Two monitors or a single ultra wide?

spengos · 22 Jan 2019 at 12:12

Hi all,

I like to game on one screen and then have another with something to read or maybe watch youtube or something. What's the preferred setup these days? Are two monitors side by side best or would one of these fancy ultra wide screens be better? Are there any downsides to having everything on the one screen? Interested to hear people's experiences and thoughts. Cheers.

Vexr · 22 Jan 2019 at 12:25

If you want immersion in gaming go 3440x1440 ultrawide. Otherwise, I hear streaming/twitch nonsense is a bit awkward for ultrawide, but other than that I fail to see the downsides. Maybe YouTube side by side with something else, but then the theatre mode pads that out decently enough IMO.

Quartz · 22 Jan 2019 at 12:59

Two monitors: one portrait for text work (like forums), one landscape for gaming.

Glanza · 22 Jan 2019 at 13:05

I use dual 24" at work and a 34" at home, I prefer using the 34" and browsers in windows etc, If I feel like watching something I'll run the game in 1080p and still have plenty of room left for Netflix or Youtube next to it.

james.miller · 22 Jan 2019 at 13:08

i much prefer using a single display however there are some situations where it's much easier to have a separate physical display so IMO 34" UW + 27" 16:9 is the answer.

spengos · 22 Jan 2019 at 13:10

Quartz said:
Two monitors: one portrait for text work (like forums), one landscape for gaming.

That's an interesting idea. I like that. Doesn't take up as much space on the desk either.

Minstadave · 22 Jan 2019 at 13:30

spengos said:
That's an interesting idea. I like that. Doesn't take up as much space on the desk either.

This is what I use. Works well for me and really good for Lightroom work.

I've recently moved to a Gsync 27" for gaming and a 25" IPS in portrait for colour work/forums.

dessimpson · 22 Jan 2019 at 13:46

james.miller said:
i much prefer using a single display however there are some situations where it's much easier to have a separate physical display so IMO 34" UW + 27" 16:9 is the answer.

This is what I have. One 34" Ultrawide and a 27" 1440p next to it. Different vertical resolution bugs me so this setup is ideal (mouse doesn't get stuck going from screen to screen).

That said. I've just ordered a 35" Ultrawide so I may go side by side and move the 1440p to my home office.