Help with my computer! Low performance.

[Beefeater]

Hello everyone, I'm not sure if this is the right forum section to ask for this but I thought it would be most fitting.

I recently got a "new" computer, however it's not the best and I'd like to know what exactly causes my computer to be so slow when playing Final Fantasy 14 ARR.

I'm playing the game on a 1680*1050 resolution, all the graphic settings are changed to the lowest but the performance is really bad.
I barely have 20 FPS in towns and the loading times for maps like Limsa are are almost 4 minutes sometimes.

As I've entered the Late game content now and try myself on Titan Extreme I really notice that these framerate drops make it really hard for me to evade any attacks.

I would really like to hear some feedback to my computer, and if someone knows his stuff please tell me what I need to upgrade for the game to run smoother.

Would be really great if someone could help me and suggest something!
I will paste my dxdiag here, if you need any other information just tell me and I'll post it.

(I tried running in windowed mode too and even changing the resolution only gave me like 3 or 4 additional FPS)

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 11/2/2014, 13:50:45
Machine name:
Operating System: Windows 8 Pro 64-bit (6.2, Build 9200) (9200.win8_gdr.140502-1507)
Language: German (Regional Setting: German)
System Manufacturer: FUJITSU
System Model: ESPRIMO E9900
BIOS: Version 6.00 R1.20.2924.A1
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5 CPU 650 @ 3.20GHz (4 CPUs), ~3.2GHz
Memory: 4096MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 3960MB RAM
Page File: 2612MB used, 4930MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
DxDiag Version: 6.02.9200.16384 64bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
Display Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 1: The file CM10864.sys is not digitally signed, which means that it has not been tested by Microsoft's Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL). You may be able to get a WHQL logo'd driver from the hardware manufacturer.
Sound Tab 2: No problems found.
Sound Tab 3: No problems found.
Sound Tab 4: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D: 0/4 (retail)
DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (retail)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (retail)
DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce GT 420
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce GT 420
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Type: Full Device
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0DE2&SUBSYS_1162174B&REV_A1
Display Memory: 2695 MB
Dedicated Memory: 971 MB
Shared Memory: 1723 MB
Current Mode: 1680 x 1050 (32 bit) (59Hz)
Monitor Name: Fujitsu SL22W-1 LED
Monitor Model: SL22W-1 LED
Monitor Id: FUS07E0
Native Mode: 1680 x 1050(p) (59.954Hz)
Output Type: HD15

I'm looking forward to hear suggestions, if the graphic card would be an issue if would be great if you can tell me where I could get it (I usually use amazon or ebay to buy this kinda stuff).

[Squa11_Leonhart]

That video card has a 28.8GB/s framebuffer output, this game needs closer to 80GB/s during intense scenes, even with everything set to low.

[Peachy]

Its because youre using a GT 420 for your video card. Pretty low performance when it comes to gaming.

[Beefeater]

That video card has a 28.8GB/s framebuffer output, this game needs closer to 80GB/s during intense scenes, even with everything set to low.

Okay, can you tell me where I can see what exactly this does? And where can I see the framebuffer output?

Its because youre using a GT 420 for your video card. Pretty low performance when it comes to gaming.

Okay, got any idea what kinda card I could/should buy?
I think I got a crappy motherboard too so I don't have the choice of too many graphic cards I think :/

[Raist]

http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/vi...GeForce+GT+420

Scored an average of 442 on their list (slower than Intel HD 4600 on-board graphics). Want to be scoring at least in the 700-750 range to stand a change of consistently hitting 25FPS or better. When looking at your options, you can browse their lists or use their search engine (just plug in the number and it will suggest cards it has in it's list: type 640 and it will list different ones, click the GT640 to see it's stats):

http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/index.php

Specs for the OEM card, Retail may be a bit better:
http://www.nvidia.com/object/product...20-oem-us.html

You may not always see the GB/sec rating right away when looking at a card, but you should always see some details on the memory. If in a store flip the box over, or look along the side of the box--all the specs should be listed somewhere. One rule of thumb I always shoot for is avoiding the 128bit versions. At least the bit rate and the format of the memory will be right on the front of the box (128-bit DDR3). 128-bit is sort of a red flag for the budget level cards, and often there really isn't much of a premium to move to 256bit (more bits in the pipeline means more bytes passed per clock cycle--it's a cheap way to enhance throughput). The exception though may be if you are looking at lower DDR types though in combination with a higher bit (DDR2 versus DDR5, and there are also GDDR formats too). Basically, you need to be aware of the memory formats in use if you can't find an actual GB/sec memory bandwidth listed. Ideally, a 256bit DDR5 option is what I look for, but sometimes it may not fall in the price range one is looking for.

[Beefeater]

http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/vi...GeForce+GT+420

Scored an average of 442 on their list. Want to be scoring at least in the 700-750 range to stand a change of consistently hitting 25FPS or better. When looking at your options, you can browse their lists or use their search engine (just plug in the number and it will suggest cards it has in it's list: type 640 and it will list different ones, click the GT640 to see it's stats):

http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/index.php

Okay thank you!

Edit: Okay I checked it a bit now, the problem is I have an "ESPRIMO E9900", on their data sheet I found out the mainboard type (http://globalsp.ts.fujitsu.com/dmsp/...900-EStar5.pdf)
I still don't know what kinda graphic cards I can use...
I mean it's not like I could just buy myself one and use it then, right?

[Raist]

Okay thank you!

Edit: Okay I checked it a bit now, the problem is I have an "ESPRIMO E9900", on their data sheet I found out the mainboard type (http://globalsp.ts.fujitsu.com/dmsp/...900-EStar5.pdf)
I still don't know what kinda graphic cards I can use...
I mean it's not like I could just buy myself one and use it then, right?

The 420 is a PCI-E 2.0 (x16 lanes) format. That's the standard for PC's these days (PCI Express). The PCI, AGP, and VESA lines got phased out of production a long time ago, so pretty much anything made since around 2006 and up should list as PCI-E format and should work--to some extent. The exception may be ones that specifically call for PCIE 2.1 or 3.0 required, which you likely would only encounter on the primo cards at this point. They may still work, but not at full throttle. So long as you are staying in the more "affordable" lines, you shouldn't have an issue.

One of the bigger challenges will be whether it will fit (some are ridiculously long), and whether your power supply can provide the extra power it needs. The motherboard may only provide up to 75 watts through the PCI-E slot, so they will have one or more extra power ports on them for a dedicated extra 75-230 watts of power. So, if you go to far up the performance chain, you may need a stronger power supply depending on what you already have. Basically, if you have less than a 650W power supply, you may need to upgrade if you get something above the midrange tier of cards on that passmark list.

Edit:
EEP! just looked at your PDF. Looks like they cut corners on the PSU front... 250W. It's a high efficiency one, but you are going to need something stronger if you put in a performance card, which may be a problem if it doesn't have the standard-sized clearance for a larger PSU to go in there. You may want to find a PC-Geek friend to go through the case to make sure you can make the kind of upgrades we're looking at--may be better off getting a different system.

[Beefeater]

The 420 is a PCI-E 2.0 (x16 lanes) format. That's the standard for PC's these days (PCI Express). The PCI, AGP, and VESA lines got phased out of production a long time ago, so pretty much anything made since around 2006 and up should list as PCI-E format and should work--to some extent. The exception may be ones that specifically call for PCIE 2.1 or 3.0 required, which you likely would only encounter on the primo cards at this point. They may still work, but not at full throttle. So long as you are staying in the more "affordable" lines, you shouldn't have an issue.

One of the bigger challenges will be whether it will fit (some are ridiculously long), and whether your power supply can provide the extra power it needs. The motherboard may only provide up to 75 watts through the PCI-E slot, so they will have one or more extra power ports on them for a dedicated extra 75-230 watts of power. So, if you go to far up the performance chain, you may need a stronger power supply depending on what you already have. Basically, if you have less than a 650W power supply, you may need to upgrade if you get something above the midrange tier of cards on that passmark list.

Edit:
EEP! just looked at your PDF. Looks like they cut corners on the PSU front... 250W. It's a high efficiency one, but you are going to need something stronger if you put in a performance card, which may be a problem if it doesn't have the standard-sized clearance for a larger PSU to go in there. You may want to find a PC-Geek friend to go through the case to make sure you can make the kind of upgrades we're looking at--may be better off getting a different system.

Meh okay... well I guess I'll have to save up for a whole new computer then...
Thanks for the help though.
Unfortunately I really don't have anyone here who could have a look at my computer :/


Edit: Well... Could I find any that would work anyways or is it impossible to find something like this?
Could a computer store help?

[NoF2P]

Try adjusting the FFXIV graphics settings first - some of the settings have a big effect on the frame rate. I have a GT 420 in my standard desktop, and after adjusting the settings it's just playable in FFXIV even though it was fine in AION. A GTX 580 or higher should give a proper gaming experience, but it needs a more powerful PSU than the one you've got. I've heard that AMD cards give the best price/performance ratio and use less power, but I haven't tried them.