#how to benchmark pc

[shroudkeeper]

After ten years of playing this game, it is awesome to see how much they have developed and changed the MMO landscape. Dawntrail is possibly my last expac, but I am glad I have stuck around to see a game that was nearly shelved come back to life - and to be a part of that! I come from FFXI, and if you are a vet of that game you already know how difficult of an MMO that was at times to earn money, to keep from delevel, or even travel from one point to another. It made it super engrossing though despite how much time it took to do things.

That is the reason I sort of stayed away from 1.0 because I wasn't sure if I could devote time to this like I did in my early 20s - but ARR lured me in and I have been playing since. I will miss this game the stories I created and what the dev team has woven for us, and the friends I made throughout my adventures exploring the world and wonderful tales, but I am excited to see these graphic updates, the new stories, and the beautiful music they will provide to us.

[fortune-maiden]

I will be first person to admit I don't know much about game specs or gaming pcs or what makes a game too much for previous gen consoles

but aren't the pc system requirements for Digimon Story Time Stranger kinda low for a current gen game? ':/

[jcmarchi]

Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail Benchmark Software Lets You Test PC Performance And Create A Character Before Launch

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/final-fantasy-xiv-dawntrail-benchmark-software-lets-you-test-pc-performance-and-create-a-character-before-launch/

Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail Benchmark Software Lets You Test PC Performance And Create A Character Before Launch

Final Fantasy XIV’s next expansion, Dawntrail, arrives this summer alongside the game’s first graphical update. As such, Square Enix has released a new benchmark software to let PC players test how well their machines will handle these new bells and whistles while getting a small head start on Dawntrail.

Available as a free download for Windows, the benchmark software uses playable characters and actual maps to assign a performance score to your PC. This will provide a peek at the new graphical update, which spruces up the game with enhanced textures, shadows, material qualities, and other elements. You can download the benchmark here. 

The benchmark includes a character creator for players to craft a fresh hero ahead of Dawntrail’s launch. It also includes access to the new female Hrothgar race. Existing characters can also be imported into the benchmark, and the appearance data from these characters can be imported into the full release of Dawntrail on Windows. 

Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail launches on July 2. You can learn more about the expansion here. The game currently has a crossover event with Final Fantasy XVI that runs until May 8

[ecrivainsolitaire]

A summary of the Chinese AI situation, for the uninitiated.

These are scores on different tests that are designed to see how accurate a Large Language Model is in different areas of knowledge. As you know, OpenAI is partners with Microsoft, so these are the scores for ChatGPT and Copilot. DeepSeek is the Chinese model that got released a week ago. The rest are open source models, which means everyone is free to use them as they please, including the average Tumblr user. You can run them from the servers of the companies that made them for a subscription, or you can download them to install locally on your own computer. However, the computer requirements so far are so high that only a few people currently have the machines at home required to run it.

Yes, this is why AI uses so much electricity. As with any technology, the early models are highly inefficient. Think how a Ford T needed a long chimney to get rid of a ton of black smoke, which was unused petrol. Over the next hundred years combustion engines have become much more efficient, but they still waste a lot of energy, which is why we need to move towards renewable electricity and sustainable battery technology. But that's a topic for another day.

As you can see from the scores, are around the same accuracy. These tests are in constant evolution as well: as soon as they start becoming obsolete, new ones are released to adjust for a more complicated benchmark. The new models are trained using different machine learning techniques, and in theory, the goal is to make them faster and more efficient so they can operate with less power, much like modern cars use way less energy and produce far less pollution than the Ford T.

However, computing power requirements kept scaling up, so you're either tied to the subscription or forced to pay for a latest gen PC, which is why NVIDIA, AMD, Intel and all the other chip companies were investing hard on much more powerful GPUs and NPUs. For now all we need to know about those is that they're expensive, use a lot of electricity, and are required to operate the bots at superhuman speed (literally, all those clickbait posts about how AI was secretly 150 Indian men in a trenchcoat were nonsense).

Because the chip companies have been working hard on making big, bulky, powerful chips with massive fans that are up to the task, their stock value was skyrocketing, and because of that, everyone started to use AI as a marketing trend. See, marketing people are not smart, and they don't understand computers. Furthermore, marketing people think you're stupid, and because of their biased frame of reference, they think you're two snores short of brain-dead. The entire point of their existence is to turn tall tales into capital. So they don't know or care about what AI is or what it's useful for. They just saw Number Go Up for the AI companies and decided "AI is a magic cow we can milk forever". Sometimes it's not even AI, they just use old software and rebrand it, much like convection ovens became air fryers.

Well, now we're up to date. So what did DepSeek release that did a 9/11 on NVIDIA stock prices and popped the AI bubble?

Oh, I would not want to be an OpenAI investor right now either. A token is basically one Unicode character (it's more complicated than that but you can google that on your own time). That cost means you could input the entire works of Stephen King for under a dollar. Yes, including electricity costs. DeepSeek has jumped from a Ford T to a Subaru in terms of pollution and water use.

The issue here is not only input cost, though; all that data needs to be available live, in the RAM; this is why you need powerful, expensive chips in order to-

Holy shit.

I'm not going to detail all the numbers but I'm going to focus on the chip required: an RTX 3090. This is a gaming GPU that came out as the top of the line, the stuff South Korean LoL players buy…

Or they did, in September 2020. We're currently two generations ahead, on the RTX 5090.

What this is telling all those people who just sold their high-end gaming rig to be able to afford a machine that can run the latest ChatGPT locally, is that the person who bought it from them can run something basically just as powerful on their old one.

Which means that all those GPUs and NPUs that are being made, and all those deals Microsoft signed to have control of the AI market, have just lost a lot of their pulling power.

Well, I mean, the ChatGPT subscription is 20 bucks a month, surely the Chinese are charging a fortune for-

Oh. So it's free for everyone and you can use it or modify it however you want, no subscription, no unpayable electric bill, no handing Microsoft all of your private data, you can just run it on a relatively inexpensive PC. You could probably even run it on a phone in a couple years.

Oh, if only China had massive phone manufacturers that have a foot in the market everywhere except the US because the president had a tantrum eight years ago.

So… yeah, China just destabilised the global economy with a torrent file.

[demilypyro]

took me 8 hrs to upgrade my pc. it was my first time replacing a CPU.

i had to

buy supplies

pick up the parts

learn how to remove the old parts

carefully remove them

clean the old parts

very carefully install the new CPU

learn how to use thermal paste

decipher the cooler's manual

figure out what a backplate is

install the heat sink

move some parts around to make the new fan fit

close the pc up

hook the pc up to the setup and test performance

notice it aint working right

have a lunch break

figure out moving the GPU to a different slot hurt performance

go back in and modify the heat sink a bit so the GPU could fit back in the original slot

move the wireless adapter a bit for that

hook the pc back up

then finally got it all working right and ran the benchmark again

it was supposed to be my day off, but i ended up basically working a whole day anyway.... so tired....

[snapscube]

Hi Penny!! Knowing that you are both a fan of FFXIV and the Steam Deck, I thought I would ask you if the game is playable on the Steam Deck! I don't have a viable PC, but I'm interested in trying out the game and wasn't sure if that was an option. I'll probably also poke around online for answers, but I thought you'd be a good person to ask about it!

yes, it’s (currently*) VERY playable! you get solid battery life when locked to 30fps (which for an MMO is generally fine) but it can hit 60 in many cases if necessary as long as ur willing to take the battery hit. personally it’s not a form factor i would do any serious combat content on, as the screen real estate can at times feel cramped, but if you’re just starting the game then it’s absolutely viable for a long stretch of the games early levels. you could even hook it up to an external monitor with a keyboard and mouse and get the full PC experience anyway and just use the handheld mode for questing and more casual stuff!

* i don’t have direct experience with how it’s going to run AFTER dawntrail releases next week. i didn’t go through the trouble to set up the benchmark on my own device. but based on what i can tell, the graphics update coming with dawntrail isn’t going to out-spec the steam deck at all. you MAY have to lock to 30fps more often, but that’s a maybe and it’ll depend on play environment like always. should still be in a very playable state from what i can tell but again, don’t take my word on that completely until the update comes along and i’ve been able to test it myself.

[krmoaten-blog]

I was Working on a promotional piece update for wilds to include Arkveld, but might be a bit late to push that piece out now with the quality I expect of myself, anyways, Wilds is tomorrow, if you're on PC make sure you get the benchmark first to see how well your PC can handle it, be seeing you in the forbidden lands soon

[thelettergii]

Sugarplum Cafe FAQ

I held an AMA about my upcoming game Sugarplum Cafe on Instagram and figured these Q&A's would be helpful for you to know as well!

If you have questions of your own, my inbox here is open!

Q: What is Sugarplum Cafe? A: Sugarplum Cafe is a merge crafting game that I'm solo developing! In this game, you run a sweets cafe and make desserts for fashionable ladies inspired by sweets. I wanted to make a game with frilly pastel shoujo aesthetics, and yes, there will be tea parties!

Q: What platforms will Sugarplum Cafe be on? A: The goal is to publish on PC and mobile (Apple included), but PC will come first because it's easier to fix bugs on PC.

Q: When will this game be out? A: Not for a few years, it's still pretty early in development. But paid members on Patreon can play an early version of this game now with about three hours of content! Support starts at $2 USD/month.

Q: How good do I have to be at games to enjoy this game? A: Sugarplum Cafe is meant to be a super casual game, so you can be the worst gamer in the world and still play this haha. It's more about collecting pretty ladies than any sort of strategy or skill.

Q: How many characters will there be? A: At least 50 Ladies! I have ideas for about 70 Ladies, but whether I get to all of them depends on interest in the project. So 50 feels like a good benchmark.

Q: What are your inspirations for this game? A: For one, The Nutcracker Ballet of course! Aside from that... For the longest time I was obsessed with Cookie Run: Ovenbreak because they had so many clever character designs! I don't play as much anymore (the UI is too cluttered now and I don't love the new characters as much) but I want to recapture the spark I felt when I used to play. I also really love Sakizo's illustrations of Victorian/Rococo sweets-inspired ladies, and I wanted to capture her aesthetics while mixing in my own fashion sense so I'm not ripping her off entirely haha

Q: Will you still be drawing fashion? Are you moving to gamedev permanently? A: I don't know about a permanent pivot, but this game will be my main focus. TBH I wasn't very happy with just drawing stuff and I'm really excited to build my own world where my designs can live. I will still be designing fashion, but it will just be part of something bigger. My goal is to make the world of games a little more fashionable! I may still draw the occasional illustration though, so never say never!

Q: What game engine are you using? A: Sugarplum Cafe is made in Godot! It's a free open-source game engine and I highly recommend it for 2D games. I think the scripting would be easier to learn than something like Unity. There are a few quirks but the community is so active that it's easy to find answers to your questions. I am using Godot 3.5 - I believe the latest version is Godot 4, but I heard 3.5 was better for porting mobile games. Will let you know how true that is!

Q: Can I cosplay/draw fanart of characters from Sugarplum Cafe? A: YES PLEASE!! Please tag me if you share cosplay or fanart! And if you need to know details of certain characters' designs, please don't hesitate to ask.

[dalishious]

Hi I am interested in playing dragon age on PC, do you have any recommendations for a desktop or laptop for PC gaming?

I don't know which game you're referring to, but you can check them all spec requirements (except Veilgaurd, because damnit they haven't shared the spec requirements yet) on this site.

To find out if the computer you're looking at can run the games, click on the "Can I Run It? Enter your system details" button on the game page, and enter the details in the specified fields. The site will then give you a benchmark on how well the games will run.

[nintendowife]

I upgraded my PC this week. My old setup had NVIDIA RTX 2080 Ti, i7-8700K and 32 GB of RAM. My new PC has NVIDIA RTX 5080, AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D and 64 GB RAM.

I ran the Monster Hunter Wilds benchmark before and after upgrade to compare the leap between the two rigs on a resolution of 2560x1440. Tests were run on identical Ultra graphics settings, without ray tracing and without frame generation.

My old PC only managed a score of "Playable" and an average of 35.60 FPS:

New PC got a score "Excellent" and reached an average of 116.35 FPS:

I also ran an additional test with ray tracing (quality) and with frame generation on the new PC. With frame gen the average framerate jumped to 174.20 FPS.

I'm hoping the hardware can keep its cool under heavy stress. I had to get a Fractal Design Pop Silent case because I needed a case that's shut from the top (those are rare to find these days) and one that isn't a butt-ugly tacky light show. I keep my glass / mug on the edge of my desk and my PC is placed on the right side of the desk on the floor. At times I've spilled water or tea on my PC and just a few weeks ago my husband toppled my glass - right on top of my PC. So you can probably understand why it would be hazardous to have a PC case that has air vents on the top!

The case couldn't accommodate a liquid cooler, so the company that built my PC suggested they could install a Noctua NH-D15 Chromax Black CPU air cooler that should be on par or close to liquid cooler efficiency.

Unfortunately I didn't manage to get any decent pictures of the new PC's innards because the tempered glass window seems to reflect almost like a mirror when trying to photograph it.

I'll have to test how this new PC performs when playing, perhaps with Doom: The Dark Ages or Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Or maybe I'll fire up a Picross game or a JRPG from 20 years ago… For now most of my time has gone to tweaking all kinds of settings to my liking, installing browsers, storefront clients and such.

So long "Skynet2019" and thanks for your years of unwavering service. Welcome to the house "Skynet2025"!

[budgetgameruae]

Best PC for Data Science & AI with 12GB GPU at Budget Gamer UAE

Are you looking for a powerful yet affordable PC for Data Science, AI, and Deep Learning? Budget Gamer UAE brings you the best PC for Data Science with 12GB GPU that handles complex computations, neural networks, and big data processing without breaking the bank!

Why Do You Need a 12GB GPU for Data Science & AI?

Before diving into the build, let’s understand why a 12GB GPU is essential:

✅ Handles Large Datasets – More VRAM means smoother processing of big data. ✅ Faster Deep Learning – Train AI models efficiently with CUDA cores. ✅ Multi-Tasking – Run multiple virtual machines and experiments simultaneously. ✅ Future-Proofing – Avoid frequent upgrades with a high-capacity GPU.

Best Budget Data Science PC Build – UAE Edition

Here’s a cost-effective yet high-performance PC build tailored for AI, Machine Learning, and Data Science in the UAE.

1. Processor (CPU): AMD Ryzen 7 5800X

8 Cores / 16 Threads – Perfect for parallel processing.

3.8GHz Base Clock (4.7GHz Boost) – Speeds up data computations.

PCIe 4.0 Support – Faster data transfer for AI workloads.

2. Graphics Card (GPU): NVIDIA RTX 3060 12GB

12GB GDDR6 VRAM – Ideal for deep learning frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch).

CUDA Cores & RT Cores – Accelerates AI model training.

DLSS Support – Boosts performance in AI-based rendering.

3. RAM: 32GB DDR4 (3200MHz)

Smooth Multitasking – Run Jupyter Notebooks, IDEs, and virtual machines effortlessly.

Future-Expandable – Upgrade to 64GB if needed.

4. Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD + 2TB HDD

Ultra-Fast Boot & Load Times – NVMe SSD for OS and datasets.

Extra HDD Storage – Store large datasets and backups.

5. Motherboard: B550 Chipset

PCIe 4.0 Support – Maximizes GPU and SSD performance.

Great VRM Cooling – Ensures stability during long AI training sessions.

6. Power Supply (PSU): 650W 80+ Gold

Reliable & Efficient – Handles high GPU/CPU loads.

Future-Proof – Supports upgrades to more powerful GPUs.

7. Cooling: Air or Liquid Cooling

AMD Wraith Cooler (Included) – Good for moderate workloads.

Optional AIO Liquid Cooler – Better for overclocking and heavy tasks.

8. Case: Mid-Tower with Good Airflow

Multiple Fan Mounts – Keeps components cool during extended AI training.

Cable Management – Neat and efficient build.

Why Choose Budget Gamer UAE for Your Data Science PC?

✔ Custom-Built for AI & Data Science – No pre-built compromises. ✔ Competitive UAE Pricing – Best deals on high-performance parts. ✔ Expert Advice – Get guidance on the perfect build for your needs. ✔ Warranty & Support – Reliable after-sales service.

Performance Benchmarks – How Does This PC Handle AI Workloads?

TaskPerformanceTensorFlow Training2x Faster than 8GB GPUsPython Data AnalysisSmooth with 32GB RAMNeural Network TrainingHandles large models efficientlyBig Data ProcessingNVMe SSD reduces load times

FAQs – Data Science PC Build in UAE

1. Is a 12GB GPU necessary for Machine Learning?

Yes! More VRAM allows training larger models without memory errors.

2. Can I use this PC for gaming too?

Absolutely! The RTX 3060 12GB crushes 1080p/1440p gaming.

3. Should I go for Intel or AMD for Data Science?

AMD Ryzen offers better multi-core performance at a lower price.

4. How much does this PC cost in the UAE?

Approx. AED 4,500 – AED 5,500 (depends on deals & upgrades).

5. Where can I buy this PC in the UAE?

Check Budget Gamer UAE for the best custom builds!

Final Verdict – Best Budget Data Science PC in UAE

If you're into best PC for Data Science with 12GB GPU PC build from Budget Gamer UAE is the perfect balance of power and affordability. With a Ryzen 7 CPU, RTX 3060, 32GB RAM, and ultra-fast storage, it handles heavy workloads like a champ.

[forged-in-paper]

The obligatory dragon post

These days I think there are two primary approaches when it comes to the inclusion of dragons in a fantasy setting; one that very deliberately recalls classical dragons to pay homage to the classics, and one that seeks very purposefully to subvert classical dragon tropes and do something new and different. How likely is it that taking a little from column A and little from B is the way to go? Behold...

THE BOY.

For celestial solstice, I thought it appropriate that the dragons originate amongst the stars. A complex idea like this is rife with storytelling potential so I've made sure to include some prompts that may inspire prospective GMs:

These are "reptilian invaders" from beyond the firmament, what could that entail?

A dragon could hatch from a meteorite that just fell, or it could hatch from an ancient egg that has lain dormant for centuries. This variability means you can have players chasing down freshly fallen meteors or searching for ancient impact sites with very similar or very different outcomes.

Are the dragons part of some bigger plot?

The dragon's main gimmick is their evolution from hatchling to fully grown dragon tyrant. Just like a PC that wants to gain a new job, a dragon must meet certain attribute prerequisites, but unlike PC jobs dragons must also meet a certain alignment prerequisite. A dragon's species and the course of its evolution relies on a number of factors all working together, the embodiment of an attitude, a vitality and a spirit that coalesces around elemental magic to induce this extreme change.

Let's look at what an "evolutionary line" (for lack of a better term) looks like. These are the dark element dragons, the basilisk and the deimos.

The first evolution, the basilisk, is a serpentine creature meaning it takes up a 3x1 block on the unit grid and 2 characters slots in the unit. Its two highest stats are brawn at 5 and acumen at 6, meaning the draglet must improve its attribute to at least those benchmarks before it can qualify to evolve. The basilisk also has a "low" alignment, meaning the draglet's alignment score must be 35 or lower before it can evolve. If those conditions are met, all it needs to do is expend 10 EXP and it becomes a big boy dragon. The deimos is more of the same really, just meet the attribute requirements and don't go too goody-goody.

I'm pretty sure this is the first monumental NPC stat block I've shown, so let me explain that.

Characters that are larger than standard characters have a number of descriptors depending on their size.

There are two size categories above standard, the first of which is monstrous. Monstrous creatures take up 2 character slots of a unit's 5 slots, and take up a 2x2 area on the unit grid if they're hulking or a 3x1 area if they're serpentine.

Monumental characters are a whole different story. They take up all 5 characters slots as well as the entire unit grid so they're a one-man show. Monstrous characters also calculate their HP using their brawn score x5 instead of x3 as standard characters do, while monumental characters use a x10 calculation.

Monumental characters also act twice every round instead of once to help mitigate the action economy disadvantage.

Monstrous and monumental characters also get penalties to dodging and escaping which is already factored into their stat block.

There are a five different monstrous dragons and five different monumental dragons, one of each to represent the light, dark, earth, air, fire, and water elements. This is as pokemon as it gets, recruiting monsters with elemental powers and leveling them up to evolve them, which I couldn't be more happy about. If you've got any questions feel free to ask, but otherwise happy gaming! - Forge

[playarcade]

Monster Hunter Wilds Gets PC Benchmark Tool — See How Your System Stacks Up

Monster Hunter Wilds Gets PC Benchmark Tool — See How Your System Stacks Up Capcom's Monster Hunter Wilds is set to be a demanding title for PCs, featuring massive creatures, numerous on-screen characters, and expansive maps to explore. With the game’s release just around the corner, Capcom has provided a PC benchmark tool to help players assess their system's performance capabilities. The benchmark tool is available on Steam and requires players to have the Steam client installed, along with space to download the benchmark. It can evaluate a PC's performance and assign a score of up to 20,000. To play Monster Hunter Wilds, a system must score at least 10,250; lower scores may require hardware adjustments for optimal gameplay. Minimum System Requirements The minimum system requirements for Monster Hunter Wilds are as follows: - Resolution: 1080p (FHD) - Frame Rate: 60fps (with Frame Generation enabled) - OS: Windows 10 (64-bit required) / Windows 11 (64-bit required) - Processor: - Intel Core i5-10400 - Intel Core i3-12100 - AMD Ryzen 5 3600 - Memory: 16GB - Graphics: - GeForce RTX 2060 Super (VRAM 8GB) - Radeon RX 6600 (VRAM 8GB) - VRAM: 8GB or more required - Storage: 75GB SSD (DirectStorage supported) This game is expected to run at 1080p (upscaled) / 60fps (with Frame Generation enabled) under the "Medium" graphics setting. Capcom also released a new trailer for Monster Hunter Wilds, showcasing the Iceshard Cliffs and the formidable monsters that inhabit the area. This glimpse highlights the need for robust processing power to fully experience the game. Open Beta Test Players eager for an early glimpse can participate in the second open beta test for Monster Hunter Wilds, scheduled for two weekends: February 6-9 and February 13-16. Most of the content will mirror that of the first beta held last November, allowing players access to character-creation tools and a story trial, along with a Doshagma hunt. In this second beta, the Doshagma hunt serves as a gateway to further adventures against the Gypceros and Arkveld. Participants will receive a Felyne pendant or Seikret, along with a bonus item pack that will carry over to the main game upon its release. Monster Hunter Wilds is set to launch on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC on February 28. Players looking to score bonus items ahead of time can do so by playing the mobile game Monster Hunter Now. Read the full article

[nyaawn]

Adding to my previous 'Graphical Update and Derplander's face' post now that the benchmark has been updated, and overall it's an improvement. Rejoice user of hyur face#5, your WoL won't suddenly turn into old man anymore!

It's rather hard to take pic with similar light for ver1.1 because they had revamped their lighting placement big time, especially the indoor one. But hoo-boy ain't it look good. It register multiple light sources now? Making things like his collar and ears cast subtler shadows from different angle. They fix the fading facial hair and eyebrow too. Nice.

While face#5 regain its youthful visage, players who DO want their WoL to age can look to face#7, which retain its middle-aged-man look from previous benchmark, that stubble come complete with nasolabial folds, wrinkles, lines and all intact. Heck, you can argue that it look even more rugged now.

(note: When the first DT benchmark released I was on break from playing XIV and didn't have access to in-game Character Creator, so I used EW benchmark for comparison pics on my previous post and the updated ones above. They were captured on PC and labeled from patch 6.0. Since then I had subbed again, so part of pics below was taken from current-build CC, captured on PS5 and labeled from patch 6.5. I thought it wouldn't differ much, but 6.0's shadow is much darker compared to current (6.5) build. Huh. Is it because of different hardware? Different setting? Benchmark fault? Idk)

Yep. Same face structure, different direction. One brings youth, one brings the age. Two-toned echoes tumbling through update.... Well, anyway, they did a good job distinguishing face#7 from #5 with this graphic update. And it's nice to have more options. People who like this face type (and it feels almost every male hyur player use this one) but want 20s or youthful 30-something WoL can go with face#5. Those who don't mind 40s or 30-something-who-spend-too-much-of-his-life-standing-one-millimeter-from-blazing-inferno-or-toxic-fumes-AoE-too-keep-his-uptime-resulting-in-rough-skin WoL can go with face#7. That's me and I'm happy with this update. I just wish we can turn that stubble on and off without need of fanta($$), like every other facial hair options... But I guess that ship has sailed.

Looking at updated benchmark cutscene itself, there's improved lighting but all in all the change is minimal imo. And I'm sad to say that villain-esque eyeliner I mentioned in previous post is still there. Not as thick as previous, but still appear anytime I use hairstyle with bangs that drop shade on his eyes. Sigh maybe I should use that new DT hair afterall...? But ngl I don't really like it...

Don't get me wrong, it's great! ....It just doesn't compliment this face type.. On my previous post I wrote about how they add highlight to this face#7's forehead, and in theory I understand why they did it. But in practice and with this hair, I found it make his forehead distractingly bright and plastic-like and flat compared to the rest of his face that's carefully detailed and contoured. It looks odd, is what it is. That bright forehead also highlight (hurhur) how the front hair and roots don't have shadow at all, and my brain can't help thinking how wrong it look like every time I put this hair on him. Also I deliberately capture the above pic with indoor lighting, because in outdoor that forehead shine like lighthouse, good lord @_@. Being a Warrior of Light doesn't mean you have to become literal sun, dude.

So yeah that's my main wrinkle with this expansion, his hair and forehead. (first world problem) (while a throng of BLM and AST have a meltdown out there (*´・ｖ・). Tho I do feel pretty miffed right now regarding how they replace many gap closer with no-damage skill. Like, I can't surprise enemy by poking their head from above while laughing maniacally anymore?? HOW DARE YOU--- but this aimless rambling post already hella long without those rants. I'll keep it for another time..)

[demilypyro]

is the monhun wilds benchmark thing a good indicator if my pc can run the game? or how should i know if my pc can run it?

The benchmark should be pretty reliable. That's literally what a benchmark is for: telling you if your PC can run it.

[snapscube]

So just to clarify as someone who doesn’t go there… benchmark is a mod for FFXIV, right?

no LOL, it's a piece of software that tests how well the upcoming expansion is going to run on your PC :) but this time it's very very different and popular because for the first time ever the new expansion is overhauling the entire graphical presentation of the game. it's all official and all of the improvements are being done by square enix themselves.