3 Panel Setup

AccessDenied · 14 May 2007 at 13:35

I'm looking to purchase a new widescreen monitor, possibly Samsung SM-226BW 22".

Would this be there best way to to spend my money or are there any better screens for that prices ? recommendations would b appreciated.

And my main reason for my post is to check *** else i need to run my screens. I currently have 2 19" Samsung 930BF screens which im happy with, but want 2 add a 22" WS to the set up. I have these 2 screens running off a 8800GTX card. For me to add a 3rd screen i would need an additional gfx card. Can you advise me *** type i should go for, would a budget 1 do ? ie. have the main ws monitor running off my 8800gtx on its own, and have the 2x 19" running off the additional card ? wots the best setup to have.

AccessDenied · 15 May 2007 at 16:48

am i asking a silly question ? many views no replies. All i really would like to know is what setup i should have for my gfx cards.

currently im thinking of having the 8800gtx running the 22" ws on its own, and i have an old 6800GT 256mb with 2x dvi outputs that could run my 2x 19's.

is this the best setup, this way i run all my main applications on the ws and the 2x 19's house the other windows and basic apps.

if im missing sumthing i apologise but i could really use some advise

fobose · 15 May 2007 at 17:51

I would do as you suggested and put the two 19" on the older card and keep the primary monitor on the 8800 card.

Mud · 15 May 2007 at 18:00

Bear in mind that Vista's Aero only supports all graphics cards on the same driver set...so if you want Vista prettiness, you want to plan ahead.

james.miller · 15 May 2007 at 18:02

yep. buy a 22" and put that on the gtx. get another cheap card, 7300gt or something like i did, and put one or both of the other two on that.

I had a similar setup, but involving a 19", a 22" wide screen and my 40" sony lcd. both the 22 and the 40" are hookup up to my gtx for some intense gaming

ive since sold the 19", but im looking to get another 22

Hussman · 16 May 2007 at 07:07

Have you thought about the Matrox Triplehead2Go route?

FrankJH · 16 May 2007 at 07:35

Hussman said:
Have you thought about the Matrox Triplehead2Go route?

Im dubious after using the dualheads at work as to whether the quality would be good for gaming

Hussman · 16 May 2007 at 19:21

I have been using one for ages. It has been fine with games such as Counter Strike, Ravenshield, FS2004 and GP4.

In fact I'm only now selling it as I've moved to a Dell 3007.

AccessDenied · 17 May 2007 at 09:31

Mud said:
Bear in mind that Vista's Aero only supports all graphics cards on the same driver set...so if you want Vista prettiness, you want to plan ahead.

same driver set ? so i need 2 gfx cards that will use the same driver series. ie. 6800 and 8800 use different series of drivers... so i would need another 8800 ? cheapest like £180 quid ?

Mud · 17 May 2007 at 10:53

AccessDenied said:
same driver set ? so i need 2 gfx cards that will use the same driver series. ie. 6800 and 8800 use different series of drivers... so i would need another 8800 ? cheapest like £180 quid ?

Seems that way...the 320MB 8800 GTS is the cheapest 8800.

nrh1703 · 17 May 2007 at 22:08

I'm interested in doing something similar but with silence rather than performance in mind. I've got 2 1in Sonys at the mo connected to a Matrox P650 PCIe 128 and want to add a Samsung 226BW but with Vista Aero capability in mind (so a 2nd P650 won't do).

I thought about 2x passivly cooled nvidia 7600s of some type but haven't heard the best things about their vista drivers yet. Any recomendations for aero & silence? Main uses are TV (SD and HD), and 2D apps.

Incidentally, I'm going to go with an Ergotron triple mount stand. IT's a bit pricey but will help get the best out of the three displays.

Thanks

Ollie's Gadgets · 18 May 2007 at 09:46

What is the height of a 22" widescreen? Will it be the same as your 19inch monitors or will it be taller. If it is taller it might be annoying as you will have to resize windows if you drag from a 19inch to the 22inch.

Also is it possible to have the start bar on the middle monitor or can you choose where it goes?

I am in a similiar position to you. I currently have two Samsung Syncmaster 913ns and am considered getting a third widescreen "media" monitor to sit in the middle. Is this the reason you want the 22" widescreen?

james.miller · 18 May 2007 at 10:49

vertical resolution on a 22" widescreen is 1050. its 1024 on a 19" 5:4

Ollie's Gadgets · 18 May 2007 at 11:09

So almost matches up. I suppose if you have the taskbar set only on the 22" it might work perfectly.

Does anyone here use this setup? (2x19" and 1x22" widescreen) Got any pics of it?

AccessDenied · 18 May 2007 at 15:18

Got mine 2day

i got the samsung 22"... turns out an A panel. not fussed tho.

Will try and set it up 2nite with my 2 19".

I tried lunch time. installed another 8800gtx, vista messed about trying 2 install drivers. once i got them installed. device manager was seeing both cards, but now wen i try and configure my screens, it doesnt give me any other option other than single screen. doesnt seem 2 detect my second display plugged in. advice would b nice.

wen i get it set up, ill post sum pics

Ollie's Gadgets · 19 May 2007 at 07:55

Awesome, would be really useful to see your setup

Ollie's Gadgets · 22 May 2007 at 11:07

Any pics yet?

AccessDenied · 22 May 2007 at 11:16

and

just finished yesterday. im very pleased

james.miller · 22 May 2007 at 11:28

nice one. looks great. i bet you get fed up of having to scroll all the was across the desktop though

Ollie's Gadgets · 22 May 2007 at 11:56

Thanks, that is a sick setup. I am really tempted to follow in your footsteps.

How is it to use? It is a lot better than 2 screens?

What do you think of the lcd screen on those speakers. Gimick?

Also are you using ultramon. I just started using it for my dual screens and it is brilliant.