3 Monitor Setup Cockpit Sim Akers Barnes

[A8HatTrick]

Ok. Looking for advice here.

I have an Akers-Barnes Cockpit under construction. This is in lieu of a new computer (1 year old and another kid otw) that I simply cant afford to buy.

I would like to setup my three available 17" monitors (Big boy old school not flat screens) utilizing either SoftTH software + another card or TripleHead2Go Matrox . I am looking to increase my peripheal view out of the cockpit for more immersion. I currently run the game under the settings of 1024 X 768 on one 17". 

For the Matrox product, I am aware that my video card is limited too 1920x480 (3x 640x480) but my monitors go up to 2500 X 1600. Regardless, I probably need a new card, and at this point, it appears I can upgrade what i have for under $100, which makes me realize just how old the one I have is. Total Cost about $320.

For the SoftTH Software direction (The cheaper one) I would have to add a card to my existing one which would probably be another ATI Product and would become the primary via 2 X  DVI to HDMI adapters (if that would even work). Total Cost about $120. oh wait.... my mother board only has PCI slots and 1 AGP slot. So I would have to upgrade that too. So add in a motherboard, a new CPU since mine probably wont fit a new motherboard, and a new sound card, since its PCI as well. So now we are talking a new system.

My Questions are these:

Considering my system, would the Matrox give me the best bang for the buck. And, is my system even capable of supporting it?


System Specs: P 4 2.8ghz with 2GB Ram  ATI Radeon 9800 Pro 256MB (I know its slow)

OS Name   Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Version   5.1.2600 Service Pack 3 Build 2600
System Manufacturer   MSI
System Model   MS-6585
System Type   X86-based PC
Processor   x86 Family 15 Model 2 Stepping 9 GenuineIntel ~2813 Mhz
Total Physical Memory   4,096.00 MB
Available Physical Memory   632.08 MB
Total Virtual Memory   2.00 GB
Available Virtual Memory   1.96 GB
Page File Space   2.41 GB

[Anodizer]

Which 9800 is it?  Pro, XT?  They still make some decent AGP video cards..  The HD 3850 is a very viable AGP card..
I'd do a processor upgrade too...  Chances are, you have socket 478 motherboard...  Perhaps a 3.2ghz/800fsb/1meg cache would do you well...
I'm selling one... 

Other than that, yeah, you'd have to upgrade everything..  Not sure of the specs of your power-supply...  Probably have to upgrade everything..

As far as the Matrox TripleHead2Go, there's a compatibility tool on the website... 

[Fulmar]

For a 3 monitor setup, I think you're going to need a total system upgrade in order to get good FPS on such a large game resolution.  Your P4 is 4-5 years old and even today's budget CPU's will put that to dust.  Especially with AH being more CPU dependent than the video card.

I would hate to recommend something like the 3850 and then you not be able to play the game at a stable FPS.  Cheapest 3850 runs about $120 (and thats if your PSU is large enough to support it, 450 watts IIRC).  And lets say the CPU is your limiting factor on getting good FPS, well then you just wasted $120.

My gut feeling is if you're putting the time and energy into the Matrox and a sim cockpit, I'd rather be safe than sorry on buying an upgraded system compared to a video card.  Though you could buy the video card locally (or online) and then return it if you did not get satisfied performance.

The 3850 is going to be the fastest AGP card out there (probably forever).

[MrRiplEy[H]]

Yep triplehead2go resolutions require high-end hardware to run smoothly. Sucks but that's how it is.

[mcarrera]

Looking to run three monitors on my system using a triplehead2go...have

asus rampage formula lga 775 intel48x mobo with
Intel core Quad Q660 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 775 

GeForce 260 896MB gddr3 vid card

4gs of corsair xms2

The monitors I want to run are 3 samsung synchmaster 2253bw 

Do I have a chance on running an effective system on this setup??

[FLS]

HatTrick have you tried just changing the field of view? Try adding 20-40 degrees in the video setup. You can use zoom to toggle your normal field of view with the wider view.

[mcarrera]

Awesome responses and thanks for the note on things to try...sounds like I may be saving my pennies for a while before I get the system going! 

[mcarrera]

Looking to run three monitors on my system using a triplehead2go...have

asus rampage formula lga 775 intel48x mobo with
Intel core Quad Q660 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 775 

GeForce 260 896MB gddr3 vid card

4gs of corsair xms2

The monitors I want to run are 3 samsung synchmaster 2253bw 

Do I have a chance on running an effective system on this setup??


Still looking for a answer on this one....please