video card suggestions

so i just found out my new computer doesn't even have a video card, and wanted to see if anyone knew what video cards would work best for this game without being outragously expensive. also, my computer says its an intel hd system so does that mean i can only instal intel graphic cards? if so that sucks because i read that none of intels cards can adequately run the game. anyways any help would be appreciated =)

As long as you have a free PCIex16 slot you should be able to use any current GPU. Your PSU also plays a role though so make sure it fits the requirements of the GPU(usually 400W for midrange cards).
Nvidia: GTX560
ATI: HD6850
Both should be able to run this game at highest settings (except general drawing: 8).

how do i check for the free PCIex16 slot? it's an all-in-one desktop so that's why i'm thinking i may have problems getting a card. thank you very much for the suggestions though ill check them out

Please link to a listing for your computer and we'll help you out.

There should be a long slot on the mainboard with "PCIe x16" written nearby. Reading the manual should also reveal all available interfaces. If your all-in-one pc is in a small case you should als consider checking if such a big card fits into it.

Without knowing anything else, GTX 460 is cheap and adequate.

Wow thanks everyone for the incredibly quick responses, a link to the exact specifications is right here

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Sony+-+V...12fx&cp=1&lp=1

I really like the computer and all so hopefully all is good with it

People actually buy that poop? Oh well guess you can forget about getting an extra gpu xD
Don't think you can change any component there.
The hell for that money I'd build a fully upgradable highend-system.

And people bash iMacs....

The equivalently priced iMac comes with an AMD Radeon HD 6750M (slightly smaller screen). Install Windows and call it a day.

But seriously, if you want to game at all and are still within the return window. Return it and look into other systems. You can still get an all in one, just check the graphic processor that's included with it first and don't be fooled by claims of "Intel HD's Lush Graphics".

So it sounds like I'm out of luck then? I'm not gonna return another system just for a video game so I guess ill just have to play at low quality, if at all. I know you can get better systems for less but not with 18month no interest payments =P

If it's still returnable....please reconsider. Not for this game, but for the fact that you are making an investment for a couple years. I'm sure you can find a good alternative that also has reasonable financing terms for you.

Well i have until Saturday left on my return; at least i think so, because I've already returned one once a few days ago for this one! So if i were to go through with this what would be a good website to find decent computers or what exactly is it i'll be looking for? The thing with Best Buy is the pay over time thing, i can afford probably up to $100 a month but I really don't wanna go that high. Not sure if i'll go that route but any ideas/suggestions would be appreciated. And thanks for all the help so far.

Since I don't live in the u.s. I'm not too fond with the shops there but I heard newegg has decent hardware. Well whatever shop you pick these are important requirements:
-at least quadcore with 2.5Ghz per core
-64bit Windows 7 (Home Premium or better)
-4GB DDR3 RAM
-a fast dedicated GPU (GTX460, GTX560, HD5870, HD6870 or better for high settings in all games, the second number in the name is important and shouldn't be less than 5 for nv and 7 for AMD, so GTX550 is fine but 540 is not)
-PSU with at least 400W (and maybe a brand people know like Corsair or OCZ)
-at least the size of a midi tower so you can replace/add parts
-you should also google for tests and customer reviews before buying to see if theres problems with the product (like bad quality of loud noise)
-the HDD is not that important since it's an easily upgradable part (and pretty cheap)
-stuff like 7.1 surround, hdmi, Gigabit lan is in almost every mainboard so don't get blinded by big texts announcing "this amazing feature"

If I forgot something feel free to add xD

Yeah, you gotta return that PC, erm monitor with PC built-in crap. Not only is that a joke of a PC for the price, but its also Sony, and they overprice everything. Build yourself a custom PC, its cheaper, you get to select the parts, it'll be upgrade-able, and it'll last for 3-4+ years. What you there, is more or less a browser PC, and capable of playing/streaming HD video, but its not a gaming PC.

Even if you only plan to play FFXIV at this time, its best to go all out and build a gaming PC just in case.


Anyway, I always use Newegg and you can also pay monthly with Bill Me Later. So the question now, if you want a good PC and plan to return that 'thing' you bought, how much are you willing to spend?


An example of a high-end gaming PC. I just put this together for a friend today thats buying a new PC. You don't have to go this expensive, and could easily chop a good $6-700 off this price going with a mid-range PC: {this is basically the PC I have too, minus the new Sandy Bridge CPU...}


CPU: Sandy Bridge 2600K 3.4ghz
MB: EVGA 1155 Intel P67
Case: Antec 1200
GPU: EVGA GTX 580
PSU: Antec 750w 80 Plus Bronze 'Modular'
RAM: A-DATA 8GB {2x4gb} DDR3 1600
HDD: Hitachi 1TB
DVD: ASUS 24x
Audio: Creative X-Fi Extreme Audio 7.1
Heatsink: Thermaltake SpinQ

All that for about $1600 w/ shipping

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Originally Posted by ScipioCaesar

Well i have until Saturday left on my return; at least i think so, because I've already returned one once a few days ago for this one! So if i were to go through with this what would be a good website to find decent computers or what exactly is it i'll be looking for? The thing with Best Buy is the pay over time thing, i can afford probably up to $100 a month but I really don't wanna go that high. Not sure if i'll go that route but any ideas/suggestions would be appreciated. And thanks for all the help so far.

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So I'm guessing based on your original purchase that you are looking for something prebuilt with a smaller form factor. I don't have time now, but I'll post a couple similar options (hopefully also cheaper) that will perform better in the morning (PST).

Wow thank you guys so much for the help. So it looks like price-wise the two places where i can cut the most are the CPU and the GPU yes? Even if i individually purchased each and every piece, however, i have absolutely no idea whatsoever how to put the thing together. I don't need the 'perfect pc' but i would like to be able to play ffxiv on it...and really, outside of xiv, wow, and eventually tor i don't plan on playing too many other games.

Ideally something around $1000 would be ideal but i can go a bit more, i just want a good computer i can still upgrade and that isnt gonna be overpriced

EDIT

Re: Naylia -- Yeah that's what I've been looking for pretty much but I'm open to building my own as well if i'm sure i'm capable of doing so. I just need to move fast before i'm past the return date on this PC, IF they even let me return another one

Lol it's really easy to put a PC together if it's a midi tower or bigger. There's detailed instructions with the mainboard. You can also just ask some nerd you know xD
For $1000 you get pretty highend stuff already.
But be careful that the stuff you buy fits together: the mainboard has to support the RAM and CPU, the GPU needs to be PCIe. Some shops even put the stuff together for you for ~$60.

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Originally Posted by Coldfire

Lol it's really easy to put a PC together if it's a midi tower or bigger. There's detailed instructions with the mainboard. You can also just ask some nerd you know xD
For $1000 you get pretty highend stuff already.
But be careful that the stuff you buy fits together: the mainboard has to support the RAM and CPU, the GPU needs to be PCIe. Some shops even put the stuff together for you for ~$60.

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Ah that'd be awesome finding someone to piece it together for me. Seriously though you guys have been awesome, thanks so much, I just have to figure out in the next day or two exactly what parts to get so i can throw it all together, because obviously once i return my pc i won't be able to use the internet to do anything with it. i guess my biggest problem from there is once everything is physically put together ill have no idea how to configure it all into a functioning desktop! And I'm sorry if my complete lack of knowledge is annoying, computers are just something i know nothing about

You don't have to configure much. After the windows installation you just update drivers and directX and should already be able to play the game.

Yup, there is very little initial-configuration with PCs anymore. Windows 7 pretty much does it all for you, sans the driver updates for your GPU, and audio, but thats simple.

There is of course a slew of fine tuning for the enthusiast that wants every drop of performance a custom build can muster, but thats more or less targeted at the overclocking elitists. Its totally unnecessary for the average gamer.

Well that's a relief at least; I'm assuming i have to buy windows from somewhere then? I know how to use device manager to upload my drivers and such at least; how long will it take to actually construct the thing? and what kind of tools and such will i need? That build you gave me Khalus looks beautiful, btw, ill probably try to match exactly that with just a few price cuts in whatever areas i can get the best bang for my buck. i wish their was something i could do to return the favors you guys have offered me!

You need a cross screwdriver and an antistatic wrist strap. For windows I recommend you get a systembuilder(SB/OEM) version at the same shop where you buy the parts. It's cheaper and only misses some support features that really nobody ever uses(one free phone call to customer support... wtf M$ xD). Make sure that it's 64bit though. The drivers are usually just installers that need to be executed once. No need for complicated interaction with the device manager anymore nowadays.
This link should also help: http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_To_...op_PC/Assembly
It's a pretty old guide but most stuff is still done the same way.

Alright sounds good thanks again; i thre a bunch of the items on the list from last page into a newegg shopping cart except for the PSU/GPU. The PSU is out of stock and there's no way I'm spending $479 on the video card. Otherwise i think the other stuff looks good, only having 6 months no interest is a worry but i make all my extra money in december so i should be able to pull it off. I guess i'll look around the PSU/Gpu stuff on newegg to see what's best and most affordable, i'm sure i can find a good video card for $200 or so, at least i'm hoping that to be the case!

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Originally Posted by ScipioCaesar

i wish their was something i could do to return the favors you guys have offered me!

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Just get rid of that thing you bought, and build a real PC. You'll thank yourself in the end as well.

To build a PC, depending on your level of skill can take an hr or all day. Whenever I build a new PC, I take a great deal of time on wire management, making sure its all tucked away so I get the maximum airflow which does help in keeping temps down a few c, plus in the end it looks really nice too. I'd say my latest build took me about 2-3hrs, including installing Win7, and my drivers/programs. For you being new to this, just remember to take your time, ask a friend to help if they know a little, ask plenty of questions if you're not sure, and follow the guide provided with the MB. {usually a huge, colored poster, in great detail...}

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Khalus

Just get rid of that thing you bought, and build a real PC. You'll thank yourself in the end as well.

To build a PC, depending on your level of skill can take an hr or all day. Whenever I build a new PC, I take a great deal of time on wire management, making sure its all tucked away so I get the maximum airflow which does help in keeping temps down a few c, plus in the end it looks really nice too. I'd say my latest build took me about 2-3hrs, including installing Win7, and my drivers/programs. For you being new to this, just remember to take your time, ask a friend to help if they know a little, ask plenty of questions if you're not sure, and follow the guide provided with the MB. {usually a huge, colored poster, in great detail...}

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Alright that doesn't sound too bad then...do you have any other suggestions for the PSU/GPU? I just can't see myself floating that kind of money for the graphics card and the PCU was out of stock =P Unless you think those two are musts and i should be cutting costs from elsewhere? Also the CPU seems really high but i'm under the impression that's the most important part right?

Oh, and also, I still need a monitor, mouse, and keyboard don't I? I guess I'm looking at $1500ish when all is said and done

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Originally Posted by ScipioCaesar

I guess i'll look around the CPU/Gpu stuff on newegg to see what's best and most affordable, i'm sure i can find a good video card for $200 or so, at least i'm hoping that to be the case!

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I'd suggest you wait for that PSU to come into stock again. Its a really good one for the price, plus its modular, meaning most the cables are separate, and you add what you need, meaning less cables in your case taking up valuable airflow.

As far as a cheaper CPU & GPU. Check these out:

Intel Core i5-2400 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz
EVGA GTX 570

~or a little cheaper~

EVGA GTX 560Ti



Honestly though, I suggest you don't go lower than the 570. Mainly due to the design and the most excellent Vapor Chamber Cooler that only the 570 & 580 have. Anything lower and you get a standard fan over the Proc of the GPU,{see the 560Ti} where 60-70% of the heat generated is kicked back into your case, causing temps to be much higher. With the 570 & 580, 100% of the heat generated is vented out the back of the case.

These new choices will save you about $300, $350 if you go with the 560Ti...

You could also cut the Audio card entirely, cause the MB has on-board thats good enough. And choose a slightly smaller case, with the Antec 902, about $60 cheaper w/ rebate.

As for a monitor, depends on what size you want, and Acer makes some good ones, for example, same size as what you have now.

This is some awesome stuff, thanks again. With shipping, I'm at about $1450 right now on newegg, but i think i may go from that i7 to the i5, and cut out the audio entirely as i didn't realize i could get away with that, check out the smaller case, and see what i come up with. they have some new customer 12 month no interest plan that would be ideal as well. oh; what about the warranties? should i purchase all the warranties on every item or leave them be?

EDIT: After cutting out the audio card, switching to the i5 and the smaller case, it brought everything down to $1200, and i get $70 rebate on top of that...does it matter which windows system i buy? the cheapest is about $120 ugh. and that's with the lowest GPU, the next highest one would bump it up considerably more

EVGA already have excellent warranties for both the GPU and MB with purchase,{just remember to register them} I never had a CPU go out on me, so I never bought one for that. As for the windows, I use Ultimate just because I got it free, never really looked at the options to compare, so I really don't know. Someone else may.

Does that $1200 include the Monitor? And are you getting the 560Ti?

Pro and Ultimate have absolutely no advantage for normal users. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/w...oducts/compare
Also the memory limit is different http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/libr...mits_windows_7
And about the soundcard: If you like good sound and don't have a soundsystem with digital input you should buy something like a Asus Xonar D1. Onboard sound always has issues since the raw audio outputs are being hit with interferences by the surrounding mass of chips and lanes.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Khalus

EVGA already have excellent warranties for both the GPU and MB with purchase,{just remember to register them} I never had a CPU go out on me, so I never bought one for that. As for the windows, I use Ultimate just because I got it free, never really looked at the options to compare, so I really don't know. Someone else may.

Does that $1200 include the Monitor? And are you getting the 560Ti?

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Yeah that includes the monitor and the 560Ti; good to hear that most of the parts come with warranties.

As for windows if pro/ultimate have no benefits than i guess i just get the bare minimum? There's a windows for $55 but idk if it gives everything since all the others are so much more ($110+)

Just to make sure i'm getting this all down here's everything i have so far...

DVD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827135204
CASE: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129097
HARD DRIVE: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822145368
MONITOR: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824254055
GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130604
PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139006
KEYBOARD/MOUSE: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16823126041
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820211457
MOTHERBOARD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813188073
CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115074
COOLING SYSTEM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835106142

Well that's what I've got so far, all together just over $1200. If any of those are subpar or incompatable or something let me know because i wouldn't know any better. I hope that all looks pretty good though, wouldn't shock me if i need to change a part or two however.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ScipioCaesar

Yeah that includes the monitor and the 560Ti; good to hear that most of the parts come with warranties.

As for windows if pro/ultimate have no benefits than i guess i just get the bare minimum? There's a windows for $55 but idk if it gives everything since all the others are so much more ($110+)

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I am not sure what that $55 Windows version is, but the one you would likely want to buy is Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit OEM which is ~$100.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ScipioCaesar

Well that's what I've got so far, all together just over $1200. If any of those are subpar or incompatable or something let me know because i wouldn't know any better. I hope that all looks pretty good though, wouldn't shock me if i need to change a part or two however.

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I would suggest you take a look at the Fractal Design R3 line of cases, with the setup you have, they are about the best you can get if you also value a quiet computer.

For CPU cooling, since you are not going to overclock, the extra CPU cooler is not needed, but if you do not want to use the Intel cooler that comes with the CPU, you should look to the Scythe Mugen 2 or 3 cooler, as that is the best price/performance you can get at the price level you are looking at.

Finally, I suggest you post this build on tom's hardware New Build Forum using the How To Ask For New Build Advice template, and you will likely get a lot of good input and help in combos if possible to cut price.

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Originally Posted by Loth

I am not sure what that $55 Windows version is, but the one you would likely want to buy is Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit OEM which is ~$100.

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Found it, thanks!

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I would suggest you take a look at the Fractal Design R3 line of cases, with the setup you have, they are about the best you can get if you also value a quiet computer.

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Sweet I'll have to check them out against the one i picked for now.

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For CPU cooling, since you are not going to overclock, the extra CPU cooler is not needed, but if you do not want to use the Intel cooler that comes with the CPU, you should look to the Scythe Mugen 2 or 3 cooler, as that is the best price/performance you can get at the price level you are looking at.

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I don't need the cooler? That's awesome, saves me $50!

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Finally, I suggest you post this build on tom's hardware New Build Forum using the How To Ask For New Build Advice template, and you will likely get a lot of good input and help in combos if possible to cut price.

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Alright thanks man I'll have to check that site out then.

All said and done with what I have how well will my PC run games and such? And how easily upgradable will it be in the future?

With your current setup the PSU is overkill, but with the motherboard you have picked which supports SLI, it will be great if you intend to add a second GTX 560 Ti down the line.

With the screen resolution of that monitor, it would perform extremely well, and only few games at max settings will struggle like Crysis 2 with 1.9 patch plus DX11 and Highres texture pack or Metro 2033.

You can read a review of the GTX 560 Ti here.

As it stands you'll be able to upgrade your CPU to an i7, add another 8gb of RAM, and get a better GPU/PSU when needed. And yeah do take others advice as well, as my suggestions are what I'd build. However, I do suggest you stick with the Antec Case, they have very good airflow, which you'll need with that 560Ti. I still highly suggest you get the 570 though...

And the reason I suggested that Heatsink was because it provides additional internal cool air vented 360 degree, that will hit the back of your GPU as well, providing more cooling to the PCB. {you can get by fine with the standard heatsink the CPU comes with though.}


All-in-all though, its a pretty good mid-range PC...oh and it kicks the snot out of that 'thing' you currently have...LOL

Alright well thanks guys so much for all the help so far; I just need to call best buy to confirm i can still return this desktop (i don't see why i couldn't) and then i think i'm on my way!

Just to clarify; everything i have is good as a mid-range PC...i don't need the cooling system, i have plenty of room to upgrade, and the 560Ti is very passable although the next one up would be better all around. I can always add another one apparently later on if i wish i s'pose =P

As long as everything I have is good i think i'll take one last look at it all and then get moving on getting it all shipped to me! xD Thanks again for all the awesome help/support!

This is the best All-in-One I could find at Newegg that is under $1200. It won't compare performance wise to the recommended build your owns...but you won't have to build it and you should be able to enjoy FFXIV and other games on medium settings at about 30 frames per second with the Radeon Mobility 5650M. However, moving to a tower form factor will get you a lot more bang for the buck since you won't be stuck with laptop/mobility video cards/cpus.

Lenovo IdeaCentre A700 (4024-5EU) 23" All-in-One PC Intel Core i5 480M(2.66GHz) 4GB DDR3 1TB HDD Capacity ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5650 (1GB) Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit - $1099
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16883108455

Newegg has a 0 interest/12 month thing you can do.

Thats one of those built-into-the-monitor systems, like he already has. I wouldn't get this, cause there is no possibility to upgrade it, and looking at the specs, they're not very good compared to what we helped you piece together recently.

Don't forget there's also pride in a self-assembled/built system :P
Like "I picked this stuff myself and it works!"
The first one is often the beginning of a hobby... an expensive hobby <.<

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Originally Posted by Coldfire

an expensive hobby <.<

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Yeah no kidding, my current PC has cost me about $3000, and its not even the best parts. {well it was close as of last summer} I have many friends that are into consoles and for the life of me they just don't understand how I can spend this much to play games, instead of $300 or less on a console.

For one the experience is much better, games are smoother and more responsive, you can mod them, graphics while not everything are 1000% better, and it does everything imaginable, unlike Sony and their ridiculous PS3 slogan "it does everything" ROFL

Anyway...