Two monitor desktop
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Stafford England
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Two monitor desktop
I am thinking of upgrading my present single monitor setup to a dual screen, over which I can spread the desktop or run two programmes with their own screen space.
Currently, I have a GT630 Nvidia graphics card in a high spec PC which has one each of XVGA, HDMI and DVI outputs. As I'd like the monitors to receive the same quality of output (using DVI), what's the best option? Buy a second matching card. Or start again with a single card with two DVI outputs?
I already have two identical monitors, but any advice regarding the cards would be most useful!
Currently, I have a GT630 Nvidia graphics card in a high spec PC which has one each of XVGA, HDMI and DVI outputs. As I'd like the monitors to receive the same quality of output (using DVI), what's the best option? Buy a second matching card. Or start again with a single card with two DVI outputs?
I already have two identical monitors, but any advice regarding the cards would be most useful!
There is no difference in quality between DVI and HDMI - they're the same video signal, so just use the HDMI socket on your current card for the second monitor.
HDMI - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
HDMI - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Plastic PPRuNer
Buy an HDMI-to-DVI converter cable (assuming your monitor doesn't have an HDMI input).
Once you've used dual screen then you'll never go back.
[DisplayFusion do a wonderful utility for managing multiple monitors - the paid-for version is well worth it - DisplayFusion: Multiple Monitors Made Easy! ? by Binary Fortress Software ]
Mac
Once you've used dual screen then you'll never go back.
[DisplayFusion do a wonderful utility for managing multiple monitors - the paid-for version is well worth it - DisplayFusion: Multiple Monitors Made Easy! ? by Binary Fortress Software ]
Mac
Last edited by Mac the Knife; 6th May 2013 at 17:31.
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Malkin Tower
Posts: 847
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
that may not work as well as it should
Some HDMI connections tend to letter-box or chop the screen, until you try it you don't know.
My preferred solution is always for one card, with two HDMI outputs. Personal preference is for ATi over nVidia, purely for reliability (although don't buy an ATi card from Sparkle)
Some HDMI connections tend to letter-box or chop the screen, until you try it you don't know.
My preferred solution is always for one card, with two HDMI outputs. Personal preference is for ATi over nVidia, purely for reliability (although don't buy an ATi card from Sparkle)
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Deepest Dark Afrika
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Way to go!
Totally agree with Mac:
Have to say though that I very rarely spread one window across both screens - you need too much eyeball swivel to be comfortable with that. But multiple windows - you soon cannot live without them - My standard set up is browser, e-mail, libraries and a couple of performance monitoring windows (Task Manager and a UPS monitoring programme)
Go for it!
Once you've used dual screen then you'll never go back.
Go for it!
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Deepest Dark Afrika
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm quite happy with single monitors.
In the form of Apple Cinema Display 30 inch !
In the form of Apple Cinema Display 30 inch !
Suspect your shiny Apple Cinema display would kill my modest 750VA UPS in a matter of minutes. But of course, most likely you are not so serially and seriously inconvenienced by your power supplier's inability to supply power! : ok:
Last edited by Feline; 20th May 2013 at 12:02.
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Earth
Posts: 3,663
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
But of course, most likely you are not so serially and seriously inconvenienced by your power supplier's inability to supply power!
Still, I do use a UPS. 2200VA.
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Indonesia
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I need my tool bars on one monitor and the main workscreeen for my design program. The toolbar monitor does not need to be big nor high resolution. Does this need a video card with two outputs.