Setting up dual monitors

I want to set up dual monitors to improve my workspace. So far, I'm planning to buy a cheap Nvidia Geforce 9400 GT card to make a Samsung 2333SW 23-inch Widescreen Monitor work together with my old 17-inch Samsung SyncMaster.

I usually work at a 1024x768 resolution on the syncmaster. So 2 questions:

a) Does the graphics card allow to set up a separate screen resolution for the widescreen monitor?

b) If not, wouldn't this look like crap due to the different screen ratios?

workspace

andandandand

Posted 2009-07-18T07:09:49.293

Reputation: 215

Sounds like a question for the Ewok Adventure. – derobert – 2009-07-18T07:11:47.587

I agree - see http://blog.stackoverflow.com/2009/07/super-user-semi-private-beta-begins/ for details of how to the join the beta - it's likely this question will be moved there shortly...

– Paul Dixon – 2009-07-18T07:13:21.157

Oh, I didn't know about the new site. Heh, please move this question. – None – 2009-07-18T07:17:45.003

dude, now I can't edit my own question =/ – andandandand – 2009-07-18T07:21:59.240

@dmindreader: Link your account and you will be able to edit it. – derobert – 2009-07-18T07:23:09.877

Already linked and I can't. – andandandand – 2009-07-18T07:36:37.927

Ask for help on Meta.StackOverflow – Brad Gilbert – 2009-07-18T15:51:59.373

Answers

If your display card has dual output, and (if windows) you chose to "extend desktop", then two monitors can have different resolution and ratio. One more interesting thing is, you can change the "virtual" position of the monitors.

If you do "cloning", then only one resolution is allowed.

xandy

Posted 2009-07-18T07:09:49.293

Reputation: 121

a) Yes.

b) It will look crap anyway if you have two different size monitors side by side.

Adrian Godong

Posted 2009-07-18T07:09:49.293

Reputation: 186

I disagree. I find it more important, that both monitors have the same amount of pixel^2/inch, so the ratio and the size of the windows when moving from one monitor to the other is the same. – boutta – 2009-07-18T10:01:53.693

Yes, and good luck trying to find two different sized monitor which have the same amount of pixel density. I know EIZO monitors are, but those are expensive as hell. – Adrian Godong – 2009-07-19T11:15:24.950

NVIDIA Control Panel will allow you to manage the rotation and resolution for each of the monitors. Display Properties in Windows will allow you to change the resolutions and placement. All of these settings are done per-monitor and can be setup in many configurations. Make sure you get the latest display drivers for your 9400 GT from NVIDIA's website to ensure maximum compatibility.

mutewinter

Posted 2009-07-18T07:09:49.293

Reputation: 767