Widescreen Gaming Forum

Hi guys,

I'm looking to join the wonderful world of multiple monitor gaming but I would like some advice first. I have 2 cheapo 22" monitors with the maximum resolution of 1680x1050 at 16:10 ratio and I was looking to buy one of the Dell monitors with a DP (21.5"/23" models) with the maximum resolution of 1920x1080 at 16:9.

I was wondering if eyefinity works with different ratios or if the Dell monitor would up scale to 16:10 at 1680x1050 without looking to out of place and eyefinity would still work.

Thanks!

No eyefinity won't work with different aspect ratios.

Also the shape of the screen is quite different between 16:9 and 16:10 there are actual pixels missing you can't just change the resolution to get the pixels back. Some monitors do have pixel scaling but it won't look right with your other monitors.

Your options are to get a 16:10 monitor either a 22" or 24" will work and run it at 1680 x 1050 x 3.

The DELL P2210, HP LA2205WG or HP LP2275W are all 22" 1680 x 1050 16:10 aspect ratio monitors with display port.

The Dell is the cheapest http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/products/Displays/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&cs=19&sku=320-8103

Ah thank you Sideeffect :D

I might go for a cheaper monitor then and use an adapter.

I've done this before.

It's kind of UGLY, but it works.

EyeFinity uses a concept of "primary monitor".

If your primary monitor supports a max of 16x10, then EyeFinity will attempt to run all of your monitors at 16x10.

16x10 on a 19x10 display generally gets S-T-R-E-T-C-H-E-D from side to side, so it looks a bit weird, but it does work.

Ah thank you Sideeffect :D

I might go for a cheaper monitor then and use an adapter.

Depending on where you live and if you only have 2 current monitors, you may find that a Dell2210 is as cheep or atleast very close to a adaptor + 22" panel.

Ill use UK prices as a example, (this may be different in your locale)

22" monitor, cheep res 1650x1080 is approx £100 inc VAT but+ Shipping
Active DP - DVI adapter £125 inc VAT but + Shipping

Or Dell 2210 monitor £210 inc VAT with free shipping

The other point of note, is that the Active DP adapters are hard to get hold of at the moment, and there are alot of people that are having problems with there DVI-DP connected monitors dropping out.

DP is the new standard for display connectivity and you would be wise to think ahead and get the native DP monitor.

ta

Ah, I live in the UK.

I was hoping to get another cheap monitor the same model as my current ones so they will all look the same and be the same size etc along with and Apple mini-DP to DVI for about £60 then a cheap DP to mini-DP for £7.

That way it will cost me £172 (including shipping) instead of £211 (for the Dell) and a different looking monitor. But if their are a few issues with converts maybe it's best I go for a native display?

Thank you for your replies even though I am a newbie to the forum.

I use 2 1920x1080 and one 1920x1200 screen for eyefinity at 5760x1080.
even if the 24inch screen isnt native for the resolution, it works really well.
I got the dell p2210hd screen as its native DP.

Your seldom looking at the screens at the side directly, so if they are a little blurry works ok especially in landscape mode.

I will get another native 1920x1080 later on but as far,
I can run dragon age, need for speed shift using 3 screens and that is fun!

Thank you for the info flopper, I'm looking at combining the following monitors and I was wondering if any one had any experience with similar setups.

2 Side monitors:

Digimate 22" LCD TFT Monitor 1680x1050

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/166251


Centre Monitor:

Dell Professional 21.5-inch P2210H 1920x1080

http://accessories.euro.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=uk&l=en&s=bsd&cs=ukbsdt1&sku=294356


My main concerns are the different aspect ratios and maybe the different sizes of the monitors with the Dell being 0.5" smaller. Has anyone got a similar setup?

Just found myself another option, this fixes the aspect ratio problem but also means mixing/matching some inches.

Side monitors:

2x 23" Digimate L-2362WD 23" TFT Monitor Full HD 1920x1080

(WxHxD mm): 538 x 440 x 190mm

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/169049


Centre Monitor:

(WxHxD mm): 515 x 446 x 184

1x Dell Professional 21.5-inch P2210H 192x1080 (on sale)

http://accessories.euro.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=uk&l=en&s=bsd&cs=ukbsdt1&sku=294356


I was just wondering if anyone else has a 21.5/similar monitor up against some 22"/23" to see how the size compares, I know its missing 1.5"'s but I'm wondering if that is such a big difference or not :)

Because of the way you view Eyefinity the centre monitor is the main screen and so the most important. The other screens add the peripheral vision.

I don't think you will get the best experience having a smaller central display. A bigger central display has some advantages but ideally all screens should be the same size so the screens match up.

I do understand that you probably have some budget constraints but if you get a mismatched set-up just to save a little money you are not going to have a good experience with Eyefinity.

Mixing aspect ratios looks terrible and monitors that don't align properly also is annoying while in use.

If you can't afford to not compromise at the moment then wait a while until you can get three displays of the same size and aspect ratio.