Single 30" versus 2x 27" Monitors

[Sal Ammoniac]

I'm doing a new build in the next few weeks (Ivy Bridge-E) and will be using a GeForce GTX 770 video board.

All of my systems to date have had a single monitor, usually a 24" at 1920x1200. I want to upgrade to either a single 30" 2560x1600 monitor or two 27" 2560x1440 monitors. Trouble is, I've never had a dual monitor setup and can't really decide which way to go.

My usage for this machine is web browsing, web design, photo editing in Photoshop, programming (primarily Visual Studio), and PCB layout. I'm not a gamer, although occasionally I enjoy MS Flight Simulator, but this constitutes <5% of my computer time.

For my usage, which setup is preferred? The single 30" setup or the dual 27"? Are there any special considerations I need to be aware of regarding connections, drivers, or application support if I go the dual monitor route? The OS on this machine will be Windows 8 x64.

Thanks.

 

[Blain]

I want to upgrade to either a single 30" 2560x1600 monitor or two 27" 2560x1440 monitors. Trouble is, I've never had a dual monitor setup and can't really decide which way to go.

My usage for this machine is web browsing, web design, photo editing in Photoshop, programming (primarily Visual Studio), and PCB layout. I'm not a gamer, although occasionally I enjoy MS Flight Simulator, but this constitutes <5% of my computer time.

For my usage, which setup is preferred? The single 30" setup or the dual 27"?

2 x 2560x1440 ips

 

[mfenn]

Dual 27" monitors gives you much more aggregate desktop space to work with than a single 30". You'd probably be better off with that unless you have a specific application that requires 1600 vertical pixels.

 

[Sal Ammoniac]

Can I plug both monitors into a single graphics board, or do I need a second graphics board for the second monitor?

If I can use a single board for two monitors, does it matter what connections I use? Can I use DVI for one monitor and Display Port for the second, for example, or do both monitors need to use the same connector type?

 

[pandemonium]

Agreed - for your setup and needs - 2x27" would be the better choice here.

You should be able to use any combination of connection type that support that resolution (HDMI/DVI/DP) from your GTX770.

The plus side is, 2x 2560x1440 27" monitors can be had for nearly the same cost as 1x 2560x1600 30" monitor (of decent quality).

You'll just have to weigh how important sRGB color space is for your needs in Photoshop. When making a selection, I recommend starting here, and looking through results from their reviews.

 

[lessthanuthought]

Can I plug both monitors into a single graphics board, or do I need a second graphics board for the second monitor?

If I can use a single board for two monitors, does it matter what connections I use? Can I use DVI for one monitor and Display Port for the second, for example, or do both monitors need to use the same connector type?

Both monitors can plug into the same card, and with just two monitors you can use any interface available on your graphics card.

 

[Essence_of_War]

I'm doing a new build in the next few weeks (Ivy Bridge-E) and will be using a GeForce GTX 770 video board.
...
Can I plug both monitors into a single graphics board, or do I need a second graphics board for the second monitor?
...
If I can use a single board for two monitors, does it matter what connections I use? Can I use DVI for one monitor and Display Port for the second, for example, or do both monitors need to use the same connector type?

You're totally fine.

The 770 standard connectors are 2x Dual-Link DVI, 1x HDMI, 1x DP.

Everything but the HDMI will reliably drive either of the monitor resolutions you're considering. You can freely mix and match between DP and DVI, and dependng on the monitor, you may even be able to daisy-chain both monitors off of the one DP.

 

[Chapbass]

Definitely go 2x27" for your purposes. You're going to absolutely love it, and never go back to a single screen again.

 

[AkumaX]

Both monitors can plug into the same card, and with just two monitors you can use any interface available on your graphics card.

i think 1440p/1600p monitors would require DL-DVI or DP (unless HDMI 1.3/1.4 finally made it into these monitors)

 

[mfenn]

i think 1440p/1600p monitors would require DL-DVI or DP (unless HDMI 1.3/1.4 finally made it into these monitors)

It does, but the GTX 770 has two DL-DVI ports in the standard configuration. One is Dual-Link DVI-I and the other is Dual-Link DVI-D. The OP only needs the digital connection, so DVI-I and DVI-D are equivalent.

http://www.geforce.com/hardware/desktop-gpus/geforce-gtx-770/specifications

 

[AkumaX]

It does, but the GTX 770 has two DL-DVI ports in the standard configuration. One is Dual-Link DVI-I and the other is Dual-Link DVI-D. The OP only needs the digital connection, so DVI-I and DVI-D are equivalent.

http://www.geforce.com/hardware/desktop-gpus/geforce-gtx-770/specifications

I see, when I read "your graphics card", I assumed that the poster meant "any gfx card that has 2 x DVI" -but not necessarily 2 x DL-DVI (I or D)

 

[sm625]

Two of those 27" monitors would give you almost as many pixels as 4 1080p monitors! (88%)

 

[PliotronX]

I'd never go back to single monitor. It comes in particularly useful for a program I use with assignments for class called Packet Tracer. It opens reading material in one window and the network simulation tool in another. Negotiating these windows on one monitor is irritating, dual monitor no problem. Funny thing is the new version of Packet Tracer boasts tablet compatibility but I can't imagine how frustrating a 7 inch screen with half of it taken up by a keypad would be...

 

[dstevod]

Dual 27" monitors gives you much more aggregate desktop space to work with than a single 30". You'd probably be better off with that unless you have a specific application that requires 1600 vertical pixels.

Agree. And the dot pitch is nicer on the 27" panels too.

S