Widescreen Gaming Forum

Who has had both setups and would like to key in on in-game FOV.

I have only had a 3x1L setup and I got this setup specifically for the reasoning that it extends the FOV to show you more in game content than possible on a single monitor and also because it simply fits so right to pull you into the game. One large center monitor for you to look at while playing and the 2 side monitors to fill your side vision.

When looking at a 5x1P setup I can't help but think that the FOV you get is so close to a single landscape monitor that you do not gain a whole lot in the sense of FOV and thus not sure I would feel as "surrounded" also smaller center space to look at horizontally and more bezels.

The other cons being size, cost, and how many pixels it is to push making it even harder to play.

I know nobody that has a 5x1P would say this, but I would almost say why not get like a 50"-60" HDTV instead of going 5x1P ? The pixel count and the ability to curve the setup are really the only advantages I see.

Pixel density would be a problem up close to a big screen like that, but you can back off a little and still have a huge screen. Also HD projectors are an option.

So would just like to see thoughts/opinions on 5x1P vs 3x1L overall and do you feel that it really adds to the game as far as immersion and surround and not just pure big bad pixel count.

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I would be inclined to agree with you that a single large display would be better than a 5x1p setup for games, although would lend its self better for production when working, like any multi display configuration.

If we compare the FOV of each setup type with a typical 1080p display then we can see that:-
1x 1920x1080 landscape = FOV 106.26, with an aspect ratio of 16:9 (1.777778)
3x 1920x1080 landscape = FOV 151.93, with an aspect ratio of 16:3 (5.333333)
5x 1080x1920 portrait = FOV 129.27, with an aspect ratio of 45:16 (2.8125)

So 5x1p does offer some addtional FOV over a single large HDTV, but in my mind not enough to justify the outlay on displays, cable and horsepower required.

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I changed my 3 x 1920x1080 landscape setup to a portrait setup for awhile and I absolutely loved it. I went from 6056x1080 to 3516x1920 (with bezel-correction on both). The difference was amazing. It had an aspect-ratio only slightly wider than a 16:9 display, but the sheer size of the display and pixel count was amazing. A single large HDTV would still only be 1920x1080. There is a massive difference at 3516x1920.

1920x1080 = 2 073 600 pixels
3516x1920 = 6 750 720 pixels

That's an increase of 4 677 120 pixels (2.25 times increase over 1920x1080).

The sheer amount of pixels alone made it so amazing and gorgeous.

I took a bunch of screenshots when I had this setup going (I'm back on 6056x1080 right now to hack away at more games).

https://impas.se/screenshots/pc/3516x1920/


If I added another two monitors for 5x1P, and with the bezel-correction I have now, that would bring me up to 5952x1920. This has an aspect-ratio of 3.1, which is still fine for me. I would love to have a 5x1P setup.

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I had 3x1L for a year and 3x1P for a year. Like the extra width of the L config but I like the non stretch look of P. Still thinking of going 5x1p with 5 1680x1050 monitors.

5x1 P is almost the same as PLP FOV wise. It's like 2 monitors in landscape as well.

Personally, 5x1 P on anything bigger than 23"/24" Monitors is too big. You do kind of have to sit back, which also diminishes the point of higher pixel density.
But it is very immersive. It's my favorite for racing and shooters as well as productivity. But annoying if you also use your computer for movies.

I'm planning on have two rigs setup in the near future. A 5x1 P 22"-24" Monitor setup with a dedicated G27 wheel and my 3x1 Landscape 30" setup.

What I've some to find is that there is no perfect setup.

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Tried out 3xP setupt for a short time.

It does feel kinda wesome. and after going back to 3xL you feel like your Monitors are way to small in hight!

But the bezel is horrible in Portrait mode! Absolutly horrible!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPagnW1mhqc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3lvl6IldlM


IMHO the most Awesome would be a 21:9 Monitor in 30" oder more with 5040x2160 pixel ! But i assume we won't see something like that under 1'000$ in the next 8 years ;(

Other cool possibility would be a huge PLP setup. But that isn't supportet ATM... FU amd, FU nvidia!

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I put this comparison image together for my 5x1-P review.



http://www.wsgf.org/article/amd-eyefinity-5x1-portrait-review

Somebody mentioned PLP mixes that is a great middle ground but just so picky when it comes to the right monitors, drivers, and hardware to make it work.

Single large landscape with 2 or 4 portrait monitors on the sides would be boss.

Haldi mentioned a point that would be a problem for me with all Portrait setup, movies (and anime) since I do watch a ton. Right now I have the HDTV overhead but I almost never use it since my current 5870 gpus can only run 3 monitors at a time so its a boon to change out active monitors.

When I get a new gpu that can run 4 monitors I will use it more again, and ultimately that HDTV may become a projector one day.

Also nice pic Skip is that assuming 1080P or 1200P monitors?

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Hey, a bit late to the party. Been drowned in Skyrim since I just finished my 5x1P about a month ago. (Thanks Helifax for getting a fix out for me so fast!) Yes, you lose some FOV. But it's not that big of a deal because the lack of centered interfaces in most games means that the outer edges tended to be ignored and give you more missing information. But the real quality of 5x1P is your added vertical. When gaming on a 3x1L, I couldn't help but feel that I was looking out of a bunker or something. Sure, I had a nice and wide view, but there was nothing top to bottom. 5x1P is "less extreme" (hah) in this regard. It's far more immersive and I feel as if the side vission is actually used. And for your earlier figure, with bezel correction it's about 1.7 times wider than a traditional widescreen. So, it still beats the crap out of gaming on a single 16:9 screen, no matter how huge.

But, again, the most important factor here is immersion.

Though, there is one little benefit. It's a lot easier to move into 3x1P, which works without hacks on far more games (in my experience) so you have a bit more compatibility out of the box. You can also curve the screens more gently than 3x1L but still get that wraparound effect.

Sure, it's not perfect and the advantages really lie in what your preferences are. I'm a fan of Human interface devices and immersion, so the move to 5x1P was natural for me. If you're in the "hardcore gamer" crowd, you'd prefer the wider FOV. As well, if 3D is something you desire, 3x1L will also be more up your alley. Having messed around extensively with 3x1L, 3x1P, and 5x1P, I'm going to say that each has their tradeoffs. But at least with 5x1P, you also get 3x1P. Though, you also lose 1x1L for those games with super finicky resolution requirements, like GTA 3. I guess that's what windowed mode is for, though. ;)

Also, Skyrim is amazing on 5x1P. ;) I'm so glad I waited until it was finished to play.

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