So I recently upgraded to a new PC. It is an i7-13700KF with a 4070ti and 32gb RAM. My old computer, an i9-12900K with a 3090 and 64gb RAM was going to be used for something else, but now it is available again. Rather than just let it sit, I’m wondering if I can enhance my home cockpit experience/performance utilizing it. I know using two PCs for MSFS is somewhat of a dark hole to go down, but I feel like if I can understand it and do it right, there’s absolutely value in trying to incorporate it into the mix.
Full disclosure, I do plan to also livestream flights starting very soon from my home cockpit, and so streaming/running OBS is something that will also need to happen along with running MSFS. I currently have MSFS installed on both PCs (two complete separate licenses, each PC has its own separate steam/microsoft/msfs account/license), and from what I’ve read that is step one when even considering trying to use two or more PCs with MSFS; you must have separate licenses for each.
I’ve read extensively about Wideview and basically connecting everything via a LAN, but I have also thought about things like YourControls (which I think is a similar concept) where I can load into the same flight on both PCs and share the resource load that way.
Really, in the end what I’m looking for is some advice/expertise/ideas on the best way to utilize the two PCs I listed above for my home cockpit/streaming needs. My initial thought out of the box was to put my 3 main monitors (home cockpit “windows”) on the 4070ti PC so I could utilize the frame generation of the 40series card and hopefully provide the best performance/smoothest visuals in that regard. And then use the 3090 PC to connect all my instrument displays, flight controls, etc to and let it run those. And then as far as OBS, I’m sure it could run on either one and it really wouldn’t make a difference.
So yeah, just looking for some advice/opinions from those who either run multi-PC home cockpits, or have experience/knowledge in the matter, and what the best/most efficient way to run all of this would be. As always, thanks in advance!!!
Ps. Here is my current home cockpit set up so you can see what kind of monitors/screens/flight controls I’m currently utilizing. Right now this is all running on the 4070ti PC and does fine, gets about 30-35fps pretty consistently (at least that’s what it shows in the built in dev mode fps display in MSFS…I’ve heard that can be wrong when it comes to using frame generation though).
As i see the outside i would disable the interior in model cfg, and setup view point so that i see the nose of the aircraft ( 172 classic) or the windshield (airliner) this i would do to hold on to the raindrops on the windshield.
But i would mess with the xyz initials to create distance between the two setups
For wideview it would slew you to the outside world, depending on which one would be secondary pc
On the master you will have correct readings according to your instrumentviews so this will be your
Plane and you can set graphics a lot less like eliminate buildings and trees and tlod olod etc for it will not be seeing outside world.
The world outside does not matter so much as long as it give accurate view and you should be able to get with a 3090 or 4070 but run it as high as possible.
I think it will be perfect to have a dome in a dome
Sounds interesting. I’m not too concerned with maintaining windshield effects…I mean obviously it would be amazing if someday they could make that happen, but for now I’m more interested in just making sure the cockpit is fully out of frame. I’m achieving that by clipping forward through the cockpit windows/walls and putting my camera position out towards the nose, then when I add the render windows for the two side views it allows the wing tips to stay in view, but none of the cockpit/fuselage. In a perfect world, they would just make it so that you could simply tell it “home cockpit mode” and it would center the camera view in the cockpit, make anything “plane” related disappear, but then also keep the windshield effects on each of your “views.” That will probably never happen, but I can hope.
I’ve been looking more into wideview for the two PC setup like you said. Sounds like it’s probably the more “long term” way to set it all up, but for proof concept I can also see where YourControls would be a quick and dirty way to test it all. We’ll see…I’m not in any big hurry to get it all changed, like I said the one PC is running it fine right now, but in the future I do think I’d like to work in the other one just to sort of balance the load of everything.
The shared cockpit idea looks nice for this to try out and see what influence this have on behaviour etc.
For wideview it has a 10 min demo to try but you can try on a restart over and over again before you decide to buy it.
I had it licenced for fs2004 and fsx, so im familiar with this program altough they had t completly rewrite it.
So today i bought second copy of the boxed premium de luxe version
For this i created a second account so i can install and seperatly run on each machine.
And start experiment it will be fun anyway, i will post what i find
Awesome, yeah let me know how it goes! So would wideview do away with the need to use the “render window” option in MSFS to create the side views and stuff? I’m still just a bit fuzzy on exactly how it works. Or does it give you the ability to essentially create independent “views” for each monitor sort of like the native x-plane ability to do so?
Basically it will be with this version one par copy on each pc but you can do with experimental settings get more windows.
You can make surround view with your graphicscard, lets say 3 screens into one where on a certain resolution, so that will be on one pc ( i use for outside view) on the second pc youcan add 2 or 3 or 4 monitors and set in depended view points . So for example wing view seen from cockpit there are some tricks for this
Works something like this topic and also in the airplanes camera config
Thanks! Do you mean like on the side windows is there space between the monitor screen and the window bezel? If so, no, there isn’t. Those monitors push right up against the window opening. I wanted to do that so that there was this fully “enclosed” effect where the monitors acted as though they were the actual window “glass”… feels more immersive to me, less like you’re sitting in a shell and looking out at some screens 2-3 feet from the outside of the cockpit.
If so, no, there isn’t. Those monitors push right up against the window opening.
This was indeed my question , because if there was you could make some extra screen there that would show you the wing and engine that when look around you could glare at it.
But it it look great in this way and im sure you have lots of fun with it,
Im more te trail and error type and have done many setups that way it keeps me satisfied and gain me some insight on what could be done with this sim. My last setup 7 screens is plugged to eachother with tie wraps and is pretty solid.
this video is about multiscreen setup it runs on 2 pc, 2 licence of MSFS disc editions and are connected through wideview
it fast setup and surely not definatly setup work in progress
both pc have multiple lan for the use of wideview and run through a hub.
and both pc have ic for streaming data
the screen on the right (single screen) is cliënt pc runs a 3090 the other 7 screens are on the masterpc it runs 2 3060 ti
also note that the single screen is like a quarter compare to the other pc
Here is the videolink
What do i use?
On the 1st computer with 7 monitors (3 x 22inch surround modus on the top and 4 x 19 inch on the bottom)
Mobo msi x299 pro with 2 pci-i x16, 2 pci-e x8 slots and 2 m2 slots
Cpu Intel i9 core 10900X 2666 48 lanes
Graphicscard 2 3060 ti 8gb
Ram corsair 64 gb 3200 mhz
Ethernet the mobo have 2 intergrated lan, and one 10 gb lancard pcie with ventilator
1000W corsair Psu
Windows 11
Msfs 2020 disc version premium de luxe, first licence
Wideview licence for server
Your control freeware
On the 2nd computer with 2 monitors (2 x 19 inch surround modus)
Mobo gigabyte Z590 UD AC
Cpu intel i7 11700K
Graphicscard 3090
Ram 48gb 3600 mhz
Ethernet 1 lan port, intergrated on mobo and 1 wi-fi 5 that came with the mobo
1200W corsair psu
Windows 11
Msfs 2020 disc version premium de luxe, second licence
Wideview for client is free to use on as many pc you can have and handle
Your control freeware
Both systems has plenty of cooling by corsair hx150
And coolermaster
Temps when msfs run aprox between 51 and 65°c
The your control software i run next to wideview, why because i think to gain smoothness in flight
And your control has more control by sending visuals to the pc that has control and still has the abillity to control from client like lowering gear.
I think this makes it more atractive for users than wideview
I think on the otherhand wideview is more stable. Just old love i guess (i have not tested yet in combination with Fsuipc although i have it at the ready, for key press and axis programming.
Next stage will be testing ir headtracking on both pc one headset with 2 ps3 modified cams one on each pc already have one but yet have to find and modify a 2nd suitable cam.
Then make diffent cfg par pc and figure out different timings already have some idea for this concearning speed of movement.
It will be fun.
This link is a try out test for use of 2 camera one on each pc and headtracking software
Opentrack, and wideview to connect 2 pc together. Enjoy
Hi Skytation,
I’m the guy that commented on your video asking how you built the bezels on your side window. You inspired me to build my own enclosed cockpit. I’ll attach a photo of the current cockpit.
I am experimenting with Wideview. So far there have been no issues. Fairly straight forward if one studies the user’s guide. It is very literal but takes some peaking and tweeking.
Right now my server (Ryzen 9 with GTX 1660 super) runs all controls Alpha Yoke, Bravo Throttle, rudders, etc., Real Sim Gear G1000 suite (2 monitors), keypads and 2 tablets using spacedesk).
My “outside” is 3 32" Onn TVs at 1080p. These are run with Wideview, right now on the client. The client is an old I7 with a GTX 1050 Ti. The TVs on the client have the window stretched with the NVIDIA software (not great). The view is still in the cockpit but zoomed to be close the VC.
Each PC has its own monitor, keyboard and mouse.
I am experiencing about 50 fps on each (with most extra stuff aside from graphics turned off and tuned as found on the internet). Running on High instead of Ultra but will try Ultra soon).
I have an extra Ethernet card in each PC connected with a crossover cable as recommended by Wideview.
Works very well. I’m about to experiment with renered window on the client. Moving Camera 0 to outside the cockpit and the side monitors at 90°. l’ll let you know how it goes.
I may switch PCs and put the TVs on the GTX 1660 Super. Easy to do as MSFS supports this. If I swap user ids, the settings and options will come out of the cloud.
Skytation, I sure would like to know how you built the bezels on your side windows
