Best way to setup 2 monitors?

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Nucl3ar

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Hey all gonna be setting up system running 2 monitors and would like to know the best way to do it. Both are 120hz Benq's (27"/24") so I'm thinking I'd like to use the 27 for gaming, and the 24 for other duties. I would also like to use the 27" for gaming on my consoles, so am wondering if using a hdmi switch would be the way to go.
I would like to hook up my PC, PS3, and a PS4 once it's out and would using this switch cause me any problems?

http://www.monoprice.com/Product/?c_id=101&cp_id=10110&cs_id=1011001&p_id=8202&seq=1&format=2#description
 
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bjaminnyc
Didn't answer your question. Extend defiantly. Clone means the exact same thing on both screens. You use clone in instances like when you're presenting a Power Point from your laptop connected to a projector so your desktop/presentation is view-able by an audience.
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bjaminnyc

bjaminnyc

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The switch should work fine.

You'll likely want to create a few presets in your video-card driver for when you'll be using the 27" for one of your consoles, then can switch back to dual screens on the PC.
 
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bjaminnyc

bjaminnyc

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An inexpensive receiver which would change your audio as well would be far superior and useful down the line for other setups. There are units available on Newegg or Amazon for less than $150 with 4+HDMI ports. I'm partial to Pioneer, I see one with 6 HMDI ports @$199 on the egg.
 
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bjaminnyc

bjaminnyc

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Your PC + consoles are all going to independent audio streams for games or whatever. Unless your monitors have speakers you'll need somewhere to send the audio so you can hear it. If you have it all running through a receiver, when you change the device you're focusing on the audio will change with it. And frankly you'll have some nice audio flexibility with a 5.1 or 7.1 receiver as well. Even if you had just 2 main speakers, a killer sub would make your setup pretty awesome.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882117409
 
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Nucl3ar

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Wow totally didn't get a notification for this as I'm usually just on mobile. It's funny you posted that link as I have a Pio VSX 1122 in my living room :).

Neither of the monitors have speakers but I do have a pair of Astro A40's that have a digital mixamp. I'm just going to switch the optical cable around which is no biggie.
 
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bjaminnyc

bjaminnyc

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Nice receiver, the 1122 is a sexy box. Yamaha and Onkyo both are decent brands but have no style. I really like the way Harmon K's look but I've had mixed experiences with quality.

If you wouldn't mind selecting a best answer to close the thread that would be appreciated.
 
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Nucl3ar

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I will for sure but can I ask you one more question without having to start a new thread?
How would I hook these up to my comp using the least resources? My 27" (gaming screen) I'm gonna hook my PC into one input, and the other input with be the hdmi switch with both Sony consoles. If my 24" is gonna be my multitasking screen how should I hook them both on the back of my PC?
 
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bjaminnyc

bjaminnyc

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Resource wise, and in consideration of how you plan on handling audio I don't believe it's going to matter very much which outputs you use for each monitor. HDMI from the card ->to the switch -> to the 24" means you don't need any port conversion cables or adapters but that's not a big deal anyway.

For ease of use I would use HMDI to the switch for the 24" and DVI to the 27". I'm sure I'm oversimplifying but HDMI is basically DVI with audio and a smaller plug.

Also, there's always the option of forgoing the switch and just hooking everything up to the 24" and using its internal input switch. Probably would mean you would need to go VGA from the PC to the monitor, HDMI cable for one console, HDMI to DVI cable for the other. This is of course if the monitor has HDMI+VGA+DVI inputs.
 
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Nucl3ar

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Actually the only thing going through the switch is the consoles. Sorry if I'm not explaining clearly I'm rushing this on my cell while I'm at work.

What I'm thinking is this...
PC - 27" input 1
2 Sony consoles - 27" input 2
PC - 24"

What I'm really confused about is which PC outputs to use for each monitor. Sorry I made it sound like a switch issue.

Btw I really appreciate this...new PC next Friday decided to go with a 290x :)
 
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bjaminnyc

bjaminnyc

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Shouldn't matter what combination of outputs you use (DVI,VGA,HDMI) as long as you have a dedicated video card, or one of the few AMD APU motherboards that support dual monitors.

Do you have a dedicated video card? If so use any of the outputs. Doesn't really matter which you use for the 27 or 24 but most would probably recommend using the DVI or HDMI for the 27 and VGA or DVI for the 24.

 
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Nucl3ar

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Yup gonna order the whole system next week with a 290x, but already have the monitors. I planned on using hdmi for all was thinking maybe it would be better to run the gaming monitor off the gpu, and the second screen off the onboard graphics. What about windows settings? Should it be an extended desktop or clone?

 
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bjaminnyc

bjaminnyc

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You're only going to be able to use the 290x, the bios disables on-board graphics when you add a video card. The 290x is only probably going to have 1 HDMI port, 1 Displayport, and 2 DVI. Awesome card BTW, the reviews today were all extremely positive. Made me want to upgrade my 6950.
 
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Nucl3ar

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Haha ya was almost thinking of waiting for Nvidia price drops but this PC has already been on hold since August.
After thinking about this more I'm gonna want to extend the desktop correct? I want both screens fully functional, but am only gonna game on the larger.
 
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bjaminnyc

bjaminnyc

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Well, Windows manages extended desktops just fine without any additional software. Do you already own the monitors? If not it might be worthwhile to go with 2 24's or 27's vs 1 of each. That way you'll only be 1 away from a matching triple setup which is what I have and LOVE Eyefinity gaming. Unfortunately in my NY condo all I could fit in the office space was 3x22", would have loved to go a bit bigger. For Eyefinity or overclocking your card you'll have to use Catalyst Control Center. It installs with the driver for AMD cards.

Both screens will be fully functional regardless of what output you use with windows monitor management or Catalyst CC for Eyefinity. The only difference is with Eyefinity on the desktop the 2 screens will act like one really wide screen. Eyefinity for desktop use really isn't ideal for a lot of reasons, and kinda pointless for 2 screens in gaming.

Don't worry about resources. Not only is the video card you're buying ridiculously powerful, 2D/Web content on a second screen really won't make a difference in FPS. If you're maxing out the settings on a heavy GPU bound game just disable the 2nd monitor in windows monitor management or create a preset in Catalyst CC and see if there is a difference. Although at 1080p the 290x could probably make a sandwhich and run any game on ultra if you've got a decent processor.

I'm interested to hear about the rest of your build? Have you solidified your CPU, MB, etc....
 
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bjaminnyc

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Didn't answer your question. Extend defiantly. Clone means the exact same thing on both screens. You use clone in instances like when you're presenting a Power Point from your laptop connected to a projector so your desktop/presentation is view-able by an audience.
 
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Nucl3ar

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Yes I do already have the monitors. I actually got the 24" first with a plan on going 3 way surround down the road. I was feeling it was a bit to small and a sale came up on the 27" model so I jumped all over it. After I thought about it I'm more for optimum game performance rather then surround gaming. I figured if I do some competitive gaming I won't wanna be using 3 screens.
Here are what I'm looking at for spec's with maybe a couple minor changes depending on pricing at time of order...

Intel 4770K
Corsair H110 (push/pull)
Asus Maximus 6 Hero
Asus 290x (non reference)
Corsair Vengenance Pro 1866 2x8gb
Plextor M5 Pro Extreme 128gb (OS/Permanent programs)
Plextor M5 Pro Extreme 256gb (Games)
WD black 3tb (storage)
Corsair Air 540
Corsair HX850 psu
Razor 2013 Blackwidow Ultimate Elite

Already got....
Benq XL2720t
Bemq XL2420t
Razor Deathadder 2013


 
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bjaminnyc

bjaminnyc

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Understood about the 3x monitors. I'm more a story mode gamer than competitive so I get it. Additionally Eyefinity sometimes is a complete PITA to get it to work properly.

"Plextor M5 Pro Extreme 128gb (OS/Permanent programs)
Plextor M5 Pro Extreme 256gb (Games)
WD black 3tb (storage)"

This is nearly identical to my storage setup. Games and OS on separate SSD's and a bunch of platter drives. Boot time is lightning and levels load super fast.

Nice build. That box will kick ass, and that case is sick. My only suggestion would be to reconsider the WD Black. The Black might end up being the loudest thing in your system at idle. With your SSD's you don't need the speed and for the same $ you might be able to go 2x2TB green or blue which are quieter. However I have no idea if you need slightly faster big data access. My Greens are more than sufficient IMHO for media storage, certainly faster than my home 1000mbs network connection.
 
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Nucl3ar

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I was originally planning on splitting the storage drives with a 1TB Black for storing game recordings for videos/rendering, and a 2TB Seagate for movies/music and all that other good stuff. The place where I'm buying from has the 3TB Black on for $15 more then the combo so I figured why not. Even thought I'm not sure how much I'll notice but want the Black for rendering/uploading videos. Bad enough I'm dealing with a 2mb upload as is lol.

I'm so excited to get back into this. Back about 9-10 years ago I was big into PC building/overclocking until a fire destroyed where I lived and lost everything. Since then it just wasn't high on the priority list. I just turned 40 in August and was newly single so this is a "mid life crisis" present to myself :)
 
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bjaminnyc

bjaminnyc

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Ha! I more than get it now, and mirror your motivations. I'm 36 in the tech industry but hadn't had a FUN computer in quite awhile. Got back into it about a year and a half ago and I'm three rebuilds deep. With your multitasking ambitions with the consoles, I think you should consider a tuner card like the HD Homerun Prime. I have a 4th monitor/TV 42" above my 3x22".

I didn't mention before but this speaks to the ridiculous amount of graphics power you'll have with the 290x. The sites all bench these cards and emphasize limitations rather than experience. With my 6950, 2 generations older and a skew lower than the 290x I can game on triple monitor Eyefinity and have live TV via the tuner card on screen 4. Obviously not on high or ultra settings but fun none the less, all the while with Monday Night Football on.

I bet I'm not the only one who thought today's release reviews of the 290x was the first product release from any manufacturer that met or exceeded exceptions in recent memory coupled by a $550 price tag that's unprecedentedly low for its performance vs tier competition. I look forward to buying one soon.
 
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bjaminnyc

bjaminnyc

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FYI - I guess it is important to mention that I run the 4th on a HD 6450 via. HDMI and WMC dedicated to run sound via the 6450 HDMI so games and everything else is pumped through my PC surround system and live TV is through the 4th monitor/TV's speakers.
 
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Nucl3ar

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TV tuner is not really needed lol like a lot of the stuff i'm getting is overkill but at least you understand. I'm in a smallish apartment and really another reason besides what I mentioned against triple monitors was space. I already got a 65' 3D Plasma in my front room with a pretty decent HT setup, and a 50" in my bedroom. I will be using the comp as a media server for when I wanna stream movies/music to my TV's. My first upgrade will probably be to add another 290x and then another PC as a stream box.

This for me is a solid investment and better then me being a single guy running around the bars/clubs. I've always loved gaming and got a great group of guy's to do it with.
 
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bjaminnyc

bjaminnyc

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Well said. A few nights at the bar pay for a nice PC. However, its much harder to justify the PC purchase over saying yes to hitting the town with your buddies for some reason. I don't know, might just be me.

What titles are you planning on playing?
 
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