3x 27" 2560x1440 vs 1x 49" 5120x1440

R.C.Anderson · 20 Oct 2023 at 19:49

Has anyone had both these setups & able to give some insight into how they compare?

Currently I'm running 3x 27" Dell Ultrashaps as 2560x1440 each, but they're not gaming monitors by any standard, so I'm considering changing my monitor setup. the amount of screen real estate I currently have is great for work related tasks (I use the same monitor setup for work, as I WFH 99% of the time). Although I do often feel I don't quite need all the space & it can feel a bit like watching a tennis match when I'm working across all 3 screens.
As a result, I was considering my options to change. A simple "known" change would be to swap the middle screen for a new 27" at the same res, but which would be suitable for gaming, the other option is to change the whole setup to something different.
I don't like the idea of going to a single ultrawide, as it's sacrificing a lot of total screen real estate, and using an additional screen along with an ultrawide would be hard to fit properly, as it would be even further to the side than my current ones, so I think I've discounted this option.
A single 49" DQHD screen looks like it could be a posibility (although I have to decide if the cost is worth it...), as it's the equivilent to 2/3 of what I have at the moment, which I think I could live with as I won't have a bezel down the middle.

Anyone been in a similar situation? What did you do & why & how do you feel about it now?

smogsy · 21 Oct 2023 at 16:04

aftrer doing many Different monitor setups

3x24 1080p
3x27 1440p
1x34 1440p uw
1x 48" 4K
1x27" 4K

currently got 2x 27" 1440p stacked & angled

If i was to upgrade again i would do the following

34" UW + 27" or 34" stacked above gets rid of the head turning & less used stuff gets stuffed at top

Example
main screen
coding
browser
Email / slack/teams
Gaming

top screen
Terminal / Monitoring servers / Meeting video / videos of tutorials / youtube

other question is do you game? 512x1440 would be hard to run but you could run in pixel by pixel lower res version.

R.C.Anderson · 23 Oct 2023 at 17:30

I've seen pictures of a few setups with stacked monitors, but I've always thought it'll just strain your neck looking up so much, do you not find that?

Quartz · 23 Oct 2023 at 17:45

I too run stacked monitors (both 27" 4k) and no, I do not strain my neck, even watching several hours of a Twitch stream. As @smogsy says, it's less-used stuff that gets put on the upper screen.

smogsy · 23 Oct 2023 at 20:34

R.C.Anderson said:
I've seen pictures of a few setups with stacked monitors, but I've always thought it'll just strain your neck looking up so much, do you not find that?

nope with above you can have the bottom quite low if needed mines angled quite a bit like 35% so its almost looking at me

Quartz · 23 Oct 2023 at 22:25

smogsy said:
nope with above you can have the bottom quite low if needed mines angled quite a bit like 35% so its almost looking at me

Yers. My eyeline is pretty much the division between thee two monitors.

R.C.Anderson · 24 Oct 2023 at 16:46

Hmm, and interestig option then. But in order to do that, I assume the bottom of the lower screen is pretty much flat on the desk, is that right? I've currently got mine ~ 20cm off the desk mounted on arms, as it gives the feeling of the desk being less cramped, and allows speakers to be under them.

Quartz · 24 Oct 2023 at 17:20

R.C.Anderson said:
But in order to do that, I assume the bottom of the lower screen is pretty much flat on the desk, is that right?

No; it's a fair bit above. I have a sound bar beneath it and plenty of air above that. But then I am 6 foot 4.