Hey guys, I'm building a type of "hybrid" low-cost home cockpit and wanted advice from yall on a few things here. Basically it will be fitted with LCD screens and GOflight/Saitek accessories. I would have 4 screens running the interior visuals (panels) and 6 screens running a panoramic outside visualisation. I choose to go with the 6 LCDs instead of 2 or 3 projectors for simplicity issues. Now, obviously, I would need 2 computers to get the job done. Both with two video cards:Computer (1) : Two video cards, both with triplehead2go set up running all 6 exterior monitors. Computer (2): Wiith two ports per card, running all 4 instrument displays. Now, I assume that in terms of video cards, the first computer would need to have more hefty ones, but that is where my questions begin. Considering the heavy workload for 10 LCDs, I will run FS9 and FS9 only. These computers will only need to run FS9 to the best of their capabilities, not FSX or any other high end game.When connecting bth computer via LAN to each other and running WideFS, will both CPUs work together? Or will only the primary one be working, as it would be rendering the exterior visuals? Which one of the two would need the better CPU, or would they both share the workload at 50-50?In terms of CPUs and GPUs for an FS9 DEDICATED computer, what can anyone recommend?Thanks,Peter

I'm not knowledgeable about multi pc setups. But your plan sounds ambitious and very interesting. I would just give you a hint. An Acer T230 touch screen will allow you to directly activate buttons on panels and CDU etc. Good luck with your build!Bjorn

I'm not knowledgeable about multi pc setups. But your plan sounds ambitious and very interesting. I would just give you a hint. An Acer T230 touch screen will allow you to directly activate buttons on panels and CDU etc. Good luck with your build!Bjorn

Thanks!There's just lots I've been hearing about FS9 not using mulitple cores, ect... SO I have no idea what main PC to get for the setup.

Bjorn (Sorry, I meant to direct this to the OP, Peter)I've not used WideFS, but used to use WideView. With WideView, the panels could only be displayed on the 'server', while the 'clients' would show the outside views. You can still show the outside view on the server if desired, along with panels.

When connecting bth computer via LAN to each other and running WideFS, will both CPUs work together? Or will only the primary one be working, as it would be rendering the exterior visuals? Which one of the two would need the better CPU, or would they both share the workload at 50-50?

The CPU's in each machine would be responsible for their own graphics workload. If you're running 2D panels (for example on the server), it would not need to be a cutting edge CPU. The other computer with 2 TH2go units should be the best you care to purchase. Essentially you'd be running 2 3D views, which really slows things down. If just showing outside visuals, albeit a lot of pixels, it should be doable. I'd use a SB 2600K with GTX570's or 580's for good measure. (With what you've described, it doesn't sound like cost is a factor.)Some other thoughts...you might consider employing a DH2go unit for at least your center instrument panel. Most panels in FS run out of width when being fit to a screen before they run out of height. The undocked panels must be kept at a certain aspect ratio to keep the round gauges...round. My main instrument panel is 2880x900, with is two 1440x900 panels 'stuck together' using DH2go.Also, I would think you could use FSX rather than FS9. FSX is more friendly to multimonitor use in my experience. If you prefer FS9, so be it, but I think FSX is plausible for your setup.As another poster mentioned, touch screens add greatly to a multimonitor setup. You can always buy inexpensive monitors and add touch screen overlays (which is what I did).Hope this helps.***************Other thoughts: You might want to consider an odd number of screens for the outside views in a multi monitor setup. Otherwise, you will be looking at the bezels instead of the runway you're trying to line up with. (Unless you have a strong crosswind every time you land.) I'm not sure if you can tweak the view angles to alleviate that or not. (??)Perhaps you should consider using Nvidia's Surround feature, or ATI's Eyefinity...with five screens.Have a look at this Eyefinity setup.Good luck.Here's an example of the use of DH2go for panels...the lower screens are all touch screens.

Edited February 5, 201115 yr by Gumps