Dual monitor setup advice for non-gaming PC

octechno95 · 23 Jun 2017 at 14:35

Firstly, I don't use my PC for gaming at all. I use it mainly to do general productivity tasks and some software development (professionally and as a hobby). Nothing hugely taxing. I've been using the same PC for about 3 and half years now and it's still running reasonably efficiently but was thinking of passing on the PC to my dad (extremely low usage requirements) and getting a new one myself.

Main specs for the current PC: Intel i7-3770S 3.1GHz, Asus P8Z77-I mini-ITX motherboard, 8GB Kingston dual DDR RAM, 1GB Nvidia GeForce GT 630 graphics card (HDMI and DVI connection), 240GB Kingston HyperX SSD. And all of this in a quite compact Coolermaster 120 case. I'm using a dual monitor setup (which is a must for me), two identical Full HD monitors (one using the HDMI and the other using DVI connection).

Given my non-gaming requirements, I thought I could go even smaller for my new PC but I'm struggling to work out the best way to get a dual monitor setup (which is a must). Should I be looking for systems with two HDMI ports or are these quite old technology now for PC monitor setup? Should I be looking for two display ports or something else?

Any advice would be great. Thank you

hornetstinger · 23 Jun 2017 at 14:37

Pretty much any GPU will be sufficent, as long as it has two video outputs. HDMI, Display port, or DVI.

octechno95 · 23 Jun 2017 at 14:39

hornetstinger said:
Pretty much any GPU will be sufficent, as long as it has two video outputs. HDMI, Display port, or DVI.

But, any benefit going for a setup that has 2 x display ports? Over 2 x HDMI ports? (assuming these even exist)

hornetstinger · 23 Jun 2017 at 14:43

Just resolution. Over a certain resolution, then go to display port. But a GPU with two DVI outputs will do your typical monitor range. I believe 4K needs DP. But 1080p is fine with HDMI/DVI.

HDMI has some funny sync features, like if it detects the display is off it loses sync, notice that when playing audio when changing inputs or switching monitor off.

octechno95 · 23 Jun 2017 at 14:46

hornetstinger said:
Just resolution. Over a certain resolution, then go to display port. But a GPU with two DVI outputs will do your typical monitor range. I believe 4K needs DP. But 1080p is fine with HDMI/DVI.

HDMI has some funny sync features, like if it detects the display is off it loses sync, notice that when playing audio when changing inputs or switching monitor off.

Awesome thanks. So I'm guessing it's best to go for a system/graphics card with dual DVI given 4k seems overkill for non-gaming.

Armageus · 23 Jun 2017 at 15:06

Since it's for non-gaming use (and assuming you aren't using anything GPU accelerated e.g. Photoshop etc), then you don't even need a dedicated GPU. All of the consumer intel chips/boards will do 2 displays, most motherboards have some combination of a DVI/HDMI/DP. Passive cables and adapters e.g. from HDMI->DVI, and DP->DVI are a couple of quid, and work fine.

hornetstinger · 23 Jun 2017 at 15:11

Armageus said:
Since it's for non-gaming use (and assuming you aren't using anything GPU accelerated e.g. Photoshop etc), then you don't even need a dedicated GPU. All of the consumer intel chips/boards will do 2 displays, most motherboards have some combination of a DVI/HDMI/DP. Passive cables and adapters e.g. from HDMI->DVI, and DP->DVI are a couple of quid, and work fine.

I would still get a budget dedicated card so it's not using slower system RAM. Although I believe modern GPU's built into some CPU's are pretty good, mainly just the VRAM issue..

BinnsY · 23 Jun 2017 at 17:38

hornetstinger said:
I would still get a budget dedicated card so it's not using slower system RAM. Although I believe modern GPU's built into some CPU's are pretty good, mainly just the VRAM issue..

Much like @Armageus said, unless he needs GPU acceleration for something specific that VRAM really wont be an issue and onboard video will be more than adequate. If RAM is such a concern that the 200mb or so windows will consume is making the difference then realistically money would be better spent simply buying more RAM than it would buying a dedicated GPU.

Quartz · 23 Jun 2017 at 18:26

octechno95 said:
Given my non-gaming requirements, I thought I could go even smaller for my new PC but I'm struggling to work out the best way to get a dual monitor setup (which is a must). Should I be looking for systems with two HDMI ports or are these quite old technology now for PC monitor setup? Should I be looking for two display ports or something else?

An Intel NUC or Zotac ZBox or similar will do you just fine as long as it has Displayport or HDMI outputs.

Bigvern1 · 23 Jun 2017 at 22:33

I'm a bit confused over this. My last build from Overclockers was 2008 (Just found the invoice!). I've got a Radeon 4800 with two DVI imputs from which I'm running two Dell IPL 24 inch montiors at 1920x1080.

I'm looking to do a new build but from I can see, two DVI or two HDMI inputs don't seem to be supported on the lower end graphics cards? i.e. I'd need to be looking at a Radeon RX570 or GeForex 1060 and above to run a dual monitor setup?

I think I may have the wrong end of the stick if someone can clarify. Looking to put together a Mini ITX build and so wanted a short length card.

The machine is used constantly 7 days a week for trading, office work, graphics and potentially some gaming.