Dual monitor setup - couple of questions

[MaltonSeadog]

Hi all,

1) I have one of these as my current monitor:

Samsung SyncMaster 2333T 23" Full HD 1080p Widescreen TFT Monitor (8ms, 4000:1, Gloss Black)

Unfortunately this has been either discontinued, or is currently unavailable from the two retailers I checked before. Would you always recommend the same model for both monitors in a dual setup, or doens't it really matter unless they're the same size? Don't want it look a little odd...

2) For gaming, I genuinely think the split in the screens would annoy me. Is it possible to switch back to 1 monitor setup quite easily, or would it be easier simply to play the game in windowed mode and move it to one monitor, keeping the other one active on the desktop - or anything else.

Thanks.

[keynes]

Hi all,

1) I have one of these as my current monitor:

Samsung SyncMaster 2333T 23" Full HD 1080p Widescreen TFT Monitor (8ms, 4000:1, Gloss Black)

Unfortunately this has been either discontinued, or is currently unavailable from the two retailers I checked before. Would you always recommend the same model for both monitors in a dual setup, or doens't it really matter unless they're the same size? Don't want it look a little odd...

2) For gaming, I genuinely think the split in the screens would annoy me. Is it possible to switch back to 1 monitor setup quite easily, or would it be easier simply to play the game in windowed mode and move it to one monitor, keeping the other one active on the desktop - or anything else.

Thanks.

Different manufacturers should be ok but I'd check they have the same resolution/response/size. What gpu are you using?

[MaltonSeadog]

It'll be a Radeon HD7850 when my new PC arrives.

[keynes]

It'll be a Radeon HD7850 when my new PC arrives.

I'd play only in 1 monitor and use the other one for something else.

[MaltonSeadog]

Gaming isn't my big priority really, and as I said - the dual setup for gaming would annoy me. I'd only ever game on 1 monitor.

Each to their own, but the videos I see on YouTube of people playing games on 3-4 monitors just looks horrendous with black frames cutting up the action. Just my opinion.

I'd use dual monitors for windowed software, so that I can see everything at once.

[Rakk]

I'd use dual monitors for windowed software, so that I can see everything at once.

Thats exactly what I do, generally game on one screen, other stuff on the other - like browsers, voip client, messenger, combat tracker.
My monitors are certainly not the same, they're not even the same size (24" and 22", before that it was 22" and 19")

The screens only really need to be the same size if you're using all to view one program, but gaming I'd never do across two screens, the important bit in the middle of the screen would be difficult to use

[MaltonSeadog]

Cool. I'd love another monitor of a similar standard/size for around £100. It'll probably be something for Christmas-time though. Reckon I could easily pick up a 23" for £100 before Christmas when silly prices are out and about.

[Narcotics]

This is a great little monitor http://www.cclonline.com/product/676...splay/MON0567/

[PokerFace]

Thats exactly what I do, generally game on one screen, other stuff on the other - like browsers, voip client, messenger, combat tracker.
My monitors are certainly not the same, they're not even the same size (24" and 22", before that it was 22" and 19")

The screens only really need to be the same size if you're using all to view one program, but gaming I'd never do across two screens, the important bit in the middle of the screen would be difficult to use

Are only certain games able to be played in windowed mode? I remember doing it before, but I don't seem to be able to run SplinterCell in windowed mode. It just defaults to my main monitor and I can't move the mouse to my second monitor. Any open programs on the 2nd monitor do remain visible.

[Rakk]

Are only certain games able to be played in windowed mode? I remember doing it before, but I don't seem to be able to run SplinterCell in windowed mode. It just defaults to my main monitor and I can't move the mouse to my second monitor. Any open programs on the 2nd monitor do remain visible.

Well, most have a windowed mode, but most still don't actually allow you to move off the game screen without alt-tabbing out (and generally minimising the gaming screen).
MMO's are actually very good for this, fior a long time they haave allowed this - my main game being an MMO.
You'd think that with many people moving to multi-monitors set-ups they would allow it, but no, they don't 9yes, I realise it probably more work than not doing it but still).