Sim racing is picking up in popularity as an increasing number of streamers are sharing it with others. With a growing interest, there are also plenty of competitions that you can participate in, much like a real driver. One of the reasons why it’s so popular today is the latest technology, that let’s people enjoy truly immersive experiences in different ways.
The most popular options today are going with a VR setup or picking a triple monitor setup. Let’s discuss the pros and cons of each of them, what the challenges are, and which setup you should go for.
Immersion vs. Consistency
Sim racing is an exciting experience that comes with a lot of risks and requires making the right moves at the perfect time. That’s very similar to what players at blackjack sites that you can find on the Thesunpapers platform experience when they’re playing blackjack live. To make this experience as realistic as possible, people seek immersion more than ever. The best part is that it’s possible today with all the devices on the market. The leading contenders are VR headsets and triple-monitor setups.
Even though both provide immersive experiences, VR excels at some things compared to a triple monitor setup, and vice versa. Take apex clipping as an example, VR simply provides a better in-game feel and immersion, but it comes at a cost. On the other hand, triple monitors provide stable performance that is more suitable for endurance races.
Therefore, one is better for immersion, whereas the second offers better consistency. But there’s more.
The 2026 Tech Trends That Have an Impact on Sim Racing
To ensure a smooth experience for the VR headset wearer, newer headsets support the latest technology called Dynamic Foveated Rendering. It’s a complex technology that carefully tracks your eye movement. It knows where you’re looking at every moment and prioritizes rendering of the area of the image you’re looking at, saving resources and offering a smoother and higher detail experience.
On the other hand, modern triple monitors offer OLED panels with vivid colors that also feature a 240Hz refresh rate, offering a fluid experience as if you were on the track yourself. This fluidity makes a strong case for triple monitors. However, the next section is the most important one when you’re making a decision.
Ergonomics and UX
This is where VR and monitor setups differ greatly. Each of these setups has hidden costs that you should definitely take into consideration. The biggest problem with VR is the limited time that you can wear it, which is crucial for endurance racing. VR headsets can cause dizziness and sweatiness, making the whole experience an unpleasant one. However, if you’re planning to drive for shorter periods of time, it does offer a higher degree of immersion.
Triple monitors for sim racing are perfect for long driving sessions due to the comfort it offers. It’s a bit less immersive experience compared to VR; however, it’s much less tiring as there’s nothing on your head. However, not everyone can afford the sim racing monitors in terms of space. It requires a lot of it, and since this is just a hobby, it might not be the best option for everyone. On top of that, it takes plenty of time to align the three monitors perfectly.
Pros and Cons for Each
Let’s explore the pros and cons of each of these setups.
VR Setup for Sim Racing
Pros include:
- Unmatched immersion - You can’t find a better immersion experience than a VR headset. It puts you right in the driver's seat, and that’s exactly what some players seek to feel.
- Better depth perception - VR headsets offer better depth perception.
- Better sense of speed - Being in the driver's seat helps you have a better sense of speed.
- Small footprint - You just plug in the VR headset to your PC, and you’re ready to go. It has an extremely small footprint, requiring no extra space.
Cons are:
- Motion sickness - A VR headset for sim racing can cause motion sickness after prolonged use.
- Requires high-end PC - You’ll need an extremely powerful PC to render high-quality VR graphics.
- Resolution - The resolution of VR headsets is often less sharp compared to what you can get on a sim racing monitor.
Triple Monitor Setup for Sim Racing
Pros include:
- Better peripheral vision - You’ll have better peripheral vision with the triple monitor setup, as everything is always sharp.
- Sharper image quality - You’ll experience overall better image quality on a sim racing monitor.
- Comfort - Triple screen setups are more comfortable than a VR racing setup.
- Easier to use - If you want to stream your gameplay, it’s easier to go with a triple monitor display compared to a VR racing simulator. It’s easier to work with peripherals and show people your complete setup and experience.
Cons are:
- Space requirement - You will need significantly more space to run a triple monitor setup.
- Cost - Aside from the hardware cost, the specialized monitor stands are also costly.
- Complexity of the setup - The initial setup will require a big time investment to get everything running.
Should You Consider an Ultrawide Monitor?
If you’re thinking about triple monitor vs ultrawide for sim racing, it offers some benefits. Ultrawide monitors are growing in popularity for a good reason. They take less space and provide an almost equally immersive experience as a triple monitor setup. It’s the middle ground between VR and a triple monitor setup. If you lack space, it might be the answer you’re looking for. If not, a triple-monitor setup will give you a better view.
Which One is the Right One for You?
Now that you’re aware of all the pros and cons of different setups, you can make an informed decision that fits your use case. If you’re planning to game for longer periods of time, going with a triple monitor setup is the way to go. If you value immersion and you’re planning to take regular breaks, a VR will offer the best experience to you. Take all the factors into consideration before making the final decision, and only then make the choice.