Best Desktop for Multiple Monitors
Desktop computers with dual video output are a great option for gaming or a working environment. It’s much easier for users to connect dual monitors to carry on with their tasks.
For a PC to support multiple monitor systems, it’s essential to have either a dedicated graphics card or an integrated chipset that comes with various video outputs.
The current generation desktop computers come with HDMI, DisplayPort, and VGA output to connect more than one monitor at a single time.
There are many ways to shop for a computer that is capable of supporting a dual monitor setup.
Either you can pick a prebuilt desktop that comes with a dedicated or integrated graphics card with multiple video output slots or you can build your own machine from scratch.
There are several things you need to keep in mind before shopping for a PC with multiple p, video outputs. First of all, you have to determine what type of monitors you’ll connect to it, 1080p, 1440p, or 4K?
If you need a PC that can support dual 4K monitors, then you’ll have to look out for HDMI 2.0 or DisplayPort 1.4 to scale out to that resolution.
You’ll also have to look for a powerful CPU and GPU to keep the juice flowing through all monitors connected to your PC.
Keep in mind that if your desktop doesn’t come with onboard video outputs, then you’ll need to install a dedicated graphics card in the PCIe X16 slot to set up a multi-monitor workspace.
There are a lot of brands on the market that offer prebuilt desktop computers with multiple monitor video output. We’ve tested some of them in our lab and trimmed down the list to the ones that offer the most value for the money.
Quick Comparison
If you are in a hurry!
u003cstrongu003eImageu003c/strongu003e | u003cstrongu003eProductu003c/strongu003e | u003cstrongu003eReasonsu003c/strongu003e | u003cstrongu003eShopu003c/strongu003e |
Top Pick
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u003cstrongu003eCyberPowerPC Supremeu003c/strongu003e |
u003cstrongu003eAdvanced video ports for adding 4K or 8K monitors at a single timeu003c/strongu003e |
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Best Value
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u003cstrongu003eCyberPower Gamer Xtremeu003c/strongu003e |
u003cstrongu003eBest value for the money and has the necessary ports for adding dual monitors u003c/strongu003e |
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High-End Pick
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u003cstrongu003eSkyTech Archangelu003c/strongu003e |
u003cstrongu003eComes with the most advanced I/Os and video outputs for connecting multiple monitorsu003c/strongu003e |
Quick Shopping Tips
Here’s what to consider when shopping for the best desktop PCs capable of handling dual monitor setup.
CPU: Make sure you choose a decent CPU, especially if you are planning to connect multiple 4K monitors to your computer. Try to opt for a CPU that has at least four cores and a higher clock speed.
In a dual monitor setup, users mostly deal with multiple applications at a single time. So having a processor that is good at multitasking would definitely give an edge at this point.
GPU: Obviously, there’s more load on your graphics card when you connect more than one monitor to it. Again if you are planning to connect high-resolution monitors to your PC, then you’ll have to rely on graphics cards with a higher amount of VRAM (6GB or more).
If you are going after a desktop with integrated graphics, then you’ll have to make sure that it supports the type of monitors you intend to connect to it.
Lastly, the number of video output ports on the GPU or integrated graphics panel would decide how many monitors you can connect to your PC. Latest generation graphics card support at least 3 video outputs at a single time.
RAM:
The amount of RAM comes into effect when you have an integrated graphics card on your PC. So maxing out your resolution on a dual monitor setup will definitely put stress on your RAM in this case.
A rough idea is to have at least 8GB of RAM in your computer if you are not dealing with less memory-intensive tasks.
But if you are a video editor or professional content creator who deals with high-resolution projects on a multiple monitor setup, then you’ll need at least 16GB or 32GB of RAM.
List of Best Desktop PCs for Multiple Monitor Setup
Here are the top options to consider:
CyberPowerPC Supreme – Overall Best Desktop Computer for 3 Monitors
CPU: Core i7-11700KF 3.6GHz | GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | RAM: 16GB DDR4 | Storage: 1TB PCI-E NVMe SSD | Operating System: Windows 10 Home | Video Outputs: 1x HDMI 2.1, 3x DisplayPort 1.4a
Reasons to Buy:
- Powerful 8-core CPU for multitasking and gaming
- Massive video memory
- Advanced video output slots for connecting up to 4 monitors
The CyberPowerPC Supreme is backed by a powerful CPU and graphics card to crush intense workloads. It is fueled by the Intel Core i7 11700KF processor clocked at 3.6 GHz on each of its eight cores.
Furthermore, there’s 16GB of DDR4 RAM to take care of any gaming or content creation workloads. You can also upgrade the RAM up to 32GB later on if you need more performance.
To take care of next-gen graphics, the CyberPowerPC Supreme is equipped with Nvidia’s RTX 3060 graphics card with 12GB of GDDR6 memory. No doubt, this is one of the most powerful mid-range graphics cards for gaming or content creation.
With plenty of video memory on hand, it would be much easier for you to spread gaming or content creation workloads on multiple monitors in a go.
The massive 12GB VRAM also allows you to scale your games or content up to 4K resolution on this card.
To support multiple monitors at a single time, there are up to four latest-gen video output slots on this graphics card. This desktop gives you access to x1 HDMI 2.1 and x3 DisplayPort 1.4 ports.
Expert Tip
If you are planning to connect higher resolution monitors to your desktop PC, then look out for a graphics card that has at least more than 8GB of VRAM and at least two HDMI/DisplayPort video outputs.
It’s a great deal for someone who is willing to connect more than one 4K or 8K monitor at a single time.
The video ports that these desktop offers are recommended for professional gamers or work professionals. If you are planning to connect lower-resolution monitors, then look out for other options in this guide.
All in all, the CyberPowerPC Supreme has all the needed ingredients which makes it one of the best all-in-one pc with dual monitor capability. It features liquid cooling, has the most eye-catching aesthetics, and there’s one year of warranty from CyberPower to deal with any mishaps.
CyberPower Gamer Xtreme – Best Value Desktop for Dual Monitor Setup
CPU: Intel Core i5-10400F 2.9GHz | GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Super 6GB | RAM: 8GB DDR4 | Storage: 500GB NVMe SSD | Operating System: Windows 10 Home | Video Outputs: 1x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort
Reasons to Buy:
- Price-to-performance ratio
- Mid-range CPU and GPU
- Enough video ports for adding more than one monitors
The CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme is a cheaper option for gamers and content creators who are seeking a desktop PC to connect dual monitors.
This desktop is powered by Intel’s 10th generation Core i5-10400F, a six-core CPU with a clock speed of 2.9 GHz. It’s a mid-range CPU that is ideal for 1080p gaming and other CPU-intensive tasks.
Now, this computer only has 8GB of DDR4 memory, which is enough if you are not dealing with intense multi workloads. But if you are planning to go heavy, then we’ll recommend you to, later on, switch 8GB DIMM with 16GB DIMM for better performance.
To boost up the graphics, the CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme has the Nvidia GTX 1660 graphics card with 6GB GDDR6 memory.
Now compared to the RTX 3060 GPU that we’ve found on the previous desktop on our list, the GTX 1660 is less powerful.
But still, it would be enough to keep up with the pace of current generation games or professional workloads at 1080p or 1440p settings.
In terms of video connectivity, there are just two video output ports on this card, x1 HDMI and x1 DisplayPort.
This will allow you to connect dual monitors to this computer, but you cannot scale up to the resolutions that the RTX 3060 12GB has to offer.
The CyberPowerPC Supreme is packed with much more advanced video output ports as compared to the CyberPower PC Gamer Xtreme.
As we’ve said earlier, not everyone needs to connect 4K or 8K monitors to their machine. So for users who are planning to connect 1080p or 1440p display screens, the GTX 1660 would be a great option to go with.
All in all, the CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme has great looks to it although it’s not cooled by a liquid cooling system like CyberPowerPC Supreme version. At least gives you the right value for your money to connect two monitors on advanced video ports.
Just like the previous desktop from CyberPower, this one also comes with 1 year of warranty. There are three RGB fans at the front of the case to promote high airflow inside the case. The manufacturer also offers an RGB keyboard and mouse within the package.
If you do not need hardcore performance and just need a PC that can connect to 1080p or 1440p screens without any hassle, then this is the right PC for you.
SkyTech Archangel PC – Best Performance PC for Multiple Display
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3600 6-Core 3.6GHz | GPU: NVIDIA RTX 3060 12GB | RAM: 16GB DDR4 | Storage: 1TB SSD | Operating System: Windows 10 Home 64-bit | Video Outputs: 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x DisplayPort 1.4
Reasons to Buy:
- Excellent for multitasking
- Powerful graphics card
- Latest-gen video ports
The SkyTech Archangel is the slickest-looking prebuilt PC we’ve ever tested in our lab. Where other brands flash RGB lights everywhere on the case, SkyTech has taken a different approach to build this desktop.
From the side glass panel, you can see all the components in their full glory. And the show is just not limited to the aesthetics, SkyTech Archangel has plenty of performance juice packed inside it.
Let’s start with the all-time famous AMD CPU, the Ryzen 5 3600. It’s a six-core CPU clocked at 3.6 GHz. AMD chips are great at handling professional workloads, and Ryzen 3600 fully reflects this statement by all means.
More often, people invest in multiple monitor setups for effortless multitasking. So, the Ryzen 3600 will surely pump the multitasking juice even if you divide your work on more than one screen.
SkyTech Archangel comes with the same RTX 3060 graphic card that we’ve found on the CyberPower Supreme desktop PC. Also, we have HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4 on this card to add dual monitors.
No matter if you are investing in a dual monitor setup for immersive gaming or a high-end workstation environment, the RTX 3060 would be enough to tackle your every need at this point.
SkyTech Archangel comes with plenty of advanced I/Os to connect the latest hardware to it. It has a nice-looking design and you can attach more than one display to it right away.
It’s meant for gamers or content professionals who want to connect to higher resolution (1080p, 1440p, or 4K) monitors.
Custom-Built Desktop with Multi-Monitor Support
Custom-built desktops are cheaper as compared to prebuilt machines. But to do this, you should have basic knowledge of building a PC from scratch.
As you would be building a PC just for the sake of adding more than one monitor, this would give you much control over the parts selection while staying under your budget.
Desktop PC Under $1500 for Multiple Monitor Set-Up
- Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor
- MSI Z170A Tomahawk AC ATX LGA1151 Motherboard
- PNY GeForce GTX 1080 8GB
- Thermaltake V250 Motherboard Sync ARGB
- Avexir Core Series 16GB
- Plextor M8Pe 512GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive
- Hitachi Ultrastar 7K3000 3TB 3.5″ 7200RPM
- EVGA SuperNOVA G2 550W 80+ Gold
This PC was built by BoyScout on PCPartPicker. We thought of giving it a try as it delivers ideal performance in any type of gaming or content creation workload you throw on it.
The PNY GeForce GTX 1080 on this PC comes with 3x DisplayPort 1.4, x1 HDMI 2.0b, and x1 DL-DVI port for connecting multiple displays to it. These ports allow you to connect new and old interface monitors to this PC without any issues.
Desktop PC Under $1000 With Multi-Display Support
- Intel Core i5-6500 3.2 GHz Quad-Core Processor
- Asus Z170I PRO GAMING Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard
- Corsair H100i GTX 70.69 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler or any other you prefer
- Kingston HyperX Fury 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4
- EVGA GeForce GTX 960 2 GB
- SAMSUNG 870 EVO SATA III SSD 1TB
- Corsair CMX 500 W 80+ Bronze
This is another low-budget desktop PC for connecting dual monitors to your PC. Although the graphics card we have chosen for this PC doesn’t support the advanced HDMI/Display Ports, it would be enough for geeks who are tight on budget.
If you have old monitors in your office or home, then this build would save you a lot of money to connect those old mates in a single setup.
If you are not satisfied with the graphics card, then you can opt for better GPUs like GTX 1660 or RX 5500 XT that support advanced video outputs. However, a better GPU will add more $$ to your cart in the end.
How We Choose
We have been in the PC industry for more than 12 years now. Our passion for computers is as old as Windows 95. Within this time, we have tested several PC hardware available on the market.
So, any machine we pick for our list meets the intent of users and their budget. We have tested some machines on this list and then compared them with others that have been reviewed by our members of different community forums.
Verdict – Which is One to Go With?
Finally, these were some of the best prebuilt and custom-built desktops for adding multiple monitors. Now which one would deliver you the best value for your money? This depends on the type and number of monitors you’ll connect with a PC.
Both prebuilt PCs on our list that come with RTX 3060 12GB graphics card are ideal for handling more than one monitor and a resolution up to 8K. But if you are working in an office environment where all you need is to view images and read text, then it’s better to go with a cheaper custom-made PC.
The thing that matters is the number of video output present and the capability of the card to handle the type of resolution you’ll throw on it.
FAQs
Here are answers to some common questions that might pop up in your mind:
What PC can handle 2 monitors?
Normally any modern PC that comes with more than one video output port can handle two displays at a single time. Look out for an extra VGA, DVI, HDMI, or DisplayPort port on your PC to connect the second monitor to it.
Can you have 4 monitors on a computer?
It depends upon the availability of video ports on your computer. If there are four extra video ports, then you can connect monitors to these ports right away.
Do you need a good PC for 2 monitors?
Yes, you’ll need a PC that comes with at least dual display video outputs. If your PC comes with a single display, then you can install a dedicated graphics card to add multiple monitors to your PC.
What do I need to run 2 monitors on my PC?
You’ll simply need two video output ports on your computer to run 2 monitors. See if there are dual video slots available on your motherboard. Otherwise, simply buy a new graphics card that comes with multiple video outputs.
Hi, this is Masab, the Founder of PC Building Lab. I’m a PC enthusiast who loves to share the prior knowledge and experience that I have with computers. Well, troubleshooting computers is in my DNA, what else I could say….