Ultra Wide to replace two monitors for work and gaming

Relentless81 · 8 Feb 2021 at 09:57

Hi all,

My current setup is a docked laptop and my gaming PC connected to two monitors, I am looking to reduce clutter, gain space and heavily reduce cables so I was thinking of getting an Ultra Wide monitor to display two separate screens from my work laptop whilst docked and also take a connection from my gaming PC.

Because it will be for gaming I would like a high refresh rate no less than 144hz, low response times and for it to be able to take a connection from my gaming PC. Where it get complicated and I'm struggling to understand is how do I use a single UW monitor to display two separate images from my work laptop? I want it to act as if its two separate screens which I think is possible but I'm not sure.

Also I've read loads about reducing cable clutter by using your monitor to power your laptop through USB-C but again it gets a bit complicated, my laptop is a few years old but it has a USB-C connection with a little power symbol next to it, does this mean if the monitor has USB-C I can power my laptop from the monitor and output the image from the same cable? If so that would be a huge help in regards to cable clutter.

Is there anything I am missing when considering this setup, any tips or recommendations for monitors please? My budget is pretty open at this point, I want a minimum clutter, single screen setup and UW is the way to go to achieve this but the finer points are confusing me and I want to make sure I buy the right thing that'll do everything I need it to.

Thanks

zola25 · 8 Feb 2021 at 11:49

Although connected a little differently to how you intend, I sucessfully moved from dual monitors to a single Iiyama GB3461WQSU-B1 last year. Using both the laptop's USB-C to DP and HDMI ports allows me to treat the monitor as two screens in Picture-By-Picture mode. This is super useful as it allows for switching one side of the monitor back to my home PC when required during the working day, all while keeping an eye on work e-mails, IM's etc. To get PbP mode to work correctly you either need to use 1720x1440 @ exactly 60Hz, or create a custom resolution at any refresh rate with the Timing Standard set to CVT Reduced Blank (nVidia control panel) or CVT RB (Intel control panel). From what I've read this is common with all but the most expensive, mainly 32:9, ultrawides, some of which even have KVMs built in.

When not working, I just set my home PC's res back to 3440x1440 and go back to treating it as a single display.

Can't help much on the decluttering from the laptop perspective, my own work provided laptop supports Displayport over USB-C but not charging. The laptop is now mounted under the desk which hides all the clutter, it only comes out to be booted up. For keyboard and mouse I use a simple 2 channel 4-port USB switch.

Relentless81 · 8 Feb 2021 at 12:05

zola25 said:
Although connected a little differently to how you intend, I sucessfully moved from dual monitors to a single Iiyama GB3461WQSU-B1 last year. Using both the laptop's USB-C to DP and HDMI ports allows me to treat the monitor as two screens in Picture-By-Picture mode. This is super useful as it allows for switching one side of the monitor back to my home PC when required during the working day, all while keeping an eye on work e-mails, IM's etc. To get PbP mode to work correctly you either need to use 1720x1440 @ exactly 60Hz, or create a custom resolution at any refresh rate with the Timing Standard set to CVT Reduced Blank (nVidia control panel) or CVT RB (Intel control panel). From what I've read this is common with all but the most expensive, mainly 32:9, ultrawides, some of which even have KVMs built in.

When not working, I just set my home PC's res back to 3440x1440 and go back to treating it as a single display.

Can't help much on the decluttering from the laptop perspective, my own work provided laptop supports Displayport over USB-C but not charging. The laptop is now mounted under the desk which hides all the clutter, it only comes out to be booted up. For keyboard and mouse I use a simple 2 channel 4-port USB switch.

All good info thanks, I dont need to share the display with my laptop and PC at the same time, only one will be on at any one time. I do need to split a UW monitor as if it were two separate monitors on the one display so the laptop thinks the UW monitor is two screens, I'm starting to wonder if this is even possible I assumed it was.

My laptop was previously the same as yours, stashed away and came out to be booted but I had a Dell Dock, massive power brick and plethora of related cables for it to connect to two screens. Also same as you I had a basic switch to share the KB and Mouse with both desktop and laptop. I need to understand more how to get it all to work with one USB-C cable inc charging or if its even possible because if not the next option is a smaller main screen and a desk stand for the laptop but this is messy my laptop is large and take up loads of room so would like to avoid that

zola25 · 8 Feb 2021 at 12:15

Might not have explained very well, the laptop does think the monitor is two screens when in PBP mode and it works beautifully. This is how I use it most of the time, however it does require two outputs from the laptop in my case.

Relentless81 · 8 Feb 2021 at 12:16

zola25 said:
Might not have explained very well, the laptop does think the monitor is two screens when in PBP mode and it works beautifully. This is how I use it most of the time, however it does require two outputs from the laptop in my case.

I see, interesting thanks. How do you get the two outputs, USB-C splitter?

zola25 · 8 Feb 2021 at 12:21

In my case using two full input/outputs from the laptop to monitor; 1st is USB-C to displayport, and the second is plain old HDMI.

You can get USB-C mini docks that have multiple display outputs I believe. Presume you'd then only need one cable attached to the laptop, but then two coming out of the dock to the monitor.

Relentless81 · 8 Feb 2021 at 12:24

zola25 said:
In my case using two full input/outputs from the laptop to monitor; 1st is USB-C to displayport, and the second is plain old HDMI.

You can get USB-C mini docks that have multiple display outputs I believe. Presume you'd then only need one cable attached to the laptop, but then two coming out of the dock to the monitor.

Great thanks I'll have a look into this

thenewoc · 8 Feb 2021 at 14:57

Relentless81 said:
Great thanks I'll have a look into this

You need to check what power delivery requirement the laptop requires to charge, some are around 60W but some require closer to a 100W. Once you know this make sure the monitor can output the required amount through its' implementation of Power Delivery over the USB-C port.

A bit less in terms of refresh rate but not a bad all round solution would be one of these, good warranty and an inbuilt KVM... This may not support the full resolution for the laptop so it depends if you'd be happy with the laptop in PiP or PbP mode rather than trying to use the whole screen with just the laptop.

AOC AG493UCX https://www.overclockers.co.uk/aoc-...ved-led-backlit-gaming-monitor-mo-05d-ao.html

Relentless81 · 8 Feb 2021 at 16:17

thenewoc said:
You need to check what power delivery requirement the laptop requires to charge, some are around 60W but some require closer to a 100W. Once you know this make sure the monitor can output the required amount through its' implementation of Power Delivery over the USB-C port.

A bit less in terms of refresh rate but not a bad all round solution would be one of these, good warranty and an inbuilt KVM... This may not support the full resolution for the laptop so it depends if you'd be happy with the laptop in PiP or PbP mode rather than trying to use the whole screen with just the laptop.

AOC AG493UCX https://www.overclockers.co.uk/aoc-...ved-led-backlit-gaming-monitor-mo-05d-ao.html

Thanks, that monitor looks amazing but I think the resolution will be a difficult one to drive, is there anything similar at 3440? I will have a proper look at the other things you mentioned when the kids are in bed

thenewoc · 8 Feb 2021 at 17:38

Hard to beat one of the Iiyama's, just add the appropriate USB-C dock that is stated as being right by your laptop's manufacturer and let the dock take the strain with the cables and provide you with just one USB-C to connect to the laptop without having to have USB-C on the monitor itself. You'd also need a USB switch or a software KVM or switchable keyboard & mouse that support being shared between devices.

Iiyama G-MASTER GB3461WQSU-B1 https://www.overclockers.co.uk/iiya...esync-ultrawide-gaming-monitor-mo-13j-iy.html

or curved VA panels...

Iiyama G-MASTER GB3466WQSU-B1 https://www.overclockers.co.uk/iiya...ium-curved-ultra-wide-gaming-m-mo-13k-iy.html
Gigabyte G34WQC-EK https://www.overclockers.co.uk/giga...le-curved-led-backlit-ultrawid-mo-00b-gi.html
Samsung LC34G55TWWUXEN https://www.overclockers.co.uk/sams...rved-widescreen-gaming-monitor-mo-24a-sa.html

If the gaming is also important to you and you'd make use of higher HDR then I think the previous generation G9 is worth a look too with it being on offer. As for the screen being too big for the system(s) to drive, yes maybe if you want high fps and don't have a decent graphics card and as for the laptop yes it would mean a desktop and the laptop sharing the screen PiP or PbP rather than the laptop having the monitor to iteself.

Samsung C49RG90SSU https://www.overclockers.co.uk/sams...led-32-9-curved-gaming-monitor-mo-23u-sa.html

Basically you'll only win the battle on cables if the monitor has USB-C and KVM and the desired refresh rate to satisfy gaming as well as productivity. This combo though is extremely rare, the AOC 49" being the only one I can think of that comes close although a bit disappointing on the HDR front.

The next closest you can get to cable minimalism is if you have admin control of all the systems so that you can install a software KVM on each system and then share peripherals over LAN. This assumes that no matter what the device that has the peripherals physically attached must be on so it can act as the broker to share the keyboard & mouse etc with your laptop etc.

Relentless81 · 8 Feb 2021 at 20:28

Thanks for the detailed reply, I'll admit I'm confused about what to do at this point I'm wondering if I should stick with dual screens I already have a 24" 1080p Dell I can use as a second screen or have the laptop on a stand next to a 27 or 32" 16:9 screen but not sure if I'll have the room yet as my laptop is quite big

I've just ordered the desk and I've got to wait until the end of march for it so plenty of time to look at all the options!

thenewoc · 8 Feb 2021 at 22:26

A monitor arm mount would be useful as you would regain the space underneath for the laptop. If you had a dock you could probably set up the power saving options on the laptop to not let the screen sleep when connected to the dock and change the action of the lid close to not cause it to sleep either. That way you could close the laptop and slide it under the monitor. If you could fit the dock under the desk you'd then only need a USB switch on top.

Relentless81 · 8 Feb 2021 at 22:39

thenewoc said:
A monitor arm mount would be useful as you would regain the space underneath for the laptop. If you had a dock you could probably set up the power saving options on the laptop to not let the screen sleep when connected to the dock and change the action of the lid close to not cause it to sleep either. That way you could close the laptop and slide it under the monitor. If you could fit the dock under the desk you'd then only need a USB switch on top.

I've ordered a set of drawers that would go under the desk and leave space for the laptop with the lid closed on top which hides the laptop and some of the cables away

Just need to decide on the monitor setup now, it's either a 16:9 main gaming monitor with a 1080p screen next to it as a second monitor or a single UW, really struggling to decide there seems to be so many issues with monitors making the decision even more painful but I'm leaning toward UW just for the less cables and it's more of an upgrade and change from my previous monitor

Quartz · 9 Feb 2021 at 11:44

Relentless81 said:
I am looking to reduce clutter, gain space

Have you considered stacking the monitors?

Relentless81 · 9 Feb 2021 at 11:59

Quartz said:
Have you considered stacking the monitors?

I did that with my last setup and still have the mount but it means more cables and a dock required also you have to look up to see the second monitor where as with Ultra Wide no dock is required as the laptop has hdmi out so less cables

The mount is also very heavy and IIRC it's limit is 27" per monitor

mid_gen · 9 Feb 2021 at 14:29

I switched from a pair of 32" 4k monitors, to a single 49" 5120x1440 CRG90.

Definitely an improvement, it's much more comfortable having my main work stuff in the centre so I can sit straight, and have ancillary stuff to the sides (FancyZones in PowerToys is great for this).

I switch between a personal and work machine a lot, and it's so much easier than dealing with two monitors. I just have the mouse, keyboard, mic, printer plugged into the monitor. A little USB extension cable from the back of one PC to right next to the other, so I just switch input on the monitor and pop one USB cable across, done.

petertr2000 · 16 Feb 2021 at 10:25

I have a UW monitor connected to my work laptop.
I dont do anything special, I simply snap windows to either side and it acts like 2 separate windows.
Its really easy.

petertr2000 · 16 Feb 2021 at 10:26

mid_gen said:
I switched from a pair of 32" 4k monitors, to a single 49" 5120x1440 CRG90.

Definitely an improvement, it's much more comfortable having my main work stuff in the centre so I can sit straight, and have ancillary stuff to the sides (FancyZones in PowerToys is great for this).

I switch between a personal and work machine a lot, and it's so much easier than dealing with two monitors. I just have the mouse, keyboard, mic, printer plugged into the monitor. A little USB extension cable from the back of one PC to right next to the other, so I just switch input on the monitor and pop one USB cable across, done.

I'm looking to switch to a large 4k TV screen soon. Having essentially 4 x 1080p screens' worth available will be a big bonus.
Is 49" not too big though? How far back do you sit?

montymint · 16 Feb 2021 at 10:26

I went to an UW back in 2016 and haven't regretted it once. I will upgrade to a larger resolution (currently 3440x1440p) in the next gen of cards.

mid_gen · 16 Feb 2021 at 10:43

petertr2000 said:
I'm looking to switch to a large 4k TV screen soon. Having essentially 4 x 1080p screens' worth available will be a big bonus.
Is 49" not too big though? How far back do you sit?

49" 32:9 ultrawide is quite different from a 49" 16:9.

Using FancyZones, it's essentially like having a 16:9 straight ahead of you, and an 8:9 to either side...although most of the time for work I have visual studio spanning the whole screen, with 3 code panels in the middle and a property panel either side.

Ultra Wide to replace two monitors for work and gaming

Pet Northerner