Should you choose an ultrawide or dual-monitor setup for your dream gaming setup? Several factors come into play whenchoosing a gaming monitor, but if you want as much screen estate as possible, it mostly comes down to an ultrawide or dual monitor. Both setups are incredible for hardcore gamers, but depending on your needs, one can be superior to the other.
Ultrawide monitors dominate the high-end gaming market, thanks to the higher level of immersion and wider field of view they offer compared to standard monitors. Despite their advancements, some gamers still swear by the flexibility of having two gaming monitors. If you’re looking for a new gaming monitor, this guide will help you choose between going ultrawide or sticking with the tried and tested dual monitor setup.
Immersion vs. Multitasking
The biggest reason to choose an ultrawide monitor over a dual-monitor setup is the immersive and cinematic experience when playing open-world games likeRed Dead Redemption 2. Ultrawide monitors wrap around your field of view, making you feel like you’re truly in the game, which isn’t the case for dual monitors with distracting bezels at the center. The wider aspect ratio also lets you see more of what’s happening around you, giving you a tactical advantage in competitive shooters and racing games.
However, what dual monitors lack in immersion makes up for in multitasking. Gamers who multitask while gaming will find a dual-monitor setup more useful. you may fire up YouTube or Discord on your secondary monitor while playing games on your primary monitor. There are workarounds for ultrawide monitors that can help you achieve the same, like playing in windowed mode, but this may hurt your gaming performance as it may limit your refresh rate, add more latency, or disable crucial features like VRR.
Desk Space
Ultrawide monitors take up a lot of desk space. Most of the popular ultrawide monitors are 34 inches wide, though there are gigantic super-ultrawides, likeSamsung’s G93SCmeasuring 49 inches — the same width as having two 27-inch monitors side by side. If you’re leaning towards a bigger ultrawide monitor, make sure your desk is big enough. While dual monitors can also take up more room, you have the option to stack them vertically or switch one to portrait mode to fit them on a smaller desk.
However, ultrawide displays offer a much cleaner setup with less cable and clutter. You only need one source of power and one display cable, and you’re golden. Dual monitors need two power sources and two display cables running to your PC, which can add a bit of clutter to your desk. If desk space is a concern, a dual monitor setup is best for you, but if you desire the clean, streamlined desk setups you see on Reddit, nothing beats an ultrawide setup.
Platform and Game Compatibility
Most, if not all, video games are designed with 16:9 monitors in mind. This makes a dual-monitor setup a clear winner for compatibility. However, ultrawide monitor support has come a long way. Most modern and popular PC games now support ultrawide aspect ratios, with only a few exceptions, likeElden Ring. Even for those titles, you’re able to use mods like Flawless Widescreen to enable ultrawide support, though this might disable online features. Either way, you will not run into any significant issues with PC gaming.
If you’re a console gamer, however, dual monitors are your only option. Gaming consoles, including the PS5, Xbox Series X, and Switch, don’t offer native support for ultrawide monitors. You can technically connect an ultrawide monitor to a console and it will work, but your gameplay will be marred by the distracting black bars on the sides. This is because consoles are designed for displays with a standard 16:9 aspect ratio and not the wide 21:9 or 32:9.
Budget
Ultrawide monitors came at a premium, but the prices have dropped significantly in the past few years. You can find good budget-friendly options that cost around $300 and below, like theMSI Optix MAG342CQRandLG UltraGear 34GP63A-B. If you don’t need a high-end ultrawide, you can end up spending less than a setup with two standard monitors.
In the premium ultrawide segment, high-end options like the Samsung Odyssey G93SC can set you back a whopping $1600.High-end gaming monitorsaren’t cheap, either. However, dual monitors give you the flexibility to buy a premium primary monitor and pair it with a more affordable one like the ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQ3A, potentially saving you money in the long run.
Both ultrawide and dual-monitor setups have their pros and cons. You should buy an ultrawide monitor if you want the most immersive gaming experience and prefer a minimalist setup with fewer cables. If you’re a competitive gamer, an ultrawide screen will also give you a slight advantage with its wider field of view that lets you see more of your battlefield than standard monitors.
Dual monitors are ideal for gamers who often multitask while gaming. It’s easier to watch YouTube or open other apps like Discord on a separate monitor while gaming than fiddling with PIB on an ultrawide. Dual monitors also come in handy if you have a small desk or use your PC for both gaming and work or study.
Both setups are excellent ways to display content, and choosing one over the other will mostly come down to your personal needs and preferences. If you really can’t decide, you could always go with a dual setup featuring an ultrawide and a standard 16:9 monitor, though you’ll probably needa large deskto handle everything.
FAQ
Q: Is dual monitors better than ultrawide for gaming?
Dual monitors are better than ultrawide monitors if you want to use other apps like Discord or YouTube on a different screen while gaming. Dual monitors are also more flexible and modular than ultrawide monitors.
Q: Are ultrawide monitors better for gaming?
Ultrawide monitors are excellent for gaming as they deliver a more immersive and cinematic gaming experience and can give a competitive advantage in battle royale games by allowing you to see more of the game at once.
