Monitors

[Temujin]

Been bitching about my lack of screen space for ages, so surely is about time I did something about it.
At the moment, I have 2 monitors, 24" and 22", set on 1920*1080, and 1680*1050 res.
I really need more screen space, but up until now I have only been told that there is no resolution.

Ideally, I would want a high res projector to run rather than screens, but doubt that is a possibility.?
Could add a 3rd monitor, but would then need to put another graphics card in just to be able to do it? At the moment, running dual 512mb NVidia graphics cards, and motherboard doesn't have port.

So I guess my question is this. Are there other options of high resolution monitors that could drastically improve my viewing area. I do understand a bit about resolutions, such as there is no point me putting a 65" TV in front of me, with a resolution the same as my 24", as it would give me no extra screen space, just a magnified view of what I can already see.

I have come across this monitor.

27 inch with 2,560x1,440-pixel resolution, which on paper, suggests to me about 30% more viewing area? But then in a review, it goes on to say

Summary: The U2711 is an amazing monitor for movies and "content" and for those that need high pixel density or color accuracy. For those looking for clear text and more viewing area, or if you are moving from another 27" monitor, beware that you may be disappointed. This monitor is the latest casualty of the 16:9 aspect ratio craziness sweeping the industry. A 27" monitor with a 16:10 aspect ratio-- the previous "standard" for 27" LCDs-- like the Dell 2709W (1920x1200 resolution), has 16 square inches additional viewable screen space than the U2711 (2560x1440). What does this look like? Imagine getting a monitor that is 5/8" wider while losing slightly more than 1" of height. You'd need a 29.2" diagonal 16:9 monitor to get the same viewing height as the 27" 16:10 monitor.

Read more: http://reviews.cnet.com/lcd-monitors...#ixzz16jYVJAIB

So I guess, the question, is does that sound accurate? Would I actually give up any gain in resolution, from the aspect ratio?

The way I see it, if I threw 2 of them up, instead of my current ones, I would gain 30% on one monitor, and closer to 50% on the other monitor?

[luckynumberslevin]

why don't you run two pc's with 2 to 3 monitors per pc. that should be enough space for miss january to december to fit with a little room left for trading.

[Temujin]

Because obviously with her/them up, I only have one spare hand to operate a mouse.......

[Timstertoo]

It depends what you want to do with the info on the extra screen real estate.

If you need more space to have some "passive" info up. Like a livestream, livescores, betfair website for odds on certain stuff you could get a 2nd computer. With maybe even it's own seperate internet connection as a backup. Could even be you laptop and hang a 24" on it. The good thing is that if your main pc gives up for whatever reason you have something up and running to instantly do damage control on your open positions.

If you want to actively approach it. Like have ladders all over and jump in and out of trades, I'd say you'd be better of investing in a computer that can handle 4 monitors.

[Alfred]

You could also use an external usb video adapter to put a third monitor. I just bought one for myself, 50$ from Startech, because I was in a similar situation. I havn't received my new monitor yet so I can't tell you about the quality of the display I get, but it is supposed to do the trick.

[Temujin]

While I appreciate the suggestions, and they are all valid, what I was asking is about the resolution of such a monitor, to get the job done of 4 small monitors, done on 2.

If you have 4 monitors at 1280*1096?, then why not just have 2 at 2550*1440, if you are getting the same screen real estate anyway, and then you have 2 27" monitors, you can use the computer for other functions like movies and multimedia / gaming with more appropriateness?

[luckynumberslevin]

i know what you want but if it were me i'd ask a monitor maker direct because if you are thinking about spending your hard earned any advice on here would still leave me unsure.

Because obviously with her/them up, I only have one spare hand to operate a mouse.......

or you could invest in a touchscreen and make selections with your prodding stick.

[Temujin]

i know what you want but if it were me i'd ask a monitor maker direct because if you are thinking about spending your hard earned any advice on here would still leave me unsure.



or you could invest in a touchscreen and make selections with your prodding stick.

While I appreciate the fact that you think my prodding stick is long enough to reach the screen, simple fact is it is lucky to make it past the desk....

[Mike_IG]

Have you checked to make sure your graphics cards can even output 2,560 x 1,440 resolution?. The reason I ask is because even cheapy graphics cards now can output to 2 or more different monitors etc at the same time and by what you've said each one of yours only outputs to 1.

[Temujin]

Have you checked to make sure your graphics cards can even output 2,560 x 1,440 resolution?. The reason I ask is because even cheapy graphics cards now can output to 2 or more different monitors etc at the same time and by what you've said each one of yours only outputs to 1.

Display Support:
Maximum Digital Resolution 2560x1600
Maximum VGA Resolution 2048x1536
Standard Display Connectors HDTV
Dual Link DVI
Multi Monitor
HDCP
HDMI Via adapter
Audio Input for HDMI SPDIF

Going to assume answer is no, as I think digital is not what I am looking at, but VGA?
Either way, that is neither here nor there. Can easily get a hold of a graphics card to do the job as well. Will pay for itself after a couple of weeks, surely.

[catweazle]

Maximum Digital Resolution 2560x1600
Dual Link DVI

That's the magic words you need and lucky boy you got them

[Temujin]

Maximum Digital Resolution 2560x1600
Dual Link DVI

That's the magic words you need and lucky boy you got them

OK yep, just clicked. Cheers...

[Mike_IG]

Are you struggling with actual physical space to put a 3rd monitor? or is the other half complaining or something (we all know what they can be like lol), If not I really don't see what reason you would even consider those monitors over getting a 3rd maybe 4th monitor as to me it boils down to + and -'s

+'s of having 3 monitors instead of the 2
---------------------------------------

more physical space so graphs etc can be larger.
much cheaper than getting 2 of the higher resolution monitors.
cheaper to replace if and when 1 needs to be replaced.
don't lose as much real estate if and when one fails and awaiting a replacement.

-'s of having 3 monitors instead of the 2
--------------------------------------

takes up more physical space in the house.
makes the place look more cluttered.
spending a little time replacing graphics card/s if they needed to be replaced.

Please don't think I'm having a go or anything, I'm just trying to find out the reason of why you would pick them over what for me is the much better option.

[Temujin]

Well physical space is a big thing. I share a unit in the city with a mate, so I choose to work from my bedroom out of respect for the communal areas of the unit. Apart from that, it is pretty small anyway.
But, out of preference, I would much prefer less monitors than more. If I could, I would just have one, but that is just not possible I don't believe. Minimum would be 2 as I have now, but I can always put more shit up on my screens. At some point I would like to get 2 systems up identical, but that wouldn't double the screen real estate, just trading options.
The other things I look at, is use of my computer outside of trading. I like to watch movies and play games on my computer, so small screens really don't interest me.

[Temujin]

So something just clicked, guess I am not as quick as I thought...

Since this graphics card is set up for multi monitor performance, and I have a dual setup (cards), it is very possible to simply utilise the other ports, and have a DVI in each card, and a VGA in each, like I have now I believe. So I could easily have 4 monitors hooked up to dual cards? Over different inputs? Yeah?