Question 2 sets of 3 monitors off of 1 PC?

[mijiperki]

I am looking for an elegant solution to set up 2 triple screen setups (1 gaming desk, 1 simulator rig) connected to only 1 PC and be able to switch between the 2 setups at the click of a button. I have found many KVM options for 1-3 monitors displaying 2+ PCs outputs but this is the opposite of what I am trying to achieve. I first assumed just plugging in all 6 monitors but I do not want the 3 at my desk wasting power and GPU when using the sim rig and vice versa

The only option I have been able to find that seems actually possible is using 3 separate hdmi/displayport splitters and pressing 3 buttons (1 for each "pair" of screens). This is not ideal and doesnt seem like the best way.
I also have read some things about using an "MST hub" and also maybe using it as well as a splitter but am a bit cautious of this approach as neither are powered?

Is this just such a niche problem that no hardware exist or am I being stupid and is there just a simple software or pre-existing hardware solution to this problem that I am just missing?

Edit: I also wanted to add that I have 3 1080p 144hz displays at my desk but plan to upgrade the middle screen to a 4k 144hz+ screen. I also plan to have 3 1440 144hz or 3 4k 144hz screens on my sim rig so this could affect possible solutions as some splitters can only handle 4k 60hz etc

 

[Barty1884]

What do you intent to run this off? 3x 4K 144Hz may be a challenge to run, let alone the two banks of 3 monitors you hope to achieve!

The idle power consumption of any given monitor is negligible - and I can't help but feel having them all ready to accept a signal at any time is *likely* the way to go.

I'm not 100% on a solution here, but my gut is telling me there is some way you could configure 'desktops' in Windows 11. One for the desk, the other for the sim rig. You'd then toggle between the two

 

[mijiperki]

I intend to purchase everything and get it all up and running on the new 4080super when it releases. I agree that 3x 4k 144hz is a bit overkill (I 100% want 144hz but may go 1440p) but I kind of meant I want the option of full res and refresh rates to all 3 screens there so that I didnt get recommended a 1080p 30hz solution.

My current 2070S and planned 4080S both have 3 DP ports and 1 HDMI so is plugging 6 monitors in with full res&refresh possible? If so with a 2nd GPU or daisy chaining(idk if I lose res or hz?) then a software option definitely looks like the better option atm

 

[Barty1884]

I intend to purchase everything and get it all up and running on the new 4080super when it releases. I agree that 3x 4k 144hz is a bit overkill (I 100% want 144hz but may go 1440p) but I kind of meant I want the option of full res and refresh rates to all 3 screens there so that I didnt get recommended a 1080p 30hz solution.

My current 2070S and planned 4080S both have 3 DP ports and 1 HDMI so is plugging 6 monitors in with full res&refresh possible? If so with a 2nd GPU or daisy chaining(idk if I lose res or hz?) then a software option definitely looks like the better option atm

MST hub(s) or daisy-chained DP monitors (functionally hubs) would be required, given the number you're talking. Not 100% sure at this stage on supported resolution - I *think* because you'd (essentially) be running 3x monitors off 1x DP connector, even 1440p/144Hz may be a stretch.

2560x1440 (x3) is ~11m pixels.
About 30% more than 4K (~8.3m) and less than "5K" (5120x2880 = ~15m pixels).... but of which are only supported at DP2.0 (at 144Hz).

AFAIK, 30xx, 40xx (so far) do NOT support DP 2.0 - still using 1.4b.
On any single port/monitor, the planned resolution/refresh rate shouldn't be a problem, but running multiple over MST, I don't think will work - but as I said, not 100% sure.

From some quick Google searches, I'm not even convinced MST hubs exist to support the higher resolution/refresh rate, even over two monitors. Most I can find are 1080/60 &/or 4k/30 - suggesting DP 1.0-1.2 is being used in these hubs.