For the last 6 years when I thought I needed a faster computer to fly FS2004 I just bought the most expensive computer I could find hoping that is was the biggest and the best and I think it was. Now I only want to upgrade the last computer ( A ABS with a 2.61 CPU). I want to try the 3 monitor set up but I really don't know where to start. Would some one that already has a 3 monitor set up with the required hardware to run it nice please let me know what I need. This will be to fly FS2004 only. Thanks jerrycwo4

Jerry,Lots of questions:What is your budget?How much space have you got?What type of flying do you do? (eg Transports, Fast Jet, Light Aircraft etc)Do you like busy airports and procedural flying or photo-realistic scenery and visual navigation?The reason I ask all these question is because it would affect the answer to your question.BUT in smplistic terms you have 2 basic choices:1. A single graphics card coupled to a Matrox TripleHead2Go2. Dual Graphics cardsIf you've got the space/funds go for a 4-monitor setuphttp://hometown.aol.co.uk/jimcooper1/Grob1.JPGRegardsJim

Jim right now I'm flying FS2004 on a ABS computer (Athlon 64FX-55, 2.61 Mhz), 2- Nvvidia GeForce 6800GT video cards, but only using one of them set @ 1024 x 768 on the computer and FS2004 set @ 1280 x 930 x 32.I thinking of getting a top of the line computer from Jetline Systems, the Vertigo X10 model (http://www.jetlinesystems.com/desktops.html). I was thinking of getting 3 Samsung 22" SyncMaster226BW or the 225BW model. I think that the 226BW is a WIDE Screen and the 225BW is a normal 4:3 ratio screen. Thats my big problem. I don't understand the differance between the widescreen and the regular as used for a 3 monitor set up. The MAIN question is that I like to fly in the 2D cotpit mode and I DONT want my "round" gauges to be "eliptical". So:Is it possible to use 3 monitors and fly in the 2D mode and still have round gauges?????????? To do this will I need a regular 4:3 monitor or a widescreen. Lets get this settled before preceeding. Thanks for your help. jerrycwo4

>The MAIN question is that I like to fly in the 2D cockpit mode>and I DONT want my "round" gauges to be "eliptical". So:>>Is it possible to use 3 monitors and fly in the 2D mode and>still have round gauges?????????? To do this will I need a>regular 4:3 monitor or a widescreen. Lets get this settled>before preceeding.Without drastically changing the Panel.cfg and changing the panel.bmp you need to stick with 4:3 monitorsIf you opt for Matrox TH2Go then your maximum resolution is limited to 1280x1024 19" monitors (and these aren't even 4:3 either they're 5:4.. but ovalisation is not so obvious). So for 22" monitors you need 2 graphics cards and operate in Windowed mode.>I was thinking of getting 3 Samsung 22" SyncMaster226BW or the 225BW model. I think that the 226BW is a WIDE Screen and the 225BW is a normal 4:3 ratio screen.No they're both Widescreens..hence the W at the end.A 20" 1600x1200 would be optimal as it's actually 'taller' than a 22"W and is the same height as most 24"WRegardsJim

Jim for this set up money is no object for the monitors now. Could you please sugest a brand of 22" monitors that are 4:3 ratio and where to get them?Do you use wide monitors? Do you use one or two video cards? jerrycwo4

>Jim for this set up money is no object for the monitors now.>Could you please sugest a brand of 22" monitors that are 4:3>ratio and where to get them?Good question..not sure! The largest 4:3 monitors that are generally available are 20" 1600x1200. There may be specialist suppliers which produce larger, but the largest I've ever come across is 21" and its still 1600x1200 and really hardly any bigger than a 20". It seems beyond 20" they've all gone Widescreen.3 x 20" is a big display and if you sit close enough will fill your peripheral vision so can be totally immersive. If you really want o go 'large' then you should consider projection,Early stages of developmenthttp://hometown.aol.co.uk/JimCooper1/SimPit2.JPGNearly finishedhttp://hometown.aol.co.uk/JimCooper1/simpit3.JPG>Do you use wide monitors? Do you use one or two video cards? I've built systems with combinations of both standard and wide monitors using 2 graphics cards and also systems with 1 graphics card pushing 4 monitors through a Matrox TH2Go with the 4th monitor being 4:3 and 16:10.Most combinations are possible. What do you want???RegardsJim