Need help with PC build please

[Huginn]

The difference between i5 and i7 is firmware/software. FFXIV does not currently exploit the advantages of the i7.
Please note that there have been several reports of 8+ core processors causing this game to underperform on Windows based PCs (yes, you CAN play this game on Linux and OSX, see the appdb tab on winehq.org) and the reason seems to be the behavior of the OS using only one of the cores if too many exist.
Be aware that DX11 support will be coming for FFXI and that will be like a free upgrade igf you have a DX11 video card when we finally get it.

If you are looking for a motherboard suggestion, might i suggest the ASUS Gryphon X87 or the ASUS Sabertooth X87 (socket 1150). both offer solid construction, high copper content Japanese made capacitors, cool names and great performance on their PCIe slots (some manufacturers give you lower throughputs on different slots.)
a socket 1150 motherboard will allow you to use the Haswell core processors, which in my opinion, are better than the recall ridden poo fest that the ivy bridge and sandy bridge processors were. also, haswell performs better for gaming, as the threading on games is not usually very high, so the Ivy-E does not offer an advantage.
a socket 2011 motherboard will let you spend more money for no better performance

On the AMD side, don't let anyone tell you that AMD chips are awful. I am currently playoing on an ASUS crosshair III motherboard with a Phenom II x4 965 processor and it handles the game WONDERFULLY. Anything you can buy today should beat the pants off what i have.

And for reference, check out this site: passmark.com which will include spubenchmark.net and videocardbenchmark.net
you will find benchmarks for processors, video cards, hard drives, etc. in order to be better informed about what is better that what at certain tasks without having to invest the time and money of testing it yourself.

by the way, an AMD FX-9590 runs like an intel core i7 4820K

[Kittra]

If you are looking for a motherboard suggestion, might i suggest the ASUS Gryphon X87 or the ASUS Sabertooth X87 (socket 1150)? Both offer solid construction, high copper content Japanese made capacitors, cool names and great performance on their PCIe slots (some manufacturers give you lower throughputs on different slots).

A socket 1150 motherboard will allow you to use the Haswell core processors, which in my opinion, are better than the recall ridden, poo fest that the ivy bridge and sandy bridge processors were. Also, Haswell performs better for gaming, as the threading on games is not usually very high, so the Ivy-E does not offer an advantage.

On the AMD side, don't let anyone tell you that AMD chips are awful. I am currently playing on an ASUS crosshair III motherboard with a Phenom II x4 965 processor and it handles the game WONDERFULLY. Anything you can buy today should beat the pants off what i have.

While I will recommend an ASUS motherboard over just about anything else because of the way they're built, did you perhaps mean the ASUS Gryphon Z87 and ASUS Sabertooth Z87 motherboards?

The "X" usually denotes the E series so I was confused and a quick Google search didn't turn up anything either.

As for the Ivy and Sandy bridge processors, I wouldn't call wolf on those. I have experience with both and have been extremely satisfied with how they've performed.

There's also the fact that both Sandy and Ivy bridge processors are slightly cheaper than the Haswell processors and the performance gained from Haswell being a generation newer is not all that impressive a jump for the extra money you'll spend getting one. Since it is a generation newer, the motherboards that support it are also slightly more expensive and have yet to drop in price.

Looking at what the OP has specified so far, I wouldn't recommend the Haswell bridge, but then I wouldn't recommend the Sandy bridge either seeing as it does not support PCIe 3.0.

Stick with something simple like an i5 or a well rated AMD processor if you can, if you have a bit of money and the person you're building for wants the power, you can always go with Haswell or one of AMD's stronger chips.

(I would make some AMD suggestions but I haven't had any experience with their newer processors after the Phenom II x6 1090T <<< awesome processor btw, but no longer in production.)

[Kittra]

http://www.newegg.com/Special/ShellS...9-_-11112013_1

Newegg.com had this on a Shell Shocker deal.

3 hours to go on a $400 Gateway packing an i5 3300.
(No GPU included though)

[C-croft]

Looking at what the OP has specified so far, I wouldn't recommend the Haswell bridge, but then I wouldn't recommend the Sandy bridge either seeing as it does not support PCIe 3.0.

However, many motherboards that support Sandy Bridge, will also support Ivy Bridge, enabling PCIe 3.0. You will need to make sure you pickup a 3.0 board as there are some boards that do not support the 3.0