FSX on 2 monitors?

[raptorx]

I've been searching on using two widescreen LCD monitors for FSX.  It looks like the only way to get the picture across 2 screens is to run it in windowed mode, is that correct?  Doesn't that put a big hit on the sim?

-Jim

[raptorx]

Anyone w/multiple monitors want to chime in?

[mfitch]

Multiple monitors can be used in windowed or full screen mode. What exactly are you trying to put on the screens?

Different images on each monitor (e.g., VC and external): In full screen mode right click and unselect "Hide Menu Bar." Select "New View" from the "Views" menu. This will show up in a small area on the primary screen. Now drag that image to the other monitor and resize like a window.

One, larger image: With Nvidia cards all monitors on the same card can be set to act as one "Horizontal span." This will show up as a single higher resolution monitor in FSX. However in full screen mode FSX will only show a regular image stretched double wide (distorted perspective no extra view).

One, larger view: A trick I use sometimes to have a left window and right window is to use the first technique and select different cockpit views (e.g., VC & right seat on the default C172). With a little effort they will show the left and right sides. Its not perfect, and motion is not synchronized, but it works partially.

[mfitch]

I forgot to answer your question about speed. With a dual core 2.4 ghz, 2 gig, Nvidia 8800 GTS 512MB running two 1280x1024 monitors using both monitors cuts FPS from 60 to 30. With an older Nvidia 7900 GS 256MB it would drop similarly but still be flyable.

[raptorx]

Actually I want to double my viewing area longitude-wise, I want to see more out the cockpit windows.  Blend two monitors into one single view.  Is this really going to cut my framerate in half?  Screw that!  I'll just get a 24" monitor and leave it at that.

Thanks for the help.

-Jim

[ThatOnePerson]

cockpit   Is this really going to cut my framerate in half?  

Think about it, double the work load and pixels, logically half the frame rate you were getting.

[HarvesteR]

you might want to consider the fact that with 2 monitors, your screen center will be exactly at the seam between them... requiring you to pan the view aside to see the runway when landing...

also, when you use the secondary output on your video card, the performance is cut quite significantly, since a part of the card's resources are directed to that monitor (note: modern cards such as the 8800 series have a kind of load-balancing technology that seems to reduce that problem, but i can't really confirm this)

i've used a twin monitor setup for a while, but i often found myself playing games in only one of them...

another option for you to use FS on 2 monitors is to create another window ([ key) and then undock it and drag it to the other monitor... that would enable you to have 2 view points at once... but will cut your performance quite severely

lastly, there is the Triple head option to consider, which is basically 3 monitors hooked up through an adapter to work as one very large display.... works great, but requires that specific type of leap, that once you land, it hurts on your pocket

Cheers

HarvesteR