Multi-monitor set-up guide & help (unofficial)

[MadTommy]

Pretty sure from a lua & performance point of view it will make no difference.

 

Is the top one the 'primary' monitor in windows?

[JaBoG32_Prinzartus]

Pretty sure from a lua & performance point of view it will make no difference.

 

Is the top one the 'primary' monitor in windows?

:yes:

[hassata]

If it's applicable, I'd go with the arrangement that results in the lowest overall res-as this (at least for me, and even if by a small margin) noticeably impacted performance.

[Ein Name wie kein Name]

Thank you, guys. You are awesome. Any hints on how to attach the Cougar MFDs to the edges of the screen?

[Loz]

Velcro tape is probably the best way to go. :)

[Sarge55]

As Loz said, use velcro on the bezel and I also use a small suction cup under each of the corners that sit over the screen so they are stable and doesn't mark it up.

[Loz]

Oh yea I forgot that. I stuck on a piece of rubber padding to hold it off. :)

[Ratcatcher]

Hey all,

 

I haven't been around for a while and thought it was high time to fire up A10 again.

 

Before the break I had been running 3 screens with eyeinfinity ( or possibly triplehead2go ) and a fourth screen as the instruments ( HELIOS ) plus the 2 MFD extended onto the 4th monitor as detailed here. http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=62021&page=3 which followed Madtommys advice at teh start of this thread.

 

Now at the time my frames were pretty good and I didn't have any issues other than spending an age getting the MFD's to align under the TM mfds.

 

Ok so back to now... I've set everything back up - 3x24" monitors running under eyeinfinity (CAT 11.6 ) total res for that is 3840x1024.

 

My fourth monitor is 22" @ 1440x900.

 

Everything ok so far. I have then created a new .lua shown below.

 

 

= function(p) return p; end;

name = _('TESTS');

Description = 'Three Monitor Config'

Viewports =

{

Center =

{

x = 0;

y = 0;

width = 3840;

height = 1024;

viewDx = 0;

viewDy = 0;

aspect = 3.75;

}

}

LEFT_MFCD =

{

x = 1000;

y = 1030;

width = 345;

height = 345;

}

RIGHT_MFCD =

{

x = 2050;

y = 1030;

width =345;

height = 345;

}

 

_

 

I have altered the options settings to reflect my extended desktop ( from 3840x1024 to 3840x1924 ).

 

I fire up the sim, go into the first quick mission and am getting under 10fps when I am running without the fourth screen ( just 3840x1024 ) I'm hitting from 60-70 fps on the same mission.

 

Anyone have any ideas what the problem is? And anyone else running a simmilar setup?

 

Cheers in advance!!!

Edited July 13, 2011 by Ratcatcher

[fzfq3m]

Hey all,

 

I haven't been around for a while and thought it was high time to fire up A10 again.

 

Before the break I had been running 3 screens with eyeinfinity ( or possibly triplehead2go ) and a fourth screen as the instruments ( HELIOS ) plus the 2 MFD extended onto the 4th monitor as detailed here. http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=62021&page=3 which followed Madtommys advice at teh start of this thread.

 

Now at the time my frames were pretty good and I didn't have any issues other than spending an age getting the MFD's to align under the TM mfds.

 

Ok so back to now... I've set everything back up - 3x24" monitors running under eyeinfinity (CAT 11.6 ) total res for that is 3840x1024.

 

My fourth monitor is 22" @ 1440x900.

 

Everything ok so far. I have then created a new .lua shown below.

 

 

= function(p) return p; end;

name = _('TESTS');

Description = 'Three Monitor Config'

Viewports =

{

Center =

{

x = 0;

y = 0;

width = 3840;

height = 1024;

viewDx = 0;

viewDy = 0;

aspect = 3.75;

}

}

LEFT_MFCD =

{

x = 1000;

y = 1030;

width = 345;

height = 345;

}

RIGHT_MFCD =

{

x = 2050;

y = 1030;

width =345;

height = 345;

}

 

_

 

I have altered the options settings to reflect my extended desktop ( from 3840x1024 to 3840x1924 ).

 

I fire up the sim, go into the first quick mission and am getting under 10fps when I am running without the fourth screen ( just 3840x1024 ) I'm hitting from 60-70 fps on the same mission.

 

Anyone have any ideas what the problem is? And anyone else running a simmilar setup?

 

Cheers in advance!!!

 

I can't say I have same setup as you but mine WAS quite similar:

2 x 1280x1024 17" and 1 x 1920x1080 32" for left, right and center cameras respectively

1 x 1280x720 17" for MFCDs

You can see my pc specs on my signature

 

You have your fourth monitor configured to extend the desktop vertically!!!

I can't not find the post where I learned this but I will try to explain what I learned

 

your Initial config was 3048x1024 = 3121152 pixels

your Actual Config is 3048x1924 = 5864352 pixels

 

so 5864352 - 3121152 = 2743200 pixels.... that means your final resolution has 2731008 pixels than before...

 

What can you do? probably this won't help much but may be you can gain some fps

 

1.- set your 4 monitor to extend the desktop horizontally to the right of your main monitor, in that way your final resolution will be 4488x1024.. let's compare

 

your Initial config was 3048x1024 = 3121152 pixels

your Actual Config is 3048x1924 = 5864352 pixels

Proposed config 4488x1024 = 4595712 pixels

 

as you can see the proposed resolution has only 1474560 more pixels than your initial resolution, but 1268640 pixels less than your actual resolution... so why not give it a try?

 

2.- Apparently exporting MFCDs in DCS A-10C is a resource expensive task and we will need to live with it until ED solve it, in the mean time why no disable the MFCDs in the 3D view? as suggested by this post http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=70931&highlight=disable+mfcd

 

3.- I don't know if you are using version 1.1.0.8 but have a look at this post http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=75880

 

I never played DCS A-10C prior version 1.1.0.8 so I can't (and I'm not trying to) say this patch have impact on performance, but my poor Geforce 9800GTX with its 512MB can't handle 4480x1080 even at low settings

 

Regards

Edited July 13, 2011 by fzfq3m
forgot to mention patch 1.1.0.8

[Ratcatcher]

I can't say I have same setup as you but mine WAS quite similar:

Regards

 

Hi fzfq3m,

 

Thanks very much for taking the time to try and help.

 

Interesting idea about the resolution. The reason I have done it that way was thats how the monitors actually physically sit, ie 3 across the top and the fourth directly below the second.

 

ie

XXX

_X_

 

so the combined horizontal distance is 3840 ( 3 x 1280 )

 

I then have then vertical of the top monitors ( 1024 ) added to the bottom monitor ( 900 ) giving me the 1924.

 

I did it that way as I thought thats what it said to do in the guide, but seeing what you have written makes me think your way may be better, as it doesn't really matter where the screens are, so long as I can posistion the mfd's in the correct location on the 4th monitior.

 

I will try disabling the mfds in the 3d view ( I had looked at that solution earlier as I have just downloaded the Ipit for the ipad and am trying to get that running ).

 

With regards the graphic driver, yes I am on the latest, though I did try rolling back to an older one just to eliminate that as a possible conflict.

 

I will have a proper look at this tomorrow, but thanks again for your thoughts, really appreiacted :thumbup:

 

Cheers

[fzfq3m]

Hi fzfq3m,

 

Thanks very much for taking the time to try and help.

 

Interesting idea about the resolution. The reason I have done it that way was thats how the monitors actually physically sit, ie 3 across the top and the fourth directly below the second.

 

ie

XXX

_X_

 

so the combined horizontal distance is 3840 ( 3 x 1280 )

 

I then have then vertical of the top monitors ( 1024 ) added to the bottom monitor ( 900 ) giving me the 1924.

 

I did it that way as I thought thats what it said to do in the guide, but seeing what you have written makes me think your way may be better, as it doesn't really matter where the screens are, so long as I can posistion the mfd's in the correct location on the 4th monitior.

 

Well, as I say: It's not my way... I took it from I thread I fond here in the forums but I'm unable to find it again... I think I need to try harder :D

 

In my case I'm not using TH2GO but SoftTH instead, so my windows sees four monitors instead of two (as if I where using TH2GO too)... with 4 monitor the more logical way to arrange them is as you are suggesting 3 at top expanding the desktop horizontally and the fourth monitor centered at bottom expanding the desktop vertically... that way you can switch to any monitor just moving the mouse beyond the corresponding edge of the center monitor... the DCS engine (TFCSE) can handle it this way it but the primary monitor must be the one at 0,0 coordinates and we need to create a big rendering area that encompass our monitors... but then there will be areas that will not be used:

 

XXX

_X_

 

X = This area is rendered in our monitors

_ = This area is not rendered by VGA, but apparently the DCS engine (TFCSE) works based on the hole resolution... so the less _ you have the less the engine will have to work. I think this was called Phantom Monitor Fix but I don't know if this is still needed for DCS A-10C

 

 

With regards the graphic driver, yes I am on the latest, though I did try rolling back to an older one just to eliminate that as a possible conflict.

Cheers

 

By version 1.1.0.8 I wasn't meaning VGA driver version but DCS A-10C version although having th lattest VGA driver is always recommended...

 

Regards

Edited July 14, 2011 by fzfq3m

[JaBoG32_Prinzartus]

As Loz said, use velcro on the bezel and I also use a small suction cup under each of the corners that sit over the screen so they are stable and doesn't mark it up.

 

And your suction cups do not interfere with the touch-function of your touchscreen?! That is my only concern, otherwise, great idea, I'll consider that.

[Loz]

I for one wasn't talking about using the TM MFCDs on a touchscreen monitor.

If you do you are almost certain to interfere with the screen calibration and you certainly can't use cups or rubber pads on the "onscreen" corner.

Since getting my touchscreen I've done away with the TM MFCDs and use exclusively Helios.

[Ratcatcher]

By version 1.1.0.8 I wasn't meaning VGA driver version but DCS A-10C version although having th lattest VGA driver is always recommended...

 

Hey fzfq3m,

 

Thanks again, and guess what... quickly tried the setting you suggested last night ( though ended up changing the 4th monitor res down to 1280x1024 )... YES!!! Quick mission is now running at 40fps, not quite as good as the 60fps but a whole lot better than <10!

 

I also still need to look at disabling the 3d mfd's, hopefully that should give us a bit more.

 

Oh yes, sorry for the confusion over 1.08... yep I'm also on the latest build for A10.

 

Ok, thanks again for your help, lets see how I get on after some tweaking!!!

 

:thumbup: rep inbound!

Edited July 14, 2011 by Ratcatcher

[Fakum]

WOW!! Over the last few days, I read thru these 29 pages twice (eyes bleeding), also I went and jumped over to the link attached about halway through,,, I think Im more lost then when I started reading? Anyway, I will be setting up 2 monitors side by side, the smaller for the MFCD's on the left. I did notice that the 1st post says the smaller one needs to be on the right??? I will dive into this and see what happens,, I was very successfull doing it for BlackShark,, but after reading all this,,, man!!!! Thanks for the post though,, Im sure i will be back here again!

[winz]

It might seem overhelming at first, but it is really not that hard if you grasp the concept. If you've done it for BS, then it is the same for A-10.

 

I was setting the same setup as you will a week ago (left monitor for mfds, right for the rest, different resolutions, right monitor as win main monitor). It was my first experience with dualmonitor and I had it all in running condition in less then two hours.

 

If you havent, check out helios (http://www.scsimulations.com/content.php?204) it's really, really worth the time you spent setting it up.

[Fakum]

Yeah,,, I hear ya,,, its just sifting through the non applicable portions is a bit tedious,,, im sure I will be successful after some effort,,, thanks

[MadTommy]

It does not matter if the big or small one is on the right or left or if the cockpit or mfcd is on the left or right.. what is important is the 'primary' monitor is on the left. There is always one primary monitor.. the easy way to tell which it is is .. its the one with the Taskbar & Windows menu on.

 

I'd hoped & you should only need to read the 1st post.. that was its intent! :P

[Loz]

Just to add, the secondary is best "placed in windows" to the right but physically it can be wherever you want. The only tricky bit is getting used to which way you have to run your mouse to get to and from it. LOL

[Fakum]

My primary monitor is on the right (30") secondary on the left (20") I can not change this orientation due to physical orientation of desk, so ultimatly I will be looking at the right primary (center of desk) to fly and the MFCD's will be on the left secondary. I seem to recall this concern in Black shark, but I was able to set it up.

[Fakum]

By the way, I have attached a spread sheet that I used for BlackShark, as I recal, you can punch in the numbers and it will help you work things out,, keep in mind, this was for Black Shark.

 

Ohhhhhh,,, I didnt quite grasp whether or no if you setting up just 2 physical monitors, do you need to install the "Phantom Monitor Fix"?

[fzfq3m]

Hey fzfq3m,

 

Thanks again, and guess what... quickly tried the setting you suggested last night ( though ended up changing the 4th monitor res down to 1280x1024 )... YES!!! Quick mission is now running at 40fps, not quite as good as the 60fps but a whole lot better than <10!

 

I also still need to look at disabling the 3d mfd's, hopefully that should give us a bit more.

 

Oh yes, sorry for the confusion over 1.08... yep I'm also on the latest build for A10.

 

Ok, thanks again for your help, lets see how I get on after some tweaking!!!

 

:thumbup: rep inbound!

 

Hi there... from 10FPS to 40FPS... sweet...

Now load this mission, cry and then start planning what you will buy for next PC upgrading :P

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=66723

 

My poor PC can't even get to the briefing of the mission :cry: but that could be because, AFAIK, the mission was made using a beta version of A-10C

Edited July 22, 2011 by fzfq3m

[Ratcatcher]

Hi there... from 10FPS to 40FPS... sweet...

Now load this mission, cry and then start planning what you will buy for next PC upgrading :P

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=66723

 

Hey thx I will be sure to check it out ( box of tissues on standby for my blubbing like a baby when it all goes horribly wrong! ).

 

Actually I have been messing about all week trying to improve my fps after finally taking the plunge and ordering a acer 23" touch screen.

 

Now that did seem like a good idea at the time however I have now got a number of issues with what I'm trying to run

 

OK quick recap of what I have and what I'm trying to do with it!!!

 

1: running 3x24" monitors in eyefinity @ 3840x1024

2: 4th monitor acer 23" touchscreen @ 1920x1080

3: running HELIOS on 4th monitor

4: Exporting MFD's,RWR,etc onto 4th monitor

5: sys spec: intel i7 @2.7 o/c 4.0, GFX - 2x 5870's, 6 gig RAM, win7 64

 

OK, running that drags my fps right back down to <10. Having done a fair bit of reading on here and over at SCsimulations forum I've concluded that it just cant run well enough once I expand the desktop onto the 4th monitor. ( I guess too many pixels ).

 

With just HELIOS running on 4th monitor ( 1920x1080 ) with the x3 screens @ res of 3840x1024 I'm getting 60(ish) FPS on the 1st quick mission.

 

Once I alter my .lua to span onto the 4th monitor the fps plummets. I have read that there is an issue with ATI and also that if if you put the 4th monitor onto another graphics card it hits fps. Well thats what Im doing. (the eyefinity monitors have 2x vga and 1 powered display port. The touchscreen goes into the other gfx card ona dvi connector.

 

I can not think of another way to try and export the mfd's. The only thoughts I have left are ...

 

a) live without the exporting ( not really wanting that )

b) buy a different graphics card that will run 4 monitors off just the one card. ( would that signifcantly improve my fps? )

c) go to a single big monitor ( 30"/27" ) plus the touchscreen. ( so no issue with monitors going to second gfx card and lower res )

d) I suppose the final "wish list" setup would be to use the curved Herculean screen that I read about on simhq last year. That looks a fantastic setup.

 

Edit....nearly forgot the obvious option...

e) upgrade CPU and or graphics card, and if so what would be able to handle these resolutions and still give respectable fps?

Anyways if any one has any ideas what I might be missing to get better fps please feel free to throw any ideas at me!!!

 

Cheers

Edited July 23, 2011 by Ratcatcher

[Fakum]

nudging in again here,,,, those using 2 monitors,,, are you using the "Phantom Monitor fix"? Thanks

[fzfq3m]

Hey thx I will be sure to check it out ( box of tissues on standby for my blubbing like a baby when it all goes horribly wrong! ).

 

Actually I have been messing about all week trying to improve my fps after finally taking the plunge and ordering a acer 23" touch screen.

 

Now that did seem like a good idea at the time however I have now got a number of issues with what I'm trying to run

 

OK quick recap of what I have and what I'm trying to do with it!!!

 

1: running 3x24" monitors in eyefinity @ 3840x1024

2: 4th monitor acer 23" touchscreen @ 1920x1080

3: running HELIOS on 4th monitor

4: Exporting MFD's,RWR,etc onto 4th monitor

5: sys spec: intel i7 @2.7 o/c 4.0, GFX - 2x 5870's, 6 gig RAM, win7 64

 

OK, running that drags my fps right back down to <10. Having done a fair bit of reading on here and over at SCsimulations forum I've concluded that it just cant run well enough once I expand the desktop onto the 4th monitor. ( I guess too many pixels ).

 

With just HELIOS running on 4th monitor ( 1920x1080 ) with the x3 screens @ res of 3840x1024 I'm getting 60(ish) FPS on the 1st quick mission.

 

Once I alter my .lua to span onto the 4th monitor the fps plummets. I have read that there is an issue with ATI and also that if if you put the 4th monitor onto another graphics card it hits fps. Well thats what Im doing. (the eyefinity monitors have 2x vga and 1 powered display port. The touchscreen goes into the other gfx card ona dvi connector.

 

I can not think of another way to try and export the mfd's. The only thoughts I have left are ...

 

a) live without the exporting ( not really wanting that )

b) buy a different graphics card that will run 4 monitors off just the one card. ( would that signifcantly improve my fps? )

c) go to a single big monitor ( 30"/27" ) plus the touchscreen. ( so no issue with monitors going to second gfx card and lower res )

d) I suppose the final "wish list" setup would be to use the curved Herculean screen that I read about on simhq last year. That looks a fantastic setup.

 

Edit....nearly forgot the obvious option...

e) upgrade CPU and or graphics card, and if so what would be able to handle these resolutions and still give respectable fps?

Anyways if any one has any ideas what I might be missing to get better fps please feel free to throw any ideas at me!!!

 

Cheers

 

Well, we are more or less stuck at same boat now: trying to run 4 monitors... I just gave up by now until I upgrade my VGA...

Based on what I've read in this forum, if your CPU is overclocked to 4.0 I don't think you will gain much by switching it, unless you bought a i7 Extreme with more L3 Cache and overclock it to >5Ghz. I cann't give you any further advice in case of VGA... maybe when I buy my GTX580 3GBI can tell then if more ram in the vga does help to improve FPS :D

 

By now I just have a 32" HDTV 720p @1366x768 paired with a 17" 1280x720. I'm just exporting MFCD, although looking forward to give Hellios a try

 

Regards

Edited July 26, 2011 by fzfq3m
I'm planning to buy a GTX580 not 480