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So I was thinking about future monitor upgrades and realized I might want the best of all worlds. I would really like to get a center 30 inch dell u3011 monitor for the 2560x1600 but I love multi monitor setups so much. I would really like to flank that monitor with some properly sized portrait setups. Sadly as I've been looking around to the best I can discern the only real combo that works is vintage 2007 dell monitors. I thought well hey why not do a center new monitor and vintage old ones but that isn't practical in that it will have a visably uneven appearance. Maybe I'm a little bit to picky but what do you guys think Should I save up for the 2007 trifecta or 2/3 old with the center 30 new. How about any newer solutions?

For visual look here:

Still interested in this but I've learned that Nvidia vision surround and AMD eyefinity are both devoid of proper support for this setup as far as I can tell. Quite sad since I find it to be the very very very best multi monitor setup available. The combination of one phenomenal main screen flanked by two cheaper but sufficient displays creates just enough periferral that you can use for multi tasking etc but it also looks the best for gaming. I would hope against hope that Dell would reproduce this setup in future monitors and or that AMD/Nvidia would support it.

I'm about to do this with my HP ZR30w and a pair of 20" 1600x900 Acer TN panels, each individually wall mounted. Should have it finished in the next week or so.

Airmantharp wrote:

I'm about to do this with my HP ZR30w and a pair of 20" 1600x900 Acer TN panels, each individually wall mounted. Should have it finished in the next week or so.

Awesome, I've found lots of threads on all kinds of forums out there about this setup. Its the most popular unsupported setup even today with retro 2007 dell monitors. I'm quite surprised that AMD and Nvidia haven't embraced it.

Airmantharp wrote:

each individually wall mounted.

Your new motherboard comes today, doesn't it? Have you chosen a model for the monitor mounts? I have to prop my third monitor on an old caculus textbook. Since I'm happy with two of my stands, I don't feel a need to get the $350 triple-monitor stand from David's article. After my new build is completed, I'm considering getting something better for the last monitor.

The thing is I have 2 24 inch monitors, a dell 2408wfp-hc so 1920x1200 and a Asus VW246H 1080p 24 inch screen. The resolution feels like its not enough so I want a 30 inch 2560x1600 monitor, I like multi monitor setups to much and don't like the full on tripple wide screen so much. I can't believe that PLP isn't more popular amongst professionals that it is let alone enthusiasts.

wibeasley wrote:

Airmantharp wrote:

each individually wall mounted.

Your new motherboard comes today, doesn't it? Have you chosen a model for the monitor mounts? I have to prop my third monitor on an old caculus textbook. Since I'm happy with two of my stands, I don't feel a need to get the $350 triple-monitor stand from David's article. After my new build is completed, I'm considering getting something better for the last monitor.

It comes tomorrow; and I'm using Peerless wall mounts from Newegg, or will be. I have a lot of work to do .

Airmantharp wrote:

wibeasley wrote:

Airmantharp wrote:

each individually wall mounted.

Your new motherboard comes today, doesn't it? Have you chosen a model for the monitor mounts? I have to prop my third monitor on an old caculus textbook. Since I'm happy with two of my stands, I don't feel a need to get the $350 triple-monitor stand from David's article. After my new build is completed, I'm considering getting something better for the last monitor.

It comes tomorrow; and I'm using Peerless wall mounts from Newegg, or will be. I have a lot of work to do .

Do you have a thread for this build? if not post the picks on here!

The OP is asking a great question here. Just a few weeks ago I finally plugged in three monitors for the first time (into a single 5850); they're two Dell 2007WFPs and one Dell U2311, which I've accumulated one at a time over the last several years. The 23" sits in the middle. I enjoy the setup, but even these slightly mismatching vertical resolutions feel a bit kludgey, and that's without even attempting gaming on eyefinity. The differences in display characteristics between the two different types is a bit noticeable, and I bet that the difference in age between the two models has something to do with that.

I've been thinking about upgrades and they all present some expensive propositions. Three Dell 24" Ultrasharps would be great, and I prefer their 16:10 aspect ratio -- especially for a multi-monitor setup. Then there's the Dell U2711 with even more vertical real estate and a tight pixel pitch. (But am I really going to spend $3000 on a monitor setup? And about 30% more on video cards for multi-monitor gaming? Not likely.)

Things seem grim for multi-monitor configuration choices as 16:9 increases its share of the market. We get too much peripheral horizontal space and zero choices for current models to place in flanking portrait positions. With AMD and NVIDIA pushing multi-monitor capabilities, maybe enough of us will seek P-L-P configurations like the OP to spur manufacturers to refresh 3:4 models.

Fred & Ethel wrote:

The OP is asking a great question here. Just a few weeks ago I finally plugged in three monitors for the first time (into a single 5850); they're two Dell 2007WFPs and one Dell U2311, which I've accumulated one at a time over the last several years. The 23" sits in the middle. I enjoy the setup, but even these slightly mismatching vertical resolutions feel a bit kludgey, and that's without even attempting gaming on eyefinity. The differences in display characteristics between the two different types is a bit noticeable, and I bet that the difference in age between the two models has something to do with that.

I've been thinking about upgrades and they all present some expensive propositions. Three Dell 24" Ultrasharps would be great, and I prefer their 16:10 aspect ratio -- especially for a multi-monitor setup. Then there's the Dell U2711 with even more vertical real estate and a tight pixel pitch. (But am I really going to spend $3000 on a monitor setup? And about 30% more on video cards for multi-monitor gaming? Not likely.)

Things seem grim for multi-monitor configuration choices as 16:9 increases its share of the market. We get too much peripheral horizontal space and zero choices for current models to place in flanking portrait positions. With AMD and NVIDIA pushing multi-monitor capabilities, maybe enough of us will seek P-L-P configurations like the OP to spur manufacturers to refresh 3:4 models.

We can only hope. I sent a comment to dell service and AMD service just because I figured never hurt anyone to communicate their customer desires to companies in question.

wikipedia wrote:

One feature which is currently unique to the 30" WQXGA monitors are their ability to function as the centerpiece & main display of a three-monitor array of complementary aspect ratios, with two UXGA (1600×1200) 20" monitors turned vertically on either side. The resolutions are equal, and the size of the 1600 resolution edges (if the manufacturer is honest) is within a tenth of an inch(16" vs 15,89999"), presenting a "picture window view" without the extreme lateral dimensions, small central panel, asymmetry, resolution differences, or dimensional difference of other three-monitor combinations. The resulting 4960×1600 composite image has a 3.1:1 aspect ratio.

I am interested in this same setup myself. If you find a good way to do this, let us know. I posted about it a few weeks ago here:

viewtopic.php?f=37&t=76540

Not given up on this idea its key to me actually setting up my room. I was wondering if there is any 16:9 High density displays in the 30 inch area? I'm asking cause then I could clone my main display to my 1080p TV with less issues. Please advise.

Edit:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6824260038

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6824260058

How about those from what I can tell is they'd be fine please confirm.

Anyone have issue doing a copy display at different resolutions between different monitors if the aspect ratio is the same?

I've got 3/4 of that setup. The UltraSharp 2001FP and 3007WFP combine for a 3760x1600 desktop.

JustAnEngineer wrote:

I've got 3/4 of that setup. The UltraSharp 2001FP and 3007WFP combine for a 3760x1600 desktop.

Nice, do you think my 27 inch PLP idea from 2 posts ago is feasible?

kamikaziechameleon wrote:

Do you think my 27 inch PLP idea {UltraSharp U2711 + 2ea E-series E1911} is feasible?

The UltraSharp U2711 has a very fine dot pitch of 0.233 mm. The E-series E1911 has a more typical dot pitch of 0.284 mm. Your side panels would be noticeably taller than your center panel. Because the E-series uses the inferior TN LCD panel technology rather than an IPS or PVA LCD, you would have terrible changes in color and brightness with changes in viewing angle. This would be particularly noticeable with the side monitors in portrait mode.

JustAnEngineer wrote:

kamikaziechameleon wrote:

Do you think my 27 inch PLP idea {UltraSharp U2711 + 2ea E-series E1911} is feasible?

The UltraSharp U2711 has a very fine dot pitch of 0.233 mm. The E-series E1911 has a more typical dot pitch of 0.284 mm. Your side panels would be noticeably taller than your center panel. Because the E-series uses the inferior TN LCD panel technology rather than an IPS or PVA LCD, you would have terrible changes in color and brightness with changes in viewing angle. This would be particularly noticeable with the side monitors in portrait mode.

The dot pitch is more of a concern than different colors etc. I have a 24 inch TN and IPS panels next to each other right now and though it is apparent it doesn't bother me so much.

EDIT:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6824260040

How about that, it is much closer in pixel pitch.

In portrait mode? I notice that it's way more of a pain colorshifting in portrait versus landscape with TN panels.

1 of these on each side of a 30 incher

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6824005169

anotherengineer wrote:

1 of these on each side of a 30 incher

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6824005169

Cool, Is there an easy fast way to change moniter setup presents in windows. Or do I have to manually disconnect stuff? I only ask because my system will have a PLP setup in my bed room then I also want to be able to swap it over to a single 1080p display for my living room. Right now I have to go into my room and set it up to put out for the living room each and every time. Wish it was a simple command or something.

The inability to save and quickly swap between monitor setups on my computer is what is holding me back. Right now I have everything plugged in but I have to sit down and go through the windows resolution screen to disconnect and mirror monitors etc.

So what has been your experience thus far? I'm still considering doing this with my next tax refund...

The monitors I've been looking at are the Dell U3011 for the center and:

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/prod ... u=320-4687
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6824005169
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-SyncMaste ... B0009VT9R0
http://www.overstock.com/Electronics/HP ... oduct.html

Or, if I can manage to get my hands on two 2007FPs with IPS panels (serial no. ends with "L"), I might go for a 3007WFP for the most consistency.

Here are a couple threads I've been referencing on this subject:

http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1690648
http://www.wsgf.org/node/18749

Haven't gotten the change to do it yet. I'm actually changing jobs right now, but I should be dramatically better off when all is said and done then I can drop some dope coin on a new monitor setup and complete system rebuild. I'm currently running 2 monitors at my desk and a 3rd TV in another room.

I currently have a totally different though inspired triple monitor setup. I have my old dell 24 1920x1200 in portrait mode with the 30" 2560x1600 in the middle and the asus 24" 1080p monitor on the right side. The asus is the perfect media monitor, the 24" dell is a great spreadsheet or blog reading monitor, and the dell 30" is just perfect for everything and some gaming. The issue though is the setup looks real janky. I think a PLP is the best of all worlds.

kamikaziechameleon wrote:

I currently have a totally different though inspired triple monitor setup. I have my old dell 24 1920x1200 in portrait mode with the 30" 2560x1600 in the middle and the asus 24" 1080p monitor on the right side. The asus is the perfect media monitor, the 24" dell is a great spreadsheet or blog reading monitor, and the dell 30" is just perfect for everything and some gaming. The issue though is the setup looks real janky. I think a PLP is the best of all worlds.

The one thing I'm not sure of is what would I really need the third monitor for? Being stuck on one monitor for so long has made it clear what I can do if I get a second one. It would be really nice to have easy access to my desktop at all times, but a third? What do I need a third one for? I know I WANT a third monitor, but that's just because it LOOKS cool to have a monitor on each side.

DeadOfKnight wrote:

kamikaziechameleon wrote:

I currently have a totally different though inspired triple monitor setup. I have my old dell 24 1920x1200 in portrait mode with the 30" 2560x1600 in the middle and the asus 24" 1080p monitor on the right side. The asus is the perfect media monitor, the 24" dell is a great spreadsheet or blog reading monitor, and the dell 30" is just perfect for everything and some gaming. The issue though is the setup looks real janky. I think a PLP is the best of all worlds.

The one thing I'm not sure of is what would I really need the third monitor for? Being stuck on one monitor for so long has made it clear what I can do if I get a second one. It would be really nice to have easy access to my desktop at all times, but a third? What do I need a third one for? I know I WANT a third monitor, but that's just because it LOOKS cool to have a monitor on each side.

I had five monitors set up for a while (to see if I could), and managed to use all of them; I have three set up now. It's easy to have a game (or movie) set up on one, performance monitors dedicated to one, Ventrillo and a ping -t on one to monitor connection stability, a web page (FB, Gmail, what have you) and Battlelog up on the fifth.

Sounds crazy, but you find uses for desktop space when you have it.

A refurbished Samsung 214T might also be an option, it isn't far off in terms of dpi. And Eizo and NEC are still happy to offer their pro 20" and 21.3" models ... at prices approaching that of a 30" LCD.

By the way, what about ClearType? Can Windows do subpixel rendering properly in P-L setups?

Hmmm - two classic NEC 20WMGX2's would make a (almost - 1680x1050 damn it!) perfect set too! Uh...well, except for the 30-40 ms input lag hrrrmmmm....

Airmantharp wrote:

Sounds crazy, but you find uses for desktop space when you have it.

Been on three monitors in landscape for a few years and I now totally agree.

For desktop and workstation type tasks something like display fusion in the steam store might help solve some of the PLP bugs. Gaming except in windowed mode still seems unsupported, there are a few flight simmers out there who have a rig like this. I would love a central 30 like that new dell.

To be honest I think the biggest thing holding this back are the lack of quality "wing display" monitors available. The 5 year old dells seem the best and well, good luck finding them.

What happened to AMD releasing their "dissimilar display panning" that they had going in January? I haven't noticed it roll out in CCC yet?

CityEater wrote:

To be honest I think the biggest thing holding this back are the lack of quality "wing display" monitors available. The 5 year old dells seem the best and well, good luck finding them.

What happened to AMD releasing their "dissimilar display panning" that they had going in January? I haven't noticed it roll out in CCC yet?

They still have them for sale on the dell store and where did you hear about AMD doing that?