I built my present cockpit in MSFS2020 around a 48" 4K LG Ultragear monitor, and it's pretty awesome. I have been considering for some time now to rebuild my entire cockpit around a triple monitor setup. However, there are quite a few considerations 1) Space, I am limited and the idea of three 48" monitors isn't really an option 2) three 4K monitors I'm guesing would need to be driven by a 4090 and even then I'm not convinced 3) The cost, having to shell out £3000 on two more monitors and upgrade to a 4090 simply isn't going to happen. Soooo, I put my thinking head on and if it works, I think I could have found the holy grail of solutions! I am thinking of purchasing two LG 27" 2K Ultragear monitors and run them in the vertical orientation. This would mean the vertical resolution would be the same on the 4K monitor and also the two side monitors. This would address most of my concerns, the cost would be negligible in comparison to the alternative, space would not be a problem for me, I'd gain an additional 15" on either side of the main monitor, and the output resolution would be 8K instead of 12K. Still a big jump, but if I couldn't run the setup with my 3090 then at least I could probably stretch to a 4090 by not having paid silly money for two extra Ultragear 48" 4K monitors. Will this work? if so, what should I need to consider when buying the two monitors? Advice appreciated.

Edited November 7, 20241 yr by Rocky_53

Rocky,

I ran 8 monitors in fs2004 using a GTX1080ti.

My setup was as follows....

1 x overhead panel mounted above,

3 x cockpit external views (the centre one included the cockpit panel and the other two were just outside views)

2 x external side views (left and right)

1 x FMS panel

1 x pedestal

I set up the mouse to scroll between all the screens and I loved it. I just wished I could have afforded touch screens.

FSX, P3D and XPlane (10 and 11) could not handle more than 2 screens with my computer specs and I therefore concentrated on FS2004 until MS2020 came out,

I abandoned FS2004 and all the multi-screens to persevere with MS2020 (single screen) for about 12 months and thoroughly enjoyed it with reservations.

Then I purchased a Quest 2 VR headset and finally realized what flight swimming was all about. It was also significantly cheaper than a multi-screen setup.  The downside to this was that

with VR spatiality and the ability to judge distances etc so much better, I literally had to learn to fly again.

Simply put there is absolutely no comparison between multi-screens and VR.

Now, I am very much aware that this is singularly unhelpful to you if you are truly set on developing a multi-screen set up and in all honesty, I could not help you to do that with MSFS2020.

IF you have not delved into VR, then I strongly recommend you try it even if it is on a friends device.  I found that before I upgraded my computer to a full AMD setup, using a GTX1080 was sufficient to drive the VR headset.  My CPU was an AMD R9 3900 and that, despite being ancient by today's standards was OK using slightly downgraded graphics and the Quest 2 which I still have.

If you already have and use VR I cannot understand why you would want to go to multi screens for MS2020 or MS2024 but that is me and I am not denigrating your choice.  

By the way, my controller set up is a standard Saitek Yoke/throttle, pedals, trim wheel, and extra throttle controller (for four engine, flaps and speedbrake) as well as an extra throttle quadrant set up for Gear Up, power and mixture. This is all used mostly by muscle memory and the need to take the headset off and back on again is negated.

I genuinely hope that this is helpful to you and that I am not trying to take coal to Newcastle (Aussie expression)

All the best

Tony

6 hours ago, himmelhorse said:

Rocky,

I ran 8 monitors in fs2004 using a GTX1080ti.

My setup was as follows....

1 x overhead panel mounted above,

3 x cockpit external views (the centre one included the cockpit panel and the other two were just outside views)

2 x external side views (left and right)

1 x FMS panel

1 x pedestal

I set up the mouse to scroll between all the screens and I loved it. I just wished I could have afforded touch screens.

FSX, P3D and XPlane (10 and 11) could not handle more than 2 screens with my computer specs and I therefore concentrated on FS2004 until MS2020 came out,

I abandoned FS2004 and all the multi-screens to persevere with MS2020 (single screen) for about 12 months and thoroughly enjoyed it with reservations.

Then I purchased a Quest 2 VR headset and finally realized what flight swimming was all about. It was also significantly cheaper than a multi-screen setup.  The downside to this was that

with VR spatiality and the ability to judge distances etc so much better, I literally had to learn to fly again.

Simply put there is absolutely no comparison between multi-screens and VR.

Now, I am very much aware that this is singularly unhelpful to you if you are truly set on developing a multi-screen set up and in all honesty, I could not help you to do that with MSFS2020.

IF you have not delved into VR, then I strongly recommend you try it even if it is on a friends device.  I found that before I upgraded my computer to a full AMD setup, using a GTX1080 was sufficient to drive the VR headset.  My CPU was an AMD R9 3900 and that, despite being ancient by today's standards was OK using slightly downgraded graphics and the Quest 2 which I still have.

If you already have and use VR I cannot understand why you would want to go to multi screens for MS2020 or MS2024 but that is me and I am not denigrating your choice.  

By the way, my controller set up is a standard Saitek Yoke/throttle, pedals, trim wheel, and extra throttle controller (for four engine, flaps and speedbrake) as well as an extra throttle quadrant set up for Gear Up, power and mixture. This is all used mostly by muscle memory and the need to take the headset off and back on again is negated.

I genuinely hope that this is helpful to you and that I am not trying to take coal to Newcastle (Aussie expression)

All the best

Tony

Hi Tony, thanks for your helpful input. Interesting you talk about VR. It is something that I have considered, however, I have tried at on a friend's rig. I can't remember which headset he had, it was a pretty good one, but that was a couple of years ago. I see tech has progressed significantly over that time. But... I didn't find I enjoyed the experience to be frank. The headset gave me a headache, it kept slipping off my face due to perspiration, I felt like I was flying with a space helmet on, I disliked the tunnel vision with lack of peripheral vision that I found quite claustrophobic, but a big one for me, as if they aren't enough, I found everything not very sharp, except for the very centre of the view! So, as you see, there were many factors that I disliked. Also, if I could 'get over' all of those issues, I would find it difficult to not use all the hardware that I really enjoy using, and that helps enormously with immersion. eg, when flying the 738 I have an overhead panel, a CPflight MCP and EFIS, a CDU, stream deck and other switches and buttons, not to mention my Ipad that I like to have while accessing maps and other information. While I understand muscle memory, all that kit would likely be made redundant overnight for me, especially the overhead. I can fly 99.9% of the time without ever having to use the mouse and that is extremely important for me.  

Edited November 8, 20241 yr by Rocky_53

Rocky,

Thanks for your thoughts and reasons which I completely understand.

Please note that VR headsets DO take a little time to get used to. I suffered nausea for example and that lasted for about a week of use one hour per day. 

I also assume that you have watched VR FlightsimGuy on Your tube. He shares a wealth of knowledge.

Ultimately though, it is your hardware that would be very hard to give up and I do truly understand that. From that point of view I really cannot help you with a multi-monitor system for MSFS, but I do agree that that would significantly enhance your Flightsim experience.

I really hope that someone can help you out mate and I wish you the very best of luck.

Regards

Tony

Rocky,

Just a further thought.

There is a chap who has a Youtube channel who has built a 737 cockpit which looks absolutely marvellous. I think his name is Mike and that he was suffering from cancer at one stage. I have not followed him lately but I believe he still posts occasionally. 

I really do not know if he is actually using MSFS2020 now but it may prove beneficial to check him out.

I think he uses three monitors for his outside cockpit view. It has been a while since I saw one of his posts.

I hope that helps you because I think he is somewhat a nerdy chap and definitely has a few clues (and a lot of money LOL) His setup is brilliant.

Good luck

Tony

Hi Rocky,

Your videos have been useful for me in deciding to get the VRInsight overhead, so as somebody who's been running a triple 4k setup in MSFS I'm happy to help you out.

Your idea of running two side monitors at 2k inside of 4k has merit, however in my expirence when doing so the difference hasn't been as huge as you might expect in performance. My triples are LG C4s 48".  With my 4090 I run them at 60hz and lock V-SYNC at 50% as I can generally maintain 30FPS in the PMDG/Fenix at most mid sized airport with a pretty decent amount of AI traffic. The OLEDs (like yours) isn't the best at 30FPS due to the instant response rate, so you might need to use some TruMotion if you're going to go this path. 

If you could set your refresh rate at 100Hz and lock to 50% you might be able to maintain 50 FPS, but I'd doubt it, even at 2k on the side monitors.

What I've found is that dropping my two side monitors from 4k to 2k I do save some GPU power, but I'm CPU limited most of the time anyway, so saving myself some GPU time doesn't actually help overall. I can tell you, adding the two side screens absolutely puts additional stress on the CPU. 

Thanks for your post Kael, very helpful. I’m going to take a closer look at monitor settings following your comments. Appreciated, cheers.