Jim... too many differant combinations. This is what I want:Fly Fs2004 with 3 LDC monitors in the 2D mode, res of 1280 x 930 x 32 and have a center, left hand and right hand view. I'm planning on getting a new computer so will I need ONE or TWO video cards? Thanks jerrycwo4

Well, for starters I'd go with a CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6850http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16819115028MOBO: Abit IP-35 pro 775http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16813127030RAM: Corsair XMS2 basic ram (cheap with rebate)http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820145034Video Card: eVGA nvidia 8800GTS 512mbhttp://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814130312That will run those fine, I think you could add TH2G if you want:http://www.fspilotshop.com/product_info.php?products_id=1221I'm not sure how multi-monitor mode works, someone else will have to tell you :)That system will own FS9 :)

>Jim... too many differant combinations. This is what I want:>>Fly Fs2004 with 3 LDC monitors in the 2D mode, res of 1280 x>930 x 32 and have a center, left hand and right hand view. I'm>planning on getting a new computer so will I need ONE or TWO>video cards? Thanks jerrycwo4Jerry,I'm somewhat confused most monitors are either 1280x1024 (19"), 1440x900 (19"W) or 1280x768 (17"W).At the 1280 resolutions you can use a Matrox TH2Go in which case you'll only need one Graphics card. However the price of the TH2Go is about the same as a second Graphics card so you can go either way.RegardsJim

Jim the 1280 x 930 x 32 is the resolution that I NOW use on FS2004. Any higher and I cannt read the dials good.If I use the TH2go and one video card could I still use the Samsung 226BW wide 22" monitors or do I have to find a 4:3 monitor to fly in 2D? The Samsung's have a MAX res of 1680 x1050.I assume that you do NOT fly your 3 monitor FS in 2d mode? What do you see when you push the "s" key and the 2D mode comes up? jerrycwo4

Jerry,I have used Widescreen monitors for 2D modes but I have re-designed the panel.bmp and panel.cfg files to allow for the 20% extra width.Otherwise the image and associated gauges stretch to fit. Ideally you need a 4:3 screen for any default panels. Ancilliary panels that open via the Views menu (or Shift-Number keys) can be openend in Windowed mode and dragged and re-sized to any monitor. A TH2Go will work equally well in Windowed mode so you can use your 3 monitors in 2D mode and place 3 separate Windows on each of the Monitors eg L-Forward, Forward and R-Forward....but having done that you could have invested in a 2nd Graphics card instead of a TH2Go. Typically I use a TH2Go to give a panoramic ouside view and use a 4th monitor for instrument (either 4:3 for default panel or Widescreen for Custom panels)For this very reason when developing the Panels and gauges for the Skysim Sea Vixen I offered both normal and Widescreen versions.http://www.skysim.co.uk/cvixhtml/cvix_readme.htmlIf you want to tell me how many monitors of what size and what you want to show on each of them I will be able to give more specific advice.RegardsJim

Looking for the same kind of advice :).I'm planning to use 3 X 17-inch LCDs for Front_Left/Front/Front_Right views and one 17-inch LCD for the main panel view - all in FS 9.1 full screen 2D.My computer has two dual head pci-x video cards (Nvidia 7900GS) and a dual core cpu at 3.2 GHz.Would appreciate any advice about getting this kind of setup up and running, including a method to align the 3 outside views.Thanks,Jim Harnes

Jim H. - For info on aligning multi/mon 2D views, do a search on keyword VIEW_FORWARD in FS Hardware forum. Look for topic #27159- "Triple Monitor Setup Help Please" started by Kimchoc this past June. Horizon synch,bezel width,monitor placement angle & tilt compensations are done in Panel Config & are not difficult.The basic multi mon setup is done in Control Panel/Display/Settings where there will be a schematic pic of the monitors. Drag these mon pics so they represent the actual mon arrangement, then click on each secondary monitor pic and tick the box below "Extend my Desktop onto this Monitor". After you've done this, the mouse cursor can be dragged from far left to extreme right across all mons- as if it is one wide monitor.-------------I'm not convinced that a 4th monitor buys all that much satisfaction. Have a look at the pic attached. The 180

Thanks, Alex! Now, something else to ponder :).Jim Harnes

Good advice from AlexThe 4th monitor can be a real problem if you're not heavily into DIY and carpentry Or you don't care what the surrounding area looks like!http://hometown.aol.co.uk/jimcooper1/Grob1.JPGRegardsJim

Since woodworking/cabinet building is my other hobby, think I'll go with 4 and try to make it look as real as I can :).Jim Harnes

Jim H- Delighted to hear from a cabinet maker/simmer! Built a few 4-5 ton cruising sailboats in my time! Based on what I've found while experimenting with multi mons over the past 7 years, I would concentrate on View Perspective if adding monitors. My choice would be to add a fourth mon as View Right- thus creating a 235

Jim, I've read that the Samsun 226BW 22" wide monitors are great monitors for Flight Sims. They have a 3000:1 contrast ratio, a 16:10 ratio and a 2ms response time with a max resolution of 1680 x 1050.These are the monitors that I'd like to use. I want a left center, center and and a right center view, and if possible fly in the 2D mode.Please dont give me so many choices as its too confusing. Just tell me what kind of hardware I need to make this happen. Thanks jerrycwo4I can and will buy any kind of computer that it takes. I've been looking at the "Vertigo 10" at http://www.jetlinesystems.com/desktops.html

>Jim,>> I've read that the Samsun 226BW 22" wide monitors are great>monitors for Flight Sims. They have a 3000:1 contrast ratio, a>16:10 ratio and a 2ms response time with a max resolution of>1680 x 1050.>>These are the monitors that I'd like to use. I want a left>center, center and and a right center view, and if possible>fly in the 2D mode.>>Please dont give me so many choices as its too confusing. Just>tell me what kind of hardware I need to make this happen. >Thanks jerrycwo4>>I can and will buy any kind of computer that it takes. I've>been looking at the "Vertigo 10" at>http://www.jetlinesystems.com/desktops.htmlOK...as you're going for those 3 big widescreen monitors the TH2GO is no good for you. So go for the InertiaXQ and specify Dual 8800GTX.If you really want to go 'all out' get 320GB RAID0 Raptor hard-drives to go with it!!RegardsJim

Thanks for the info Alex! While I covet a triple projection system, I'm afraid that would create a serious bump in road with "the Boss", even after 42 years of marriage. Guess everything has a limit :).Jim Harnes

Jim H- Did'nt realize I was corresponding with a newly wed- coming up to 52 years here! Hey- the newly weds and the nearly deads!!!:) Realized after posting- should have added that it's easy to mix LCD & CRT mons since the bezel correction is customized to each. And size variations are adjusted via ZOOM. I use a 17 LCD mated with 2-7 yr old 19 CRTs. A little colour adjustment and Bob's your uncle! So dust off those old CRTs in the garage!! The bezel correction effectively makes the wide CRT bezels as innocuous as the pillars/posts supporting a car windshield.(Can you imagine GM announcing that glass windshields and side windows are being replaced with a single LCD monitor in front of the driver? Yet that's how most simmers try to fly a plane!!)In addition to angling mons in an arc around the pilot,(I think it's good practice to keep them a common distance from the pilot's eyes), mons can be tilted back a little for visual comfort as long as the side edges are in contact- use shims under the bases.When you do this, use the tilt/rotation value in Panel Config to level the horizons so they remain horizontally aligned. Once you've flown a 180