As I’ve been perusing the forum recently, I’ve noticed that there frequently is a thread pertaining to monitor recommendations and how to put together a multi-monitor set-up. I hope to answer some of those FAQs here.

Choosing a Monitor:

Some basic monitor parameters you should keep in mind:

Resolution: 1600×1200 (this is needed to fit 4 tables without overlap)

Refresh Rate: CRT monitors (the old heavy bulky monitors) should have a higher refresh rate than 72Hz or higher to avoid eye strain. Refresh rate is not as big of a problem with LCD displays.

Response Time: A slow response time is what creates motion slur in LCD monitors. Response time of 16ms or less is a good figure to shoot for. If the response time it too high ghosting effects will be visible.

Size and type :

CRTs (Cathode Ray Tube)

17″ – There are some 17″ CRTs that can display at a resolution of 1600×1200, but objects will be very small.

19″ – Most 19″ have a max resolution of 1600×1200. Objects may still be small but if you have good eyesight it shouldn’t be a problem.

20″+ – Objects just get larger and easier to see. Some may have a higher resolution than 1600×1200

LCDs (Liquid Crystal Display)

17″ – Try to stay away from them as they don’t have a resolution of 1600×1200.

19″ – Most 19″ LCDs don’t have a resolution of 1600×1200 so check to make sure it does.

20″+ – High likelihood of having 1600×1200, but check to make sure.

Below are some monitor setups that I am familiar with, and really enjoy. Realize that these are not the only possibilities; and if you prefer a different monitor company by all means use them. All monitors will work with the setup guide as long as they utilize either VGA Inputs (usually a cord with blue ends) or Composite Inputs (usually a cord with white ends. The ends are more rectangular in comparison to VGA cords).

Option #1 “Multitabler’s Delight” ($550 to $2000)

Functionality 10/10 (Great image quality for all types use. Very slim and light which makes it the best candidate for a four monitor setup)

My friend has a Dell UltraSharp 2001FP. It is one of the best LCD monitor I have ever used. I’ve seen pictures of setups using four of these. I’m not sure how the four monitors would be stabilized, but I am guessing that they were bracketed together somehow. I would research brackets a bit to make sure you get a solid one. I wouldn’t want $2200 worth of monitor to topple over.

Dell UltraSharp 2001FP 20.1-inch Flat Panel LCD ($500+)

Resolution: 1600×1200
Image Brightness: 250 cd/m2Image
Contrast Ratio: 400:1
Port(s) Total (Free) / Connector Type: 1 x 15-pin D-sub, 1 x 24-pin Digital DVI-D, 1 x S-Video, 1 x Composite Video, 5 x USB (1 Upstream and 4 Downstream)
Video Input: Analog RGB, Digital DVI-D TMDS, S-Video, Composite Video

Dell makes great, perhaps the best LCD monitors on the market. The visuals are very accurate, bright, and easy on the eyes. The UltraSharp is one of the best LCDs for watching movies or playing games on your PC. It can reproduce dark images very well. The UltraSharp also has a multitude of inputs and even doubles as a USB hub.

Option #2 “The poor man’s Flatscreen” (17′ LCD) ($250-$1000)Functionality 7/10 (Great for everything but dark videos and dark games. It has the smallest resolution of the three at 1240×1024. Thin and light. Can be used, like option #1, in a four monitor setup using a bracket)

Samsung 740N (17″) – Currently $239.99
Resolyu

My current setup consists of two Samsung 740Ns. Their resolution of 1240×1024 is quite odd for a multi-monitor setup used primarily for poker. Four tables can almost fit without overlap. I place one table in one corner and another table in the corner diagonal from that. There is about a 2″ x 2″ square overlap in the middle of the screen.

The same thing is then done with the other monitor. My rational behind this purchase was that they take up much less space than my CRT, and when combined they have a much higher resolution (2480×1024) that both my CRT and a 20″ LCD. Additionally, I could buy two Samsungs for the price of one top of the line 20″ LCD like the Dell UltraSharp.

This type of setup is very efficient for writing papers (holla to the poor college students!). I can view two word documents on one and two websites opened on the other for dictionaries or research. Another advantage of this setup is that everything is physically larger. As a result, I don’t make quite as many miss-clicks, and bet sizes and chip stacks are easier to see.

After setting them up, I was pleasantly surprised by their performance. Being some of the cheaper LCDs I could find, (I grabbed them for $200 each) I expected some ghosting and response time issues. There is no ghosting whatsoever. Games and videos aren’t as good as my CRT or the Ultrasharp. Also, I find it difficult in differentiating between shades of black. In essence, you get what you pay for.

Option #3 “The Dinosaur” (but hey, dinosaurs had a good run) -CRTs ($210 to $420)

Functionality 5/10 (Great image quality for all types of use; however, it is very deep and tall.)
Their size and weight limits them to a two monitor setup (unless the CRTs you use have flat tops. Then you could place LCD monitors on the tops. I think some Hitachi models have flat tops.)

NEC 19IN FE992BK – Currently $210
Resolution: 1600×1200

CRT technology has offered affordable, yet visually astounding monitors for years. An average CRT monitor will have much better clarity and response time than even some good LCD monitors. Unfortunately, CRT monitors are huge in comparison to LCDs. Additionally, they produce a lot more heat, and use a lot more electricity. If you have sufficient desk space to facilitate two 19″ monitors (more than two would make too wide of viewing space), and don’t want to spend the type of money needed to buy a good LCD monitor I recommend this type of setup.

For 4 years I used a 19″ flat screen NEC CRT, and loved its performance for movies, games, poker, and just browsing websites. My only complaints are that it took up a ton of desk space (it’s very deep), and it produced a lot of heat. Furthermore, now that I’ve grown accustom to my dual 17″ LCD monitor system, when I use my old CRT I notice a slower refresh rate. The slower refresh rate sometimes gives me a headache. I never got headaches during the four years I used to use it. I would attribute this to either my eyes adapting to the faster refresh rate of my LCDs, my eyes getting older and more sensitive, or the monitor itself can not produce the high refresh rate it once could.

Summary:

Basically I encourage you to shop around and find something that fits both your needs and your budget. We all like to drool over the biggest and the best, but you might be surprised what you can do with systems that cost half as much or less.