Sim racing is gaining popularity and more and more fans are investing in high-quality equipment for the most realistic experience possible. A crucial part of any sim racing setup is the gaming monitor.

In this article, we dive into the world of ultrawide curved gaming monitors and explore which curvature - 1000R, 1500R or 1800R - best suits sim racing. We discuss how curvature affects your field of vision, immersion and realism.

Do you opt for the intense, enveloping experience of a 1000R screen, or does a milder curvature like 1500R or 1800R offer a better balance? Discover the pros and cons of each option and make an informed choice for your ultimate sim racing setup!

What is a curved gaming monitor?

A curved or curved monitor is designed to embrace the user's field of view, creating a panoramic effect. This can be especially useful for sim racers, as it offers a more immersive experience. The curvature of a monitor is usually indicated by a number representing the radius of curvature in millimetres. For example, a monitor with a curvature of 1800R has a radius of curvature of 1800 millimetres.

The different curvatures of a curved gaming monitor

There are different curvatures available for gaming monitors, each with their own characteristics and advantages. The curvature of a monitor is indicated by a number followed by the letter "R". This number refers to the radius of curvature in millimetres. A 1000R monitor forms, for example, a circle with a radius of 1000 mm. The lower the number, the stronger the bending of the screen.

The stronger the curvature, the less your head has to move to see the edges of the screen. This makes a big difference in sim racing, where reaction time and depth perception are essential. Let's take a look at the most common curvatures.

1800R Curvature

The 1800R curvature is one of the most common curvatures for gaming monitors. It offers a subtle curvature suitable for most users. This curvature is ideal for those who want to enjoy a more immersive experience without too much image distortion.

1500R Curvature

A 1500R curvature offers a slightly sharper flex than the 1800R, which can result in an even more immersive experience. This type of monitor is perfect for sim racers who want to fully embrace their vision and are willing to invest a bit more in their setup.

1000R Curvature

The 1000R curvature is one of the most aggressive curvatures available. It is designed to follow the natural curve of the human eye, resulting in a very realistic and immersive image. For hardcore sim racers, this can be the best option, although it can also be the most expensive.

curved gaming monitor sim racing — Source: MSI Gaming

What curvature is recommended for sim racing?

When choosing the right curvature for a sim racing monitor, it is important to consider your personal preferences and the size of your setup. Here are some considerations to keep in mind:

1. Larger Curves for Compelling Experiences

If you are looking for the most immersive experience and you have the space and budget, a monitor with a 1000R curvature is probably the best choice. These monitors offer an excellent field of view and a realistic image that really draws you into the game.

2. Subtle Curves for General Use

For those who want a more versatile setup, an 1800R or 1500R curvature may suffice. These monitors offer a good balance between an immersive experience and ease of use, without excessive image distortion.

3. Budget Considerations

It is also important to consider your budget when choosing a monitor. Monitors with sharper curves like 1000R tend to be more expensive than their 1800R counterparts. If you are new to sim racing or have a limited budget, an 1800R monitor can be a good start.

Advantages and disadvantages of different curves

Each type of curvature has its own advantages and disadvantages. Let's take a closer look at these.

Advantages of curved monitors

Compelling experience: Curved monitors offer a panoramic view that draws you deeper into the gaming world.
Less distortion: The curved shape reduces image distortion at the edges, which can help during long racing sessions.
Better sightlines: The curvature can help improve sightlines, which can be especially useful in racing games.
Improved depth perception; which is crucial when estimating turns and braking points.
Less eye and neck fatigue: because the screen matches the natural curvature of the eye.
Full immersion: bringing the experience closer to that of a real race car.

Disadvantages of curved monitors

Cost: Curved monitors tend to be more expensive than flat monitors, especially models with sharper curvature.
Space requirements: They can take up more space and are not always suitable for small rooms.
Image distortion: With sharper curves, there may be image distortion if the monitor is not used at the correct distance.
Not ideal for general computing: because text may be slightly distorted at the edges.

How does curvature affect your sim racing experience?

1000R: The most compelling choice

Sim racing is all about precision, immersion and speed judgement. A 1000R curved gaming monitor offers the most natural and realistic racing experience. Because the screen is more strongly curved, it fills a larger part of your peripheral vision, reducing distractions and immersing you fully in the game. So similar to a triple monitor setup, only a lot more practical 😉

In my sim rig I use 32″ 1500R curved monitors from MSI. In my new test simulator, I am also going to opt for a 1000R or 1500R ultrawide monitor of 49″ or larger.

For whom.

For sim racers who want the most realistic experience without switching to VR or a triple monitor setup, a 1000R ultrawide monitor is the best choice.

1500R: The golden mean

A 1500R monitor is a good compromise between gaming and general use. The curvature is still noticeable and adds to the immersion, but is not as extreme as with 1000R.

These screens are especially suitable if you play other games besides sim racing or use the screen for work. Edge distortion is less pronounced, making text and images look more natural.

For whom.

Gamers who have other uses besides sim racing.
Racers who want a balance between immersion and practicality.

1800R: slightly curved, versatile

An 1800R monitor is the least curved option and in many cases feels like a flat screen with a slight curvature. While still better than a fully flat monitor for sim racing, it does not offer the same level of immersion as 1000R or 1500R.

This type of screen is suitable for those who simracet only occasionally and use the screen mainly for general use, content creation or work.

For whom.

Users who want a slight curvature without extreme effect on other applications.
Sim racers who are not completely dependent on a curved screen and prefer a versatile monitor.

Best sim racing monitor: what else should you look out for?

Choosing the best sim racing monitor is a crucial decision for any serious sim racer. Whether you opt for an ultrawide curved gaming monitor, a triple monitor setup or even VR, the right monitor can make the difference between an immersive experience and a screen that limits your response time and performance. To find the best sim racing monitor, you not only need to consider curvature, but a number of other important specifications are also important. These are the factors that have a direct impact on your racing experience:

1. Screen size: 34", 38" or larger?

The bigger the screen, the wider your field of view. However, this also comes at the cost of performance. Remember: the bigger the screen informant and resolution, the stronger your graphics card should be. The most popular formats among sim racers are:

34" ultrawide (21:9) - Compact and suitable for smaller desks, but still a big upgrade over a standard 16:9 monitor.
38" ultrawide (21:9) - Provides more screen space and a wider view without the need for a triple monitor setup.
49" super ultrawide (32:9) - The widest and most immersive alternative to a triple monitor setup.

2. Resolution: 1440p or 4K?

The resolution determines the sharpness of the image. For sim racing, the best choices are:

3440×1440 (UWQHD) - The most common resolution for ultrawide monitors. Provides sharp images without extremely high hardware requirements.
5120×1440 (DQHD) - Dual QHD resolution, perfect for 49" super ultrawide monitors.
4K (3840×2160) - Incredible image quality, but less suitable for ultrawide screens and requires a very powerful GPU.

For the best balance between performance and image quality, 3440×1440 on a 1000R ultrawide monitor is an excellent choice.

3. Refresh rate: minimum 120Hz

The higher the refresh rate, the smoother the racing experience. For sim racing, we recommend:

60Hz - Minimal, but not ideal for competitive racing.
120Hz - The sweet spot for most racers, with smooth visuals and minimal latency.
144Hz or higher - Perfect for serious sim racers for whom every millisecond counts.

Recommended: opt for at least 144Hz or higher for the most responsive and smooth racing experience. If you really want to impress, opt for the 240Hz gaming monitors from MSI Gaming.

4. G-Sync or FreeSync?

Screen tearing can be distracting with fast movements. So choose a monitor with G-Sync (for NVIDIA GPUs) or FreeSync (for AMD GPUs) to minimise tearing and stuttering.

Conclusion: which curved gaming monitor for sim racing should you choose?

Choosing the right curvature for a gaming monitor in your sim racing setup depends on your personal preferences, your budget, and the space you have available. For most serious sim racers, a 1000R ultrawide monitor is the best choice, especially if you want a single-screen setup without the complications of a triple-monitor setup or VR. Also, this is also the most expensive option and you are more limited in the choice you have. Do you want a 1000R curved gaming monitor? Then Samsung is the best choice for you (right now). A 1000R curved can offer an unparalleled immersive experience, but can also be more expensive and space-intensive. On the other hand, 1800R and 1500R monitors offer a good balance between price and performance.

Summary:

Choose a 1000R monitor if:

You want maximum immersion and sim racing is your main activity.
You want as few distractions as possible and make full use of your peripheral vision.

Choose a 1500R monitor if:

You strike a balance between gaming, work and general use.
You still want an immersive experience, but don't need the extreme curvature of 1000R.

Choose an 1800R monitor if:

You want a slightly curved screen without strongly affecting other applications.
You need a versatile monitor for more than just sim racing.

Regardless of which curvature you choose, investing in a curved gaming monitor can significantly improve your sim racing experience and bring you even closer to the real racing experience. Whether you're an experienced sim racer or just starting out, choosing the right equipment can make all the difference. Good luck finding the perfect monitor for your sim racing adventure!