Kickin' System w/Dual Monitors - Suggestions?

[Lynn Terry]

I'm ready to upgrade. I've had this computer for two years, and I want more POWER and more virtual work space. I've really fallen in love with the idea of dual monitors (or the 30" flatpanel).

I dont game. I rarely do anything with graphics anymore. And there's no sense in overdoing it.

What I do want is this:

- ability to multi-task with ease, plenty of room to work
- no bogging, screaming speed
- good enough video to play a DVD

That's all I can really think of at the moment... I want my system to think as fast I do, sound as good as my stereo, look better than my tv, and I want room to open 17 programs and work between them productively.

Suggestions?

[John Scott]

I used to run dual monitors, never used the second monitor.

I always like to overdo it. Just to be safe, you know. Do you prefer not to build your own computers?

[T0d]

I have dual 21" monitors and currently I use the 2nd monitor to have my GAIM buddy list (ICQ/MSN/AIM/Y!/Etc) up all the time. I also use it for PNP for watchign TV, with a click I can go full screen TV too so that's nice and at 1.5ft away 21" TV is huge

I try to use the dual monitors for coding and testing, code on one side test on the other but in reality I keep cliking back and forth. I think if I was to do it again I would go with dell's 30"? or 32" LCD Monitor(forget the exact size).

I think if you get the 2nd monitor thought you WILL learn to use it more, I know I`m trying too. Even nif you don't use it a lot they don't cost much, so the ease of viewing who's online with a simple glance is nice for me.

As far as systems go, I build my own and build them at the price break of the "cutting edge ripoff". For instance if the cutting edge CPU cost $600, I`ll scale back to the $2xx range where the CPU is still under a year old maybe even 6 months and can run ANYTHING fine. I do a lot of research and comparing when building systems, and really find out what the user wants. I try to stay away from building them for people because they think since I built it I have to support their Windows/Software problems too So now I tell anyone up front I`ll build them a system for my cost for parts + $150 setup and $45/hr support w/minimum 2hours. This so far has not scared anyone away! My cost + $150 has been good, I don't make much since the time involved but it keeps me up to date!

I`m building one right now for a friend to play any new game on and his price is coming around to $950 total minus the monitor, and this includes CA Tax and shipping. (That has no markup, just equipment cost) I provide my friends a MS Excel sheet of the part, and cost... I do 2 builds in excel 1 that I would use myself and the "crazy fast option" that normaly is atleast 2x as much but uses the most recent hardware. This lets them decide if they want to waste a lot of money on hardware that will cost less than 1/2 6 months from now.

An example of top of the line then and cost now is a video card i`m using in the above system. 6 - 8 months ago the card cost near $500 today I got it for $160 and it's STILL able to play ANY GAME at FULL RESOLUTION and not be slow at all. In fact the video card I put in his sytem is faster than the one in mine and I have no problems playing games!

So there are some options and things to think about. If you need any specific advice let me know I`ll be glad to provide any info as I enjoy doing the research and comparing, etc.

[Lynn Terry]

Thank you, Todd - I really appreciate your thoughts about this. Gives me some things to think about, that's for sure!

I do find it interesting that both of you commented about not using the second monitor, or it taking some time to get used to. I could see myself making great use of the workspace... but it may be hard for me to get used to. I aim to find out, though!

Originally Posted by JohnScott

Do you prefer not to build your own computers?

Actually, I used to do custom builds when we had the shop open - but that was years ago. For the last few I've just been ordering through Dell.com and have them shipped right to the door ready to go

I'm not beyond doing it, just dont want to mess with it.

I'm not into gaming anymore, or graphics, so I havent needed much outside of a good system to manage the ebiz. And actually the one I have now is doing the job just fine.

I'm just ready for something new and cool

[Lynn Terry]

Here's what I'm looking at:



or:



Except the two in the top pic are 17's and I'd probably go dual 19's...

[Lynn Terry]

Here ya go:



This is the "DOUBLESIGHT DISPLAYS DS-1900 19-inch Dual LCD Monitor" from Dell.

I am hearing there is something to know about "response time" or something along those lines. I dont want to trade in for lower visual quality - I'd like it to be sharp and fast. I assume this will have a lot to do with the video card, processor and memory, too?

I may just call Dell or TigerDirect and get some input on what options there are...

[Zap]

Originally Posted by Lynn Terry

Here ya go:



This is the "DOUBLESIGHT DISPLAYS DS-1900 19-inch Dual LCD Monitor" from Dell.

I am hearing there is something to know about "response time" or something along those lines. I dont want to trade in for lower visual quality - I'd like it to be sharp and fast. I assume this will have a lot to do with the video card, processor and memory, too?

I may just call Dell or TigerDirect and get some input on what options there are...

I think that this one is the way to go.

[reteep]

Originally Posted by Lynn Terry

Here ya go:

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/i...e/A0430029.jpg

This is the "DOUBLESIGHT DISPLAYS DS-1900 19-inch Dual LCD Monitor" from Dell.

I am hearing there is something to know about "response time" or something along those lines. I dont want to trade in for lower visual quality - I'd like it to be sharp and fast. I assume this will have a lot to do with the video card, processor and memory, too?

I may just call Dell or TigerDirect and get some input on what options there are...

I wouldn't go for that one, I agree with Todd here, I would never center my TFTs. Actually, I got them like that:

    / \
  /     \
/         \

Not that tight of course but I really like it that way.

The response time is something you should look at. If you're playing for example movies you should have at least a Response Time of 12ms. I got 8ms but would go for 4ms or 2ms nowadays.
[/quote]

[T0d]

Originally Posted by reteep

I wouldn't go for that one, I agree with Todd here, I would never center my TFTs. Actually, I got them like that:

    / \
  /     \
/         \

Not that tight of course but I really like it that way.

The response time is something you should look at. If you're playing for example movies you should have at least a Response Time of 12ms. I got 8ms but would go for 4ms or 2ms nowadays.

[/quote]

Mine are setup like that too but only SLIGHTLY angled.
The dell 19 and 20.1 etc are very nice LCDs for the price, and this is coming from me and i`m VERY PICKY on my displays. The dells are FAST and all the gamers use them so they are fine for you.

[Lynn Terry]

Thanks, and me too - I think.

Except that one is around $1100... and you can get two NICE 19" flatpanels for under 700 bucks (for both). Might make for more flexibility, not sure...

I think I'll head down to Best Buy or Circuit City or somewhere like that and take a stroll through... it might help me a lot to actually see something set up.

[T0d]

When I setup my dual monitors I tried to center them like that but hated it! I hated having the line right down the middle so I have one directly in front of me and one off to the right of me. If I had to do it again I`d probably go with the big 30" from dell, and a seperate 19 or 21" from dell to use as a TV/Extra space off to the side.

Dell has a special on their 19" right now you can get 2 for around $600 shipped. The girlfriend has dual 19" at work and she loves them, she has them almmost directly in front. I think it's personal preference, and what you are doing.

[Lynn Terry]

I hadnt thought of that - about the line bugging me, but I can see where that might be the case. I think I'd like to be able to rearrange them to suit me, so I am pretty much set on two separate 19" flatscreens.

I'll check out the deal they are offering too - thanks Todd!

Off topic for this thread, but I just realized recently that I can plug my laptop into my RCA TV with an S-Video cable (dont laugh cause I'm slow to catch on with some of this stuff hehe). I have a wireless keyboard & mouse for the laptop, so I thought that would be pretty cool to try out...

One more question: Will I need more memory to run the dual monitor setup? I dont even know what's standard now. I think the last system I bought had 512?

(gawd, I can remember building systems with 16 megs of ram... and my first modem was 9600 baud LOL...)

[T0d]

Originally Posted by Lynn Terry

I hadnt thought of that - about the line bugging me, but I can see where that might be the case. I think I'd like to be able to rearrange them to suit me, so I am pretty much set on two separate 19" flatscreens.

I'll check out the deal they are offering too - thanks Todd!

Off topic for this thread, but I just realized recently that I can plug my laptop into my RCA TV with an S-Video cable (dont laugh cause I'm slow to catch on with some of this stuff hehe). I have a wireless keyboard & mouse for the laptop, so I thought that would be pretty cool to try out...

One more question: Will I need more memory to run the dual monitor setup? I dont even know what's standard now. I think the last system I bought had 512?

(gawd, I can remember building systems with 16 megs of ram... and my first modem was 9600 baud LOL...)

16megs of ram! I remember building mine with like 2mb and having to upgrade to 4! LOL.

You don't need any extra memory to run a second monitor you just need a second video card or a video card that lets you run 2 monitors. (Most new video cards allow you to run dual monitors, if you want to run dual digital outputs that will cost a little more but will maintain a digital signal.)

Pretty much the standard for any system I build is 1gb of ram, I mean it's only $80 for 1gb so it's not worth spending $20-$25 less on 512 when you can double meory for less than double cost. If you do a lot of multi-tasking or a lot of image editing in photoshop you could get away with 2gb. The only time I ever got near using all my 1gb was in photoshop with a bunch of images open at once. Some new games (BF2) require/use a LOT of ram and benefit from 2gb but you said you don't game so no need

[imaginemn]

I currently use 3 19" monitors (1 - only outlook, 2 - browser, 3 - editor). Works wonders.

I do have another system using only 1 monitor a 20.1" monitor that I can rotate the screen.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824001225

This is pretty cool for web development. When I use this system I don't miss my multi-monitor system. It comes w/analog and digital outputs.

[Rick Wilson]

Originally Posted by Lynn Terry

That's all I can really think of at the moment... I want my system to think as fast I do, sound as good as my stereo, look better than my tv, and I want room to open 17 programs and work between them productively.

Sheesh, Lynn ... You want NEW toys ALREADY?

I thought my two 17 inchers were pushing it!

Dang, NOW you have ME thinking about this ...

But, looks like the tech wizards here at V7N really know their stuff. Some GREAT advice!


Rick Wilson aka CorpRebel

[T0d]

Dell is having a sale checkout the 20.1" I have two of these.
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/p...s=19&c=us&l=en

There WAS a $60 off coupon too! That made it $404 shipped/taxed to me in CA if you don't have to pay tax it's an even better rate for you! The $60 off coupon expired this morning but if I find another I`ll let you know! I may pickup a 3rd LOL!!!!

[Lynn Terry]

Originally Posted by Rick Wilson

Sheesh, Lynn ... You want NEW toys ALREADY?

LOL - I know, I know!

But yeah, I'm really itching to upgrade. And thanks guys, for the links & info - you rock!!

[joecoolfreak]

I personally run three as well. I use a 22 inch crt in the middle and two 17 inch lcds on either side. It works very well for me. Good luck with what you end up choosing.

[cldnails]

I'm not familiar enough with dual monitors to help out that much with your problem. However, if your not already familiar always check with Newegg.com before going to Circuit City or BestBuy. They have plenty of user reviews on all their items and their prices cannot be beat. I've built my last computer with parts solely from them and I was pleased with their service and shipping speed.

Other than that, trying to stay within your price range will be the only problem. lol

[Lynn Terry]

Originally Posted by cldnails

Other than that, trying to stay within your price range will be the only problem. lol

LOL, no doubt!