much. I appreciate that.

http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/envi/win/win01.html

I got warned for that? REALLY? I was being polite too. Christ...

Your post count isn't high enough to be an ***, #politics #modbias

The real question is at what quality you want to play FFXI at?

Running 640x480 with a background of 256x256 on a tiny screen with vanilla FFXI can work on almost anything, it's also supremely uncomfortable and not really worth it. Running 1920x1080 with Super Sampling (3840x2160), Windower on a nicer 15~17 inch screen is far more comfortable and productive. Add dgVoodoo2 for an even nicer experience and you actually need something better then Intel HD Graphics.

So what level are you aiming at? For minimal play, $300 notebook could probably do it badly, for more enjoyable play $700~800 notebook, for really enjoyable play ~$1000.

I think the main consideration is a discrete GPU, since integrated graphics - good as they are for many other things - tend to do very poorly with XI. Not sure if dgVoodoo or the Ashita DirectX thing fix that.

I would at least get a system that can accommodate a GPU (OP did ask for a desktop) in case that seems desirable, though getting one from the start would be ideal.