Single display ultra wide

[yakapo]

I have an i5 @ about 4.5ghz and a ati 6950. I'm debating between getting 3 cheap 23" screens or one Dell u2711.

Here's my question:
Can I get an ultrawide view using the dell u2711? - it's native res is 2560x1440. Can I get a nice wide view (narrow with black bars) with the resolution set to something like 2560 x 900? I've watched tons of videos on youtube of people playing racing games with 3 monitors - that's what I've wanted. The only pc games I play are racing games and strategy games.

Obviously it will be cheaper to just get 3 smaller monitors. The sad thing is, I'm in the stage of life where I don't have time to play much (first baby on the way in a month). If I bought 3 monitors, I'd probably play a few driving games a few times and then they would just sit there. I assume if I bought the dell u2711, I'd at least be making use of it. However, if I bought 3 monitors, I could get a few more xboxes and play forza 4 w/ 3 screens. =D

thanks for your time.

[Davros]

yes you can get a wide view using 2560 x 900, but it wont be anything like the 5760x1080 view 3 x 23" monitors will give you

"play forza 4 w/ 3 screens" no.consoles dont support 3 screens

[Bifurk8]

Hey Davros,

Forza does in fact support 3 screens with the use of multiple x-boxes, provided you have 3 x-boxes and 3 copies of forza. I don't know of any other console game that does.

Yakapo,

I don't have any experience with larger 2560x1440 resolutions, but 5760x0180 across three monitors kicks ass for racing games. I love playing Shift, Shift 2, Grid, Dirt 2, Dirt 3, and iRacing triple-wide. Plus, triple monitors are good for productivity too! I honestly usually just use 2 for browsing, photoshop, writing, etc and keep the third one in iTunes, though.

Only downside to that higher resolution is that it will be more taxing on your PC than 2560x1440 and you might end up having to lower your graphic settings significantly at 5760x1080.