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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[@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.

[@Unamatrix01]

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 <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="969">16:9</a> 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.

[@Monocleeee]

Great comment!

[@JD10NN3]

Thanks.

[@officialWWM]

Why not use a flat ultrawide?

[@Jakestarr1723]

@@officialWWMa flat monitor over 27” will give you problems like fading out when you move your eyes to the corner of the screen. That being said a 34-38 inch curved monitor is great for CAD. I have more issues with distortion from 2 displays but everyone has a preference

[@A8OC]

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'. 👍👍

[@nauscakes1868]

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.

[@mouk3y]

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.

[@lethargic_cow]

🙃

[@DDHDTV]

tried a 38inch ultrawide yet? they come in a 24:10 aspect

[@shutthedoor2052]

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

[@paulblayney6641]

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

[@ryanmalone2681]

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

[@merajsiddiqui2402]

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

[@deletedchanneI]

the truth is you need to try every setup to decide what is right for you

[@jvbenjamin]

Very well explained

[@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.

[@Kryptic1046]

I recently found a great deal on a last year's model 50-inch 4k TV that was normally $500 but was on clearance for half-price, so I bought two of them and put them together in a 7680x2160 config just for giggles to see how it would work and to see if I would like it, and it turns out it's amazing. I find that the dual monitor set-up is especially great for racing and fighting games. I have a <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="969">16:9</a> 8K panel above the dual 50's that runs on a separate PC, and as nice as that panel is, I prefer a lot of my games on the dual 50's (at least on PC). Not only is it more immersive, but it's less pixels and thus easier to run than the <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="969">16:9</a> 8k is. However, the <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="969">16:9</a> panel is better for movies, retro games, etc. All this is to say that if you have the space, I find that running both a dual-monitor set-up and a standard <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="969">16:9</a> monitor is the way to go because both set-ups excel at different things.

[@dennyawright21]

The solution is obvious. 3 ultra wide monitors.

[@empierrelouis]

Hi there, can you please tell me where you bought the small potted cactus plant located underneath your monitor on the left? Nice video, by the way. Thanks.

[@its.dragaton]

this video is so well done, i was surprised to look down & see only ~9k views & 170 likes. lots of good info & things to consider when picking one or the other! as someone who isn't necessarily looking to upgrade from a single-monitor right now, but definitely will down-the-line, i very much appreciate this video! keep up the good work + content, man! also, just had to point out & appreciate the destiny 2 clips. always happy to see a fellow guardian out in the wild! :)

[@STU0408]

On work I am using 2x27'' monitors. For home-office I have bought a 40'' ultrawide monitor (<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="1269">21:9</a>). To be honest, I somehow miss the dual-monitor setup. Next time, I will buy either 2x32'' or 2x30'' (<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="969">16:9</a>) - but only flat.

[@freedonx]

And also you have a Mirra 1 chair... Its a good chair

[@arjunsamuel]

Hi Brian, wonder if you can advise me. I'm a surgeon and would look like to read pdf ie research like a Portrait and a webased page like orthobullets. Would you advise a dual monitor or a wide screen ? Might do so e gaming as well.

[@ModernCubing]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="328">5:28</a> 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)

[@HowieIsaacks]

For me an ultra-wide monitor would have been great. The big issue for me was that I could not find an ultra-wide with high pixel density. I am very spoiled by Apple's Retina displays. I simply cannot work with a monitor with anything lower than about 180 pixels per inch. I bought two LG Ultrafine 4K displays. These have a pixel density of 183 pixels per inch. My 5K iMac had 218 pixels per inch. From a normal viewing distance, I can't tell the difference between these LG displays and the iMac's 5K display. So far, these monitors have been great. They are very bright and they integrate nicely with macOS. I have them both set to a scaled resolution to give me the same work space that I had on my 5K iMac. They are smaller than my iMac's built in display, but they are showing me the same amount of work space X 2. 1080p just won't do it for me.

[@davidingham2216]

Nice video - I am considering a wide screen for office work (from home) and I think it may clear up some space on the desk. The main concern is screen sharing in conference calls though. This was a useful tip. Thanks, Bryan

[@agent-if9jb]

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

[@alkemis]

I always wondered why yhe discussion is ultrawide vs multimonitor......i just do both, 2 ultrawide and the discussion ends. NVIDIA physx for gaming. Makes MSFS really immersive.

[@trashken]

have a 27" for gaming and a 34" ultrawide for non-gaming stuff

[@markdavenportjr5129]

Nice thanks for the video. I think I'm at a point to where dual screen is just meh. sure its nice and all but the amount of cables 2 screens comes with is just annoying. :(

[@oakleydubois6726]

This is my prob, extra cables. However, I'm afraid to give up the genuine tried and true separation for zones.

[@rsadeghian]

For Zoom meeting, the dual monitor is lot better.

[@YugenRaven]

hi! I am wondering does anyone happen to know what is the brand & model of the white speakers that he use in his setup? it looks pretty good!

[@Wowwow-wl3kx]

you have to set up with dual ultrawide monitor

[@madurangaelectronics]

but i recommend logitech speakers

[@harveyts3]

Odyssey G9 Neo. Plug two cables in and run in PIP split screen mode.

[@andrewk8636]

Isn't that for 2 different pcs?

[@harveyts3]

@@andrewk8636 you can use it that way or you can split screen as if it’s two monitors

[@andrewk8636]

@JaguarRed oo thank you! I don't know why I never tried that. I feel dumb now lo

[@harveyts3]

@@andrewk8636 you’re welcome

[@Sabortoothdonkey]

I'm thinking about selling my 240hz monitor (the main bottom of a stacked monitor setup) and replace it with an ultra wide keeping the ultrawide

[@noluri5744]

Have you done it? Thinking about doing the same and would like to head about your experience.

[@joel9909]

how about just opening your laptop screen and stacking it under your ultrawide which would solve half the problems you mentioned here? Why is everyone bent on doing the same thing? turn your ultrawide into dual stacked setup and your dual setup can even get a 3rd screen for free 🤦‍♂🙅‍♀

[@mystvearn83]

LG dualup?

[@BryanCaragay]

Would love to get my hands on one

[@imamdhanumuliyawan3436]

dual ultrawide wins all the time

[@donycoletta]

Name of the speakers?

[@jahtibacollins9454]

Audio Engine A2+

[@SunnyBoys2]

I want an ultra wide but can’t get over the curved screen

[@Untilitpases]

You can get flat ones, it's what I'm planning. And no, people are using flat 40+" TVs as monitors so the "corners too far" argument is gone.

[@samyak039]

why is the video 360p only ??

[@BryanCaragay]

Must still be processing. It said it was done.. will be 4K when it’s ready

[@samyak039]

@@BryanCaragay okay, btw great video. got to know that I am a ultramonitor guy.

[@AlessandroCalzaStudio]

all these desktop setups showoffs and then monitor speakers are placed ON the table, chest level at best and wthout isolation.

[@BryanCaragay]

Because most people aren't audiophiles and could care less (:

[@zejulien1]

He has Ben Shapiro's voice lmao

[@kestudio360]

I prefer dual, ultra wide is just FOMO