Widescreen Gaming Forum

Hi Guys, my first post here, though I have been checking in for the last year and finally have the readies to be able to get into surround gaming. I looked into this extensively about a year go but am a little out of touch now.I have a couple of questions and wonder if you guys can help.

ATM I have an 8800GTX and a Dell Ultrasharp 2407 WFP 24" monitor. The easiest would be to get a couple of second hand/reconditioned 2407 (though I can get 3 new Dell 20 or 22" for the same money). I realise than I will have to run them at 1680 x1050 @57, rather than the native 1900x1200. I play FSX, Grid, Total War series, and Crysis/ Fallout 3 and similar games.

1) I plan to use just the central monitor for work (at 1900x1200) and surround (3x 1680x1050)for games only. Does the Matrox software allow automatic changes to this effect when I load up a game or do I have to do it manually every time? BTW I see alot of you have Dell 24's, so I am guessing there are no issues with 57Hz on these monitors?

2) I am planning of upgrading my graphics card if its no longer up to scratch anymore (thinking 260GTX), will SLI setups (or 295 GTX) be benificial because of the extra resolution automatically or does the graphic card drivers need to be wrtten for the specific game before there is any advantage is to be seen. Does more graphic card memory help?

3) I am running Vista 64, what is current status getting DTH2Go running under Vista 64 with Nvidia drivers. does everything work now?


Cheers

I run vista 64 bit as well and it works just fine...loads under the Program Files (x86) folder and loads right up. i have an 8800GTS and it does lag a bit at times when your pushing games to the max. Crysis looks amazing @ 3840x1024 but I have to run it on low settings since so much is rendering...

on the monitor part, my suggestion is keep your 24" and pick up some of the Dell 22" (or the gateway 22"...just as nice and look neater too)
then run the TH2Go off of one DVI @ 5040x1050 and the other monitor @ 1920x1200. then you can get you one of those LCD mounts and mount it on an arm so you can swivel and turn it portrait or lanscape...did that with my extra 22" and it works wonders...

Hi, thanks, good to know things are ok under vista 64. Are you suggesting keeping the 24" and running that stand alone and getting 3x 22" for the Triplehead?

yep thats exactly what im suggesting...

Thanks, Well I am commited, just ordered a DTH2Go, and even managed to pick up a hardly used Egotron Triple Lift stand for little money.

I have used the last few days to catch up with the current state reading through a lot of the threads. It seems like people have had problems getting certain 22"monitors to work with the 57khz needed for 3x1680x1050. Some people cant get their Dell 22" to work and other have (BTW anyone got 20" Dells to work at 57Khz) Vista x64 seems to be causing problems with certain Nividia drivers, works for some and not others Seems ie constant tweeking is needed to get things working. The Res that seems to work for every one is 3x1280x1024 and I am considering the merits of getting 3 x 19" standard aspect screens if 3x 22 is going to be tough getting to work. Another option I guess would be to get 22" but run them 3840x1024 if i cant get 5040x1050 working. I can live with this for games but desktop looks horrible. I am not going to be able to house my exisiting 2407 on the same desk so that going to another room, so my Tripehead will have to be my main desktop too.

Are people generally having proplems getting 5040x1050 in Vista 64 with their desktop or is it just games?

I have read several folks having issues with certain monitors that dont refresh at the 57mhz like the TH2G recommends. I wanna say that Paddy the Wak (or Ibrin...one of the two) found some 19" widescreen monitors that could push out 1680x1050 on the 19" screen...same res, smaller foot print.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1699131&CatId=165

this would totally work for your 24" lcd...

Yes I have spotted a couple of 19's that will do the res, theres a Acer with slim bezels. 20" would be perfect for me space wise, but still the problem if knowing if it will work at 57Khz. Scavvenjahh has indicated he cant get 3x VX1940w to work 1650x1050 under Vista, only under XP. I'd like to get Dells if possible as I can them cheaply form outlet and surplus stores still with 3 yr Dell warrentees and they resell easily on eBay for good money come upgrade time.

I use to work at Dell here in Oklahoma City. Ive still got some buddies out there...I'll email one of them and see if they have a 22" that will work @ the 57hz range and let you know

I run vista 64 bit as well and it works just fine...loads under the Program Files (x86) folder and loads right up. i have an 8800GTS and it does lag a bit at times when your pushing games to the max. Crysis looks amazing @ 3840x1024 but I have to run it on low settings since so much is rendering...

on the monitor part, my suggestion is keep your 24" and pick up some of the Dell 22" (or the gateway 22"...just as nice and look neater too)
then run the TH2Go off of one DVI @ 5040x1050 and the other monitor @ 1920x1200. then you can get you one of those LCD mounts and mount it on an arm so you can swivel and turn it portrait or lanscape...did that with my extra 22" and it works wonders...

Are you using a switch to go between TH2G and the standalone??

if so, which switch?

Just wanted to finish off this thread, I am now a Tripleheader!

I got my DTH2G at the weekend but only decided on my monitors yesterday. After pondering things over and measuring my desk space I figuered that 3 x 22" would not fit, so it had to be 3x19 std 19s wide or 20s wide. I have got used to widescreen displays and want to push the bezels out as much as possible so I plumped for Dell 2009w as I wanted as much res as possible. Got 'Dell refubished' ones from a Dell outlet reseller for less than half of the Dell advertised price; look brand new with a 3yr Dell warrentee.

Hooked everything together tonight, downloaded the lasted Powerdesk and SGU and everything worked first time. Running 5040x1050 under Vista x64 :D
How do you find out what firmware is installed on the DTH2G, cos I did not have to update mine to get the widescreen resolutions. I'll post some pics of my setup.