Hardware • Equipment • Monitor

There are plenty if monitors out there on the market. And if you ain’t a video gamer like us, you’ll may be overwhelmed by the offers.

Lucky You!

Though Process Link to heading

We had the same issue - and here is our thought process!

GENERAL: The best monitor is the one, you already have.
CRITERIA: The best monitor is the one(s) you can efford!
REQUIREMENT: Frame Rates (general video gaming) but for Star Citizen wide screen for more immersiveness.

BenQ PD2700U - Tripple UHD Link to heading

We have a tripple monitor setup with 3x BenQ PD2700U with each 3840x21600 pixel resolution and 27 inches. We have those, because we have a photography and videography background. A total screen resolution for Star Citizen is 11520 x 2160 - veeery verry immersive! BENEFIT: We already had it, so no spending on monitors but accurate color interpretation. CON: Frame Rates are at 60Hz - enough for Star Citizen, but not for general video gaming.

Frame Rate Link to heading

If you also play video games other than Star Citizen, we recommand a monitor setup with frame rates of 240Hz or more. The more Frame Rates, the pricer it gets.

Resolution / Aspect Ratio Link to heading

The immersiveness comes with aspect ratio but the visual beauty of Star Citizen will show its best with high resolutions. We tested Solo, Dual and Tripple Monitors. You can manually modify the width of your Star Citizen borderless window so you can have left and right OBS or Streaming / Comments application open - or as we prefer: Max Width.

Resolution Link to heading

VERTICAL: It is more effordable, havin high frame rates on a FHD (1080p) monitor than on a UHD (2160p) monitor. However we want minimum 1440p or better 2160p in height. HORIZONTAL: Wide screen is to go for Star Citizen to increase immersiveness. \

  • 16" has 2560 x 1600 - Aspect Ratio 16:10 - Frame Rate 240 Hz (Laptop)
  • 27" has 3840 x 2160 - Aspect Ratio 16:9 - Frame Rate 240 Hz
  • 34" has 3440 x 1440 - Aspect Ratio 21:9 - Frame Rate 240 Hz
  • 49" has 5120 x 1440 - Aspect Ratio 32:9 - Frame Rate 240 Hz

Aspect Ratio Link to heading

Standard Monitors have an aspect ratio of 16:9 nowadays. Back in the days, and old TV had an aspect ratio of 4:3 that would be equivalent to 480p on vertical. In visual story telilng, the aspect ratio has a huge effect on immersiveness and sublininal messaging. While 16:9 aspect ratio simulates the average field of you with two horizontal eyes next to each other.
But when you look out of your eyes, the field of view is almost 178° from left to right. But really recognizable are the objects of the narrow field of 16:9 but yet, you can notice movement and change out side, on the edges of left and right. That is, where immersiveness sets in: Be able to notice approaching enemies on the edges of the screen while stil dealing with what’s in front of you. In general cinema, you watch either in 1.85:1 or 2.39:1 aspect ratio, while TV is 16:9 and in gaming 21:9 comes closer to 2.39:1 cinema aspct ratio.

Frame Rate Link to heading

We thought, the VKB Gladiators is next level setup but for a significant more IRL money. The sticks (HOSAS) range from 170-211 IRL per stick. The Omni Throttle we have even 220 IRL per stick. So either way you will spend up to 500 IRL for very good quality. You feel it as soon as you set it up and did the basic configuration. With smooth axis you don’t need put force unto the sicks, what let live expectation increase compared to the Thrustmasters.
BENEFIT: VKB AND Roberts Space Industries support this sticks (HOSAS) officially and offer preconfigured keybindings. Also “hardcore” players have those so community also can give a hand, if you have any issues. And quality wise next level compared to those less than 150 IRL.

Joystick Top - Joystick Bottom

Star Citizens preconfigured keybindings

Desk Mount Link to heading

There are different desk mount variation and so does the price. Yet, rather spend a little more and have joy, modularity and eazy to remove/swap your gear.
We went for the MONSTERTECH Joystick / HOTAS Desk Mount. A universal and a modular system with a big clamp, to remove, adjust and even exchange very eazy and fast. With plates for the Thrustmasters and the VKB, we mount the joysticks unto the plate. And afterwards, we only need to mount / umount the plates, with the same system. But it ads up another 300 IRL for two desk mounts and a set up plate. Additional 80 IRL for every other plate, in our case the VKB. Total amoutn for the high quality desk mount: 400 IRL.

Conclusion Link to heading

If you wanna have joy for a decent amount of game sessions, you’ll spend up to 1000 IRL with the VKB’s plus desk mount. If you really just wanna start out, you’ll be in with less the 110 IRL.

Reference Link to heading

Title Site / Link
Register Your Account For Free - Roberts Space Industries https://robertsspaceindustries.com/en/enlist
BenQ - PD2700U https://www.benq.com/
Joystick T.16000M FCS Space Sim Duo Flight Stick (CH) https://www.brack.ch/
Thrustmaster T.16000M FCS Space Sim Duo (CH) https://www.galaxus.ch/
Support - T.16000M FCS SPACE SIM DUO https://support.thrustmaster.com/
Gladiator NXT EVO ‘Space Combat Edition’ (EU) https://flightsimcontrols.com/
Gladiator NXT EVO Omni Throttle (EU) https://flightsimcontrols.com/
GNX SEM (Side Extension Module) (US) https://www.vkbcontrollers.com/
MONSTERTECH - Joystick / HOTAS Desk Mount https://www.monster.tech/
MONSTERTECH - Joystick Plate https://www.monster.tech/