Computer Related > New Desktop - new monitor ? Computing Issues
Thread Author: Pezzer Replies: 21
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 Fri 28 Mar 14 12:51 
 New Desktop - new monitor ? - Pezzer
I have just bought a new i5 Windows 8 Zoostorm Desktop from the Argos eBay shop (£250) to replace my ancient and dieing unit which must be at least 8 years old and it certainly flies in comparison.
I currently have an even older 4:3 LCD monitor which seems to function ok with the new unit but the little voice inside my head is shouting that I also ought to be replacing it for a super duper new one.

Should I listen and if I did am I likely to notice any benefit with a widescreen LED one ?

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 Fri 28 Mar 14 12:55 
 New Desktop - new monitor ? - No FM2R
Two benefits.

More room to work, so you can very easily switch between a couple of windows without sacrificing size.

Much better to watch videos on, should you do such a thing. (I do).

I have a 32" screen and on the occasions I use someone else's normal size screen I find it very frustrating.
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 Fri 28 Mar 14 13:54 
 New Desktop - new monitor ? - VxFan
>> I currently have an even older 4:3 LCD monitor which seems to function ok

I replaced my failed 4:3 monitor last year for a 19" 16:9 one. A relatively cheap Philips one (£75) delivered from ebuyer. Far better the 4:3 it replaced. Colours are more vivid for starters. Having stared at the 4:3 monitor for a number of years I hadn't noticed the slow deterioration of the screen resolution and colours.

Replacement monitors these days are generally inexpensive and it makes sense to change it.

I just need to persuade my employer to replace my aging 17" 4:3 monitor at work as well.
Last edited by: VxFan on Fri 28 Mar 14 at 13:56
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 Fri 28 Mar 14 14:03 
 New Desktop - new monitor ? - Zero

>> Should I listen and if I did am I likely to notice any benefit with
>> a widescreen LED one ?

Yes, do it. Whats the point at having a new pc with greater graphical abilities, and then peering at it through a goldfish bowl.
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 Fri 28 Mar 14 14:23 
 New Desktop - new monitor ? - RattleandSmoke
I tend to recommend 21.5" for new desktops, it makes a big difference to what you can get done. Personally on my main machine I use a 28" but for general web browsing 21.5" is fine. Just avoid the very cheap ones as the contrast is very poor.

Even in my workshop all the monitors are at least 21.5", although I do have a 19" as a spare if I have a flood of desktops.
Last edited by: RattleandSmoke on Fri 28 Mar 14 at 14:24
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 Fri 28 Mar 14 15:03 
 New Desktop - new monitor ? - Crankcase
If you have the room, keep the old one and put a new one on as well.

Working with two monitors makes everything a whole heap better in my view (in fact I'm currently working with three). I hate having to go back to a single monitor. Things like leaving your email open on one screen, or working on two documents at once and so on is way better than just one, even if it's wide screen.

But as I say, you need the real estate to do it.
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 Fri 28 Mar 14 15:15 
 New Desktop - new monitor ? - Pezzer
oooh - like this idea especially when working from home. How do you connect two monitors to the same Desktop ?
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 Fri 28 Mar 14 15:18 
 New Desktop - new monitor ? - spamcan61
Depends on the PC, many fairly basic machines have a displayport connection or similar.

How to do dual monitors in Win 7 for example:-

support.microsoft.com/kb/976064
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 Fri 28 Mar 14 15:20 
 New Desktop - new monitor ? - Crankcase
If you have two video cards already, sorted.

Or if you have a spare slot in the PC, you can pick up a second cheapy video card.

Or if you prefer, then you can get a USB to video box (I'm using one). It's not much cop for games or anything that needs a high frame rate on that monitor, but for normal use such as web browsing or whatever, works fine.

I have two video cards and a USB device for three monitors, the central one of which is widescreen. I'm displaying Excel on the left, my web browser in the middle and my email on the right, all maximised of course.
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 Fri 28 Mar 14 15:29 
 New Desktop - new monitor ? - Pezzer
Wont a new Graphics card conflict with or just replace the existing one ?
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 Fri 28 Mar 14 15:33 
 New Desktop - new monitor ? - RattleandSmoke
They will all run separately, but make sure your power supply can handle it. Generally a cheap £20 will be fine and won't draw too much power.
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 Fri 28 Mar 14 15:34 
 New Desktop - new monitor ? - Crankcase
You might have to do some minor poking about but whenever I've added a second card it just worked.

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 Fri 28 Mar 14 15:45 
 New Desktop - new monitor ? - spamcan61
>> Wont a new Graphics card conflict with or just replace the existing one ?
>>

You might well not need another graphics card, many machines these days have HDMI and/or Displayport output on the motherboard as well as VGA.
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 Fri 28 Mar 14 15:17 
 New Desktop - new monitor ? - spamcan61
>> I tend to recommend 21.5" for new desktops, it makes a big difference to what
>> you can get done. Personally on my main machine I use a 28" but for
>> general web browsing 21.5" is fine. Just avoid the very cheap ones as the contrast
>> is very poor.
>>
Agreed, unless all you use a PC for is watching videos I'd go for at least that size: my very nice Dell 23" widescreen is the same vertical height as my 17" 4:3 monitor. When I've got the room I'll set the old 17 incher up in extended desktop mode.
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 Fri 28 Mar 14 15:45 
 New Desktop - new monitor ? - Focusless
Presumably you are going for a 'full-HD' 1920x1080 resolution display? Most 21.5" monitors are, but some are less (eg. 1680x1050).

I would go for a 24" at that resolution - you can pick one up for £120:
www.ebuyer.com/store/Computer/cat/Monitors/subcat/24%22-Monitors
Last edited by: Focusless on Fri 28 Mar 14 at 15:46
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 Fri 28 Mar 14 23:47 
 New Desktop - new monitor ? - Stuartli
My four-year-old Dell meets this standard...

What's more, it's four years old.
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 Sat 29 Mar 14 00:09 
 New Desktop - new monitor ? - rtj70
>> My four-year-old Dell meets this standard...
>> What's more, it's four years old.

Which is why I'd want a QHD 24"
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 Fri 28 Mar 14 15:48 
 New Desktop - new monitor ? - rtj70
If the PC is using inbuilt graphics (no external/extra video card) then how many monitors are supported depends on the motherboard. The motherboard in my PC has output for HDMI, DVI, VGA and Display Port. I'd have to check how many of those will work at the same time - I'd assume a few would.

But that's disabled on mine as I have a discrete card (Nvidia GTX 660) which has a number of outputs too and supports multiple monitors.... so if I reenabled the inbuilt card as well I'm sure I could have quite a few monitors :-)

Back to the original question, I'd recommend a new monitor if you've got a 4x3 ratio one of that age. Maybe not go higher than a 22" one for general use. And unless you pay a lot extra, most 21.5" to 27" monitors are all going to offer full HD 1920x1080 (some will be 1920x1200). One reason I hold off getting a new monitor for my PC.... I want higher resolution but don't want to pay silly money. Ideally I'd like a QHD (2560x1440) 24" monitor at a reasonable price.
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 Fri 28 Mar 14 15:59 
 New Desktop - new monitor ? - Pezzer
Thanks Guys - thats a pretty conclusive YES and just what i wanted to hear :-)
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 Fri 28 Mar 14 16:31 
 New Desktop - new monitor ? - sherlock47
Another vote for multiple monitors- makes work and play sooo much easier!


I have been known to watch multiple video streams and have a couple of docs open at the same time.
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 Fri 28 Mar 14 17:28 
 New Desktop - new monitor ? - spamcan61
This looks pretty good if you've got the room for it:-

tinyurl.com/nefqvey
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 Fri 28 Mar 14 21:28 
 New Desktop - new monitor ? - Focusless
...and quite a few 24"-ers under £120 with reviews in the ebuyer link above.
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