Need help with PC build please

[Bloodclaw]

I have a friend looking to get into FFXIV but her laptop isn't going to cut it with her graphics card. So I am looking at suggested parts for the build meeting the recommended system requirements. What I need are suggestions for the motherboard.

So if anyone can please give me a suggested model I can look-up prices.

Thanks

P.S. Thanks everyone for the replies. I can build a PC from the motherboard/processor you suggest; please just give me suggestions to such subjects. I figured I would help her go for the "recommended system requirements" or a tad below. She just wants to play and is not super dependent the appearance of the game. She just wants it to run well.

"FXIV: ARR Recommended System Requirements

For the best performance you should aim to run the game on a system with at least these specifications.
Operating System: Windows® 7 64 bit
Processor: Intel® Core™ i5
Graphics: NVIDIA® Geforce® GTX 660 or higher, AMD Radeon™ HD 7950 or higher
Memory: 4GB of RAM.
Disk Space: 20GB."

[Skyl1n3]

It depends on how much your friend is willing to spend.

[zakalw3]

I have a friend looking to get into FFXIV but her laptop isn't going to cut it with her graphics card. So I am looking at suggested parts for the build meeting the recommended system requirements. What I need are suggestions for the motherboard.

So if anyone can please give me a suggested model I can look-up prices.

Thanks

Do you mean you'll be trying to build a PC with the exact minimum requirements?

I wouldn't recommend this.

Let us know exactly how much you have to spend, I'm sure you can get something that doesn't sit so low.

[Reiterpallasch]

We're going to need more information than

laptop

Hard to suggest parts for something we know nothing about.

[reality_check]

The best value for performance rig you could build probably will include an i5, gtx 660 and 8 gigs of ram. Find a motherboard/case/power supply to support this and you'll be golden to play ffxiv on maximum quality for a rig that costs around 800-900 dollars.

[Skyl1n3]

If you want a cheap rig that will do the job look towards AMD, best price to performance you can get.

[Bloodclaw]

If you want a cheap rig that will do the job look towards AMD, best price to performance you can get.

Okay, I am up for that, what is the approx. equivalent to an i5 that you would suggest, and from there what motherboard would you suggest.

Thank you for the AMD suggestion.

[Taeyee]

If its less than $300, get a PS3.

[gadzi_h]

If its less than $300, get a PS3.

Please don't. I played on PS3 and it does not compare. Wait till PS4 comes out if you really want to enjoy the game. Mobs don't always spawn on PS3 example Coerthas - Svara FATE.

I would recommend AMD FX processors too as the cost to power ratio is really good. I currently have an AMD 8 core with a Ati 7800 series video card and get decent results as long as there are not hundreds of PC's and FX on screen at the same time. I think my rig was about $800

[Bloodclaw]

Updated the OP.