PC Graphic Card - Help Appreciated

[Marishi-Ten]

I recently purchased a Windows 8 laptop 64-bit / 8GB Ram / i7 Core / SSD..........

I currently have a PS3 sub, but also purchased a Windows sub so I can play the game when I'm on the road.

Anyway, while the computer has beautiful HD resolution and runs fast, the built-in graphics card is not made for gaming. It works fine for other purposes, such as day-to-day stuff.

What is a decent graphics card I can purchase that won't break the bank? I'm thinking something that costs me $200 to $250 will probably suffice, but I'm not well-versed in graphic cards.

The current graphic card is a standard Intel(R) 4000 HD

Any help or leads are appreciated

Integrated cards have a really hard time running XIV. It's an intel 4000. I've heard of people making it work, but not very well. You'd have low settings at best and you would need to clock the GPU (if you can) to a higher tolerance while clocking up the CPU to try to compensate.

I suppose it could work, but it wouldn't be what you want.

As for picking up another GPU for the laptop, this is VERY RARE. Most laptops have their GPU's (even dedicated) soldered onto the mobo making it impossible to remove without destroying the PCB. There are SOME companies that have removable GPU's (ASUS, Gigabit, MSI) but the problem with these are they make their own pin out types so you can't take an ASUS GPU (Reverse MXM) and put it into a MSI. To top it all off, you have to remember that the PCB has to support the voltage parameters of the GPU, make sure the heat sinks are enough, and have the driver support in the BIOS for POST to not freak out (also laptops are designed to be compact. Taking one apart and putting it back together is no easy feat in itself).

Luckily, you can find pretty affordable laptops with dedicated GPU's in them used for around 300 dollars and up (I paid 400 for the play around one I use and I can run XIV on high settings with a cooler mat. AMD/OC'd/OV'd). It's more about finding what's right for you and how tech savvy you are.

[Kyoreore]

Also not for very sure of SSD, as they\\\\'re typical more slow due to being solid (the electric takes longer to pass through it).

lololololol

[gadzi_h]

You should be able to use the thunderbolt port to add a few graphics cards using a PCIe external case. Just search "thunderbolt external gpu enclosure" in any major search provider and you will see some answers.

[Marishi-Ten]

You should be able to use the thunderbolt port to add a few graphics cards using a PCIe external case. Just search "thunderbolt external gpu enclosure" in any major search provider and you will see some answers.

I've always been really interested in playing around with the external GPU solutions. I know MSI touted the GUS/GUS II as an affordable and compact solution but it looks like they cancelled it: http://www.change.org/petitions/msi-...want-to-buy-it

Bums me out because that seems like such an awesome concept. I know Apple has their own external solution (for a disgusting amount of money that is): http://www.bit-tech.net/news/hardwar...card-case-deb/

Sonnet has a more "put together" solution: http://www.sonnettech.com/

[scootie12]

I appreciate the replies. Just to reiterate, I got the laptop primarily for work purposes a week ago, but maybe I'll see what the return policy is and just eat the fee for restocking.

I'd love to have the game on the go, and if I can find something better suited for gaming, that would be perfect.

I've never been tech savvy with graphic card side of computers so I always figured speed trumped most things, especially a computer with nice 1080 display.

I'll look into options this weekend. Luckily I haven't done anything with the computer yet other than playing around with FFXIV options......priorities :-D

[Marishi-Ten]

I appreciate the replies. Just to reiterate, I got the laptop primarily for work purposes a week ago, but maybe I'll see what the return policy is and just eat the fee for restocking.

I'd love to have the game on the go, and if I can find something better suited for gaming, that would be perfect.

I've never been tech savvy with graphic card side of computers so I always figured speed trumped most things, especially a computer with nice 1080 display.

I'll look into options this weekend. Luckily I haven't done anything with the computer yet other than playing around with FFXIV options......priorities :-D

Look around for a mid end machine. Personally, I don't mind "legacy" machines. I have/had an Asus G60Jx that ran XIV just fine (BIOS bricked. Long story filled with frustration and hardware modifications I'll get that sucker back up and running). My testing laptop can run XIV on high (Acer 5560G). There are deals out there (I got both machines above on Ebay) you just gotta look for them and know what you can live with and a deal when you see one.

Happy hunting!

[Aethaeryn]

Definitely don't follow the guide that guy posted from the Russian forum. Best bet would be RMA and buy something else. I'm not really sure what's on the market in that price range for laptops these days, so make sure you read a lot of reviews and benchmark results before you buy one.

[scootie12]

I was able to exchange my laptop with no issues.

Ended up paying a few hundred more for one with a dedicated graphics card 740, and also upgraded to 16GB RAM etc. now the game plays beautifully and looks awesome. Nice to finally be able to see it on PC running smoothly and looking very detailed :-)

Now I can toggle between PS3 and PC. Only sucky part on PC was having to redo my hear sets and hot bars, but I did it fairly quickly

Thanks again everyone

[scootie12]

Forgot to mention. The guy that helped me plays FFXIV hahaha

[Vanidin]

Glad you found a good solution!