Advice needed - multiple monitors - yay or nay?

addylad

addylad

addylad

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Hi there!

So I was looking at getting multiple monitors, but I wasn't sure whether this is the best idea. I have about £180-200 to spend in total. My options are:
1. Get one large 24" monitor - would I be able to have two windows side-by-side using this setup? If someone could show me screenshot, e.g. Word and Firefox up at once, it would be useful. :)
2. Get two smaller monitors (19-22") - this would be awesome for doing work and also being able to chat on MSN while on the internet, etc. But if I was gaming, how much extra strain would it be on the GFX card to have an extra monitor with Firefox or something up?

Any advice or experience would be much appreciated! Thanks. :D
 
The extra monitor will have basically no effect on fps in games. As long as it's not running anything strenuous on that monitor it'll be absolutely fine.

As for one big screen vs dual screens... both have their advantages and disadvantages. Up until very recently I had one 22" screen and a 19" screen, which I've just replaced with one 27" screen. Clearly for gaming size is everything :p, one bigger screen is so much nicer to work with. Multitasking is slightly better with a dual monitor setup, but I can't say I miss it too much. Using two windows side by side is absolutely fine, and it's infact ideal for things like webpages which don't need all the space of the screen.

Could I do it with a 24" screen? Absolutely, in theory because mine is only a 1080p 27" monitor it has the same number of pixels as a 24" screen, and therefore you can display the same amount of information. You'd just need slightly better eyesight :)
 
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I had one dell 2209wa, and decided later to get another. I did this because:

1. EVE-Online: can run 2 clients at full resolution
2. Watch videos on one, brower/game in the other
3. Great for having reading material on one and Word on the other.
4. 2x 22" vs 1x 24" you'll get a lot more screen space with dual display.

Downsides:

1. Takes up more desk-space.
2. Obviously lower resolution.
3. Not as good if you can only use one display for a game.

I personally loved dual screen. Just edited because I realised you don't have a screen yet. With your budget 2 smaller screens may be the better option. If you had a bit more money I'd be tempted to push for a hazro 27".
 
Thanks for the advice everyone! I do like the idea of having two screens. I could probably afford a 24" and a 20" but that could potentially look a bit silly. :P Another question while you're here: to play recent games well on a 24", what sort of graphics card would I need to be looking at?

Cheers.
 
I have a 24 and a 20". Smaller one was my original, kept it when I upgraded. Its off to one side, so its not in the way.
 
id say at 24 or 2x 19-21 id go with one decent 24

but when you get to 24+ id go with 2x24 rather than one 27.

also as said the second monitor isnt much strain but 2 monitors does push the temps of gfx cards up, quite a bit..

a screen shot of mine..
 
al4x said:
id say at 24 or 2x 19-21 id go with one decent 24

but when you get to 24+ id go with 2x24 rather than one 27.

also as said the second monitor isnt much strain but 2 monitors does push the temps of gfx cards up, quite a bit..

a screen shot of mine..
Click to expand...

That looks awesome! I'm thinking of just getting a 24" to start with then, and possibly adding another depending on how it goes. I could possibly spare the cash next month. Can't wait to build my PC. :D

What sort of card would I need for gaming on a 24" and having another 24" with FF/e-mail at the same time? Just so I get a card that could cope with 2 x 24" in the future. :)
 
addylad said:
1. Get one large 24" monitor - would I be able to have two windows side-by-side using this setup? If someone could show me screenshot, e.g. Word and Firefox up at once, it would be useful. :)
Click to expand...

Picture of two web pages open side by side on my 24"

Untitled-52.jpg
 
addylad said:
That looks awesome! I'm thinking of just getting a 24" to start with then, and possibly adding another depending on how it goes. I could possibly spare the cash next month. Can't wait to build my PC. :D

What sort of card would I need for gaming on a 24" and having another 24" with FF/e-mail at the same time? Just so I get a card that could cope with 2 x 24" in the future. :)
Click to expand...

depends on resolution, at 24 id be looking at 1920x1200 or 1920x1080

a radeon 5870 or 5850 is what i would recommend,

my 27in is 2540x1440 and my 24 is 1920x1200
 
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