Archmage Callinon wrote:
FilthMcNasty wrote:
Sorry mang, but this simply isn't true.
The first thing to upgrade would be your processor. Any of the newer i5 are plenty of processing to suit your needs for the game. The second priority is the GPU. The nVidia GTX670 mentioned in the other thread is more than enough to handle XIV and most any other game you might play, comfortably. PSU might need to be looked at to see if you have enough power to cover your GPU when you get it, but the newer generation cards aren't consuming nearly as much power as the previous generation Fermi did.
RAM would be the last thing you look at and probably only if you're going to be playing games that are RAM intensive. You won't see a notable difference in most games because they're generally all programmed to run at max(3.1ish GB), but you already have more than that. If you're gonna render images in 3D or use programs that hog memory like photoshop then it might be worth the upgrade. It might not hurt your pockets, but it's not going to help your performance in XIV.
So your solution then is to buy a new computer. Because that's what you're suggesting here.
Replace CPU, GPU, PSU, Motherboard.
What? No solid state drive to recommend?
My suggestions here were with an eye toward budget. The reason for that is because the OP said he bought his machine at Best Buy (probably not someone who's building his own machines), furthermore the model he linked is a budget model, designed to be inexpensive.
So no, I didn't go with replacing the entire machine because I kind of assumed that if he were going to do that he wouldn't be asking for single-part advice.
I don't make the rules, I just make suggestions. 90% of the people making threads or posting in the sticky about "What do I need to upgrade" usually end up having to upgrade most everything.
Looking at what the OP says(and based on how the game runs), the first best option is a CPU. Depending on what they get, it may or may not mean a socket change which yes, will require a new mobo. Currently, i5 processors are the best bang for the buck which is why I suggested them. There is no mention of budget and considering that they're willing to upgrade their PSU, we could probably safely assume that they understand the upgrades are going to require some work and cost some money. I don't recommend SSD because they give a minimal performance increase in most cases.
If you were really so concerned with the OP's budget, why would you recommend upgrading RAM? Yes it's cheap, but there is literally no performance upgrade from doing so.
@OP
The best course of upgrades from highest to lowest priority:
PSU == CPU > GPU > > > RAM > Anything else
Understand that if you upgrade to a CPU with a different socket, you will likely need a new mobo to house it. I never recommend using any other type of RAM than what is found in the supported list that can be found at the manufacturer's website, so it's just as likely that you'll also have to upgrade the RAM. As a general rule, your PSU should cover the wattage of your GPU + 200 for a healthy overhead. Keep in mind that if you plan on upgrading later to maybe an SLI system with 2 GPUs running together, you should add the extra wattage to whatever you purchase now. I also recommend getting at least a silver rating on your PSU. It powers everything and as a result, can trash everything if you push it too much.
And now for the single best piece of advice you'll find on these boards about building a PC...
Don't. Spend far less money and get a PS3 that will have nearly identical performance for a much smaller price. Not only that, but you won't have to spend the time and possibly extra money on aspirin for the headaches a first build can bring. I never recommend new builds unless your current PC simply can't handle the more important things you need your PC to do. I don't really consider XIV or gaming in general to be that important, but it's your dough.
*EDIT*
I have it on good authority that ZAM's karma system is inversely proportional to how correct your own suggestions are
Edited, Jun 29th 2013 1:14am by FilthMcNasty