Final Fantasy 14's Dawntrail expansion is one of its largest releases to date as the game's developers look to breathe fresh air into a title that dominated sales during its last covid-era Endwalker DLC that also saw users unable to get into servers due to significantly underestimated demand once the expansion went live.
The developers are insistent that they come much better equipped to handle the flood of new players this time around with more server capacity for a title that the developer calls "the starting point for the next 10 years of Final Fantasy 14" indicating that there is much more to come from what is Square Enix's most ambitious and profitable title to date.
Likewise, Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail comes with upgraded hardware requirements that generally point to a ballooning storage requirement to make way for better graphics upgrades and expansion material, pushing its storage requirement from an already-high sub-80GB to nearly 140GB of content as per its on-site requirements, also corroborated by Steam.
Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail Hardware Requirements Explained
Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail requires either a Windows 10 or 11 64-bit OS as a starting point for PC gamers to play the game. This doesn't come as much of a surprise given that Steam has stopped offering support for OS versions below Windows 10 as of the start of 2024.
The title requires 8GB of RAM but recommends users have 16GB if possible when targeting an FHD (1920x1080) resolution. Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail's CPU requirements point to either a fast (and somewhat recent) quad-core CPU or an octa-core CPU as a key requirement for gamers looking to play the title as intended.
On the GPU front, the DLC requires at least 4GB of VRAM with Nvidia's RTX 970 or AMD's RX 480 as starting points while pushing towards Nvidia's Ray Tracing-capable RTX 2060 as a recommendation indicating that GPUs with a minimum of 6GB of VRAM are better suited for users to have an optimal experience.
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Playing Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail On A Gaming Laptop
Playing Final Fantasy 14 and its newest DLC on a gaming laptop doesn't change much. However, users might want to consider the lower thermal envelopes and power limits that these come with in addition to some models not allowing for RAM upgrades, making it a bit tricky to find the right gaming laptop for the job without pushing too hard in either overkill or underwhelming when it comes to hardware offerings.
The team at Game ZXC removes much of the guesswork currently in play for prospective buyers by offering up-to-date laptop recommendations for Final Fantasy 14 and the Dawntrail DLC that has already seen some users who preordered get early access to the title.
The Best Gaming Laptops For Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail
ASUS TUF Gaming A16 Laptop
Balanced TUF Power
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 (2024) features an AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX CPU, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, and 1TB of storage. There is a 16-inch QHD+ (2560x1600) display with 165Hz refresh rate and support for Nvidia G-Sync.
- CPU
- AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX
- GPU
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070
- RAM
- 16GB
- Storage
- 1TB
- Battery
- 90Wh
- Display (Size, Resolution)
- 16-inch, QHD+ 2560x1600
- Speakers
- 2-speaker system
- Weight
- 2.27 kg
- Brand
- ASUS
- Model
- TUF Gaming A16 (2024)
- Adaptor and Battery
- 280W
- Comes with a powerful, yet efficient 16-core CPU under the hood
- The 140W TGP RTX 4070 GPU with 8GB of VRAM meets FF14's needs handily
- Has an excellent 16-inch QHD+ display with a 165Hz refresh rate in tow
- Trades at a slight premium versus other RTX 4070-based laptops
For users due to make a large upgrade in 2024, the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 is on sale at a sizeable discount at just the right time to go with the new Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail release. It trades at a relatively large discount versus its previous ask while offering a high TGP RTX 4070 paired with a 16-core, 32-thread AMD Ryzen 7000 series CPU in what one can call a well-balanced high-end gaming laptop package.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 laptop also comes with an excellent 16-inch display that offers a decent 165Hz refresh rate that should make most gamers playing titles like Final Fantasy 14 happy given that the title generally runs quite well at 60Hz with limited tangible benefits of any meaningful refresh rate upgrades even as it capitalizes well with the QHD+ display.
This makes the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 laptop, which also comes with a discounted price tag, a great option for gamers looking to grab a new portable juggernaut for their gaming needs including Final Fantasy 14 and other titles.
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Lenovo Legion Slim 5 Gaming Laptop
Power Meets Portability
The Lenovo Legion Slim 5 is a jack of all trades. It brings a bright and sharp OLED display that has a 2880 x 1800 resolution and 120 Hz refresh rate. It is relatively lightweight at under 1.7kg and still accommodates a big enough keyboard as well as a large trackpad. With a combination of the Ryzen 7 7840HS processor and RTX 4060 GPU, it can run any game one throws at it.
- CPU
- AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS
- GPU
- Nvidia RTX 4060
- RAM
- 16GB
- Storage
- 1TB
- Battery
- 73Whr
- Display (Size, Resolution)
- 14, 2880 x 1800
- Speakers
- 2x2W
- Weight
- 1.7kg
- Brand
- Lenovo
- Model
- Legion Slim 5
- Adaptor and Battery
- 170W
- Operating System
- Windows 11 Home
- Camera
- 1080p
- Network
- WIFI 6E
- Offers better value for money than comparable 14-inch laptops
- Houses an impressive high-resolution 120Hz OLED display
- Offers a higher TGP GPU than the competing ASUS G14 laptop
- RAM is soldered and can not be upgraded
Users looking for a more portable route when it comes to a gaming laptop for their journey across Hydaelyn can turn to the Lenovo Legion Slim 5 Gaming Laptop, which offers a powerful GPU, a balanced 8-core Ryzen 9 CPU, and a gorgeous OLED screen in a compact 14.5' form factor that clocks in just under 4lb.
With 16GB of fast LPDDR5X RAM clocked at an impressive 6400MHz and 1TB of PCI-E 4.0 SSD storage onboard, the Legion Slim 5 does more than the bare minimum on both fronts, easily matching the extended storage needs that Dawntrail comes with. It does have an important caveat however: the RAM on offer is soldered and can not be upgraded, which can be an issue for power users looking to upgrade down the line.
Despite its form factor, the Legion Slim 5 offers a relatively high TGP (105W) RTX 4060 GPU with 8GB of GDDR6 memory in tow, exceeding the title's needs even as it offers a considerable pricing edge over its competition, including the ASUS G14 gaming laptop.
ASUS ROG SCAR 17 X3D Gaming Laptop
One Of The Fastest In The Business
The ROG Scar 17 X3D from Asus is a gaming and productivity laptop that features the first AMD mobile processor with 3D V-Cache, the Ryzen 9 7495HX3D. The laptop is also powered by an RTX 4090 mobile GPU that has a TGP of 175W. It comes with 32GB of DDR5-4800 RAM, 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD. It packs a 17.3-inch WQHD (2560 x 1440) IPS display with 240 Hz refresh rate and 3ms response time. The ROG Scar 17 X3D sports a 90WHr battery, and it supports 100W charging via USB Type-C, along with charging through its massive 330W AC adapter.
- CPU
- AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX3D
- GPU
- Nvidia RTX 4090
- RAM
- 32GB
- Storage
- 2TB
- Battery
- 90Whr
- Display (Size, Resolution)
- 17.3-Inch 2K 240Hz Display
- Speakers
- 2-speaker system
- Weight
- 6.61 lbs
- Brand
- ASUS ROG
- Model
- Scar 17 X3D
- Adaptor and Battery
- 330W AC, 90WHr
- Operating System
- Windows 11
- Camera
- 720P HD Camera
- Keyboard
- Backlit Chiclet Keyboard Per-Key RGB
- Connectivity
- Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
- Has the best laptop CPU for gaming currently
- Comes with a QHD 240Hz display with Dolby HDR
- Houses an impressive RTX 4090 GPU with 16GB of VRAM
- Trades at a premium versus other RTX 4090 laptops
Gamers looking to get the highest possible performance paired with one of the better displays in the business can opt for the future-proof, but costly ASUS ROG SCAR 17 X3D Gaming Laptop, which offers both AMD's X3D infusion on a 16-core mobile CPU and the most powerful GPU available to users on the go: The RTX 4090.
The ASUS ROG SCAR 17 X3D comes with 32GB of DDR5 RAM along with 2TB of NVMe storage to go with its QHD 240Hz display that delivers excellent performance across the board, even as the SCAR leverages Thermal Grizzly's high-performance Conductonaut liquid metal offering under the hood to keep its thermal needs in check. It also throws in a complimentary 3-month Xbox Game Pass subscription to sweeten the deal.
The ASUS ROG SCAR 17 X3D Gaming Laptop is, by all means, a performance-focused offering that teeters too far on the overkill side of the spectrum when it comes to most gamers. For those willing to pay the premium, it offers performance, stability, and a gorgeous 17-inch display that should be able to play Final Fantasy 14 and its expansions for years to come.
Acer Nitro V Gaming Laptop
The Value-Centric Player
The entry-level Acer Nitro V gaming laptop is powered by a capable 13th-generation Intel Core i5 CPU with a budget-friendly RTX 4050 GPU, 8GB RAM, and 512GB SSD.
The laptop is a well-balanced machine for users on a budget for both gaming and work in 2024 even as it clocks well under $1000 unlike most of its peers.
- Operating System
- Windows 11 Home
- CPU
- Intel Core i5 13420H
- GPU
- Nvidia Geforce RTX 4050 Laptop
- RAM
- 8GB DDR5
- Storage
- 512GB SSD
- Display (Size, Resolution)
- 15.6", 1920x1080p
- Brand
- Acer
- Model
- ANV15-51-51H9
- Display type
- IPS
- Offers a balanced CPU/GPU configuration
- Well-priced for an RTX 4050-based laptop
- Has an excellent 144Hz FHD IPS display on offer
- Users will need to upgrade the RAM for a smoother experience
Users on a budget looking to spend under $1000 can turn to the Acer Nitro V Gaming Laptop instead, which offers performance on par with most of its sub-$1000 alternatives, along with a decent 144Hz IPS display in tow. It also offers a relatively recent Intel Core i5 13420H CPU that offers 8 cores and an RTX 4050 with the requisite 6GB of GDDR6 memory that Final Fantasy 14 recommends.
This makes the Acer Nitro V a balanced, price-conscious pick that does, however, need a RAM upgrade to be able to play without any hitches and in line with Square Enix's recommendation for the online-only title in 2024.
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MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop
A Well-Specced Blade
The MSI Katana is an excellent budget-centric high-end gaming laptop that outperforms most of the high-end laptops in its price bracket while maintaining an efficient, value-for-money approach to offer the latest and greatest in PC hardware to its audience.
- CPU
- Intel® Core™ i7-13620H
- GPU
- GeForce RTX 4070 8GB GDDR6 Laptop GPU
- Storage
- 1TB PCI-E 4.0 SSD
- Battery
- 3-cell 53.5Whr Li-Polymer
- Display (Size, Resolution)
- 15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080), IPS-Level 144Hz NTSC 45% Panel
- Speakers
- 2 x Speakers 2W
- Weight
- 4.96lb
- Brand
- MSI
- Model
- B13VGK-484US
- Operating System
- Windows 11 Home
- Camera
- 720P Webcam
- Network
- Wi-Fi 6, Gigabit Ethernet
- Colors
- Black
- Memory
- 16GB DDR5 5200Mhz (8GB x 2)
- Ports
- USB A, USB C, HDMI, Audio Jack, Ethernet
- Dimensions
- 14.13 x10.20 x0.98 inches
- Form
- 15.6'
- Power
- 240W Power Adapter
- Offers an excellent CPU/GPU combination for most games in 2024
- Has plenty of SSD space and RAM on offer versus the competition
- Is one of the cheapest RTX 4070-based gaming laptops on the market
- Limited battery life on offer
- Underwhelming display quality versus the competition
While modern gaming laptops are increasingly more capable, they also trade at a significant premium versus their desktop alternatives. Some, however, are more equal than others when it comes to offering solid hardware at a discount. The MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop does this by offering an RTX 4070, a capable 13th generation Intel Core i7 CPU, and plenty of SSD space at a sub-$1300 price tag that piques plenty of interest amongst gamers.
It does cut corners to do so, offering a rather paltry 53.5 WHr battery and a screen that is inferior to most of its competition, but otherwise delivers solid hardware under the hood, making it a value-centric option that keeps up with more premium gaming laptops, many of which often cost upwards of $2000 for similar hardware specs.
The Katana is an entry-level gaming laptop with higher-end internals that has no qualms about its identity but still manages to surprise users with an excellent keyboard, plenty of I/O, and solid thermals, all of which make it Game ZXC's pick for the best mid-range gaming laptop for Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail.
Alienware m16 Gaming Laptop
Well-Priced Premium Gaming Laptop
The Alienware m16 (AMD) is powered by the AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX CPU and the Nvidia RTX 4080 GPU with 12GB of VRAM. The gaming laptop features a 16-inch QHD+ (2560x1600) 240Hz, 3ms, 100% DCI-P3 coverage display. There are two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports with DisplayPort support as well.
- CPU
- AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX CPU
- GPU
- Nvidia RTX 4080 12GB
- RAM
- 32GB
- Storage
- 1TB
- Battery
- 86Wh
- Display (Size, Resolution)
- 16-inch, 2560x1600 240Hz
- Speakers
- 2x2W speakers
- Weight
- 3.30kg
- Brand
- Dell
- Model
- Alienware m16
- Adaptor and Battery
- 330W
- Offers a capable 12-core AMD Ryzen 9 CPU
- Houses an RTX 4080 GPU with 12GB of VRAM
- Has an excellent 16-inch QHD+ 240Hz display on offer
- Pricey at MSRP (When not on sale)
The Alienware m16 Gaming Laptop above comes with a capable AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX CPU that offers a 12-core, 24-thread configuration in addition to a powerful RTX 4080 GPU with 12GB of VRAM in tow. It uses these to power an excellent QHD+ display that also offers an impressive 240Hz refresh rate.
The m16 also offers a RAM configuration that is on the higher end with 32GB of DDR5 memory on offer, in addition to excellent cooling, audio, and a revamped design that has just the right amount of color to suggest it is a premium gaming laptop. The m16 is slightly overkill for a title like Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail, but is a great option that holds its own in a 16-inch form factor despite its powerful internals, making it Game ZXC's high-end choice for users not willing to spend the premium that the SCAR 17 X3D above asks.
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FAQ
Q: How Much GPU VRAM or RAM do I need For Final Fantasy 14?
Final Fantasy 14 requires 4GB of GPU VRAM and recommends 6GB of VRAM to run the title. Likewise, it requires 8GB of RAM to run and recommends 16GB of RAM to run without performance issues.
Q: How Much Space Do I Need For Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail?
Final Fantasy 14 Dawntrail requires 140GB of free space. An SSD is recommended, but not required by the title.
