Foxhound7

Distinguished
May 15, 2011
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Hey guys,

So, I'm in need of some additional monitor space at work. Right now I have two 19" 5:4 ratio monitors and I'd like some additional space for a browser window I need to keep open 24/7. I was looking at some USB powered ones (since my graphics card here only supports 2 displays) and I was wondering what you guys recommend?

One thing I noticed, was that they tend to have bad framerates if you try to use them for anything graphically intensive due to the limited bandwidth of USB. Are there any models that don't suffer from this limitation? I doubt I'd use it for anything but that browser window, but I figure if I can get one that does support games and video, it wouldn't hurt.

Also, since I'm running two 5:4 monitors, will their resolution get screwy if I go with a widescreen USB monitor?

As always, thanks in advance! :)

Cheers!
Ben
 
Solution

+1

If you only have 2 monitor I/O's and both are in use your choices are abit limited. You could try a splitter cable (Have never used one myself and don't know much about them) but I understand all a splitter does is duplicate the feed to 2 monitors, i.e. you get the same on both screens.
Or you could get something like a matrox tripleheadtogo which allows you to run 3 monitors from one port >>...
Why not just get another LCD? USB based screen's are terrible, for the exact reasons you listed.

Sorry but I cannot reccomend getting a USB based LCD.

If you get another LCD screen - you can customize its resolution as long as it is not cloned.

You just have to make sure you have enough ports to support 3 screens.
 

a little black duck

Distinguished
Oct 31, 2011
646
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19,160

+1

If you only have 2 monitor I/O's and both are in use your choices are abit limited. You could try a splitter cable (Have never used one myself and don't know much about them) but I understand all a splitter does is duplicate the feed to 2 monitors, i.e. you get the same on both screens.
Or you could get something like a matrox tripleheadtogo which allows you to run 3 monitors from one port >> http://www.matrox.com/graphics/en/products/gxm/th2go/displayport/
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815106011
Third choice is to upgrade the gpu to one that supports 3 monitors either a nvidia gtx670 or better or Radeon HD 6xxx series or better. But with this option you need to check your psu is sufficient to handle the upgraded gpu.
Hope this helps, good luck.

Edit: I understand there may be a 4th choice where you can re-enable your mobos onboard graphics (I've heard some say you can do this) but I have no idea how this is done.

2nd Edit: If your motherboard supports it (requires Intel HD 2000 graphics chip) you can use the 4th option. See the 6th post in this thread >> http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/322116-33-dell-vostro-monitor-intermittent-board for instructions on how to set it up.
 
Solution