Review TripleHead2Go Setup from Matrox

[davidan]

Here is another review I have been meaning to post. As some of you know I recently upgraded to a triple monitor setup ... I posted some pictures and a review of the cockpit at thewayiplay ... here is the link
http://www.thewayiplay.com/mainforum...hp?topic=958.0

Basically what I did in my configuration was I went with 3 monitors all of the same make and model ASUS 22" each in widescreen 16x10 configuration ... I then got the Matrox Triplehead to Go Digital Edition to power them. They make an analog as well but if you are using current monitors with DVI you want the digital. A good FAQ on the whole thing is available at this link

http://www.widescreengamingforum.com....php/TH2Go_FAQ

Basically if you have 3 monitors that support 1680x1050 each then you can get the high rez resolution of 5040 x 1050. The only caveat is that you need to make sure you pick monitors that support 57 MHZ refresh rates to do this. There is a good list of them available at wide screen gaming forums as well as you can find good info on RSC as well as the iRacing hardware forums.

Setting everything up is pretty straight forward. You first have to hook up a single monitor and install the software, and then you basically plug in the matrox unit and the other monitors. From there you go through a setup wizard that gets everything configured. Obviously you want a pretty good video card to do all this in its glory. For me I am using a Geforce 285 which is performing well.

AS far as the experience, I can say hands down without any doubt this is the very best thing I have ever spent money on for sim racing. Better than any wheel or piece of equipment. The triple monitor experience and surround gaming where you get the wrap around effect from the 3 monitors is incredible. IT really adds to the experience like nothing else -- and the sense for speed and immersion becomes so much more cool.

All total I spent about 1200 bucks to do it right. I got the 3 monitors for 159 bucks each after a rebate. The Triplehead was about another 250 I think. I then needed a new video card 300 bucks, and I got a Ergotron Monitor Stand for everything as well which was another 200 bucks. You can go a less expensive route by not getting the triplehead itself and using a software utility that will do the same thing but I have heard mixed reviews on it .... I have not heard anyone with the triplehead2go digital complain.

At any rate I hope this helps others and the triple surround gaming experience is definitely the bomb!!!! let me know if I can answer any questions. I also know a few other guys here on the forums like Kris Hudson have done a similar setup so they can probably help too.

David

[vendsale]

Your setup is awesome David! I really like that monitor stand. I've been slowly upgrading my computer so I can upgrade my graphics on my triple head setup. Right now I have to run mid-range graphics to get an acceptable framerate. I just got a GTX 260 and it has helped a lot.

Your right, the biggest thing I noticed when I set up my triplehead system was the sense of speed and immersion while driving. It's really a big difference from a single display.