triple lcd

multiple lcd monitor configuration

[smallcompany]

Hi,

Ordered NEC MultiSync LCD1990SXi and still waiting for it. Not sure if anyone have experienced it. It was so hard to find any decent review of monitors that are bit above average home user. I found some site (prade.de) that had bunch of reviews, I hope they did them right.

Anyway, the time to change the desktop will come soon, and I wonder about configuration for three LCD monitors. With a brief check I found some external Matrox box being mentioned all over the place, which seems to be supporting CRTs only in three-mode.

I also came across ZenView trio displays. I would rather have three separate LCDs. Maybe two 4:3 19” and one widescreen in a middle.

I wonder if anyone has experience with this. If true, what hardware (graphic output) has been used?

Thanks

P.S.
Once I get 1990Sxi, I’ll update this post with the first impression.

[jtara]

I like Ergotron's mounting hardware. They have too many different configurations to go into here. Their products can be pricey, but there are ways to do it reasonably. I have 4 22" monitors, attached to two Ergotron DS-100 series cross-pieces. They are mounted to the wall with two $10 Radio Shack TV antenna wall mounts, substituted for the costly Ergotron wall mount hardware.

You can get a maximum of 3 monitors of ~20" or smaller on one arm. (Selecting a suitable arm.) I needed to go with two, because of the size and number of my monitors.

Your best bet for a video card to support 3-4 monitors today is to use a motherboard that has two full-size PCI-Express slots (they can be X8 or X16 - nothing today can actually saturate the bandwidth of either) and get two low-end dual-output Nvidia or ATI cards. While these motherboards are marketed for gamers who want to combine the power of two cards to run one (or two) screens (using SLI), the video cards can also be used without SLI to drive 3-4 monitors.

Currently, I run only two monitors per system - one Linux, one Windows, though the Linux system is equipped with the extra slot. Both systems use Nvidia 6800 cards. (A bit out of date now.)

[smallcompany]

Thanks jtara.

I see I'll have to roll up the sleeves and build the machine, just like I did it with one I’m using now. I hopped I could find branded one but that must be a pain. I took a quick look into Dell and HP online, and found, while it’s easy to spend a lot, you may still be short for certain things. You have no choice of motherboard with those guys… or some other stuff.

[topr8]

well i just have 4 lcd's on my desk, a matching pair of expensive viewsonics and 2 odd ones.

i've just got 2 standard dual head graphics cards.

i have ultramon software (this was cheap but not required)

i have a raised wooden shelf at the back of my desk and have the monitors on their regular stands ... the shelf was mainly to raise them up higher as suggested by a therapist when i was getting aching shoulders (and it releaved the pain!)