I run on the lowest graphics and get around 10-15 fps on a good day.. It's awful getting out of aoe -_- but I know what I can and can't do.. I'm not a whitemage anymore (was fine up until stone vigil, just couldn't stay alive) and I don't do dungeons that are full of aoe in df, only with my LS because they don't get mad at me :P
Until I can afford a better pc (and mines not half bad..) I'd rather play knowing my limitations than not playing at all because me not dodging aoe makes people mad.
Normally if it's that bad I let people know it may be an issue ahead of time ^_^ most people don't seem to mind.