Dual Monitor Newby

[Dunleavy]

I've always wanted dual monitors and i'm now at the point where it's practical so i'm going to do it. it's just a little unclear what's right the fit. i understand any two monitors can work together but i'd prefer two of the extact same monitors. i currently have a SyncMaster 213t from Samsung, i like it but i do a lot of gaming so i'm having second thoughts about buying a second 213t, i'm considering selling the one i have and buying dual monitors with a better refresh rate.

does this sound like a good plan?
what dual monitors might be the best for me?
should i know anything else about dual monitors? i've read the basics like some games dont support dual monitors

here is some of my hardware info, as you can see i like the dual:
PCX Video 256MB eVGA™ NVIDIA® GeForce™ 7800 GTX Velocity Micro KO
Edition*, 2 x DVI
Motherboard Asus® A8N SLI Premium - NVIDIA® nForce™ 4 SLI MCP, PCI
Express Motherboard with DDR
AMD® Processor AMD® Athlon™ 64 X2 4800+ Processor with Dual Core
Technology, 939-pin*

[-apoc-]

How much you are willing to spend and how big you want them are probably the biggest factors in your decision.

[bhlloy]

How much you are willing to spend and how big you want them are probably the biggest factors in your decision.

This could be a perfect answer to a very different question...

[Dunleavy]

20-25 inch
1500-2000 for the pair

[cartman]

I also had a Samsung 213T as my primary monitor, with a Samsung 172B as the secondary monitor. I recently bought a Samsung 245BW (24 inch widescreen 1900X1280) to become my primary monitor, and moved the 213T to be the secondary. Tons of screen real estate. The height of the two screen is about the same, but the widescreen adds a bunch to the side. So if you were worried about a mismatch between two different monitors, these two do work well together.

[ThunderingHERD]

Don't expect to get a lot of (or any, really) gaming use out of dual monitors. I can't think of a single game that supports dual monitors, and for most newer games you'll want to disable the 2nd monitor all together for improved performance.

And if you're planning on spending $1500-2000, I would definately get a new video card.

[Dunleavy]

yes i like my Samsung and i could see myself going for your setup Cartman but i also see myself continue to play RTS game and are there better refresh rate monitors out there, i guess that's the question

is my video card are already out of date?

[cartman]

Since most games will only play on one monitor (the primary) the refresh rate of the secondary really won't be a factor. I run Flight Simulator X, and use the secondary for instruments and flight panels. That's one of the few games that does utilize two or more monitors. Also, you don't have to use the exact same settings on both monitors. I have the 213T set to 1600X1200, and the 245BW to 1900X1280.

[cartman]

Dola, unless you get a discount by buying two at a time, it wouldn't hurt to pick up one of the monitors you are thinking about getting, and trying it with your existing 213T. If it ends up not working for you, then you can get the other one.

[cthomer5000]

Dola, unless you get a discount by buying two at a time, it wouldn't hurt to pick up one of the monitors you are thinking about getting, and trying it with your existing 213T. If it ends up not working for you, then you can get the other one.

And if both not work, maybe dual monitors not right setup for you.

[Neon_Chaos]

The only game that comes to mind that actually encourages the use of dual monitors would be Supreme Commander.

Since the damn map is so big, and so many things are happening at any given time, having the overview map on one monitor certainly helps a bunch.

[Dunleavy]

ok, so i wont be able to use two monitors for gaming but there are many other ways it will be helpful so i've started looking for a gaming monitor around 21-25 inches to complement my 213t but i've been a bit disappointed b/c the gaming monitors i've seen so far are not well rounded. i'm going to continue the search but what sort of response time should i be looking for. noting less then 4ms or is 3ms serviceable?

[Icy]

I use a 19" Samsung and a 22" Benq. I have the Benq as primary, for work and games, and the old Samsung just to keep the email client always open, the different instant messengers and some stats software related to my business.

One thing i highly recomend you is the free software ultramon, it's great to manage dual monitors, way better and with more options than the software in windows or any graphic card.

[MJ4H]

One thing i highly recomend you is the free software ultramon, it's great to manage dual monitors, way better and with more options than the software in windows or any graphic card.

Seconded.

[ThunderingHERD]

I'm not sure what visible difference a response time is going to make. My primary monitor for years was a 19" ViewSonic VA902b, listed at 8ms and hardly top-of-the-line. Not once did I have an issue with ghosting.