AMD 6850 input into pre-build computer for FSX

[Claytonu]

Trying to purchase a low budget Flight simulator computer with three monitors.
I think I've decided to go with the AMD 6850 card with eyefinity but am looking for a cheap pre-build computer to do this with. Would like a 3.0 Ghz + processor. Not worried about max graphics just want the game to flow smoothly on reasonable settings. I have been researching multiple computers on newegg recently and just cant decide what i would be safe in going with. Ideas?

I'm relatively new to the computer build/graphics card requirement subject and FSX seems to be a very unique game to run to its full potential.

 

[RussK1]

Trying to purchase a low budget Flight simulator computer with three monitors.
I think I've decided to go with the AMD 6850 card with eyefinity but am looking for a cheap pre-build computer to do this with. Would like a 3.0 Ghz + processor. Not worried about max graphics just want the game to flow smoothly on reasonable settings. I have been researching multiple computers on newegg recently and just cant decide what i would be safe in going with. Ideas?

I'm relatively new to the computer build/graphics card requirement subject and FSX seems to be a very unique game to run to its full potential.

at what resolution? Eyefinity means a lot of things, ie - 3840X720 to 7680X1600..@ minimum you want a card(s) with atleast 2GB of VRAM.

 

[Nuluvius]

Well check out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mJeefx5_Qc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kntsjtXnpbs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vv1278B2Aco
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kntsjtXnpbs&feature=relmfu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udD8BwiQAsQ

Just saying...

 

[RussK1]

Well check out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mJeefx5_Qc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kntsjtXnpbs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vv1278B2Aco
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kntsjtXnpbs&feature=relmfu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udD8BwiQAsQ

Just saying...

Moral?

Like I said, 2GB of VRAM... anything less will cripple performance. The 6870 he's using has 2Gb of VRAM. I have eyefinity 5760X1080 w/cf'd 2GB 6950's and wouldn't recommend going any lower.

 

[Nuluvius]

Moral?

Like I said, 2GB of VRAM... anything less will cripple performance. The 6870 he's using has 2Gb of VRAM. I have eyefinity 5760X1080 w/cf'd 2GB 6950's and wouldn't recommend going any lower.

"Moral" is those cards only have 1GB.

 

[RussK1]

"Moral" is those cards only have 1GB.

Pick your flavor; the bottom two cards are X2~
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&N=100006662&isNodeId=1&Description=2gb+6870&x=0&y=0

I have 2GB 6950 CF 5760X1080 and they have a hard time on some games... there's absolutely no way on god's green earth a single 1GB 6870 (let alone a 6850 as OP wants) would run 5760X1080 @ acceptable frame rates.

http://youtu.be/DJwD9OsWCwo

 

[Nuluvius]

OP never elaborated on a resolution set. OP did however indicate a desire to go cheep and that max graphics were not essential.

 

[RussK1]

Trying to purchase a low budget Flight simulator computer with three monitors.
I think I've decided to go with the AMD 6850 card with eyefinity but am looking for a cheap pre-build computer to do this with. Would like a 3.0 Ghz + processor. Not worried about max graphics just want the game to flow smoothly on reasonable settings. I have been researching multiple computers on newegg recently and just cant decide what i would be safe in going with. Ideas?

I'm relatively new to the computer build/graphics card requirement subject and FSX seems to be a very unique game to run to its full potential.

What is your budget? And where do you want to buy from? I know Walmart offers iBUYPOWER and they can be pretty cheap (not as cheap as building your own of course).

 

[king smp]

"Moral" is those cards only have 1GB.

Did you mean the HD 6850 or the HD 6870?

as far as I understand it

the HD 6850 is only available in 1gb
the HD 6870 is available in 2gb


also if this is MS Flight Sim
it is heavily CPU dependent so the CPU is going to be critical
at least a Phenom II 955 or I3-2100 or better will help
and as russwood says a running a decent resolution in Eyefinity would want a HD 6870 or better
can be done on a lesser card at the moment but within a year or two would have real problems
running latest games

best bet is buy a prebuild OEM with the best CPU,Memory,PSU and Hard drive specs
especially the CPU and PSU
and dont worry about the GPU in it
just plan on upgrading it yourself
installing a video card isnt too hard
and Toms members would be glad to help in selecting an appropriate card and advising on installing
would be cheaper that way

 

[Claytonu]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=83-147-971&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&Pagesize=10&PurchaseMark=&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&VendorMark=&IsFeedbackTab=true&Page=2

This was the original computer I was considering purchasing. Its availibility comes and goes on newegg.com.

From the great feedback, it sounds like I should consider the AMD 6870 for a lil more money.

My resolution would be across 3 21.5 inch monitors with 1920X1080 resolution.

Budget wise I have considered buying a $500-$600 computer with an above 3.0 ghz processor and uprading the GPU. Such as these:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883229284
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883229285

Are these the kind of pre-build computers I should be looking at?

This will be a flight simulator/Xplane only computer.

 

[RussK1]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=83-147-971&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&Pagesize=10&PurchaseMark=&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&VendorMark=&IsFeedbackTab=true&Page=2

This was the original computer I was considering purchasing. Its availibility comes and goes on newegg.com.

From the great feedback, it sounds like I should consider the AMD 6870 for a lil more money.

My resolution would be across 3 21.5 inch monitors with 1920X1080 resolution.

Budget wise I have considered buying a $500-$600 computer with an above 3.0 ghz processor and uprading the GPU. Such as these:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883229284
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883229285

Are these the kind of pre-build computers I should be looking at?

This will be a flight simulator/Xplane only computer.

$650

http://www.ibuypower.com/Store/AMD_FX_8-Core_Configurator

 

[king smp]

$650

http://www.ibuypower.com/Store/AMD_FX_8-Core_Configurator

Sell off the GT 520
Install the HD 6870
and the OP has a really nice system
especially like the choice of CPUs
the 8 cores should work well in the Flight Sim

Good choice russwood

 

[RussK1]

Sell off the GT 520
Install the HD 6870
and the OP has a really nice system
especially like the choice of CPUs
the 8 cores should work well in the Flight Sim

Good choice russwood

Thanks,

There are other options but it does have the 8 core cpu, ssd, free games, etc. It'll be a nice rig for flight sim! And yeah, sell off the gt 5 whatever. The 450w no name psu bothers me though.

 

[king smp]

Thanks,

There are other options but it does have the 8 core cpu, ssd, free games, etc. It'll be a nice rig for flight sim! And yeah, sell off the gt 5 whatever. The 450w no name psu bothers me though.

http://www.amd.com/us/products/desktop/graphics/amd-radeon-hd-6000/hd-6870/pages/amd-radeon-hd-6870-overview.aspx#3

500w PSU recommended for HD 6870 with two 6 pins

so unless that is a decent PSU that could be trouble

do they offer an upgrade on PSU

 

[RussK1]

http://www.amd.com/us/products/desktop/graphics/amd-radeon-hd-6000/hd-6870/pages/amd-radeon-hd-6870-overview.aspx#3

500w PSU recommended for HD 6870 with two 6 pins

so unless that is a decent PSU that could be trouble

do they offer an upgrade on PSU

plenty of choices

 

[Claytonu]

Thanks russwood and everyone for the help this is probably the route I go. Probably get a 2gb GPU. Just don't think I can afford to drop 2 gpus in it.

 

[king smp]

looking at russwoods link
there is Corsair 650w for $99 which best choice if budget allows
then there is a 80+ 650w for 59 that would work though dont know the brand name
our even the standard 600w for $29 is okay
a generic 600w should handle a HD 6870 alright

 

[RussK1]

looking at russwoods link
there is Corsair 650w for $99 which best choice if budget allows
then there is a 80+ 650w for 59 that would work though dont know the brand name
our even the standard 600w for $29 is okay
a generic 600w should handle a HD 6870 alright

I think their "standard" is ECO and they suck... Could drop the cpu to the FX 4100 and get the better psu (corsair) and be on the safe side. The 650w Corsair would be fine and plenty for a 6870. For a little more could get a 6950 and OP would be set...

 

[Claytonu]

Best answer selected by ClaytonU.