Widescreen Gaming Forum

I've finally reached a point where I can afford myself a computer and 3 monitor setup on my desk for my flight simulation and race simulation hobby, of which I've had less time with over the years. I want to get back into it, and realized I no longer need a tripleheadtogo device because video cards can manage it themselves now.

I don't know what I don't know yet, so I'm beginning my research in this forum to break the ice.

For the last few years I've been running a 27" AOD LED monitor that I very much like, and would love 3 of these or similar lined up 3 across. I really hate to go lower that 27 inches but Ive read a lot about people claiming 24 is the way to go. Ill keep researching this.

Also, what about placing 3 on the desk vs using some sort of desk mount to suspend them above the desk? I use something like this at work and find it difficult if I try to line up the 3 monitors evenly.

I prefer nvidia video video cards although Ive used and still own AMD/ATI family of cards.

I want this build to "HANDLE" FSX (or Xplane or DCS if I choose to tinker further with those) and would prefer ONE video card as opposed to SLI.

I'm looking at GTX970 vs GTX980

What kind of monitors has the community used that they enjoy? Small bezels, more screen, good picture.

Look forward to your feedback on this as I prep to get back into simulation.

I am not pushing this idea, do what you want. Whatever you choose, it will be awesome compared to single 27".

But maybe you overlooked PLP layout. It is worth your consideration. Best thing available IMO. Superior view to LLL (too short & overkill wide), & better than 21:9 (all are too small for ideal immersion). Others will not agree, to each his own.

Graphics Card:
AMD's new & future cards support PLP with Eyefinity. R9 285 available now & would work fine, but it's a bit weak. Others releasing shortly.

Monitors:
I currently use a 27" too, on center (1080p; with 19" 16:10 sides, latter using dropped resolution to line up pixels & it looks good). Layout called "19-27-19 Common Lightweight" if interested in details. Keeps weight down but remains immersive (covers vision if used right), & one good graphics card works well. This layout also hides the sides' bezels, which cuts inner bezels in ~half. So bezels on the sides you purchase don't matter. If you want, can buy very cheap used sides, makes minimal difference IMO. Quality center matters most in PLP.

Mounting PLP:
This can be done attractive & cheap. Requires some foresight during sides' purchase. If interest ask. (There is a good chance that a purchased multi-monitor stand will not work for PLP, as you will want more flexibility in positioning sides. Maybe could be fixed with some monkeying; I have never tried them.)

Small bezel are great. But sadly that's the least important thing to look at in a Monitor.
TN panel, IPS, AHV ? 60hz, 120hz, 144hz? Free-sync G-sync ? FullHD or 2560x1440, or even 4k?
After you've picked your favorite tech speccs there are not many models left.

Personaly I don't use a MultiMonitor stand (shame on me) because my dell U2311h can be pivoted left/right fort/back and moved up and down i can align them somewhat... altough i have to redo it every few days if i want it perfect ^^


Oh yeah, don't go with a 3.5gb 970 that will cause you Problems with the VRAM, be sure to take a 980 or better a 980Ti 6GB VRAM might be nice in the Future.

Decided I'm going with a 980 ti for this. Everything leads me in this direction.

Right now I have a PLP configuration with a pair of Dell 17s and an AOC 27. I can't get Nvidia to do its thing on my gtx 670 because of PLP. I've tried soft th but limitations there keep me from making it an option.

itgl72, have you successfully played a game in PLP on your 17-27-17 configuration? I am curious about your results.
The PPI variance is seemingly insurmountable. I don't know your sides' resolution, but can't see how any 17" would line up pixels properly with your center. Also I'm interested in how you have your monitors positioned (sides flush with center?)

For all multi-monitor gaming, perceived pixels need to line up (test easy: a window dragged across inner bezel)

Re SoftTH:
There is an arsenal of tricks & tools we can use to spread games in PLP with minimal support. SoftTH is not the only answer (though it's a good one). This all has been documented online, if interest.

But it is far easier to buy a graphics card that supports PLP. Then your games would work as easy as LLL.

Only FSX and it was purely exploratory. I know it can work, with effort, however my desire has for years to have 3 screens in LLL.

OK, my PC build list is complete. I'm here to finally put all my eggs into the research basket on this topic.

I'm looking to create a 3-monitor setup, and they will be connecting to an EVGA GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB Superclocked+ ACX 2.0+ Video Card. I'm open to suggestions and recommendations on what I need to keep an eye out for, or monitors in general as I start getting deeper into research. I want them to be 27 inches (I'm using one now, and want to maintain that size) plus I'll probably try to add a 3 screen desk mount to neaten things on the desk. I'm looking for this setup to be a flight sim, and race sim environment but it is a gamer PC as well as work when duty calls. I may not play all games with 3 screens all the time. I do work quite a bit from 3 screens at my job already so this will just be something at home, in a more of a grand scale. Thanks for your suggestions!

I would definitely keep an eye out for G-sync if it would be me.

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Haldi wrote:I would definitely keep an eye out for G-sync if it would be me.

Its definitively something to look for on my list however, I'm still learning the ins and outs of the technology but I'm feeling as though there may be some challenges in getting 3 g-sync monitors to work and not be uber expensive.

itgl72 wrote:OK, my PC build list is complete. I'm here to finally put all my eggs into the research basket on this topic.

I'm looking to create a 3-monitor setup, and they will be connecting to an EVGA GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB Superclocked+ ACX 2.0+ Video Card. I'm open to suggestions and recommendations on what I need to keep an eye out for, or monitors in general as I start getting deeper into research. I want them to be 27 inches (I'm using one now, and want to maintain that size) plus I'll probably try to add a 3 screen desk mount to neaten things on the desk. I'm looking for this setup to be a flight sim, and race sim environment but it is a gamer PC as well as work when duty calls. I may not play all games with 3 screens all the time. I do work quite a bit from 3 screens at my job already so this will just be something at home, in a more of a grand scale. Thanks for your suggestions!

Starting to think going 3 screens that use G-SYNC may be more than I want to spend. Probably look for something that is a quality gaming 27 inch monitor and get 3 of those. If G-SYNC ever gets less expensive I can always get them, then and give my kids a monitor upgrade for their PCs.

+1 for the PLP love

whatever you decided, I am sure you'll be happy coming from a single 27".
I run with a Nvidia, I use windows borderless gaming, seems to be fairly reliable so far. Having some issues with Skyrim, and Fallout 3 atm others I have tested work fine so it's still hit and miss.
If you go PLP I would recommend AMD 285,380 or Fury for support.

So, I've spent the better part of the day reading reviews, and technical articles about 3 screens and 21:9 monitor reviews and I come away thinking, I'm going to bed uncertain and confused. I love the aspect of being surrounded by screens in a cockpit feel for racing sims and flying sims but there is that level of complication, and 3 devices that can fail vs 1 device that is pretty wide already in a 21:9 configuration. G-SYNC is too expensive to do 3 times, and 21:9 is very different to me as I am already used to 3 physical screens, both at work (3 19s) and home (2 17s in portrait and 1 27 in landscape). I know I'm going to spend at least 1000 dollars on this display setup and maybe a few hundred more but gaming performance of this display setup and immersion is important, to go with the fact that I work here too. Lets see what tomorrow brings, more to read and research...

Took a ride to MicroCenter during lunch to stand in front of a 34 inch curved monitor. No doubt about it, the look is sweet. I would be more than content with that for absolutely any use, from any type of work or gaming. My biggest hangup is for years I've envisioned a 3 screen setup for sim racing and flight simulation that may be great for those applications but not for everything else. I just need to convince myself that perhaps this single wide screen will suit all my needs, if that is actually the case. I'll keeping looking into it online... Thanks!

I've made my decision, and am happy with it. I've always envisioned 3 monitors but after the last few weeks of studying this, and then looking at what it would cost me to do it the way I want and what I would get back over all from it I decided against 3 screens and went with the Dell U3415W 34" Curved LED IPS 5ms Monitor. I spent some time in front of this device at a local store and was really impressed with it. Needless to say I've spent quite some hours researching curved 21:9 monitors vs 3 monitors. No matter what direction I went there was going to be some compromise on features or functionality of one over the other but I feel confident for me, right now, this will suit me the best. You never know, I may buy two more one day. HA... I found it on sale at newegg out the door for $809.99 using promo code DELLBTS. My new PC parts are here and I'll be assembling soon, and the monitor should arrive soon after I'm complete. Happy times.. Thanks for all the feedback!