FSX Multiple Monitors (Win 7, Nvidia)?

[danielw2599]

Hi all,

Is it possible to use two monitors with one GTX580 card in FSX and Windows 7? And is it possible to stretch the cockpit panels across both monitors so you have one big cockpit?

Would love to get a dual monitor set up with the TrackIR hardware at some point

 

[Fear]

You can run 2 screens from the 1 580 but you will probably take a bit of a performance hit.

 

[Wozza63]

dual monitor gaming isnt usually that great, the centre will be inbetween 2 screens..

however triple screen is awesome but for that you would want an AMD card with at least Eyefinity 3

 

[danielw2599]

Thanks Guys.

So I guess if I were to stay with Nvidia and want 3 monitors I would need another GTX580?

Would my corsair 1000w psu be enough for 3 23" HD monitors plus the 2 580's or would this also need upgrading?

Been searching google and Im not even convinced that windows 7 will display FSX the way I want it to at the moment. Certainly things to think about.

 

[Fear]

dual monitor gaming isnt usually that great, the centre will be inbetween 2 screens..

however triple screen is awesome but for that you would want an AMD card with at least Eyefinity 3

Dual monitor gaming is pretty useless for FPS's yes but it's good for flight sims as you can extend your view.

 

[Wozza63]

you would need another 580 yes

the 1000 would be more than enough, the amount of monitors doesnt really effect the power supply although at idle the GPUs will draw more power

it should work fine with 2 monitors and I'd say try it before you get another 580

do you have the 1.5gb or 3gb 580, the 1.5gb would struggle with 2 monitors or 3, even in SLI they will only use one 1.5GB rather than the combined amount

 

[Fear]

Yes a 1000W PSU is more than enough for running 2 GTX580's and you don't need to worry about running the screens as they have there own plugs so the power does not run from your PC.

I am not sure how you want to set it up but if you look on youtube there are a few videos on dual screen.

 

[F3AR]

dual monitor gaming isnt usually that great, the centre will be inbetween 2 screens..

however triple screen is awesome but for that you would want an AMD card with at least Eyefinity 3

Eyefinity < SLI

Sorry but the truth hurts


Also, for daniel, if you have the budget, get 2 gtx580 3GB i have 2 1.5GB and it plays FSX in ultra (near all sliders at top) But you should remember that the new Flight Sim from MS (called "Flight") is coming out soon and will probably been even more GPU (and CPU) intensive.

 

[Wozza63]

Eyefinity < SLI

Sorry but the truth hurts


Also, for daniel, if you have the budget, get 2 gtx580 3GB i have 2 1.5GB and it plays FSX in ultra (near all sliders at top) But you should remember that the new Flight Sim from MS (called "Flight") is coming out soon and will probably been even more GPU (and CPU) intensive.

you sure? eyefinity is optimized for multi screens, nvidia cards arent

and crossfire also scales much better than SLI

 

[danielw2599]

Yeah the 580 I have is the 1.5GB model, unfortunately my budget wouldnt expand to 2x 3GB cards and another two monitors.

Basically what I wanted to do was get a second monitor to expand the virtual cockpit over both monitors and also to use the second monitor for photo editing...with the intention of a third monitor (and 2nd card) once funds permit (and if it works) at a later date.

I have heard/read that windows 7 and vista do not expand horizontally over multiple monitors but I cant seem to find a definitive answer. Seen many cool looking mulitple monitor FSX set ups on YouTube but its hard to fathom what OS and hardware they are running it on.

I guess if it doesnt work under W7 I could partion my WD Caviar black drive and install XP to that.

Think Ill do what Wozza365 suggests and try it on a second monitor before I make any comitments, if it works on two it should work on three.

 

[F3AR]

Well TBH, with two monitors comes a massive chunk on plastic in the middle, but, planes also have a vertical bar in the middle of the window anyway?!
i would try and raise for funds fore a 3GB GTX580 instead of getting the 1.5GB now.

Also, i 100% know it will work on two (or more) monitors.

 

[danielw2599]

Also, i 100% know it will work on two (or more) monitors.

..on Windows 7?

 

[F3AR]

..on Windows 7?

yep

 

[danielw2599]

Thanks F3AR. I have a few other questions if you dont mind as I dont what to go to the expense of 3 monitors (plus XFX stand) without being sure whats best.

Looking at the 3GB 580s, are they any different in physical size to the 1.5GBs and I have found a "Best value Palit" version on DABS.com for a reasonable price, will two of these be OK?

http://www.dabs.com/products/best-v...i-express-hdmi-7X86.html?refs=460700000&src=3

or would PCS do a better deal do you rekon?

 

[Frenchy]

Thanks F3AR. I have a few other questions if you dont mind as I dont what to go to the expense of 3 monitors (plus XFX stand) without being sure whats best.

Looking at the 3GB 580s, are they any different in physical size to the 1.5GBs and I have found a "Best value Palit" version on DABS.com for a reasonable price, will two of these be OK?

http://www.dabs.com/products/best-v...i-express-hdmi-7X86.html?refs=460700000&src=3

or would PCS do a better deal do you rekon?

Two of those will be great, thats what I have in mine. 389 is a great price, I paid around 440 each for mine in august. The best thign to do would just be to add two of them onto your build to figure out how much they are from PCS, then also ask yourself if youd rather they fit them and have them under the same warranty as the rest of your system.

 

[danielw2599]

Well ive bit the bullet and ordered a 3GB card from dabs as it worked out cheaper. My 1.5GB card is only about a week old as it was a replacement part so ill stick it on ebay at some point to fund the purchase of another 3GB card next month.

Then Ill just need to save up for 3 new monitors and then eventually the XFX stand.

+1 rep for all that have commented on this thread, thanks!

 

[Wozza63]

you will probably be surprised at how little you get for computer hardware 2nd hand

 

[danielw2599]

True, but somthing is better than nothing of course.

Just had a look on ebay and a second hand one averages about £200.