• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Multi-monitors?

S

schumaj

Junior Member
Okay, my current build project is going to have at this point a single 7950 GT KO 512Mb vid card. I currently have a 20" Gemstar CRT that is approaching 9 years old, and although it seems fine, it has to die at some point.

I am really wary about the whole LCD/pixel thing, but think its time to bite the bullet. I know there is a buyer guide, but I was wondering about suggestions for my monitor setup. I do audio/video editing sometimes, and work on maya a lot for school, but i am also a gamer. Should I do a larger widescreen monitor or 2, or maybe even 2 or 3 19 inch monitors. The budget is about $600-$700 for monitors probably. If I am doing multiples should I get another vid card (i know i will need one if i do 3)? I generally run at 1280x1024 and that would probably be good enough for me so 19 lcds might be fine.

Thanks in advance for advice.
 
Stick to dual monitors if you can so you don't have to spend the extra money on another video card.

I've been going dual monitors since 1999, back in the day when CRT's were still expensive and LCD's meant you had a Ferrari parked in your driveway. In any case, you can easily get dual 19" LCD monitors under $450 shipped. I won't recommend you a brand only because people have varing opinions on what brand is good. I personally always suggest monitors that have good swivel support, DVI, and contrast ratio.

If you go a single larger monitor route, you're limiting yourslef more on your productivity side and appealing more to your gamer side. For the price of one 24" monitor, you could of gotten two 19" monitors with some spare left over. On the other hand however, a larger 24" monitor is significantly more future proof than 19" monitors, and you can really multi-task the monitor into an entertainment center if you choose to do so. Workspace is going to be a lot larger due to the higher resolution, but it's also going to be an eye-strain staring at a larger screen, so keep that in mind.

If you want to go the 3 monitor route, I suggest you take a step back and see what exactly you can use the 3rd monitor for. I find it better to use a dedicated 2 monitor setup and a 3rd monitor connected to an entirely different computer. I was never able to fully utilize my 3 CRT setup on my second rig I built back in 2000, and the extra video card in the computer made it a hassle for internal space. By connecting the 3rd monitor to a seperate computer (Let's say a budget $150 desktop), you can use this to do all your dirty work (play music, browse a website, download) while your main computer does the more intensive and important stuff. (Edit, work on Maya, photoshop, CAD, etc)

For your price range, two 19" monitors are really going to be at max $550 for super high quality ones. One 24" monitor may pass $700 though, because its gets really expensive past 21", and your dollar to inch ratio becomes significantly less. A 3 monitor setup should push you out past $700 for the monitors alone, not coutning in the extra video card you need, so keep that in mind also.
 
I do audio/video editing on my video rig and at one time ran triple LCDs. I have since replaced 2 with a 22" Digital LCD from Costco for $299.
I now use the 22" for editing and my 18" Dell for playback. I am so happy I went that route. I run my 22" at 1600x1200 although Viewsonic says 1650x1050 is better resolution.

You can do two 22" Viewsonic or Sceptre from Costco for about <$600 and have a fantastic set up. Good buying.
 
I wonder how 2 widescreen would compare to 3 standard lcd. The samsung 204bw has decent reviews and 2 can be had for under $600.

I must say that triple monitor gaming does intrigue me, as does the idea of having the main modeling window in one screen, the attribute editors in another and a graph editor/dope sheet in the a 3rd for maya usage.
 
The primary reason IMO, the triple lcd is not practical in video editing that I've found to be very evident.
The split down the middle of the editing desktop becomes a distraction.
You can work with it but after using another's widescreen, it was easy to go with one 22".
I still use the other 18" for playback and I can't see any other way to do my job.

If you get the 22" from Costco and a 19" also, I think <$470 will do it.
 
On the suggestion from a former Maya instructor and current industry guy, I think I am gonna do two standard 20-21 inchers.
 
just make sure you get quality lcd's and if your a gamer one lcd is more important than two for the most part as games usually don't run on dual displays and also lower your fps depending on settings. also another big thing is resolution lcd's don't look good unless there displayed at there native res so make sure your graphics card can handel that in game too and a little more for future you don't want to have to run your game at a lower res to get good frames this may also lead to more frequent upgrades.

bigger screen doens't mean better
faster ms times doesn't mean better

you need to research the monitors finding out what panels the monitors use.

here is some things you should read
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=71226 <--- this one is good
http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1039222
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top