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Digital Gaming => Computer Gaming => Topic started by: ArizonaTank on June 11, 2021, 09:25:59 AM

Title: Computer Gaming - One Monitor or Two?
Post by: ArizonaTank on June 11, 2021, 09:25:59 AM
This is really more of a computer gaming question than a technical one, so I am posting here.

The eyes are getting older, and I find that I need to multi-task more (playing Civ VI while also running Vassal for example). So I am considering getting a much larger display...money is not so much of an issue.

One option is to get a very large curved display....but that means playing games in windows. But not all games like "windows"

The other option is two "largish" monitors, side-by-side.  Say 1920x1080s.  Most games support these resolutions. So I could play Civ on one side, and Vassal on the other.

The question is. For computer gaming, one big monitor? or two?

Recommendations? Experiences? Size recommendations?
Title: Re: Computer Gaming - One Monitor or Two?
Post by: Redwolf on June 11, 2021, 09:35:02 AM
With fullscreen games this will usually not work out because of mouse blocking issues (game locks mouse to its screen).

Better to have a second PC.
Title: Re: Computer Gaming - One Monitor or Two?
Post by: Jarhead0331 on June 11, 2021, 09:37:59 AM
I have four monitors on one of my set-ups. I have a big 4K 42" in the center flanked by two 34" 2560 x 1440 displays. Beneath the 42" 4K display, I have a small 11" 1920 x 1080 that I use for my DDIs on the rare occasion I do 2D flight simming.

My other rig has a 43" 4K and a 34" 4k on one side.
Title: Re: Computer Gaming - One Monitor or Two?
Post by: Destraex on June 11, 2021, 09:39:38 AM
I only have one connected but often find I need two for coms programs and other utilities on the side. Also two would be good for playing slower games while down time exists in simulators and such. BUT I have not connected a second one. I just don't want to lose the real estate on my desk. Another thing to consider would be horse power.

I would say it would probably be the majority of players that use two monitors these days. I used to use two or more for work. Did at home for a bit as well.
I would recommend two monitors for most people rather than one big screen just because you can run different applications on each monitor. Usually people run a game on one monitor and the windows desktop with apps like a browser for youtube, discord for voice coms for the game you are running on the other screen and such. I guess you could window things and drag them around the single monitor screen. But that gets much trickier than just running multiple monitors.
Title: Re: Computer Gaming - One Monitor or Two?
Post by: Destraex on June 11, 2021, 09:40:51 AM
Quote from: Redwolf on June 11, 2021, 09:35:02 AM
With fullscreen games this will usually not work out because of mouse blocking issues (game locks mouse to its screen).

Better to have a second PC.
That's what the game option "windowed mode" usually fixes iirc
Title: Re: Computer Gaming - One Monitor or Two?
Post by: z1812 on June 11, 2021, 10:00:53 AM
I suppose like many things it is a personal preference. I went from 2 screens to a 34 inch curved 3440 x 1440 screen, and I prefer it. I do keep an iPad or small laptop handy should I need some information while I am gaming.
Title: Re: Computer Gaming - One Monitor or Two?
Post by: Apocalypse 31 on June 11, 2021, 10:17:52 AM
I prefer to run single monitor for gaming and touchscreen tablet for other stuff.

It's 2021 and there are still many game developers that can't figure out a sensible way to develop multiscreen options for their games. Eagle Dynamics, hello!
Title: Re: Computer Gaming - One Monitor or Two?
Post by: Gusington on June 11, 2021, 10:22:23 AM
I have one curved 35" screen which (like z1812 said) is like two screens for me.
Title: Re: Computer Gaming - One Monitor or Two?
Post by: Anguille on June 11, 2021, 10:29:20 AM
I can't imagine myself playing two games on the same monitor. I would recommand two larger monitors.
Title: Re: Computer Gaming - One Monitor or Two?
Post by: Father Ted on June 11, 2021, 01:30:49 PM
I have two large-ish (27" & 25") 1920 X 1080 monitors and I'd now feel lost with just one.  The main benefit for gaming is having Discord open on the second screen when flying.  Sometimes having a game manual readily accessible is good too. The best use is for Command Ops, though - open all the windows on the second screen, leaving the map uncluttered on the main one.
Title: Re: Computer Gaming - One Monitor or Two?
Post by: Anguille on June 11, 2021, 01:34:47 PM
 :dreamer: cool
Title: Re: Computer Gaming - One Monitor or Two?
Post by: Yskonyn on June 11, 2021, 01:58:22 PM
I have one big 4K 43" monitor at 60hz for most desktop work, sims and non-shooter games. Where the second one is used for 3rd party game apps, discord, sim gauges, etc.
Then I have a 1440p 27" 144hz monitor next to it for the high speed, low latency type games, which functions as main display for those games and as a secondary as described above.

This way I can show the games that dont need high refresh rates in glorious 4k res at a huge panel. When I do want to play shooters I switch to my 144hz panel, which at the size and res gives a very dense pixel density for ultra sharp images as well.
Both monitors have IPS panels.

Depending on your needs and prefs you should take size vs resolution into consideration to determine pixel density and then you need to choose what kind of display panel you prefer. IPS has deeper blacks and better colour grades, but generally has a tad slower response rates, though many higher tier models are now available with fast IPS panels. VA panels are cheaper and quicker, but often have very weak colour grading and black levels.
Title: Re: Computer Gaming - One Monitor or Two?
Post by: Destraex on June 11, 2021, 07:02:53 PM
Talking about panels. I find I am a bit sensitive these days to which monitors my eyes will handle. I think maybe I am a little photosensitive\bright light sensitive.
I tried a friends monitor which was very focussed on speed for games (refresh and latency) rather than crispness of picture. It was a raptor or something and had a lot of shadowy bleeding from the edges of the screen. Felt to me like the monitor was a pool of water rather than a flat screen, like I could see depth in it. Gave me headaches. I went back to my 1920x1080 screen. Sometimes bigger and larger resolution may not be better even with modern monitors.
Title: Re: Computer Gaming - One Monitor or Two?
Post by: ArizonaTank on June 11, 2021, 08:36:45 PM
All great thoughts and advice. Thanks everyone. The question is deeper than I thought, so plenty to chew on.
Title: Re: Computer Gaming - One Monitor or Two?
Post by: Destraex on June 11, 2021, 10:02:30 PM
Yep. Monitors are a huge rabbit hole to fall down. LED monitors are what I would like to try now, because they should have zero bleed.
Title: Re: Computer Gaming - One Monitor or Two?
Post by: Crossroads on June 12, 2021, 02:37:39 AM
Quote from: z1812 on June 11, 2021, 10:00:53 AM
I suppose like many things it is a personal preference. I went from 2 screens to a 34 inch curved 3440 x 1440 screen, and I prefer it. I do keep an iPad or small laptop handy should I need some information while I am gaming.

This is what I did as well. Sometimes you'd wish to have another monitor as well, but likewise I have my iPad with me.
Title: Re: Computer Gaming - One Monitor or Two?
Post by: Gusington on June 12, 2021, 11:45:02 AM
I shopped around for weeks, definitely a rabbit hole.
Title: Re: Computer Gaming - One Monitor or Two?
Post by: SirAndrewD on June 13, 2021, 10:38:13 PM
One works for me.

(https://i.imgur.com/xbbrE9T.jpg)
Title: Re: Computer Gaming - One Monitor or Two?
Post by: al_infierno on June 14, 2021, 01:58:51 AM
I'm also a one monitor pleb.   :arr:
Title: Re: Computer Gaming - One Monitor or Two?
Post by: ArizonaTank on June 14, 2021, 10:54:00 AM
Quote from: SirAndrewD on June 13, 2021, 10:38:13 PM
One works for me.

(https://i.imgur.com/xbbrE9T.jpg)

With such a wide screen, do you have any trouble running games that don't like to be windowed?
Title: Re: Computer Gaming - One Monitor or Two?
Post by: MiniHexer on June 16, 2021, 02:56:20 AM
Well I have some good info on multi-monitors.

First get all monitors the same size. and get the edges as thin as possible, you can put the centre monitor just infront of the two side monitors edges to further reduce the edges

Now you need a graphics card like a GTX 1060 or better the GTX1060 must be four or more years old so there is prob a lot better..

NOW this is the important thing, dont use them as multi-montors. you have to pump out three times the graphics power to run them, imagine a flight sim with 3 differrent views but of the same area. the Nvidia display app that runs your card will allow you to set all three monitors as one cutting the power needed, you get a 5720x1080 res, it treats them as a wide screen monitor, the differrence is the monitors can be 32inch so you get a 96inch display at half the cost of a wide screen.

now once you have the 5720x1080 res , many games now give the option to run at the new res.

you will probably need adapter for a couple of $ from amazon. make sure the monitors have HDMI inputs because the setup will just get adapters to fit.

I plat SPMBT & SPWW2 at 6000 res, its awsome

PS: you have to set the bevels when setting the monitors to be treated as one, you cant do it later, watch some youtube tutorials beforehand

Title: Re: Computer Gaming - One Monitor or Two?
Post by: Dammit Carl! on June 16, 2021, 06:40:45 AM
I run two monitors (used to such a setup from work), but honestly just "game," on one.  The other screen is where I queue up other programs and whatnot.
Title: Re: Computer Gaming - One Monitor or Two?
Post by: Pete Dero on June 16, 2021, 07:46:17 AM
Quote from: Dammit Carl! on June 16, 2021, 06:40:45 AM
I run two monitors (used to such a setup from work), but honestly just "game," on one. 

+1

My second monitor is for displaying the game manual or a guide, a real time map in a flight sim, the message log and TacView window in Command Operations, ...

Both are 32 inch but the main one is of a higher quality.
Title: Re: Computer Gaming - One Monitor or Two?
Post by: FarAway Sooner on June 16, 2021, 01:02:58 PM
I just use one, but mostly play things full-screen or Alt+TAB as needed.  Occasionally I'll drag up a tablet or an iPad (or even a Kindle Fire) if I need to refer to something else while I'm playing.  I've found one bigger monitor is a lot more gorgeous than I'd thought it would be. 

2K monitors are now MUCH more affordable than they were a few years ago, and unless you already have (or plan to get) a top-end graphics card (in the next year or two), you likely wouldn't be able to get decent frame speeds on the 4K view in any event.  I have a mid-level GPU by modern standards that handles the 2K games fine, but I'm also not a guy who plays many games where FPS performance is critical for me.
Title: Re: Computer Gaming - One Monitor or Two?
Post by: SirAndrewD on June 16, 2021, 04:59:52 PM
Quote from: ArizonaTank on June 14, 2021, 10:54:00 AM
With such a wide screen, do you have any trouble running games that don't like to be windowed?

Sometimes.  There are third party apps like Flawless Widescreen that help. 

Most older games look fine, they just occupy the 16:9 space. 

It does take some getting used to but I don't regret going super ultrawide, especially for Flight Sims and FPS.