Multiple monitor computer: How to Set Up Multiple Monitors for Your Windows or Mac Computer

How to Set Up Multiple Monitors for Your Windows or Mac Computer

Trying to boost your productivity with a second screen? Want more immersive gaming sessions? Multiple monitors can help. Dual displays are great for multitasking and are easy to set up, but there are a few things to consider before you wade into a multiscreen world—whether you’re on Windows or Mac. 

Be sure to check out our advice on how to use a second monitor or screen with your laptop, and you can find recommendations for monitors, monitor arms, and desks in our Home Office Gear guide.

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How Many Monitors Can You Add?

Most computers can run dual monitors. But if you want to add a third screen or use two 4K monitors, check that your device is capable first.

Windows: The presence of several ports on your graphics card indicates it can likely handle multiple monitors. But you should check the maximum number of supported displays and resolutions. (You can see what graphics card you have by typing Device Manager into the Search bar, opening it, and then expanding Display adapters.) Visit the manufacturer’s website to find the specifications for your graphics card, and look for a section titled Display Support or something similar that will list this info.

Mac: If you’re adding monitors to a Mac, click on the Apple icon > About This Mac and double-click your serial number, then tap Command-C on your keyboard to copy it, go to Apple’s website, and paste it into search. Click on Support to find the Technical Specifications and search for Video Support.

What Size Screen Should You Get?

You can mix and match the types of screens you have at your workstation, though you’ll likely want some consistency. The most common monitor size is 24 inches, but 27-inch screens are increasingly popular. Having the same size screens will be nice for symmetry. Just keep an eye on resolution when you buy. A 1080p screen on a 27-inch monitor might look too fuzzy. 

We dive into orientation and arrangements below, but consider different types of screen arrangements. My current preference is a 34-inch ultrawide screen paired with a 27-inch screen in portrait orientation. As the name suggests, ultrawides are really wide and can deliver the experience of two screens, minus the screen’s bezel in between. Pairing it with a screen in portrait mode means you get enough space on the ultrawide to run two full-size browser windows side by side, plus a vertical screen on the side for apps that benefit from it, like Slack and email. 

Stands and VESA Mounts

Monitors come with a wide assortment stand designs. If you are going with the stand that comes in the box, check the measurements on the product page to ensure it’ll fit nicely on your desk.  

Alternatively, you can mount your screen to your desk and get rid of the stand, freeing up a lot of space. (You can also freely move your screen to various angles and positions.) Many displays support the VESA mount system. There are different sizes, and monitor arms have a screen size range and maximum weight they can support. Always check whether the monitor’s product page mentions VESA support, and note the VESA mount size. When you buy an arm mount, make sure it supports the screen size and weight of your new screen. 

Ports and Cables

To get the most from your computer and monitors, you’ll need to think about which ports and cables to use. For Windows PCs, your choice is often HDMI vs. DisplayPort. Unfortunately, this isn’t as straightforward as you might expect. There are several versions of each connection type, each with different capabilities. For example, HDMI 2.1 supports up to 8K resolution at 120 Hz, DisplayPort 1.4 can deliver 8K at 60 Hz, and HDMI 2.0 is limited to 4K at 60 Hz.

For laptops, you might be looking at Thunderbolt, Mini DisplayPort, or even USB-C. Sometimes you will need an adapter or USB hub to connect an external monitor.

Check the technical specifications for your graphics card and monitor to find the best option for you. Remember that the card, monitor, and cable (and any adapters) you use must support the same technology and the same version. High-end monitors usually come with a selection of cables in the box, but some manufacturers annoyingly provide a single option that might not match the monitor’s top capability.

Best Desktop for Multiple Monitors [2023]

Desktop computers with dual video output are a great option for gaming or a working environment. It’s much easier for users to connect dual monitors to carry on with their tasks.

For a PC to support multiple monitor systems, it’s essential to have either a dedicated graphics card or an integrated chipset that comes with various video outputs.

The current generation desktop computers come with HDMI, DisplayPort, and VGA output to connect more than one monitor at a single time.

There are many ways to shop for a computer that is capable of supporting a dual monitor setup.

Either you can pick a prebuilt desktop that comes with a dedicated or integrated graphics card with multiple video output slots or you can build your own machine from scratch.

There are several things you need to keep in mind before shopping for a PC with multiple p, video outputs. First of all, you have to determine what type of monitors you’ll connect to it, 1080p, 1440p, or 4K?

If you need a PC that can support dual 4K monitors, then you’ll have to look out for HDMI 2.0 or DisplayPort 1.4 to scale out to that resolution.

You’ll also have to look for a powerful CPU and GPU to keep the juice flowing through all monitors connected to your PC.

Keep in mind that if your desktop doesn’t come with onboard video outputs, then you’ll need to install a dedicated graphics card in the PCIe X16 slot to set up a multi-monitor workspace.

There are a lot of brands on the market that offer prebuilt desktop computers with multiple monitor video output. We’ve tested some of them in our lab and trimmed down the list to the ones that offer the most value for the money.

Quick Comparison

If you are in a hurry!

Quick Shopping Tips

Here’s what to consider when shopping for the best desktop PCs capable of handling dual monitor setup.

CPU: Make sure you choose a decent CPU, especially if you are planning to connect multiple 4K monitors to your computer. Try to opt for a CPU that has at least four cores and a higher clock speed.

In a dual monitor setup, users mostly deal with multiple applications at a single time. So having a processor that is good at multitasking would definitely give an edge at this point.

GPU: Obviously, there’s more load on your graphics card when you connect more than one monitor to it. Again if you are planning to connect high-resolution monitors to your PC, then you’ll have to rely on graphics cards with a higher amount of VRAM (6GB or more).

If you are going after a desktop with integrated graphics, then you’ll have to make sure that it supports the type of monitors you intend to connect to it.

Lastly, the number of video output ports on the GPU or integrated graphics panel would decide how many monitors you can connect to your PC. Latest generation graphics card support at least 3 video outputs at a single time.

RAM:

The amount of RAM comes into effect when you have an integrated graphics card on your PC. So maxing out your resolution on a dual monitor setup will definitely put stress on your RAM in this case.

A rough idea is to have at least 8GB of RAM in your computer if you are not dealing with less memory-intensive tasks.

But if you are a video editor or professional content creator who deals with high-resolution projects on a multiple monitor setup, then you’ll need at least 16GB or 32GB of RAM.

List of Best Desktop PCs for Multiple Monitor Setup

Here are the top options to consider:

CyberPowerPC Supreme – Overall Best Desktop Computer for 3 Monitors

CPU: Core i7-11700KF 3.6GHz | GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | RAM: 16GB DDR4 | Storage: 1TB PCI-E NVMe SSD | Operating System: Windows 10 Home | Video Outputs: 1x HDMI 2. 1, 3x DisplayPort 1.4a

Reasons to Buy:

• Powerful 8-core CPU for multitasking and gaming
• Massive video memory
• Advanced video output slots for connecting up to 4 monitors

Image Source: Amazon

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The CyberPowerPC Supreme is backed by a powerful CPU and graphics card to crush intense workloads. It is fueled by the Intel Core i7 11700KF processor clocked at 3.6 GHz on each of its eight cores.

Furthermore, there’s 16GB of DDR4 RAM to take care of any gaming or content creation workloads. You can also upgrade the RAM up to 32GB later on if you need more performance.

To take care of next-gen graphics, the CyberPowerPC Supreme is equipped with Nvidia’s RTX 3060 graphics card with 12GB of GDDR6 memory. No doubt, this is one of the most powerful mid-range graphics cards for gaming or content creation.

With plenty of video memory on hand, it would be much easier for you to spread gaming or content creation workloads on multiple monitors in a go.

The massive 12GB VRAM also allows you to scale your games or content up to 4K resolution on this card.

To support multiple monitors at a single time, there are up to four latest-gen video output slots on this graphics card. This desktop gives you access to x1 HDMI 2.1 and x3 DisplayPort 1.4 ports.

Expert Tip

If you are planning to connect higher resolution monitors to your desktop PC, then look out for a graphics card that has at least more than 8GB of VRAM and at least two HDMI/DisplayPort video outputs.

It’s a great deal for someone who is willing to connect more than one 4K or 8K monitor at a single time.

The video ports that these desktop offers are recommended for professional gamers or work professionals. If you are planning to connect lower-resolution monitors, then look out for other options in this guide.

All in all, the CyberPowerPC Supreme has all the needed ingredients which makes it one of the best all-in-one pc with dual monitor capability. It features liquid cooling, has the most eye-catching aesthetics, and there’s one year of warranty from CyberPower to deal with any mishaps.

CyberPower Gamer Xtreme – Best Value Desktop for Dual Monitor Setup

CPU: Intel Core i5-10400F 2.9GHz | GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Super 6GB | RAM: 8GB DDR4 | Storage: 500GB NVMe SSD | Operating System: Windows 10 Home | Video Outputs: 1x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort

Reasons to Buy:

• Price-to-performance ratio
• Mid-range CPU and GPU
• Enough video ports for adding more than one monitors

Image Source: Amazon

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The CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme is a cheaper option for gamers and content creators who are seeking a desktop PC to connect dual monitors.

This desktop is powered by Intel’s 10th generation Core i5-10400F, a six-core CPU with a clock speed of 2. 9 GHz. It’s a mid-range CPU that is ideal for 1080p gaming and other CPU-intensive tasks.

Now, this computer only has 8GB of DDR4 memory, which is enough if you are not dealing with intense multi workloads. But if you are planning to go heavy, then we’ll recommend you to, later on, switch 8GB DIMM with 16GB DIMM for better performance.

To boost up the graphics, the CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme has the Nvidia GTX 1660 graphics card with 6GB GDDR6 memory.

Now compared to the RTX 3060 GPU that we’ve found on the previous desktop on our list, the GTX 1660 is less powerful.

But still, it would be enough to keep up with the pace of current generation games or professional workloads at 1080p or 1440p settings.

In terms of video connectivity, there are just two video output ports on this card, x1 HDMI and x1 DisplayPort.

This will allow you to connect dual monitors to this computer, but you cannot scale up to the resolutions that the RTX 3060 12GB has to offer.

The CyberPowerPC Supreme is packed with much more advanced video output ports as compared to the CyberPower PC Gamer Xtreme.

As we’ve said earlier, not everyone needs to connect 4K or 8K monitors to their machine. So for users who are planning to connect 1080p or 1440p display screens, the GTX 1660 would be a great option to go with.

All in all, the CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme has great looks to it although it’s not cooled by a liquid cooling system like CyberPowerPC Supreme version. At least gives you the right value for your money to connect two monitors on advanced video ports.

Just like the previous desktop from CyberPower, this one also comes with 1 year of warranty. There are three RGB fans at the front of the case to promote high airflow inside the case. The manufacturer also offers an RGB keyboard and mouse within the package.

If you do not need hardcore performance and just need a PC that can connect to 1080p or 1440p screens without any hassle, then this is the right PC for you.

SkyTech Archangel PC – Best Performance PC for Multiple Display

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3600 6-Core 3.6GHz | GPU: NVIDIA RTX 3060 12GB | RAM: 16GB DDR4 | Storage: 1TB SSD | Operating System: Windows 10 Home 64-bit | Video Outputs: 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x DisplayPort 1.4

Reasons to Buy:

• Excellent for multitasking
• Powerful graphics card
• Latest-gen video ports

Image Source: Amazon

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The SkyTech Archangel is the slickest-looking prebuilt PC we’ve ever tested in our lab. Where other brands flash RGB lights everywhere on the case, SkyTech has taken a different approach to build this desktop.

From the side glass panel, you can see all the components in their full glory. And the show is just not limited to the aesthetics, SkyTech Archangel has plenty of performance juice packed inside it.

Let’s start with the all-time famous AMD CPU, the Ryzen 5 3600. It’s a six-core CPU clocked at 3.6 GHz. AMD chips are great at handling professional workloads, and Ryzen 3600 fully reflects this statement by all means.

More often, people invest in multiple monitor setups for effortless multitasking. So, the Ryzen 3600 will surely pump the multitasking juice even if you divide your work on more than one screen.

SkyTech Archangel comes with the same RTX 3060 graphic card that we’ve found on the CyberPower Supreme desktop PC. Also, we have HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4 on this card to add dual monitors.

No matter if you are investing in a dual monitor setup for immersive gaming or a high-end workstation environment, the RTX 3060 would be enough to tackle your every need at this point.

SkyTech Archangel comes with plenty of advanced I/Os to connect the latest hardware to it. It has a nice-looking design and you can attach more than one display to it right away.

It’s meant for gamers or content professionals who want to connect to higher resolution (1080p, 1440p, or 4K) monitors.

Custom-Built Desktop with Multi-Monitor Support

Custom-built desktops are cheaper as compared to prebuilt machines. But to do this, you should have basic knowledge of building a PC from scratch.

As you would be building a PC just for the sake of adding more than one monitor, this would give you much control over the parts selection while staying under your budget.

Desktop PC Under $1500 for Multiple Monitor Set-Up

Image Source; Thermaltake

• Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor
• MSI Z170A Tomahawk AC ATX LGA1151 Motherboard
• PNY GeForce GTX 1080 8GB
• Thermaltake V250 Motherboard Sync ARGB
• Avexir Core Series 16GB 
• Plextor M8Pe 512GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive
• Hitachi Ultrastar 7K3000 3TB 3.5″ 7200RPM
• EVGA SuperNOVA G2 550W 80+ Gold 

This PC was built by BoyScout on PCPartPicker. We thought of giving it a try as it delivers ideal performance in any type of gaming or content creation workload you throw on it.

The PNY GeForce GTX 1080 on this PC comes with 3x DisplayPort 1.4, x1 HDMI 2.0b, and x1 DL-DVI port for connecting multiple displays to it. These ports allow you to connect new and old interface monitors to this PC without any issues.

Desktop PC Under $1000 With Multi-Display Support

Image Source: Cooler Master

• Intel Core i5-6500 3.2 GHz Quad-Core Processor
• Asus Z170I PRO GAMING Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard
• Corsair h200i GTX 70.69 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler or any other you prefer
• Kingston HyperX Fury 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4
• EVGA GeForce GTX 960 2 GB
• SAMSUNG 870 EVO SATA III SSD 1TB
• Corsair CMX 500 W 80+ Bronze

This is another low-budget desktop PC for connecting dual monitors to your PC. Although the graphics card we have chosen for this PC doesn’t support the advanced HDMI/Display Ports, it would be enough for geeks who are tight on budget.

If you have old monitors in your office or home, then this build would save you a lot of money to connect those old mates in a single setup.

If you are not satisfied with the graphics card, then you can opt for better GPUs like GTX 1660 or RX 5500 XT that support advanced video outputs. However, a better GPU will add more $$ to your cart in the end.

How We Choose

We have been in the PC industry for more than 12 years now. Our passion for computers is as old as Windows 95. Within this time, we have tested several PC hardware available on the market.

So, any machine we pick for our list meets the intent of users and their budget. We have tested some machines on this list and then compared them with others that have been reviewed by our members of different community forums.

Verdict – Which is One to Go With?

Finally, these were some of the best prebuilt and custom-built desktops for adding multiple monitors. Now which one would deliver you the best value for your money? This depends on the type and number of monitors you’ll connect with a PC.

Both prebuilt PCs on our list that come with RTX 3060 12GB graphics card are ideal for handling more than one monitor and a resolution up to 8K. But if you are working in an office environment where all you need is to view images and read text, then it’s better to go with a cheaper custom-made PC.

The thing that matters is the number of video output present and the capability of the card to handle the type of resolution you’ll throw on it.

FAQs

Here are answers to some common questions that might pop up in your mind:

What PC can handle 2 monitors?

Normally any modern PC that comes with more than one video output port can handle two displays at a single time. Look out for an extra VGA, DVI, HDMI, or DisplayPort port on your PC to connect the second monitor to it.

Can you have 4 monitors on a computer?

It depends upon the availability of video ports on your computer. If there are four extra video ports, then you can connect monitors to these ports right away.

Do you need a good PC for 2 monitors?

Yes, you’ll need a PC that comes with at least dual display video outputs. If your PC comes with a single display, then you can install a dedicated graphics card to add multiple monitors to your PC.

What do I need to run 2 monitors on my PC?

You’ll simply need two video output ports on your computer to run 2 monitors. See if there are dual video slots available on your motherboard. Otherwise, simply buy a new graphics card that comes with multiple video outputs.

Masab

Hi, this is Masab, the Founder of PC Building Lab. I’m a PC enthusiast who loves to share the prior knowledge and experience that I have with computers. Well, troubleshooting computers is in my DNA, what else I could say….

How to connect multiple monitors to your computer and why you need it

The question of connecting several or more monitors to one computer worries quite a few users. Someone needs it for work, someone for games, and someone just has a second monitor and thinks how it could be used to good use.

In any case, everyone is interested in how to properly connect monitors to a PC, what kind of video card and connectors are needed for this, is it possible to connect one monitor to a video card and the other to the motherboard, how to connect 4-8 monitors at the same time or create a thin-seam video wall with not much budget.

Table of contents

Table of contents

• 1. How to use multiple monitors
• 2. Requirements for connecting displays
• 3. How to connect multiple monitors to one PC
• 4. Nuances of creating multi-display configurations
• 5. Which graphics cards to choose and how they differ
• 6. Multiple display modes

1.

How to use multiple monitors

Users at home can use multiple monitors for the following purposes:

• work in several applications
• software development
• workspace extension
• expansion of the playing space
• watching videos on a big screen
• using a PC for monitoring in trading
• PC use by multiple users

An example of simultaneous work in several applications can be an open text document with data on one screen and transferring information from it to another format (table or database).

It’s also pretty handy to use multiple displays for software development and web projects, one for working on source code, the other for seeing changes immediately.

If you work with large drawings or 3D models, you can expand your workspace with multiple monitors. Or you can just work on one screen, and follow the changes on the sites or any other information on the other.

Using multiple monitors to expand the field of view in games is not all clear. Firstly, this is a serious additional load on the video card due to the higher resolution, so it must be powerful enough. Secondly, you will see a seam between the displays, which will not be pleasant.

But, in principle, if you connect several frameless displays, the last drawback can be smoothed out. The expansion of the playing space will be especially useful in flight and racing simulators.

But the second monitor in games can be used in other ways. For example, play an MMO RPG in several windows, or play on one and follow the merchants on the second, chat on the forum, or keep a tab open with useful information about leveling.

For movies, bezels between the screens will be the main problem, but with bezel-less displays, you can create a real home theater with a huge screen. Although this is unlikely to be economically justified, only if you already have one frameless display and buy a second one. Otherwise, it will be easier and probably cheaper to buy a large TV. The exception is if you will use multiple screens not only for watching videos, but also for work and possibly games.

But in trading, perhaps there is no choice, creating a 4-8 display configuration is the only way to simultaneously follow the main trends.

It’s all about how to connect monitors – buy a lot of cheap graphics cards or a few more expensive ones with more connectors or prefer a specialized solution for multi-display configurations. We will talk about this a little later.

Some users who, due to budget or space constraints, have one PC for two, are considering connecting a second monitor to allow multiple users to use the PC at the same time. This is quite possible, but with some limitations, which we will also discuss.

2. Requirements for connected displays

It is desirable that all simultaneously used displays be as identical as possible – have the same size, resolution, height, tilt, screen quality, and also, if possible, narrow bezels.

It is also highly desirable that they have several different modern digital connectors (DVI, DP, HDMI), which will expand the possibility of their simultaneous connection to different video card and motherboard connectors.

If you want to create a frameless or multi-display system, then the monitors must have special mounts (VESA type) to securely connect them to each other on a bracket that must be selected in advance.

Some manufacturers (such as DELL) have displays that support Multi-Stream Transport (MST) specifically optimized for multi-display configurations. They not only have thin bezels, but can be connected to a PC with just one DisplayPort (DP) cable, and then connected to each other with the same cable via a DP connector. Those. Only one cable is connected to the computer, which is very convenient and does not require additional connectors on the video card. Up to 4 Full HD displays (1920×1080, 1920×1200) or 2 displays at 2K resolution (2560×1440, 2560×1600) so that the total resolution of all monitors does not exceed 4K (3840×2160, 4096×2160). This limitation is caused by the bandwidth of the DisplayPort v1.2 standard.

If you want to combine two displays for gaming, then it is good if they have a curved screen, this will improve the perception and immersion in the game. Although in this case it is better to purchase one ultra-wide monitor. The exception is if you already have one good monitor and you can buy a second one of the same kind.

Of course, you can connect completely different monitors, but their use may not be comfortable. It is better that they stand flush, do not differ in size and color reproduction. However, if you already have them – try, you will not lose anything. If you buy a second monitor, then it is better to follow our recommendations.

3. How to connect multiple monitors to one PC

Connecting two monitors with different interface connectors to a computer with a modern video card usually does not cause problems. They simply connect each to their own video card connector, the maximum that is required is to purchase the appropriate cable if the one you need is not available.

Problems start when the second monitor does not have a suitable connector. In some cases, this can be solved with an adapter or a special cable (DVI-HDMI, DP-HDMI, etc.) – this is the simplest and most correct solution.

But if your monitor only has an outdated VGA (D-SUB) connector, this can be a real problem. The fact is that old video cards had a DVI-I output with the ability to connect such monitors via a DVI-VGA adapter.

Modern video cards use a DVI-D connector, which does not output an analog VGA signal and there are no corresponding outputs for connecting such an adapter, and it is impossible to connect a monitor through it. Yes, there are special converters (DVI-VGA, HDMI-VGA), but the quality of the image during conversion is seriously affected (the picture becomes soapy, the color reproduction deteriorates), so this is a bad decision.

However, there is a way out – if your motherboard has a VGA connector and the BIOS has the ability to force the integrated graphics of the processor to be enabled, then the monitor can be connected to this connector. After that, the operating system will see two video cards and display the image on both monitors. The only thing you will need to do is update the drivers for the integrated graphics, if the system does not automatically do this.

This solution is quite suitable for any work tasks, you can create both several separate desktops and one common space. However, this is not suitable for games – even if you manage to run the game on a discrete video card, and display the image on a monitor connected to the motherboard (I succeeded), it will work poorly and not very stable (quality and performance will be lower, lags are possible) .

If you want to connect more than two monitors, then be aware that the cheapest video cards only support connecting 2 monitors, most of the other 3 monitors, despite the fact that they may have more connectors. But do not forget that one or more monitors can still be connected to the motherboard (if it supports the simultaneous operation of discrete and integrated graphics). How many monitors this or that video card or motherboard supports, see the specification on the manufacturer’s website.

There are also special multi-display adapters that allow you to connect several monitors to one PC or laptop connector. For example, such adapters are manufactured by Matrox – they are not cheap, but they provide high picture quality.

Just don’t confuse them with regular video splitters that simply display the same picture on multiple monitors.

4. Nuances of creating multi-display configurations

First, for creating configurations with 4-8 monitors, there are monitors with MST support, which I have already mentioned. This is a great option, as it allows you to connect up to 4 monitors with FHD resolution to the DP connector on your video card or motherboard with a single cable. Thus, up to 8 monitors can be connected to the two DP connectors. The disadvantage of this solution may be the high cost of the monitors themselves.

Secondly, there are special video cards for creating multi-display configurations with a large number of connectors. For example, Matrox video cards, which can have 4 to 9 DP or HDMI ports.

However, they are quite expensive and are only suitable for displaying images on displays, making some calculations on them or not playing. So it’s more of a solution for creating a wealthy trader’s workplace.

You can also connect a large number of monitors using professional nVidia video cards from the NVS or Quadro series, entry-level models are several times cheaper.

Affordable professional video cards are from the French company PNY, they are equipped with 3-8 miniDP or HDMI ports. Also included are miniDP-DP or miniDP-DVI adapters. An additional plus will be a significant acceleration in the rendering of three-dimensional models if you are engaged in 3D modeling.

More affordable display configurations can be built with several inexpensive entry-level office or gaming graphics cards. If you have an ATX motherboard with a sufficient number of PCI-E slots (x1-x16), you can install up to 4 cheapest office video cards, each of which can connect up to 2 monitors (since they usually do not support more).

If necessary, 2-3 more monitors can be connected to the motherboard (if it allows it). Up to 11 monitors can be configured this way.

The advantage of this solution is the low cost of both the initial purchase and the replacement of a separate failed video card, as well as low power consumption, heating and noise level.

The disadvantage is that such video cards can only be used to display images on the screen, there can be no talk of any calculations (3D rendering, video editing) and games, since these video cards are too weak and do not support the necessary technologies.

Another solution is to install two full entry or mid-range gaming graphics cards (GTX 1050, 1050 Ti, 1060), each supporting 3 or 4 monitors.

Thus, you only need 2 PCI-E slots and you will get 6-11 monitors connected (depending on the model of video cards and motherboard) for almost the same money, plus the ability to edit video much faster and play more or less normally. At the same time, power consumption, heating and noise level will be slightly higher, but only slightly and only under load. A slightly more powerful power supply and good ventilation in the case will be enough (which is still required when installing 4 office video cards).

5. Which video cards to choose and what is their difference

In general, if you just need to display an image on several monitors (office, trading), then the easiest and most budget option is some of the cheapest office video cards, plus the use of motherboard video connectors fees. The model and manufacturer do not really matter here, just pay attention to how many monitors the video card supports.

If you are even a little interested in games or video editing, then you should give preference to gaming video cards of the initial or middle class. As for the choice between nVidia and AMD, there are several features to consider.

nVidia video cards have universal CUDA cores that can be used in various calculations. Please consider this if you are working with applications that can take advantage of this.

AMD video cards, in turn, have a limitation – when connecting multiple monitors, at least one must be connected to the DisplayPort connector, nVidia does not have this limitation. If you are not sure, then it is better to give preference to nVidia – this is a more versatile option.

If you already have a powerful graphics card (or laptop) and can’t connect multiple monitors, a multi-display adapter is a great solution. It will qualitatively display the image on 2-3 screens and will allow you to use the full power of discrete graphics.

If you are doing 3D modeling, it is better to build a system based on one or two professional video cards, depending on how many monitors you plan to connect, the complexity of projects and budget. If your projects are not complex, then it will be cheaper to buy 2 entry-level video cards. If you are working with serious 3D models, then it is better to prefer one more powerful video card.

And finally, the simplest and most reliable, but at the same time more expensive option is to use a specialized video card to create multi-display installations from Matrox. If you are creating a stand for observing various processes and the budget allows, then why not.

6. Multiple display modes

Monitors connected to a PC can operate in several modes, the simplest of which is screen mirroring. In this case, the same image is displayed on all displays (as when connected via a splitter, but then it also deteriorates in quality). This mode is usually used to display images on a TV for watching videos or from a laptop to a monitor for a large screen.

The second mode is desktop extension, in which the entire workspace is evenly divided among all connected displays. At the same time, you can drag any window to the desired screen and arrange them as you like. In this mode, you can also stretch one window to several screens, which will be useful when working with large projects (designing, video editing), watching videos and playing games. In general, this mode is quite flexible and will allow you to display the image however you like.

All settings (location, resolution, operating modes) of monitors are located in the Settings snap-in on the Display tab. Here you can change the layout of the screens by simply dragging and dropping the mouse.

And just below you can select the parameters and modes of operation of several displays, everything is done very simply and intuitively.

As for the simultaneous use of the computer by several users, it is possible, but with some limitations. For example, one user can work, play, climb sites on the Internet, and the other at the same time watch movies online. At the same time, it is possible for each user to use not only a monitor, but also his own mouse, keyboard and even headphones (each will hear his own sound). But this use of the PC assumes that one of the users will be in passive mode with a rare use of input devices (mouse, keyboard), as they work synchronously.

Perhaps there are other usage scenarios and possibilities for connecting displays, if you have such experience, share it in the comments

How to connect 2 monitors to a computer and not make mistakes in the settings?

Multi-monitor configuration adds comfort, especially during photo editing, painting, video editing. But besides the fact that this requires at least 2 monitors, the screens must also be connected correctly. How to do this is described in a short manual. From the instructions, you can learn how to connect a second monitor to a desktop computer or laptop, how to set up a PC so that both displays work in pairs. Plus bonus: 3 convenient free programs for working with two displays at the same time.

Advice : Frameless displays look perfect together.

Multi-slot graphics card

Multiple slots on a graphics card is required to connect two or more monitors to the same computer at the same time. It is not possible to connect multiple displays using the video connector on the motherboard (vertical socket at the top of the rear panel).

Note : Video card connectors are horizontal.

Apple all-in-ones and computers that have a motherboard with two video connectors support Thunderbolt. You can easily connect a second monitor to it, you only need the appropriate adapter.

In the case of a PC, the video card must be equipped with connectors of the type:

• Display Port;
• HDMI;
• DVI;
• VGA.

Any of these ports allows you to connect 2 monitors. However, it happens that the types of connectors on the video card and screens do not match. In this case, you can be advised to use an adapter or purchase a cable with different connection interfaces, for example, HDMI-VGA.

To the topic: What is better for a monitor: DVI or HDMI – comparison of 2 interfaces

Setting up monitors

So, in the paragraph above, it was sorted out how to connect 2 monitors to one PC. However, for the multi-monitor configuration to work, the connected screens must be properly configured. The table below will help.

Find out: 3 popular types of matrices: IPS, PLS and TN – which monitor is better Most laptops have the necessary connectors. Most often they are equipped with an HDMI port.