Ultrawide vs. Dual Monitor setup | Gaming vs Productivity vs Streaming

Today we're chatting about picking between an ultrawide setup, or a dual monitor setup. We go over everything from streaming, to gaming, to productivity.

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[Unamatrix]

As a mechanical engineer as well as the owner of a drone photography, videography and inspection company on the side here in Toronto, Canada. I prefer identical 16:9 dual display setups. I have been using various iterations of dual display monitors since Windows 2000 and post grad university. A key point of not when using curved ultrawide monitors is the bow-tie effect that makes horizontal straight lines look curved, that is highly problematic dealing with 2D CAD drawings along with 3D rendered components when testing for mechanical interference.

[rubberonasphalt]

A tip about screen-sharing on an Ultrawide, you can definitely share a portion of your screen using tools such as 'Fancy Zones'
In fact, I used to use a high refresh rate TV as a monitor for graphic design. During MS Teams calls, I would pull the Teams window into the corner, which snaps into place into a 1080p section. The rest of the screen is unseen.

[AOC]

I went from a dual setup, to an ultrawide setup, back to a now quadruple setup. The issues you speak about in this video were exactly the reasons why I moved from the ultrawide, back to smaller, fit for purpose monitors. I'm now rocking an LG 28" ERGO (yep the funny one that's like two monitors stacked on top of each other) for development duties (Power Automate and that kind of thing), an LG 32" ERGO for my main monitor, a 27" Dell Ultrasharp that I had lying around for browsing/youtube etc. and an Asus 15.6" portable monitor which is mounted to my shelf, under my main monitor, for email duties. Works well for me, and means I can throw a window anywhere I want it without having to rely on software solutions which I found were often a little 'buggy'. 👍👍

[mouky]

I've tried all manner of setups when it comes to monitors, including stacking vertically. I think I may have just given up and come to the conclusion that there is no permanent setup for folks who are always looking to find the perfect setup.

[dennyawright]

The solution is obvious. 3 ultra wide monitors.

[nauscakes]

I used an ultra-wide for the last 3 years, and standard single monitor before that for, maybe 20 years? I've been a PC dude for way too long, lol! And about a year ago, I added a second (standard size) monitor to my set up. So one ultra-wide, and a standard next to it.

Anyways, I'm debating about going to two-standard sized monitors.

I feel like there's certainly a lot of pros and cons to both for sure. Some of the con's I've had with my ultra-wide, which I'm amazed wasn't mentioned in this video -- is that finding a good spot for your speakers can be a real pain in the ass. If you cover one up or partially block one, you notice it. If I go two standard sized monitors, I can have that gap between the two screens for my speaker.

I don't work from home, so my computer is mostly gaming, and just looking stuff up. I find that when I want to game, my OCD(ish) personality always wants me to full size the screen. Not doing so, just annoys me very subtly. So the advantage of an ultra-wide for multi-tasking goes away basically all the time.

And when it comes to gaming, I do find it more immersive, but it's not always the best thing. A lot of games will put UI elements on the far sides and itt'll be annoying to keep tabs of. Or sometimes you can move them in, and you realize that extra screen space you got is basically pointless eating up power without much use. Especially in games where you're walking through hallways or narrow spaces, those edges are nothing but wall.

And some games don't even support ultra-wide at all! Which is the worst. But it's really all subjective.



I think my dream solution would be a triple monitor set-up. have a 32 standard size in the center. And 2 i-pad sized panels on the upper corner of each side of the main monitor, leaving a gap between the base of those monitors and the desk to slot speakers.

And then one of those monitors can display websites and random info, and the other can be my youtube player.

One thing that I've learned over the years is that while I like having a second monitor to watch youtube, I don't actually need to see everything in great detail. an 8-10 inch monitor for that would be perfectly fine.

[shutthedoor]

i'm always into dual monitors. with a single monitor, accidently clicking the "other" browser turns me upside down

[JohnDoe-pf]

Some ultrawide monitors allows you to "partition" the screen as two monitors. So Windows / MacOS sees the monitor as a dual monitor setup. And still only use a single cable and no bezels.

[ryanmalone]

I’ve gone with 40” ultra wide 4K and then a 27” 4K on top of that. I can share the top screen, play YouTube or any video/films/shows/etc. I want running while I’m working and still have the benefit of the ultra wide.

[merajsiddiqui]

This was the video I''ve been looking for. Super helpful.

[agent-ifjb]

wait hear me out what about ultrawide AND a second monitor (24 - 27 inch OR ultrawide)

[tallidown]

Nice video! Question: what monitor mount is that? It's gorgeous!

[CrimeGaming]

I have been going the dual monitor route. Currently I only have a 27 inch monitor + laptop screen. I am trying to figure out if two 1440p monitors or an ultrawide 4k monitor might be best. I only game, watch youtube and program. Playing a full screen game and watching a video on the other monitor seems way nice with a dual monitor setup.

[paulblayney]

Great video Bryan, lots of good useful info. I currently have a 32" Asus tuf 165hz 1440p as a single monitor, but purely for gaming i was thinking about 2 x more of the same monitor for a 3 x monitor setup, my desk is large and should accommodate them and my pc is reasonably powerful, it think, with an rtx 3090 driving the graphics.
I've just been reminiscing, when i got my first pc many moons ago, and how excited i was upgrading from my original 14" crt monitor to a new 15" version. The difference was huge back then!! lol

[Ballissle]

Dual monitor is also great for vr as you can switch to open separate monitors. It is awkward to switch tabs in vr and you can have separate floating monitors in your application.

[STU]

On work I am using 2x27'' monitors. For home-office I have bought a 40'' ultrawide monitor (21:9). To be honest, I somehow miss the dual-monitor setup. Next time, I will buy either 2x32'' or 2x30'' (16:9) - but only flat.

[Adislavko]

5:28 most ultrawide monitors come with 1440p resolution, but of course you can change it to 1080p (and I'll do so If i get one due to system requirements for 1440p ultrawide)

[veilihalt]

My 49" LG UltraWide supports Picture-by-Picture (PBP) mode, in which it literally acts as two separate 27" 1440p monitors, although it locks the refresh rate. That gives you the best of both worlds. If you need ultrawide for immersive gaming or work, just use it. If you need two separate screens for whatever reason, switch to PBP.

[thewrongaccount]

This is an excellent video thank you. I think I'm going to get an ultrawide for my laptop because I work on that and continue the dual monitor for my gaming pc.

[acuna]

Very good video my guy. I am currently trying to figure out the best set up. At my job I had a 32 inch curved and a vertical monitor on each side looking like a tie fighter from Star Wars. My personal set up is a 27 inch curved and a BENQ. I too am undecided, but I truly believe that a monitor set up, including one on the top for videos or other programs to be used while main display(s) are occupied with other stuff would make me most comfortable