Hardware & Technical Ultra Wide Monitor with GTX 970

[RebellGhost]

Hey everyone

I want to get a new monitor, an upgrade from my current 16:9 FullHD Monitor. While I'm actually quite sure that the gtx 970 can handle a 2560x1080 resolution without problems, I'd like to know if any of you've got an ultra wide monitor with a 3440x1440 resolution working with a GTX 970? Are ultra wide screens worth it and do you think an over clocked GTX 970 will get me at least 40 fps on E: D with the latter screen?

Thanks

 

[CMDR MAIN SEQUENCE]

Do you have Horizons? If yes, then speaking from personal experience I would say get a 980 minimum. I have a 3440x1440 driven by a 390X which is roughly equivalent to a 980 - in the SRV on planets I get 33-45 FPS (depending on what's on screen, SRV lights, graphics settings etc.). This is on Ultra, but I've recently lowered some settings to bump the FPS towards 55-60 as I'm quite sensitive to frame-rate, especially on bumpy planets! In space I've seen 110+FPS and stations 60-75 (everything on max). If you are happy with low graphics settings then an OC'd 970 might be ok, it really depends what graphical quality you want and what frame rates you can put up with, everyone is different in this respect.

As I'd like higher FPS on Ultra settings I intend to get one of the new AMD cards later in the year (have Freesync so sort-of tied to AMD now), I bought the 390X knowing this would probably be the case (also, have a Rift on pre-order).

The ultra wide format is wonderful and very immersive (especially with a slight curve) though there are other factors to consider - I've heard people say they miss the height of an equivalent 16:9 screen - only an issue in combat - head-tracking helps here. Also, some people don't like the barrel distortion (spheres, such as planets, at the far sides of the screen will look squished). If you can, definitely try it before buying to make sure it's for you.

Other PC specs play a part of course but for sure this game is far more GPU intensive than CPU intensive (especially on planets).

HTH.

 

[Porina]

Are ultra wide screens worth it

For ED I'd say yes, compared to a standard widescreen. It does add to the experience. I run mine so that you get similar vertical FoV compared to regular widescreen, so the extra is only in the width. You don't lose height. If you want both, then you're looking at getting a large 4k set and setting a wider FoV so you expand in both directions. In use on Windows desktop, it will take some getting used to as it is kinda like 2 monitors side by side, without the join.

Can't comment on the ability of the 970 to drive it, but will say a 960 isn't enough, and a 980Ti is more than enough.

 

[CMDR MAIN SEQUENCE]

I run mine so that you get similar vertical FoV compared to regular widescreen, so the extra is only in the width.

Out of curiosity what FOV are you using? I'm currently using 75, but I've noticed the "view" changes depending on the ship, presumably due to the position of the pilot's chair and size of cockpit - for example, if I switch to an Imperial Eagle, the HUD text appears larger and the side panels have a different orientation.

In use on Windows desktop, it will take some getting used to as it is kinda like 2 monitors side by side, without the join.

Yeah I should have mentioned this, it's great having the web browser on one side of the screen and email/another browser window/another program on the other side and not having to switch between windows - for me there's no going back to regular widescreen now. I must admit I've had to turn up the text scaling for the desktop, but that's because my eyesight is rapidly deteriorating and nothing to do with the monitor or the format

 

[Porina]

Just had a look, the field of view slider is all the way to the right on mine. Can't remember what that means...

 

[RebellGhost]

Thanks for the replies!

The offer on amazon was a scam, so it'll probably be some time before I'll get a 3440x1440 monitor.. I'll start saving now..
As for the Graphics Card, I'll probably wait for the Pascal generation and then decide if I#ll get a Fury X, a 980TI or one of the new ones