Two monitors for my system

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If I use a Sapphire R9 280X Tri-X OC 3GB GDDR5 with these ports:

  • 1 x HDMI (con 3D)
    1 x DisplayPort 1.2
    1 x Dual-Link DVI-D
    1 x Dual-Link DVI-I
Can I connect one monitor to an HDMI port and another to the displayport getting them working together?
If so, which are the cheapest monitors I can put there that won't bottleneck and have decent inches?
 
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photonboy

photonboy

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If this is just to add a second monitor for NON-GAMING tasks then there should be minimal performance loss though I wouldn't run any programs while gaming if you don't need to.

If you are thinking of having TWO screens to make a virtual wide screen for gaming then I strongly recommend against it. With two screens there's a big gap right in the MIDDLE which is absolutely horrible if you think about it (car is split in two, can't see your gun etc..)

Monitor software for this can either just CUT OUT the gap or simply MOVE the data to each screen but either way it sucks.

INPUT:
The inputs shouldn't make too much difference themselves. In some cases HDMI can be slightly problematic depending on how it's setup (may be setup as HDTV input). Rather than explain that, just use DVI or DP. Whatever's cheapest in terms of cables.

OTHER:
Multi-screens for gaming have their Pros and Cons. I find TWO screens completely unusable, THREE are better than two but I don't really like them. I really love gaming on a 27", 2560x1440 screen however. I game at 1920x1080 for a lot of games if I can't maintain 60FPS/max or near-max.

Some games look much better at 2560x1440 as well due to the high resolution. Games with small HUD/TEXT elements such as Diablo 3, Starcraft 2, Torchlight, CIV5 etc.

Crysis 3 on the other hand has HUD/TEXT elements that look pretty good at 1920x1080 so the processing power is best spent elsewhere.
 
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I would like the biggest screen without an excessive price, from my research this point is 22" (I could be wrong).
This GPU can handle one monitor in 2560x1600p, is it able to handle two 1920 x 1080? If so, this will be a nice resolution.
Price: ~100-125$ for each

EDIT: A 27" 2560x1440 costs ~800$ and my budget for the monitors is 250$
I will use mostly the two monitors for everyday tasks, when gaming I'll use one for the game and the other for the internet browser probably.
 
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photonboy

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Yes, a high-res monitor is OUT (though a good one is about $480 not $800 just FYI):
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-monitor-pb278q

*I'm still confused on how you intend to use them because as I said GAMING on two screens isn't a very good experience due to the GAP.

Yes, you can support at least three (possibly four) monitors at 1920x1080 so that's not an issue. Your GAMING performance is based on the effective RESOLUTION chosen for the game. For example, if it was a single monitor that would usually be 1920x1080 in your case (about 2 Million) though you can chose a lower resolution that scales (like 1600x900).

I mention the scaling because you might have to do that if gaming over two monitors since that DOUBLES the number of pixels if using as a "single" gaming screen (which roughly HALVES the frame rate).

SCREEN SIZE has nothing to do with performance though I usually don't recommend above 24" for 1920x1080. How CLOSE the screen is does affect seeing the gap between the individual pixels so if you push the monitor to the rear then 24" is probably fine.

*EXAMPLE MONITOR (some with rebates; speakers likely suck but weren't a factor):
$140 (24", 1920x1080, 2ms response): http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-monitor-ve247h

$90 (21.5", 1920x1080, 5ms response): http://pcpartpicker.com/part/hannspree-monitor-he225dpb

SUMMARY:
I hope this helps, but don't just look here look at Amazon etc to find out as much info about each monitor (light bleed issues etc. all monitors statistically have issues).

In very BASIC specs I recommend:
- 1920x1080
- 5ms or LESS response time
- generally good customer comments
- look up the WARRANTY (3-year if possible; *I've had bad dealings with ACER quality in the past with many people. I can't speak to overall support now)

 
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photonboy

photonboy

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NO.
He would use DVI for each one. Why do you suggest adapters?

*Based on your above Acer link, if those are the specs/price you're looking at then I STRONGLY recommend looking at this for only a bit more bit with better feedback:
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-monitor-vx228h

Google it elsewhere, but aside from the overall quality and comments it comes with a 3-Year Warranty (case and panel). Not sure of the ACER.

Any other questions you can ask soon as I'll be gone..
 
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photonboy

photonboy

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You don't seem to understand how monitors connect very well. Not to be rude, but you just don't.

DVI-D:
This means it contains only the DIGITAL output which works with any DVI input on any monitor.

DVI-I:
This output connection contains TWO sets of pins. One for digital and one for analog. The ONLY reason to use a VGA connector is if you only have a VGA input on your monitor (typically old monitors).

(With DVI-I, the digital signal goes through a DAC on the graphics card, then goes out via the analog pins, then goes into the monitor and for flat screens is converted back again to digital via an ADC. It's pointless and loses information.)
 
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photonboy

photonboy

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LED:
This is just the backlight. All computer monitors use LED now that I'm aware of.

INCHES:
More isn't necessarily better. I really can't speak for what's "perfect" for you, and you also seem to be on a budget. Between 21.5" and 24", but it's hard to say myself without actually seeing the screens. QUALITY (reviews/comments) is the most important thing.

PORTS:
You only need one port, so use DVI.
Other ports:
VGA-> never use in general unless that's the ONLY option
HDMI-> useful for BluRay player or gaming console but depending on the monitor there may be setup issues I just can't say. If you have DVI or DisplayPort then use one of those. Since you have DVI it's not an issue.
DP-> For your purposes, about the same as DVI, plus often not even an option on cheaper monitors.
 
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photonboy

photonboy

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I've explained. I'm trying not to seem rude, but why are you giving advice if you don't understand what you're talking about?

R9-280X DVI output #1 -> Monitor #1, and
R9-280X DVI output #2 -> Monitor #2

Pretty simple.

What part is confusing you?
 
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photonboy

photonboy

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YES.
However, as I said the DVI-I contains the pins for both DVI-D and Analog. BOTH. SETS.

When you attach a DVI cable you just connect to the digital pins exactly like with DVI-D. When you attach the VGA adapter you connect to the analog pins only.

*If still confused, inside the graphics card everything is processed DIGITALLY. Then, just before leaving the card the digital path is sampled, and passed into a DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter). The initial DIGITAL path goes to the DVI pins; the converted path goes to the Analog pins.

The ONLY, ONLY purpose of using a VGA output from a graphics card is if a VGA connection on the monitor is your only option. Usually for older CRT monitors, but in some cases people have more than one computer attached to a monitor.

MORE INFORMATION:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Visual_Interface
 
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I've seen that some monitors have "Eye Care" that claims to protect your eyes, I spend lots of hours in front of it. Is it something that really protects your eyes or just something to sell better? Is it worth paying an extra ~50$ for it?

What do you think about BenQ GL2460HM+BenQ GL2460?
 
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photonboy

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"Eye Care" isn't a gimmick though you can get software for Windows to do that part of it, and the rest wouldn't be unique to these type of monitors anyway; not sure how "unique" the reading modes are but frankly most people are going to setup the monitor once and just leave it at those settings. I'm pretty sure you will disable the monitor software from popping up a reminder to stand up every 50 minutes or so, despite the fact it is a good idea.

We had people come to the offices that instructed us how to protect our eyes, backs etc and even had a program that popped up like this which included tips and even light exercises. I also got a MECHANICAL KEYBOARD for myself and my sister to protect again long-term arthritis or carpal tunnel wrist issues.

*The monitors you chose seem fine. They don't really cost $50 extra if you compare to other 24" monitors of similar quality like the Asus I mentioned which is pretty similar. So, you aren't paying more for the "eye care" features really just the difference in quality and size.

Suit yourself.

 
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Well, those two monitors I have put there don't have it, the BenQ XL2411Z has it.

Which is the difference between the Benq GL2460 and the Benq GL2450?

And thanks for the advice about the keyboard, which model would you recommend?

Your recommendations of monitors:
Can't get it since I live in Spain and none of our shops sell it.

Those are good values because of the rebates but I don't have those rebates here :(

Spanish shops:

  • www.xtremmedia.com -> the cheapest
    www.pccomponentes.com
    www.amazon.es
    www.alternate.es
 
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