3 Monitor Setup: What is it, How to Set Up, Worth it

Monitors are a very important part of desktops. For the longest time, I have been using just one monitor.

If you are an avid gamer, you are more likely to have multiple monitors for a more immersive experience. 

Many people don’t know what a three-monitor setup is and the benefits it can bring to the end-user.

We’re going to explore what the 3 monitor setup is, how to set it up, and whether it is worth it.

Let’s get started!

What is a Triple Monitor Setup (3 monitor setup)?

A 3 monitor setup or a triple monitor setup is a set of connections that connects a computer to 3 monitors. You can connect the 3 monitors to your PC using HDMI, VGA, DisplayPort, and even USB using a USB Display Adapter.

With a 3 monitor setup, you can use each of your monitors for multiple purposes as per your choice.

Also, you get a lot of screen real estate which brings in an ample scope of multitasking and monitoring purposes (like a day trader does).

Before you begin constructing a triple monitor setup around any computer, be sure it can accommodate the three devices by your Motherboard and Graphics card. 

A triple monitor configuration should benefit from the central processing unit, but its usefulness will be primarily determined by its resolution.

The higher the resolution, the more you may accomplish the task without sacrificing speed or output quality.

Another consideration when establishing a triple monitor system is the graphic processing unit.

The reason for this is that the GPU is in charge of all multi-screen visual loading. It has an impact on the seamless operation of a multi-monitor arrangement. 

When it comes to monitors, the resolution is also quite important. Images will be of higher quality on monitors with more pixels.

Increasing the number of monitors means increasing the amount of electricity required to maintain the resolution.

You can also use three distinct monitors with various resolution powers in a triple monitor arrangement.

How to Connect 3 monitors to one computer?

A lot of people want to know how to set up a triple monitor computer.

In the past, this was a rather difficult task, but it’s gotten a lot easier in recent years. Here are the ways you can set up 3 monitors on your PC:

1. Basic System Requirement Check

To begin, see if your computer can handle three displays. Side ports are used to connect monitors to computers. VGA, DVI, HDMI, display port, and USB-C are among the standard ports. There are only three of them required.

There is at least one that is the integrated port as part of your Motherboard. A graphic card is also required.

2. Getting Cables

Get some cables and connect your monitor as there are multiple ports available on the graphic card.

If you don’t have a graphic card, you can use a USB to HDMI adapter or USB to display the port adapter.

You can also use a docking station instead of the adapter.

3. Windows Configuration

When you have all accessories connected to your computer, you need to configure the display setting on windows. 

Right-click your desktop and select the display setting. If you have monitors plugged incorrectly, they should be visible on your computer. 

4. Rearranging the monitor

Rearrange the monitors based on their physical location, click identifying, and display the monitor number on the monitor’s screen.

How to set up 3 Monitors on a Laptop?

You can connect your laptop to a monitor using a USB to HDMI adapter. HDMI adapters can either have one or more ports to connect your monitors. 

Here are the steps below you can follow to set up your monitors on your Laptop:

1. Checking the Basic System Requirement:

Your laptop will support two monitors if it has an HDMI port and a VGA port. If you want to connect more monitors to it, you need to use a USB Display Adapter to connect to the 3rd monitor using the USB Display Adapter.

Your USB Display adapter can have input as VGA Port or an HDMI port.

So, you must choose the USB display adapter according to your monitor’s cable used.

2. Monitor Connecting Steps for 1st monitor

1. Step 1: Use the cables from the monitor and plug them into the HDMI adapter. 
2. Step 2: Plug the input cable from the HDMI into your laptop. 
3. Step 3: Turn on the monitors and also your laptop
4. Step 4: Right-click on your laptop to configure your display setting. 

3. Monitor Connecting Steps for 2nd monitor

1. Step 1: Use the cables from the monitor and plug them into the VGA port in the laptop. 
2. Step 2: Turn on the monitors and also your laptop.
3. Step 3: Right-click on your laptop when the desktop boots up and configure your display setting for the 2nd monitor connected to the laptop. 

4. Connecting Steps for the 3rd monitor

If your laptop has a VGA port, then you can connect the 3rd monitor using these steps. Otherwise, you need to follow these steps for the 2nd and 3rd monitors and connect using the USB display adapter.

1. Step 1: Use the cables from the monitor and plug them into the USB Display adapter. 
2. Step 2: Connect the USB adapter to your laptop’s USB port.
3. Step 3: Turn on or Restart all the monitors and also your laptop.
4. Step 3: Right-click on your laptop when the desktop boots up and configure your display setting for the 3rd monitor connected to the laptop. 

5. Rearrange your Monitor Displays

Rearrange the monitor display sequentially in the display setting, and now you are ready for your work.

Now, you have your laptop connected to 3 monitors, and you can use it to connect more by utilizing the USB display adapter.

Is a Three Monitor setup worth it?

A three-monitor setup is a big investment, but it will be worth it in the long run.

A triple display system looks wonderful when time and attention are put into its design, but you’ll have to pay for it.

I’m sure you’ll agree that at the end of the day, you want more traffic than something that is purely aesthetically pleasing.

Three monitor setup is not for everyone. But if you are an artist or designer or use your PC for multiple things, you should give it a try.

Many people use three monitor setups for various reasons. Some use it just to spread different applications on different monitors.

Some use it to increase productivity by using one monitor for work and the other for entertainment.

Dual Monitor or a Triple Monitor Setup: Which is better?

This question comes to our minds as we are also much more productive in a Dual monitor setup. When should you choose a triple monitor setup or upgrade to that?

The answer is, to check how you have your tasks laid and how you work daily.

If you have a lot of tasks that need multitasking and multiple monitors for continuous monitoring like a Day Trader, then triple monitors are better.

Triple monitors even give us the freedom to put something for entertainment in a monitor and work focus items in the other two.

I feel this balance creates a perfect mix that can help you get more things done in a go.

Why do gamers use 3 monitors?

Having three monitors for gaming is one of the most popular choices among hardcore gamers.

Three monitors can be a bit of an overkill for an average user, but for many gamers, having three monitors is the only way they see themselves playing games.

Gamers like the more screen size horizontally in the 3 monitor setup, which acts as super ultrawide, costlier monitors. A 3 monitor setup is cost-effective and gives much of the immersive experience you get in a super ultrawide monitor like a 49-inch monitor of aspect ratio 32:9.

They can also play a game on one monitor while having the chat window and the web browser open on the other two monitors.

This is very useful because you can still use the computer for other things while you play, and it is also beneficial for gaming streamers.

Are three monitors too many?

Having three monitors means you can set all of them in a row connected or use two monitors together horizontally and the 3rd monitor vertically.

Having a three-monitor setup can be too many if you are a casual computer user.

However, if you are a 3D animator, writer, day trader, social media expert, Video Editor, or Developer, you may not even think having three monitors is too much.

In that case, having a triple monitor setup would boost your work and daily productivity.

Do you need 2 graphics cards for 3 monitors?

No, you do not need 2 Graphics cards to run 3 monitors. You can check if your Graphics card can already support 3 monitors. 

Otherwise, you need to connect the 2nd graphics card for connecting the 3rd monitor, for which you need CrossFire support in your Motherboard.

How do you tell if your computer can support 3 monitors?

To tell if your computer supports 3 monitors, you need to check your motherboard HDMI and DisplayPort inputs and the External Graphics card’s HDMI and DisplayPort count. 

If you have 3 or more output HDMI ports, then your computer supports 3 monitors.

You can also check by searching the specifications of your Graphics card model to find the exact number of displays supported by it if you don’t wish to check yourself by looking into the CPU cabinet directly.

FAQs on 3 Monitor Setup

Conclusion

Let’s conclude the post on a 3 monitor setup or triple monitor setup.

The three-monitor setup is a concept that has been around for a long time.

You can use three monitors for various tasks, depending on the type of work you do, but you can also use three monitors for various tasks.

I hope you liked reading this guide and were able to set up your triple monitors.

Anirban Saha

I’m Anirban Saha, Founder & Editor of TechBullish. With a B.Tech in Electronics and Communication Engineering, and 5+ years of experience as a software developer, I have expertise in electronics, software development, gadgets, and computer peripherals. I love sharing my knowledge through informational articles, how-to guides, and troubleshooting tips for Peripherals, Smart TVs, Streaming Solutions, and more here. Check Anirban’s Crunchbase Profile here.