Part Four: Display

No matter how well your new computer operates, you aren’t going to be able to accomplish much with it if you can’t see what you’re doing; you will need a display. Naturally, there are a lot of considerations to make when selecting one, which are outlined below, along with some of the options you’ll come across.

How Many Monitors?

Not many people have a home setup with more than one monitor; many don’t even consider the possibility of multiple monitors until they encounter it at work. Even if your work responsibilities don’t require a dual-monitor setup, it can enhance productivity and cut back on time navigating between windows and applications.

Depending on the connections built into the desktop, support for multiple monitors is usually available out-of-the-box. Here are some connections that you’ll probably find:

• VGA: An older connection including a plug with little pins that need to be tightened like screws. Older monitors will definitely have these connections, and most desktops have at least one VGA port to make sure they are compatible with older connectors.
• HDMI: HDMI is the familiar connection, mostly used by flat-screen televisions, modern gaming consoles, and Blu-Ray players. These are the modern standard.
• DisplayPort: DisplayPort resembles HDMI. Since it can carry both video and audio, it will probably become the standard connection. For our purposes, you can think of DisplayPort and HDMI as the same thing, as there isn’t much point in diving into the minute differences.

If you have a monitor in mind to buy for your new computer, it is imperative to know that it is compatible with the connections on your computer. Some may require specific connections or adapters to work properly.

Comparing Integrated Video and Dedicated Graphics

Depending on the intended use for the device, some will require additional hardware to what comes built into the motherboard to process video and graphics. This is relatively rare in office workstations, but those utilized for graphic design, video editing, and gaming should have a dedicated graphics card built in.

However, this will have an impact on the price, and it probably won’t be small. A high-end graphics card can cost anywhere between $500 to $1,500.

There are many options out there for you to consider, especially since most graphics card chipsets come in a range of models; and, different companies have proprietary brands they provide. Unless you’re specifically building a machine to be capable of processes like 3D rendering or editing video, you won’t have to worry about this so much - and if you are, you probably have a good idea of what you’re looking for already. In most other cases, the hardware built into the device already is adequate. 

Which Monitors are Right for Your Desktops?

This is another area that can be staggering due to the number of available options. Keep in mind that the most critical factors to consider are the monitor’s resolution, and its refresh rate. Here are some of the most imperative considerations to keep in mind:

• Resolution: This indicates how many pixels a monitor can display. Most desktop monitors render in a 16:9, or widescreen, display ratio. This is the modern standard for a monitor, but there are also ultra-wide monitors that use more advanced display ratios like HD, FULL HD, Ultra HD, or 4K.
  • HD: HD is the most common resolution for a monitor, commonly known as 720p. This is standard for budget laptops.
  • FULL HD: Often referred to as 1080p, this is the most common resolution you’ll find.
  • Ultra HD: With a pixel resolution of 3840 x 2160, Ultra HD might not be available on low-end desktops. Make sure you do some research to make sure that it is a legitimate option for you.
  • 4K: While many see 4K and UHD as the same thing, 4K offers a higher resolution. Unless the office has video production, graphic design, and other tasks that rely on visuals, these are far too costly for an office to invest in them. Gamers will frequently invest in this resolution. 4K likely won’t be able to be supported by budget equipment, although this is slowly becoming less and less the case. 
• Refresh Rate:  A monitor’s refresh rate is a statistic that measures how fast the image on the screen can be updated, measured in milliseconds. High refresh rates can make the mouse’s movements and clicks delayed because the monitor can’t keep up as it adjusts its image. This was once a much bigger issue than it is today, unless you happen to be a gamer.

Want more help determining which display is best for your needs? Our experts might have some ideas. To learn more, give Macro Systems a call at 703-359-9211.