Do I want a second monitor?

[CKent]

It would definitely be nice, but I'm just not sure it'd be $300-$350 nice - I would get a second Hyundai L90D if I were to go ahead with this, the same monitor I currently own. Those who have two monitors, how do you like it? Would it be worth the $$ to you if you only had one? One benefit I'm hoping for is viewing widescreen movies across the two, how well will this work out? What are some other benefits?

PS. My 9800 pro only has one dvi-out, would it only be a good idea if I got a dual-dvi card?

 

[cpacini]

I have two monitors and love it, I really would never want to give up having that much desktop space. As for watching a movie stretched across both, I dont think that would work very well. Having two monitors is great if you're multitasking or have lots of windows open though.

 

[n0cmonkey]

I hate using only one monitor now.

 

[cpacini]

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey
I hate using only one monitor now.

Me too, I have been activly lobbying my IT department to put in a second monitor for me at work. So far, no dice. I even offered provide the monitor and videocard

 

[SilentZero]

Yes go for it! I am using 2 Dell 2405FPW's at home and they are GREAT!

 

[morkus64]

Originally posted by: SilentZero
Yes go for it! I am using 2 Dell 2405FPW's at home and they are GREAT!

:Q

Well I'm jealous!

 

[TheBDB]

I don't think the movie idea would work well, but it is nice to have space to have multiple windows open.

 

[CKent]

Hrm, I was under the impression if you have two of the same model running at the same refresh rate you could stretch a movie (or whatever) across both, is this not the case? Or are you talking about the bar that would be in the middle? The bezel on the L90D is only about 1/2", I think I could get used to that. Any other thoughts? I have no doubt that it's nice to hvae, I'm just more concerned if it's worth the money. How about for games? There's nothing I hate more than alt-tabbing to keep up on IMs (or missing them cause I'm playing WoW with sound off).

 

[harobikes333]

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey
I hate using only one monitor now.

lol thats why I don't have two monitors. That way I don't know what I'm missing! lol

 

[CKent]

Anyone else? Also wondering if I should bother without having a dual-dvi card.

 

[0roo0roo]

multitasking really benifits from dual monitor. a single monitor is so constricting, you will know what i'm talking about once u experience it. its worth it. and no, don't even imagine for a second one can stretch movies over two monitors. for one two monitors together are wrong aspect ratio, way too wide, two, a gap in the middle of any sort is unacceptable and so jarring that no one in their right mind could stand such a thing.

 

[0roo0roo]

l90d if you can afford it i guess. but any lcd would work as a second monitor, less important stuff for multitasking like web browsing/file manager etc. 19" routinely go on sale for 160bucks these days. no need to be that fancy for monitor #2, only monitor #1 needs fast pixel response type stuff for gaming

 

[CKent]

Thanks for the input Oroo, can you expand a bit on the logistics of stretching a movie across 2 monitors? I'm thinking l90d because I already have one & would like the symmetry and elegance of having a second, not to mention the (I'm imagining) more precise look & size. Wouldn't most decent video players have an aspect ratio lock?

 

[imported_g33k]

Horizontally stretching is not used too much. The panel seperating the two monitors is so annoying that I have never grown accustomed to it. Dual monitors are more for having multiple windows open. If you want widescreen, a 2005fpw would be a better choice than two 19" lcd's.

 

[Some1ne]

I run dual-monitor...kind of. I've got a standard 17" CRT hooked up to my PC as my "primary" monitor, and I also have the PC hooked up to my TV. It's pretty nice, I can have the computer play a movie on the TV while I do real work on the CRT, or for emulation I can use the TV for video output and it feels a lot more like playing on a real console instead of an emulator on a PC. The best thing is (especially with my dual-core setup) the output to the TV doesn't interfere with the availability of the PC to perform other tasks on the CRT at the same time.

 

[0roo0roo]

depends on the video card, something about overlay sometimes not working on the 2nd monitor if you drag the window halfway between. eitherway it looks so yucky its not a real option. just imagine seeing a face with say..even half an inch gap between, its not just a blank spot but a horizontal stretch separation. and if you aspect ratio lock it wouldn't fit anyways and would look absurd. if you really are into video save up for a big wide screen monitor instead. there is no other option

 

[CKent]

Gotcha... thinking I'm gonna drop these extra bucks on some good liquor or some Senny 650s then Thanks all for the input.

 

[imported_goku]

Originally posted by: SilentZero
Yes go for it! I am using 2 Dell 2405FPW's at home and they are GREAT!

How the fu.... I was considering getting a widescreen monitor but I was thinking how I'd go about having dualies since I'm so used to having my two 19" monitors.

 

[imported_goku]

Originally posted by: RBachman
Anyone else? Also wondering if I should bother without having a dual-dvi card.

Get a dual monitor setup first and THEN if you game which I assume you do since you've got a 9800pro, get a highend AGP card to replace that and you should be set. OR get any dual DVI card assuming you don't game.

 

[LED]

I waited years for MultiMonitors to become a reality and went gongho with the which soon wore off...so now I'm good with 3 ..as far as havin the exact match of Monitors, i personally prefer LCD and CRTs in the mix because of the difference if them...

 

[diapickle]

If your plan on gaming with dual displays be prepared for a slight to moderate performance hit.

 

[imported_goku]

Originally posted by: diapickle
If your plan on gaming with dual displays be prepared for a slight to moderate performance hit.

? There are very few games that can utilize both monitors, one game would be MS Flight simulator, you're not talking about that, right?

 

[CKent]

I'm not looking to stretch games or TV (I have a tuner card) across both screens - just a desktop and, I was hoping, widescreen movies. Regardless, I've decided I probably won't be going this route, I might do a DIY projector instead

 

[diapickle]

? There are very few games that can utilize both monitors, one game would be MS Flight simulator, you're not talking about that, right?

no, basically you will lose a few FPS because your video card has to work harder to display two seperate screens. It also varies by the game.

 

[MadAd]

split across two looks poo, youll ditch it fast - best spend the cash on a widescreen lcd (i love my L2335, so lush in games, the dell 24" looks just as nice too) and keep your L90 for your second screen.... 2 screens are dead handy for being able to wiew more than one web page at a time or copy text, email etc from one to another, even as a spare dumping ground when screen 1 is chocoblock... gaming wise i can see whats going on in irc channels or a messenger while im ingame - its a handy thing to have, youll soon find a use but it doesnt have to be the same size or type, any old screen will do.