Dual screen setups - show me yours!

e36Adz · 8 Jan 2013 at 08:21

Hi guys, I've not posted in hardware for years! I think I've had my current setup for around 3 years now and not touched it, I've had my monitor (Dell 2405FPW) for around 8 years. It is still going strong - no backlight bleed, no dead pixels etc. It cost me around £550 at the time, and it was money well spent imo considering how long it's lasted.

This is my current setup:

Intel i5 750
P7P55D Evo
8GB G.Skill DDR3
GTX 460 OC
40GB x2 SSD RAID-0
Antec 1200
Dell 2405FPW
Win 7 Ultimate 64

It is still more then good enough for my needs since I've not played games on my PC for years. However, I am currently doing a course and for the next 1.5 years I will be required to do quite a few assignments. At work, we were all upgraded to 2x 22" screens and tbh I've found the extra desktop space very useful. I'm now considering doing the same for my home setup, what are my best options?

I do not have a great deal of desk space but another 24" should 'just about' fit. I do not have a lot to spend, maybe £100-140 absolute max.

1- Should I try get a cheap 4:3 21" screen, I estimate this should be the same screen height as my 24" widescreen?

2- Do I try pick up a cheap second hand Dell 2405FPW?

3- Do I sell and maybe get 2x slightly smaller 22"/23" screens?

4- Should I just buy any cheap/decent 24" and pair them up?

If you have two screens please post pics I'd love to see your setup.

macca672 · 8 Jan 2013 at 10:45

if your not gaming on it then just about any screen should be ok.

if desk space is an issue you may want to look at a monitor arm to allow you some flexibility

heres my dual screen setup

Beans on toast Dave · 8 Jan 2013 at 10:57

heres mine, 2 dells, i used to use a dell 2405 which was a great monitor and a 22" hanns g
i upgraded to 2 u2412m's and its much better having 2 identical monitors as you have no resizing issues, also i run both mine via onboard graphics which is ok as atm i dont play games

skuko · 8 Jan 2013 at 13:37

same as challengedavid, 2x2412, can't say a bad word about them

e36Adz · 8 Jan 2013 at 14:34

macca - you're not serious with that wallpaper on your desktop?

challengedavid - they look very nice, I like the idea of the monitors blending well together/matching, I don't want one to stand out like a sore thumb! I suppose I could always downgrade my gfx card if I only need a basic one to run 2 monitors, like I said I don't game at all on my PC.

edit: Wasn't it you I emailed, you were selling your old dell 24?

More pics please guys... loads of you must have dual screen setups. Triple screen users don't feel left out, your pics are also welcome.

shahpor · 8 Jan 2013 at 16:01

If you will excuse the mess, this is mine:

Dell U3011 main with HP LP2475W in portrait mode.

Beans on toast Dave · 8 Jan 2013 at 20:40

e36Adz said:
edit: Wasn't it you I emailed, you were selling your old dell 24?

lol, yes i did not notice that, still there if you change your mind!

macca672 · 8 Jan 2013 at 23:23

e36Adz said:
macca - you're not serious with that wallpaper on your desktop?

haha that pics from before xmas, my kids love the song so put that on for them

Golf1.6 · 9 Jan 2013 at 00:01

hmm is the horizontal, vertical combo the new thing now?

foster grant · 9 Jan 2013 at 00:55

i dont have those speakers or that desk no more

e36Adz · 9 Jan 2013 at 01:06

Update - my mate said he has a spare Dell 20" widescreen which he is happy to lend me, he hasn't used it in a very long time. I could set it vertically next to the 24" I suppose? I'd rather buy one though.

challengedavid - I'm gonna email you at the end of this month if nothing comes up by then.

Two identical screens side by side horizontally looks the best to me so far. Anyone have two screens vertically side by side??

skyjawa · 9 Jan 2013 at 11:43

Its not dual but it was till I added a third! I would be tempted to have turned one to portrait for docs etc, if it wasn't for gaming. Also with the u2412 res of 1920x1200, I find 1200 is enough for most docs to not need portrait screen.

e36Adz · 9 Jan 2013 at 21:25

Very nice that

triple monitor setups look the best but I just haven't the space or funds for it at present.

My 8 yr old Dell is also 1920x1200, but I noticed most the 24" these days are 1080 which is a shame. I think the resolution on mine is perfect for the size of the screen. I'm leaning towards picking up a second hand 2405FPW but is it worth it at around £100 when I can get a brand new 24" with warranty for £20-£30 more??? They seem to be dirt cheap these days.

Or maybe sell my 24" and go for 2x identical 22"/23" screens? The most important thing is cost really, I don't want to fork out too much when I don't need too.

Steveocee · 9 Jan 2013 at 21:45

My 27" samsung and 17" dell

e36Adz · 26 Jan 2013 at 19:43

Picked up my second Dell 2405FPW today and just set it up, 3840 x 1200 resolution looks insane! They just about fit on my desk.

It cost me around £100 all in when I take into account petrol costs, but well worth it I feel. My original one cost me approx £550 ~8 years ago!

EDIT: Here they are!!! (pic taken at night on phone)