Best monitor set up for FSX

[Voar1]

I’m looking for help on recommending the best monitor set up to complement my new PC that was designed with flight simulator in mind. I think I’ve done this right so far with dual 8800 GTX graphic cards and a quad a CPU, and am determined to finish the project with appropriate monitors to have a great flight simulator set up. I’ve already searched the posts, searched the internet, and have tried two monitors and want to get it right on the third try.

Computer spec
• Dual graphics cards - GeForce XLR8 8800 GTX / 768MB
• Motherboard - GeForce 680i LT SLI CPU Bundle - Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Processor 2.40GHz
• 8 GB RAM memory - US Modular Cold Fusion 4096MB Dual Channel PC6400 DDR2 800MHz Memory (4 x 2048MB)
• Hard Drive - Hitachi Deskstar 7K1000 1000GB Hard Drive - 7200RPM, 32MB,
• Tower –Koolance tower case with water cooling of CPU, hard disk and graphic card
• Blue Ray/DVD player
• Bose life style 3 speakers.
• CH product yoke and rudder pedals
• Windows XP

First attempt - monitor set up
My first monitor setup was with the FS(IX) triple integrated monitors (19/21/19 inches) running with an internal matrox triple head to go, and the two 8800 graphic cards running SLI. This resulted in a nice 52 inch wide display and some fun flying, but the aircraft instrument panels were difficult to read. There were compatibility problems which kept crashing the computer, so I returned that monitor to the manufacture.

Second attempt - monitor set up
I borrowed a Dell 30 inch monitor running at 2560 X 1600 resolution, again with the two 8800 graphic cards running in SLI. This introduced me to the world of big monitors which was very incredible for windows multitasking, and I spent most my time exploring high resolution photography which was incredible. In flight simulator mode, I missed the wide view that came with the other monitors.

Third and final – monitor set up
So on the third and hopefully final set up, I’d like to get it right, with your help. I’m inclined to combine both my test runs above, with a large center monitor (24 or 30 inch) and supplement that with one additional monitor on each side. I like the idea of the three monitors being integrated into one stand and sold and supported by one company who has already insured that they are all compatible and look good together. The three monitor set up works well so the focus can be on one center monitor and not have to deal with a bezel directly in the center.

Here are some that I am considering.

A) Digital tiger integrated triple monitor 24X. 24 inch (1920 X 1200) as the center piece, flanked by two 17 inch monitors (1600 X 1200) turned portrait (total cost $2,000 ) See at:

http://www.digitaltigers.com/zenview-powertrio24x.shtml


B) Another choice would be to go with the biggest monitor the computer can support which is a 30 inch monitor (2560 X 1600) in the center, with 20 inch monitors (1200 X 1600), turned portrait on the side. This set up is quite expensive ($3,800). See at

http://www.digitaltigers.com/zenview-powertrio24x.shtml


C) Yet another alternative for three standalone 30 inch monitors, such as from Dell for $1200 each (total cost $3.800).


I would appreciate your thoughts on the following.

1) The best monitor setup for a dual 8800 graphic card setup and a quad processor ? (including any suggested set ups different than what I outlined above )

2) If operating three monitors, do I run the graphic cards in SLI and one output to the Matrox triple head, or directly connect each monitor to the graphic cards ?

3) Will running the very large monitors such as 20/30/20 inch run slower in FSX relative to something a little smaller such as the 17/24/24 inches? (It would be nice to run with the features near maximum and keep a good frame rate

Thanks in advance, and in the meantime I’ll get by with my one little 15 inch monitor connected to two 8800s in SLI which is a crime, awaiting your advice.

I’ll be sure to share and post some pictures of the final set up.

[Voar1]

Found part of my answer in another post regarding triple head from member loki.

Triple Head only supports 1280 X 1034 (X3) resolution, so triple head is out for any monitor larger than 19 inch monitors. I'm hoping for 24 inch or 30 inch monitors.

[loki]

I was just going to post that detail for you...

[boris4356]

I was wondering if a 1080p @1920x1080 42" or even larger widescreen LCD TV would work?

Bill

[loki]

As most LCD TVs have DVI or VGA inputs, they work just like any LCD monitor you would buy. In addition, some video cards now have HDMI ports on them too, which helps with the connectivity side. You just need to make sure you have a video card with the horsepower to run a 1920x1080 monitor. Something like a GeForce 8800GT or Radeon 3870 would be good, a card like a GeForce 8400 or Radeon 2400 would be bad.

[Voar1]

Thanks for in the posts.

My original post (granted it's too long) specifies quad core and dual Geforce 8800 GTXs, so running a wide monitor at 1920 X 1080 is no problem. (Each 8800 can run two 2560 X 1600 monitors) The width of the HD suggested would be fine, but I think I should try for even higher resolution with my computer set up.

Such as one of these monitor set ups I suggested and linked in the original post
• 3968 X 1200 (three monitors 17/24/17 inch)
• 4960 X 1600 (three monitors 20/30/20 inch)

My biggest question is whether FSX will run slower when using these high resolution monitor setups, or if I need to back off the monitor program to ensure fast frame rate and full feature FSX.

Thanks