Finding The Best Gaming Monitors for Sim Racing

Sim racing is fundamentally about crafting a believable, immersive experience. Yet, without a high-quality monitor to match your setup, attaining that level of realism can feel like chasing a ghost.

Picking out the best monitor, however, is not as straightforward as it seems. There’s a wide variety of monitors available in the market with different sizes and styles.

And that’s just scratching the surface; other technical nuances like refresh rate, screen resolution, and response time further complicate the selection process.

But hold your gears, there’s no cause for alarm. The sim racing world is teeming with excellent monitor choices, even for those of us sticking to a budget. If you’re in search of the perfect screen, one of the following recommendations is bound to meet your needs – because these are, in my estimation, 5 of the top-tier monitors for sim racing in the game. Let’s dive in!

AOC C32G1

The AOC C32G1 easily makes the list of the best monitors that you can get on a budget. The display is marketed as a gaming monitor with a higher refresh rate and a decent resolution for the size, all for a very pocket-friendly price. 

The 144Hz refresh rate of this display is as good as it gets in this price range, because there are pretty much no other decent monitors with nearly as high a refresh rate available for the same money. This means you get to have the smoothest and most responsive display to support your FPS.

The AOC C32G1 is also loaded with all the advanced display technologies, like AMD FreeSync Premium, VA panel, 1ms response time, 16:9 aspect ratio, and 1920×1080 flicker free output. The curved FHD, and various display ports, including 2 HDMI ports and a VGA port, bring the display on par with many of the best monitors currently on the market.

The 1080p resolution of the AOC C32G1 makes it a very good option for sim racing, because there is almost no noticeable pixelation for most distances, and the higher refresh rate of the monitor on top of the high resolution seals the deal for the perfect budget sim racing monitor.

However, the 1920×1080 is the only resolution supported by the monitor with its 32” version. When viewed from a closer distance, you might find it too pixelated. If that is the case, look into the smaller sizes for the monitor, or go for the QHD variant (which only costs a few extra tenners).

The curved design of the AOC C32G1 is great for triple monitor setups because of the frameless build. This frameless build allows for minimal bezels between triple screens, translating to better visibility and immersion when you’re gaming.

However, it’s also worth mentioning here that the bezel thickness that this monitor offers isn’t as good as advertised. In case you’re going for a multi monitor setup, you might notice some dead display between all the screens, especially if it’s a triple monitor setup. So, if you’re looking for something to make the best triple monitors setup, the AOC C32G1 might not be it.

Nevertheless, the display is quite solid for just a single monitor setup, and that’s exactly what we recommend it for. With so many features of high-end displays packed into a budget monitor, it becomes an excellent choice for sim racing, and also our top pick for budget displays.

ASUS TUF VG32VQ

The ASUS TUF VG32VQ is another great value monitor for sim racing. The extraordinary low input lag, amazing size, high resolution, fast refresh rate, exceptional response time, and a good contrast ratio of this monitor make it one of the best options for both single monitor setups and multi monitor setups.

The monitor is designed with gaming performance in mind, and that’s exactly what it’s famous for. This display is one of the few monitors available on the market that support FreeSync and optional black frame insertion simultaneously.

The 2560×1440 resolution of ASUS TUF VG32VQ, coupled with its 16:9 aspect ratio and remarkable contrast ratio, make some of the deepest blacks in gaming displays. The outstandingly low input lag of the monitor is another reason it ranks so high for gaming usage.

The 32-inch monitor has a 144Hz refresh rate, so you know you are getting the best bang for your buck there. The display also features Extreme Low Motion Blur (ELMB) technology to achieve its 1ms response time, and together with the adaptive sync, it eliminates tearing and ghosting. Combined with the monitor’s extremely low motion blur and adaptive-sync feature, the higher refresh rate makes it suitable for fast-paced games, which is ideal for sim racing.

The monitor comes with an adjustable stand, with height, tilt, and pivot adjustment. It is also VESA mountable, which means perfect compatibility with any desk or mounting setup you have in mind to create a triple monitor setup. With that kind of adjustability, the 1800R curvature of the TUF VG32VQ is a cherry on top.

Keep in mind that, despite being one of the best gaming monitors for the price, the ASUS TUF VG32VQ still has some downsides of its own. The most prominent among them is the noticeable backlight strobing that is caused by lower frame rates when using the optional black frame insertion feature of the monitor.

Another minor issue that you might notice during your usage is that the image quality of the monitor degrades when viewed from an angle. Furthermore, the black uniformity of the ASUS TUF VG32VQ isn’t so good.

However, like every gaming display out there, the AUS TUF VG32VQ has some of its unique pros as well. One of these is the shadow boost technology of the display that enhances image details in the darker areas of the screen without making the bright areas brighter.

The ASUS game and visual enhancing features produce extremely vibrant colours and sharp visuals during your gaming sessions. Additionally, the ASUS eye-care technology of the monitor is also worth mentioning here. If you race for prolonged sessions, it can help to avoid eye fatigue.

BenQ EX3203R

The BenQ EX3203R is a great option for sim racing setups. In fact, BenQ is known for its range of sim racing monitors, with a wide variety suitable for both single monitor setups and multi monitor setups.

The EX3203R is no exception to BenQ’s legacy in quality. The 32-inch monitor packs a punch with so many great features, while still being a very affordable option. The 16:9 aspect ratio and 2k QHD resolution of 2560×1440 pixels will go hand-in-hand with your graphics card, and the 3,000:1 contrast ratio means impressively sharp and crisp image quality.

Since BenQ EX3203R is one of the higher-end display options on our recommendation list, it’s not surprising that the monitor offers a higher quality, but that also means a slight increase in the price. If your budget has space for this display, you can’t go wrong with it, no matter the kind of setup you’re going for.

The physical size, screen size, resolution, and refresh rate of BenQ EX3203R considered together, it’s almost the perfect single setup monitor for sim racing. But, with super slim bezels, which means excellent support for multi monitor setups, the monitor is a sound choice for three monitor setups as well.

The display also features HDR 400 technology, so you know you will be getting a far more enhanced display in terms of brightness and contrast when viewing HDR content—that’s to say, the clarity and detail is just great.

The monitor is also popular for lighting darker areas of the media on display, without having any over exposing effects on the brighter parts, which makes for enhanced details and clearer imagery. With a 3,000:1 contrast, adaptive brightness, and a wider viewing angle, the EX3203R’s VA technology makes the panoramic curvature quite an enjoyable display.

The connectivity technology on the EX3203R is another aspect of the monitor’s greater quality. Along with multiple display ports that are common in gaming monitors, the EX3203R also features a USB type-C display, providing faster speeds and better connectivity.

The monitor also supports Free Sync 2 to effectively take care of any possible tearing or broken frames and provide a seamless, smooth, and flawless gameplay. The refresh rate of EX3203R is a solid 144Hz, but one thing you should note here is that the response time for this monitor is 4ms, which is a bit slower compared to our previous recs.

The remaining features of the EX3203R include an anti-glare display coating, an ergonomic stand with height and tilt adjustment support, BenQ’s trademark eye-care technology, a Brightness Intelligence Plus (B.I.+) sensor, flicker-free backlight, and a headphone jack.

LG UltraGear 27GL83A

All these features, albeit for a slightly higher price, make BenQ EX3203R a favourite among sim racers to play games on. It’s also very popular for triple monitor setups for sim racing, but make sure to have enough graphic processing power in your rig to run three monitors, as they’re designed for higher frame rates.

The IPS panel gaming monitors manufactured by LG are highly praised by users and experts alike. Even though VA panels are generally known to perform better than IPS panels, the brand has proved the statement wrong in many cases with its IPS panels, and we’ll cover one of those here as well.

The LG UltraGear 27GL83A is a smaller-size recommendation, with a 27” size, but it performs extremely well. The monitor features a 2650×1440 QHD IPS display with a 1ms response time and 16:9 aspect ratio, and even has Nvidia G-Sync compatibility on top of its impressive 144Hz refresh rate. 

The monitor is designed specifically for an immersive gameplay, and features an IPS panel with a 99% sRGB capability. The colours you get to experience with the LG UltraGear 27GL83A are truly accurate, and don’t degrade because of the wider viewing angle.

The LG UltraGear 27GL83A also has a built-in Dynamic Action Sync technology to display each and every on-screen moment in real time. The G-Sync compatibility of LG UltraGear 27GL83A is certified by Nvidia, so, with a 144Hz refresh rate, you will experience little to no stutter, and get faster and smoother visuals.

As for the accuracy and detail of the visuals, the 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms IPS response time of LG UltraGear 27GL83A are impeccable along with the Dynamic Action Sync technology. The Black Stabilizer technology of LG’s UltraGear 27GL83A not only improves darker spots, but also enhances the colours of your display, making the clarity and sharpness well worth the kind of feedback this monitor receives from users.

Coupled with the virtually borderless 3-side build, the 27-inch size of the monitor makes it perfect for multi monitor setups, particularly a triple screen setup. Furthermore, its adjustable stand has plenty of room for height, tilt, and pivot adjustment to provide plenty of viewing comfort in your setup.

Samsung G9 Odyssey

If you’re looking for total immersion, the Samsung G9 Odyssey is where you will find it. It’s a far larger monitor compared to the other monitors popular for sim racing, and its huge 49” size, an amazing 1000R curvature, and a 240Hz refresh rate make this display a great choice for sim racing.

The ultrawide design of G9 Odyssey is ideal if you’re trying to avoid the hassle of finding three different monitors for a triple setup. It’s Samsung’s largest gaming monitor, and the 32:9 aspect ratio with the  higher horizontal resolution and superior refresh rate put it in the top-end category of monitors.

The dual QHD 5120×1440 display and Samsung’s Quantum Dot technology result in vivid colours as well as the deepest blacks. And, since the monitor is for higher-end builds, it comes with a 1000 HDR, which means unparalleled depths and details in every frame.

The display ports include two USB 3.0 sockets, an HDMI port, and a couple of DisplayPort connectors, and one thing that’s worth mentioning here is that the build of this monitor is absolutely premium.

The monitor also has Nvidia G-Sync and FreeSync Premium Pro support, meaning there is no chance of frame rates dropping during your gameplay, so the ultra-fast refresh rate and 1ms response time of the monitor along with a high-end graphics card will let you make the most of your setup.

However, that’s also a downside if your GPU isn’t powerful enough to support the G9 Odyssey, but that shouldn’t be a problem if you’re going for a high budget setup with enough GPU power. The monitor is a favourite among sim racers because of this reason—it’s simply the best ultrawide display out there.

However, it still boils down to preferences, so if you’re looking for a single monitor to get the same experience as a triple screen setup, the Odyssey G9 is best for it. But if you want a budget single monitor, the AOC C32G1 is a great choice. If it’s a three monitor setup you’re after, the ASUS TUF VG32VQ is just the monitor for you. One thing that’s common between these all is that they have the same time of response, with only the BenQ EX3203R falling behind with a 4ms time. But there are a few different options on this list to suit your likes and dislikes, so go ahead and take your pick.

What size monitor is best for sim racing?

When it comes to sim racing, bigger is better. A bigger monitor will give you a much more immersive and enjoyable experience because it’ll occupy most, or even all, of your field of vision. For this reason, the minimum monitor size we recommend is 27-inch; but if you can afford to go for bigger ones, by all means.

Are curved monitors better for racing sims?

Yes. Curved monitors are actually great for racing simulator games for a variety of reasons. For one, they occupy your whole field of vision much better than flat monitors do. Triple monitor setups have bezels between the three screens, but ultrawide curved monitors don’t. In addition, the curved display also aids in depth-perception, which means you can see more with your peripheral vision because the whole display is angled towards you. 

A side advantage of every pixel being angled towards you is that you get no colour shift across the whole display. With flat monitors, only the pixels in front of your eyes are facing you; whereas with curved monitors, you get immaculate colour accuracy across the whole monitor.

What monitor should I use for iRacing?

If you can afford to go for Samsung G9 Odyssey, that’ll give you the best and most immersive experience with iRacing. The monitor has a 240Hz refresh rate and is G-Sync compatible; in addition, you get almost as much screen real estate as three 27-inch monitors stacked side by side, without any bezels.

Don’t worry if the G9 Odyssey is out of your budget. All the monitors we’ve selected today work great with iRacing. All of them sport a 144hz refresh rate with G-Sync support, not to mention incredible colour accuracy, so you can’t go wrong with any of them.

What are triple monitors in sim racing?

A triple monitor setup, as its name implies, combines the displays of three monitors to form what’s essentially a single display. You’ll sit facing the display in the centre because that’s where most of the action will happen, but the two monitors (one on each side) will act as an extension of the display to provide you with peripheral vision and an immersive experience.

How do you set up triple monitors in sim racing?

Considering you’ve physically placed your monitors and plugged them to your GPU, boot your PC and right click on your Windows desktop, then open Display Settings. There, you’ll see all three of your monitors. Arrange them in a way that your centre monitor is 1, your left monitor is 2, and your right monitor is 3. You can always click the identify button to see the corresponding number being displayed on each monitor.

What you need to do next depends on which company’s GPU you have. For Nvidia GPU’s, you can follow this official guide to setup Nvidia Surround technology. For those of you with AMD GPUs, use this official guide to setup Eyefinity.

How do I run 3 monitors with iRacing?

To get triple monitor setups to work with iRacing, you’ll first need to set up either Nvidia Surround or AMD Eyefinity. We’ve covered how in the previous FAQ. Next, open iRacing and, in the menu, go to Graphics Options. Then follow the steps below:

1. Configure your resolution.
2. Check the box next to “Number of screens: 3”.
3. Check Multi-Projection and SMP.
4. Restart iRacing.
5. Have fun!

Does iRacing support 3 monitors?

Yes, iRacing does indeed support 3 monitors. Please follow our guides above to first set up your monitors in Windows and then iRacing.

What’s the best size monitor for sim racing?

Ultrawide monitors are the best for sim racing because you get full FOV coverage with no pesky bezels in between. If you’re on a limited budget, 32-inch curved monitors seem to hit the sweet spot in terms of both price and visual fidelity. These monitors are relatively affordable yet provide an experience that’s comparable to more expensive ones.

How do I choose the right monitor for sim racing?

When it comes to sim racing, an ultrawide monitor will provide the best experience. If you have the budget for the 49-inch G9 Odyssey, that’s the best out of the bunch. Alternatively, you can also go for a triple screen setup comprising any of the other monitors we’ve mentioned today.

Do you need 3 monitors for sim racing?

No. Triple monitor setups aren’t strictly needed for sim racing, especially if you can get a single curved ultrawide monitor that fits your needs. That being said, purchasing 3 monitors is often lighter on your wallet compared to ultrawide monitors.

Which monitor is best for triple setup?

For a triple setup, we’d recommend stacking three LG UltraGear 27GL83A. The 27-inch size and 16:9 aspect ratio of this monitor is just right for a triple monitor setup that wouldn’t be bigger than your field of vision; because, let’s be honest, anything wider than your FOV will be just wasted screen space.

Can you game with 3 monitors?

You can definitely game with triple monitors. Almost every modern game, including sim racing games, now supports a triple monitor setup. 

Why do gamers use/have 3 monitors?

The answer is immersion. When you’re gaming with triple monitors, the game surrounds your whole field of vision, almost making you feel like you’re there. You also get a lot more screen real estate to work with, which is quite useful in games where you might want to see what’s going on in your surroundings.

Does having triple gaming monitors affect FPS?

Yes. Since your GPU will now have to push more pixels to your screen, it’ll have to work harder and your FPS will definitely get affected. 

How do I set up 3 monitors for gaming?

We’ve included a guide to set up 3 monitors for gaming in FAQs # 5 & 6. Please refer to those answers in order to set up your monitors.

Should you get a triple monitor setup?

It depends on your budget and personal preferences. A triple monitor setup provides a much more enjoyable, immersive experience when gaming. But a single ultrawide monitor, if it’s within your budget, will always be preferable to a triple monitor setup because there are no bezels in your display. 

Can I run a triple monitor setup?

Yes, but you need dedicated hardware in your PC to support a triple monitor setup. Not every GPU will support 3 monitors, and even those that do won’t necessarily provide a very smooth experience in your games.

Are triple monitors worth it?

Triple displays are definitely worth it for the extra fun and immersion the extra monitors provide. If you’re someone who also uses his computer for work purposes, multiple monitors have also been shown to drastically improve a person’s productivity.

What does a triple monitor setup do?

A triple monitor setup increases the amount of screen real estate you have to run your applications. These applications can either be sim racing games or productivity apps; it’s entirely up to you. 

Can you put 3 curved monitors together?

Yes. You can easily put 3 curved monitors together as long as you can find a stand to mount them side by side and your GPU supports triple monitor setups connectivity.

Are 3 monitors too much?

No. In fact, 3 monitors are preferred by many sim racers. If you’ve been wanting one of those triple monitor setups, go for it. However, to avoid dealing with subtle differences in the display you get on each screen, make sure to get three identical monitors for the setup.

You will now have a better idea of the best sim racing monitors. Our list featured monitors for both single screen and multi display setups, with both high-end and budget options for you to choose from based on your preferences so that you can make the best buying decision. Once you’ve made your mind up with your monitor, you may find the next blog post useful, regarding finding a cheap sim racing rig.