Sign in with
Sign up | Sign in
Your question

Help with monitor selection for computer build

Tags:
  • Computers
  • Build
  • Components
  • Monitors
Last response: in Components
Share
August 20, 2014 11:06:20 AM

Here is a link to the computer build that I am currently considering. Computer Build

My question is about the monitors, I am having a real internal debate. I have two 27 inch 2560 x 1440 monitors in the build, but I am concerned with running top end graphics and future proofing the computer for at least two years.

Should I go with a 3+1 24" monitor setup with 1920x1080, an ultra wide 34" with 21:9 or stick with the two 27" 2560 x 1440 in the build.

This would primarily be used for gaming.

More about : monitor selection computer build

a b C Monitor
August 20, 2014 11:39:11 AM

Why with 2560 x 1440 do you want or need two monitors?
August 20, 2014 12:17:11 PM

I like to game on one monitor and then have a second for any other programs, Teamspeak, browsing the internet between games, etc. I thought if I go with the Ultra wide I will run my old 24" for this reason, if the 3+1 24" screens my old 24 will be my auxiliary monitor and run eyefinty or nvidia surround. If the 27, then I was going to get both and replace my old 24".

Cost wise I think that they all fall inline together, so it is really a what should I do scenario.
a b C Monitor
August 20, 2014 12:31:36 PM

Frostbrewed said:
so it is really a what should I do scenario.

Not really the answer you're looking for,but that is something only you can decide.I'm already happy with my dell 1920x1200 with nothing beside it.

Try to find some video reviews about the different set-ups and look at those and see what you like.
a b C Monitor
August 20, 2014 12:38:48 PM

It depends which Ultra Wide 21:10 you're going for, some of the more expensive ones, such as the LGUM95 come to near enough 4k resolution.

As with the multiple 1440p monitors, if you're a gamer that likes to play on the highest settings, these are all options that are going to be demanding on even the best of cards at the moment. Heck, even SLI/CrossFire setups of 'said high-end cards are struggling with the extra pixels.

With that said, if you can sacrifice the quality settings, and, you're ok with some games being unable to natively display these wider resolutions, it's certainly a highly immersive option. I would personally go for an Ultra Wide display over 4k (Even one designed with high refresh rates/GSYNC etc...) purely because I desire immersion and clarity over the quantity of frames I receive. Despite 4k being able to see more content (Naturally) I still prefer the extra width, even though the general content isn't going to appear different.

Cost wise, a single high res monitor over two/three of slightly lower resolutions is most likely going to yield a better quality display too.

AMD cards tend to do the whole surround thing (Eyefinity) a bit better than Nvidia Surround, but there's not much in it these days.

If your current 2x 1440p displays are of good quality, and as you say you prefer to have one unused for other tasks, then it's a good option, but certainly the least immersive. Fortunately, it's probably the least taxing too (I can't recall if 3x 1080p is more difficult to drive than a single 1440p, fairly certain it is).

Bottom line:

3 1080p monitors - Probably the most immersive of the lot since it's going to take the most real-estate on your desk. The height resolution is quite low, but the width is insanely high. You will need to live with borders though, even on the slimmest of zero-bezel displays.

2 1440p monitors - One for gaming, one for browsing. Demanding, but not as much as the other two options. The resolution of a single 1440p is high enough for a decent gaming experience, but you won't get that extra feel for immersion, despite the width resolution being roughly half of a triple 1080p setup. You'll see extra stuff on the screen of course, but the overall feel for surround would be lost.

1 Ultra Wide - Second in immersion only to the triple 1080p setup, however, you negate the need for bezels so technically it's more so. Over the price of 3 displays you're likely to get a better quality screen than 3 cheap ones. Productivity outside of gaming would be seamless. However, I'm quite certain you can't dedicate a part of the display to external stuff as you're gaming - Although I could be wrong. Depending on the display, a resolution of near-4k would make this the most demanding option.



If it was me, I'd be going with a single 21:10 monitor, but then I just like them a lot. It might be advisable to wait and see if the screen behemoths LG and Samsung bring that curved technology to desktop monitors.

August 20, 2014 12:51:41 PM

I have been leaning towards the ultra wide as well, but I keep wondering if that is the best option. I have done a lot of searching and watching videos of the various monitors and I can find +'s and -'s for each of them. My current setup is a 6 year old PC with more recent MB, i3 and memory upgrades, 28" 1920x1200 display and my 24" 1920 x 1080.

Just looking for great input and a nudge in the right direction, lol.

btw, thanks for the info Distello, great information.
!