video card uuhh!!!? noob

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fudge2011

Limp Gawd
Joined
Jan 3, 2011
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I was all psyched with myself for presuming I had learnt what compnents I needed to build a pc from looking at those configurable on a website where they build it for you. Unfortunately they didnt give you the option to say which video card was needed.

computerplanet.co.uk

So I was under the eimpression I didnt need a video card and only needed a graphics card. I want to use eyefinity so I have hopes to get radeon 6850 but someone told me I need a good video card too.

could someone explain the difference. or give me a link, or guide me on if a video card is essential to perform eyefinity. thanks,,,

can you actually run a pc without a video card then? :confused:

thanks!
 
Don't get yourself in a tizzy. I think you're getting caught up in semantics... Video cards and graphics cards are synonymous. And yes you can run a PC without one, granted it has onboard graphics (which most mobos do). Graphics cards/video cards are added to handle the demanding graphical computing of today's (and yesterday's) games and software. Though not required, you'll find one on nearly any enthusiast's rig (or maybe even 3 of them!). :)
 
Video card = graphics card. You may be able to run without a dedicated card if you have an integrated card in the motherboard, but it won't be doing eyefinity. The 6850 would not be a good eyefinity card for gaming, you would need something with more horsepower like a 6950 or 6970 depending on the resolution of your monitors.
 
You have it right.
GPU---VPU, tomato----tomatoe

If you want to use EyeFinity, you need an AMD GPU or two.....
The type you buy will depend on the monitor resolution(s) you plan to use.....ie 20" 22" 24" or even 30".:D
 
Hey Fudge, certainly the 6850 can run multiple monitors, however performance might degrade as you keep adding monitors. A few options, Crossfire 2x 6850's, that is if your motherboard supports it. The other option and probably the best is to buy a 6950 2GB video card as the extra VRAM (2GB) is needed and used for Eyefinity. So there are some options here, however this will depend on the amount of money you want to spend and size of monitors you would use.
 
Can you tell us your full PC specs so that we can help further. What is your purpose of the video card. Gaming, etc?
 
honestly a 6850 with a triple 28 inch setup isnt going to cut it especially in gaming
 
A single HD6850 is woefully inadequate for 5760x1200 / 3600x1920.
Apart from the fact that the 1GB on the 6850 isn't enough to enable AA at all in several titles at that resolution, one HD6850 at that res is like:
GTS450 or GTX260-192 at 2560x1600
GT240 or HD5670 at 1920x1200
9600GT or HD3870 at 1920x1080
8800GS or HD3850 at 1680x1050
GT220 or HD4650 at 1280x1024/1440x900

Most of the people running setups like these are well overdue to upgrade.
 
Not quite right.

Your 6850 will be able to run three monitors, but you will have to sarcifice some settings.
If you are set on a 6850, generally you'd have to CrossFire two of them to be happy with your intended EyeFinity using three 28" monitors. this would of course mandate a mainboard that supports CrossfireX.

For a great review of eyefinity using the 6850 card(s) read this: http://www.widescreengamingforum.com/wiki/ATI_Radeon_6870_6850_-_Featured_Review_Page_6
 
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