What is the best ultrawide gaming monitor for sim racing?

Question

I literally just bought a Logitech steering wheel and pedals because I finally wanted to try racing games like Assetto Corsa and iRacing but I am having the hardest time actually driving because my current monitor is just this tiny 24 inch thing from like 2015 and I cant see anything to my left or right. It feels like I am looking through a tiny straw while trying to drive 100 miles an hour. I keep crashing into people or missing the turns because I dont know where the apex is and it is super frustrating. I tried looking at reviews on YouTube and reading some articles but honestly all the technical words like 1440p and refresh rates and hertz and response times and VA versus IPS panels just make my head spin and I feel like a total idiot trying to figure it out.

Like whats the difference between a curved one and a flat one for racing? People say curved is better for immersion but does it make the picture look weird or distorted? My wife says I have a budget of maybe 600 bucks or maybe 700 if I can really justify the price but I need to get this sorted out by next Friday because my brother is coming over for my birthday and I want us to actually be able to race each other without it looking like garbage. I live near a Micro Center in Chicago so I can go pick it up in person if they have it in stock which would be way better than waiting for shipping.

Is there like one specific big wide monitor that everyone uses for this stuff? I keep seeing the word ultrawide and it looks cool but I have no idea if my computer can even handle it or if I need a specific special cable to make it work. I have an older Nvidia card and I am worried it might just explode if I plug in a giant screen. Sorry if these are really basic questions I just feel really overwhelmed with all the choices and I dont want to waste a bunch of money on something that isnt actually good for racing. I just want something that makes it feel like I am actually in the car and not sitting at a desk. What is actually the best ultrawide monitor for someone like me who just wants to race and not worry about all the complicated settings?

tsjssnjhtz · Accepted Answer

Stumbled on this while looking for rig parts. That Chicago Micro Center is a goldmine for deals, actually. I grabbed a 34-inch there last year because racing on a 24-inch felt like driving with blinders on. You dont need to spend the full $700 to get a massive upgrade, tbh.

Gigabyte G34WQC A 34-inch 144Hz Curved Ultrawide is usually a steal at around $400.

Dell S3422DWG 34-inch Curved WQHD 144Hz has great contrast for night racing. Your older Nvidia card will be okay if you drop the graphics settings a notch or two. Just make sure to use a DisplayPort cable instead of HDMI to get the smooth motion. The curve actually helps you see the side mirrors better without moving your head as much, so it doesnt look distorted at all once you get used to it. It basically wraps the track around your field of view.

xhfsqgoqwy · Answer

@Reply #2 - good point! But honestly, I have seen those budget panels have some ghosting issues in fast corners, which is a nightmare for sim racing. In my experience, you want something with a bit more punch for that immersive feel. I have tried many screens over the years, and for racing, the response time is everything so you dont get that motion blur when you are hitting the apex. If I were you, I would look at the LG 34GP83A-B 34 inch Ultragear QHD. Its an IPS panel which basically means the colors dont wash out when you move your head. I had a VA panel before and the dark parts of the track looked like smeared ink during night races. Another solid one is the Dell S3422DWG 34 inch Curved Gaming Monitor. Its a bit cheaper and the stand is super sturdy if your desk shakes when you are fighting the force feedback on that Logitech wheel. Seriously tho, dont worry about your GPU exploding... just turn down the shadows in Assetto Corsa and you will be golden.

HarryChofs · Answer

Same boat, watching this