I'm building a new (single) pc and cockpit for FSX. I'm planning on using 4 monitors: one middle, two side, and one instrument. What is the best hardware configuration for graphics/framerates in multiple views? Should I have 2 (or maybe 3) 9600s in SLI with a splitter like TH2G? Should I leave each 9600 to work a monitor independently (with one card also running the instrument monitor)? Should I instead get one beast (9800) and a couple lesser cards just for the dvi outs? Obviously all will be PCIe.
I've read that FSX puts the greatest load on the CPU and then the RAM. I figure a Q6600 (purchased) and 4g (DDR2 or 3, haven't yet decided) would suffice to start. Motherboard will eventually be 780 or 790i. I'll be adding hardware over time, so as to stretch out the cost, and I haven't bought monitors yet, but I would like to cement an idea about what the finished product will be so I can look for deals. Many Thanks, and what a cool community!
P.S. Would anyone suggest forgoing the 3 independent views and rather stretching the middle view over 3 monitors via a TH2G and then using Trackir4 to get a panorama? My only experience with either is from youtube videos and the like, so any first person info is GREAT. Thanks again!