Console players needing a cheap PC

[Catmato]

Updated 12-12-2015

Today only, woot.com has dual-core PCs on sale for $60. These PCs are more than capable than playing FFXI. All that's needed to replicate the console experience is a USB controller (corded xbox360 and PS3 controllers should work) and a VGA cable.

These don't have HDMI or DVI out, so it's VGA out only. Your TV needs a PC-input to connect this PC. VGA is also limited in resolution. You won't get decent 1080p out of these computers.

The sale can be found here:http://computers.woot.com/offers/lenovo-m57-intel-dual-core-usff-desktop?ref=w_gh_cp_5_d_ph

If you have purchased FFXI, you can download it (for FREE) for use on PC here:
http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/download/media/install_win.html

I am not affiliated with woot.com or any other entity. Mods: If this is deemed commercial advertising, please remove the link but leave the rest of the info intact.

Edit: Sale is over

[Vold]

Or a PS2 to USB adapter, which is what I suggest and just use existing controllers. They're three to ten dollars on Amazon or eBay. Mine cost 4 bucks and has been working for 8 years.

[Zeargi]

Thanks for letting people know about this deal. >_> I just wish that I didn't have to pay rent soon, otherwise I might get one.

[Alhanelem]

You can play FFXI on a Raspberry Pi 2 probably, and that costs like $30.

[Catmato]

Edited OP since sale is over. I'll post here again if I see any other sales.


You can play FFXI on a Raspberry Pi 2 probably, and that costs like $30.
You can't install Windows programs on Windows IoT.

[Alhanelem]

Edited OP since sale is over. I'll post here again if I see any other sales.


You can't install Windows programs on Windows IoT.
I was pretty sure a Pi 2 could run regular windows. It can't?

[bungiefanNA]

I was pretty sure a Pi 2 could run regular windows. It can't?

The Pi is an ARM processor, not an x86 or x64 architecture. The only ARM version of Windows is Windows RT, and that can't run classic Windows applications. The Pi only essentially runs Linux.

[Catmato]

Updated OP with today's deal.

[madmartin]

A core 2 duo with no gfx card in that link wont run ffxi, that hardware is only a few years newer than ffxis original release and was poor back then, integrated gfx in motherboards that could take a core 2 duo back then were widely known to be terrible for ffxi, if they even ran it at all due to pixel and vortex shader incompatibility.

My core i5 integrated intel hd 4600 barely runs it. (drops below 30 fps at 1024x1024 with barely anything going on - more to do with intel hds terrible dx8 drivers than the igps raw performance)

Any desktop with a budgetish gfx card from the last few years from nvidia or amd will be fine. In laptop terms, recent laptops have issues with switchable gfx and dx8 in that ffxi will only use the integrated gfx in a laptop despite a dedicated gpu being present so would stay clear of laptops for ffxi except maybe strong amd integrated graphics like an a10 8700p or something.

[Catmato]

My single-core celeron laptop with intel graphics from 2004 ran FFXI just fine for many years. It wasn't always the smoothest, but it got the job done. These $60 PCs will run FFXI better than the PS2 and Xbox will come March.

[Seillan]

A core 2 duo with no gfx card in that link wont run ffxi, that hardware is only a few years newer than ffxis original release and was poor back then, integrated gfx in motherboards that could take a core 2 duo back then were widely known to be terrible for ffxi, if they even ran it at all due to pixel and vortex shader incompatibility.

My core i5 integrated intel hd 4600 barely runs it. (drops below 30 fps at 1024x1024 with barely anything going on - more to do with intel hds terrible dx8 drivers than the igps raw performance)

Any desktop with a budgetish gfx card from the last few years from nvidia or amd will be fine. In laptop terms, recent laptops have issues with switchable gfx and dx8 in that ffxi will only use the integrated gfx in a laptop despite a dedicated gpu being present so would stay clear of laptops for ffxi except maybe strong amd integrated graphics like an a10 8700p or something.

My girlfriend plays the game on an i5 laptop and a HD4000 and she's able to run the game fine with everything set to max and a similar res (she's able to keep up with my gaming rig, no problem.) Hell, I ran it on a Dell from the early-to-mid 2000s (albeit with a low res and everything turned down) and it was still about as playable as the PS2 version. From my experience, this game gets the award for being best at essentially running on a toaster while still looking decent.