My Crazy New Project = 3x Projector Surround Gaming - What Graphics?

[Mr Latte]

Hi guys, ive only just discovered the joys of R-Factor, been away from PC gaming for quite a while and im impressed with how many of the PC games support triple monitors (as a racing game fan). This has got me thinking and seeing many You Tube videos wet my appetite.

Ive had a 3way desktop years ago and im aware of how to go about it in general. The questions i have is for games like R Factor/GT2/TDU and possibly the upcomming GRID.

Im assuming because 3 screens are needing powered i would be best with some card that supports 3+ displays as i cant use SLI with more than 1 display. Thinking on framerates here. The problem then is having a card that is powerfull enough and supports 3 displays, or can SLI (possibly 2x 880GT) be used with that Matrox thingy, ahhh ermmm? Or can i just get a card like the ASUS Top 3870x2 that supports 4 displays.

My system is pretty mid range on the CPU side.
AMD 6000+ with 4GB Vista Ultimate

I would like to obtain high detail if not MAX detail on even the new GRID game if possible via 3x screens. The only benifit is i will likely be running 1280x720x3 = 3840x720 Res with some AA etc.
This is still a lot less than say a 30" Monitor uses with 2560x1600 and slighly more taxing than what a single 24" display uses so im assuming with a good card setup i should be ok on the frame rate issues?

This new project will actually be using 3x Hi-Def projectors (in process of finding 3rd) rather than monitos as im wanting big screen sizes and to avoid the monitor frames in between each display. Each projector will be set so theirs no screen gaps or ovelapping and are likely only to be 32-40" each.
Idea is to have some form of slightly arched screen to create a more wrap around field of view.

Appreciate any help or tips with the mentioned games and multinonitors and usage with Track IR

 

[banja]

When it's all done can I come round and have a go? I'll bring crisps.

 

[Chronictank]

When it's all done can I come round and have a go? I'll bring crisps.

i'll bring the hookers

You may be better off with an ATI for multimonitor setups as SLI doesn't work with more than one display rendering 3d

 

[thegoonden]

Rfactor on 3 displays WOW!
There used to be a guy on vroc who had sync'd 3 pc's to play GPL tripple headed, with the 2 extra systems locked to look left and right.

3 displays, with my logitech G25 and leather driving gloves, bliss. I'll bring beer.

BTW, I always thought the TD games were arcade jobs, but I guess is TDU is acceptable to an Rfactor player it can't be bad.

Take a look at Live For Speed if you haven't already, possibly the only physics model better than rfactor's.

 

[Mr Latte]

What rate of PSU would i need to run dual 8800GT cards in SLI?

With some researching it seems i may be best to get:

1:Triple head To Go Digital Edition
2:Consider Nvidia 8800GT in SLI (best performance per £ it seems)
3:Track IR

Seems the TH2G treats the monitors as a single screen in windows so therefore their is no problem with SLI working so i could enable SLI and always keep it on still benifiting from a 3 screen desktop without resorting to swiching SLI on/off as normally required.

Heres an idea of someone elses R-Factor With 3 Screens
Another 3Way inc Track IR

I suppose considering a 22" TFT can no be had for approx £140 is why more and more are getting into it.

 

[cavemanoc]

TBirdUK has the previous version of the Matrox TH2Go so I'll get him to take a look at your thread. The new one will hopefully solve the driver problems which would look awesome across 3 projectors.

Having tried it with 2 projectors just be aware that it is very difficult to match the colour/brightness across different projectors. You really need 3 identical units capable of 1280x1024 each and make sure the bulbs are new!

GFX wise you will need some serious grunt to run 1280x1024x3 - either something like the 3870x2 or maybe a couple of 8800GTXs in SLi.

 

[TheNuju]

Not being funny but could this not be done with a single projector in letterbox mode projecting onto an arched surface? would mean technically only 'one' screen then or do you need the ability for 3 seperate screens ...

Mike

 

[Darg]

Not being funny but could this not be done with a single projector in letterbox mode projecting onto an arched surface? would mean technically only 'one' screen then or do you need the ability for 3 seperate screens ...

Mike

The projector wouldn't be able to project such a wide image. Certainly not 12x3 ratio that the OP wants.