The Ultimate Guide to Using a Racing Monitor

Table of Contents

The Best Sim Racing Monitors in 2023

The most important piece of equipment for sim racing that will allow you to take an enormous leap forward in simulation racing, is the monitor. This element of your sim racing system gives you the most details of all of your equipment. The monitor relays information about the area that you race in, locations of the other cars racing on the track technical details about your car , as well as the flags, rules and regulations that can be essential to ensure you enjoy no penalty-free race. If you don’t have a good monitor, you risk lacking vital details that could decide the outcome of the next race you take part in.

What should I be looking for in the simulation racing monitor?

All monitors are not created identical and, for sim racing, there’s an extremely specific set of hardware components that can have an enormous effect on your gaming experience.

Size This is a matter which is subject to personal preference but when it comes to monitors, you’re generally searching for a model that will fit the particular setup you have. A good rule of thumb is that the monitor you choose to set up is not to be larger than” This will allow you to be seated at a comfortable distance, and also allows you to adjust your setting of FOV so that they are not overly restricted.
Panel Type It is the display you’re looking. The most common monitors used for sim racing is an LCD. Within this, there are a variety of kinds of LCD panels. The three most commonly used are Twisted Nematic (TN) as well as the in-plane switching (IPS) and the Vertical Alignment (VA). TN panels offer affordable prices with high response times however they are limited in the range of colors they can offer. IPS panels provide the best overall experience , with similar response times to TN panel but with a larger spectrum of colours, however with it comes a significant cost increase. VA panels provide a nice balance between the two , however they typically have more sluggish response options and therefore pay close focus on this aspect of VA panels.
Resolution The Resolution is a subject that, in this case there is more frequently dictated by your hardware that you run the sim game with on PC, PS5 or Xbox One. Each system can consistently produce a different resolution and at an acceptable frame rate. For most sim racers , 1440p is the best resolution that produces an impressive image, but not demanding excessive computational power to produce an extremely high frame rate. It should be noted that the latest consoles like PS5 or Series X PS5 as well as the Series X will output 4k resolutions, but they will typically limit your games at 30 frames per second
The rate of refresh A higher rate of refresh will enable information to be transmitted to you more often and, in general, let the images displayed appear smoother. Although 60hz is the typical refresh rate for monitor that is not gaming, moving up to 144hz, or even 240hz, could provide you with a advantage when you are racing to the edge, provided you’re able to benefit from it.
Bezel width The majority of bezel width preference can be attributed to aesthetics when using single monitor setups , but when you have three setups, this becomes more vital. When you arrange the two monitors in a row, you should reduce the area without a screen panel since the information could be lost or the image might be blurred. In general, smaller bezels are more effective in every situation.

Single, Triple or Ultra Wide?

The differences between the single and triple screens concentrates on increasing the immersion. A single screen can offer all the necessary information to simulate racing, but it may be restricted in terms such as FOV since it has the smaller window of view into your virtual reality. The benefits that single screens offer is that it reduces the overall size of your simulator and is quite simple to set up in racing games like Assetto Corsa Competizione and iRacing.

What you receive is basically three times the amount of information accessible to your eyes since you’ve enlarged the viewing area. If properly set up, triple screen could provide an experience that puts you in the car that can be extremely beneficial when racing wheel-to-wheel. But triple screens can be difficult to setup and require sim rigs that are dedicated and space to make them effective. In the event that you are in a position and have the capacity to commit this amount of time to racing in sims, they could be an excellent upgrade to your sim setup.

Ultra-wide monitors serve as the catch-all of a single-monitor setup that has the advantages of a triple-screen setup. They have much greater viewing angles than the traditional monitor incorporated into one screen This is especially beneficial for sim racing since they provide a seamless experience that draws you into the world of virtual. The disadvantages of these types of monitors are the lack of support in a variety of games with unusual aspect ratios that result in black bars that appear at the edges of the screen. Additionally, they may be difficult to use to use in normal situations due to their curvature. generally more focused on gaming than typical use.

In the end, as with any technology the price will determine which monitor is right for you, but below are some basic guidelines for various types of sim racers.

This is a type of Sim racer	Size	Panel type	Resolution	Rate of refresh
New to racing	27″	VA	1080p	120-144 Hz
Experience	30″	IPS	1440p	144 Hz
Triple monitor configuration	27″	VA / IPS	1440p	144 Hz
Ultra-wide	34″	VA / IPS	1440p	144 Hz
Money no object	42″	IPS	2160p	240hz

Single Screen picks

If you’re looking for one monitor, it’s crucial that you select a monitor sufficient to allow an appropriate mathematically correct field of vision which for most users will be about 28 degrees. To ensure you’re on the safe side, we’ve selected monitors that measure 32 inches at minimum, since any monitor less than that could be a tiny space on some setups. These are our top recommendations.

Value: AOC C32G1

Size: 31.50″
Resolution: 1920×1080
Refresh rate is 144z
Price: PS235

This AOC C32G1 is an excellent budget-friendly option for those looking for a high-refresh rate single-monitor setup. Its 1080p resolution is adequate for the size of it, and there is no visible pixelation at the majority of viewing distances. Additionally, the price is perfect to anyone who is seeking a 32-inch single monitor with a high refresh rate without costing a fortune. Be aware that the thickness of the bezel is not as thick, and there’s a small amount of blank display between the bezels and the screen, which means that this monitor will not fit into triple configurations.

Mid-range: Acer ED323QUR Abidpx

Size: 31.50″
Resolution: 2560×1440
Refresh rate of Refresh rate: 144z
Price: $339

If you’re looking to step up to a larger resolution monitor, the Acer ED323QUR is a good value for a 32 inch monitor that has a 144hz refresh rate along with Radeon Free Sync. Bezels are also slim and can be upgraded to a triple monitor configuration. The 1440p resolution is expected to enhance image clarity, but however it will reduce framerate. However, with games that have support for DLSS or FidelityFX You could get nearly the same quality but with a cheaper framerate.

Top-end: Acer Predator CG437K Pbmiiippuzx

Size:42.00″
Resolution: 3840×2160
Refresh rate 120hz
Price: $1499.99

With a resolution of 4K and a 120hz refresh rate and a 42-inch LCD it is this Acer Predator CG437K is the ideal choice for those who enjoys watching racing on TV , but doesn’t want to suffer from the delay in input or the low refresh rate that comes with the games. Make sure that your PC is capable of handling it, since 4k resolution at 120fps, which is smooth in games such as Assetto Corsa Competizione, will be extremely difficult to achieve without the best hardware.

Triple Monitor picks

To get the most immersive non-VR experience triple screens are the most popular for an reason. They offer a wider area of vision that is encircled by the entire field of view and makes using your eyesight and spotting Apexes more natural than in a single screen setup. Here are our suggestions for monitors suitable for a triple-screen configuration.

Value: MSI Optix G271

Size: 27.00″
Resolution: 1920×1080
Refresh rate Refresh rate: at 144hz
Price: PS218 (x3 = PS654)

For such a cheap price at 144hz, this 1080p 144hz monitor is a fantastic choice as a single display as long as you can sit it in a close proximity, or for a triple configuration because it comes with thin bezels. It is additionally the first IPS panel, which makes the color reproduction extremely superior in comparison with other budget monitors that use VA technology. With the high refresh rate of 144hz three of these monitors will be a great fit in your Sim set-up.

Mid-range: Acer XV272U Pbmiiprzx

Size: 27.00″
Resolution: 2560×1440
Refresh rate of at 144z
Price: $299.99 (x3 = $899.97)

If you’re in the market for a high-refresh rate monitor The Acer XV272U monitor is our choice. It has slim bezels, and comes with a competitive price. The panel comes with Nvidia G-Sync that is required to have the use of an Nvidia GPU. This prevents screen tear with high refresh rates, like AMD’s version, Radeon Freesync, found in different monitors and suitable for all graphic cards. A high-refresh rate in combination with 1440p is a winning combo however your computer needs to be capable of delivering this high-quality display.

Top-end: Alienware AW2721D

Size: 27.00″
Resolution: 2560×1440
Refresh rate is 242 Hz
Price: PS699 (3x PS2.097)

For those who want the most efficient performance from their equipment with no compromises the 1440p 240hz display with bezels that are thin is our choice. Make sure that your system is able to take advantage of the refresh rate of 240hz across all three screens. It’s in addition an HDR 600 panel, which makes its colour spectrum much more expansive than other monitors. This panel is enough to use as a single screen to get the wider color range, without having to spend 2 large on a triples set-up.

Ultrawide picks

If you’re seeking to reap the benefits of triples, without the bezels hindering your vision look into an ultrawide monitor. These are our top choices.

Value: Gigabyte G34WQC

Size: 34.00″
Resolution: 3440×1440
Refresh rate of at 144 z
Price: PS438.95

While it’s not the flashiest display in the ultrawide category however, the Gigabyte G34WQC comes with an aspect ratio of 21:9. This lets you expand the field of view by quite a bit, all at a price that might not be a total cost. Be aware that the dimensions may be small in comparison to other ultrawides, and you might find your optimally calculated FOV may not be as wide as you’re hoping to achieve in an ultrawide setup.

Mid-range: Asus ROG Strix XG49VQ

Size: 49.00″
Resolution: 3840×1080
Refresh rate is Refresh rate: 144z
Price: PS782.89

At 32:9 aspect ratio it’s the ASUS ROG Strix the XG49VQ seamlessly integrates two 1440p monitors into one ultrawide display however, it has a lower resolution horizontally. If you’re in search of an ultrawide display that offers the most extensive range of view and immersion it’s the most value for your money.

Top-end: Samsung Odyssey G9

Size: 49.00″
Resolution: 5120×1440
Refresh rate Refresh rate: at 240 Hz
Price: PS1,098.95

If you’re looking to get an ultrawide experience that doesn’t make sacrifices it is the Samsung Odyssey G9 has a refresh rate of 240hz and an aspect ratio of 32:9 that has an even greater horizontal resolution than Asus. If you’re looking to get every bit of power you can of your graphics card for an ultra-smooth experience at 240hz The Odyssey G9 has you covered.

Monitor stands

Every monitor will require a place to put it, and there are many choices when it comes to racing sims. The basic elements you’ll need is a sturdy mount and a variable distance from your rig. both of which will enable you to alter and tweak the setup of your gears change.

Here are some tips for various types of setups.

Three monitors: Sim Lab Triple Monitor Mount

This is a stand-alone triple monitor that is compatible with both single and triple monitors. It can accommodate up 42″ screens and offers an adjustable angle of up to 75 deg adjustment for the sidearm. This stand is ideal for those looking to add triple monitors their set-up without the need to buy an entire sim setup. The adjustable range and free movement will guarantee that it can be built to work perfectly with your existing setup.

Sim Lab Single TV / Monitor Stand

This stand is an excellent budget choice for those just starting their first racing set-up. The stand is mobile and can be set up in any way you like and is able to support any size TV or screen. This means that regardless of your upgrade plan is, you are assured that the stand you choose to purchase will work with your.

Next Level Racing F-GT Elite Single Freestanding Monitor Stand

The next level of racing F-GT stands includes a variety of features that are suitable for sim racers with no traditional simulator racing setups. It can accommodate up to 65″ screen and will ensure that the latest ultrawides will be as safe. Furthermore the stand has an adjustable width, allowing you to get the screen closer to the wheel regardless of the layout. This stand is the ideal one-time purchase since the stand’s adjustability ensures that it fits your needs for many years to be.

Conclusion

Always, before making a major purchase for your racing sim make sure you do your homework and ensure it’s a good fit for your needs. Watch as many reviews as you can, then look up the market to determine whether something else might meet your requirements better especially in such an incredibly very competitive market. These monitors are sure to be excellent choices for many years to come, and will meet you Sim Racing needs