How to Setup Multiple Monitors

This article provides information on the various connectors used when setting up monitors and how to set up dual/multiple monitors and change the display style.

Various Connector Types

It is important to ensure that the video port on your PC matches an available video port on the monitor, like VGA, DVI, HDMI or DisplayPort (DP). Connect your PC to the monitor or another display device like projector or TV using a compatible cable. This cable should already be provided by the monitor manufacturer.

Table 1: Video Connections

Display Port	Display Port is a new digital standard for connecting monitors to computers and has the capability to provide a scalable digital display interface with optional audio and high-definition content protection (HDCP) capability. Display Ports usually resemble USB Ports with one side angled. A Display Port cable should be used if Display Port connectors are available on both the computer and the monitor.
DVI-D Dual-Link	Digital Video Interface (DVI) is the digital standard for connecting monitors to computers. DVI connections are usually color-coded with white plastic and labels. DVI cables provide a higher quality signal than VGA cables. A DVI cable should be used if DVI connectors are available on both the computer and the monitor. Dual-Link DVI-D supports a maximum resolution of up to 2,560x1600 at a 60Hz refresh rate and supports up to 144Hz refresh rate at 1080p.
DVI-I Single-Link	Digital Video Interface (DVI) is the digital standard for connecting monitors to computers. DVI connections are usually color-coded with white plastic and labels. DVI cables provide a higher quality signal than VGA cables. A DVI cable should be used if DVI connectors are available on both the computer and the monitor. Single-Link DVI-I supports a maximum resolution of up to 1920x1200 at a 60Hz refresh rate and up to 85Hz at 1280x1024
VGA	Video Graphics Array (VGA) is the analog standard for connecting monitors to computers. VGA connections are commonly color-coded with blue plastic and labels. A VGA cable should be used if DVI connectors are not available on either the monitor or the computer.
HDMI	High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) is the current digital standard for connecting all kinds of video devices. HDMI cables provide the same quality of video signal as DVI. However, HDMI can provide sound through the cable but the Video Card has to support the Audio through HDMI function in order for it to work.

How to Setup Multiple Monitors in Microsoft Windows 10

When you connect an additional monitor to your CyberPowerPC computer, Windows will automatically detect the monitor and display your PC's desktop screen. You can then choose how you want your desktop screen to appear and customize the display settings such as display style - clone mode, extended mode, first screen only or second screen only, screen resolution settings and color depth. Microsoft Windows 7 & above support dual or multiple monitor setup which helps enhance productivity.

Key feature enhancements in Microsoft Windows 10

Easily move Windows apps to another monitor. You can also move Windows apps from one monitor to another using the keyboard shortcuts:

1. Windows logo + Page up key on the keyboard.
2. Windows logo + Page down key on the keyboard.

The taskbar is now shown on all monitors by default. With multiple monitors attached, Windows 10 will draw the taskbar across each monitor. By default, all taskbar icons are displayed on the main monitor and a blank taskbar on the other monitors. To configure the taskbar for multiple monitors using Taskbar Properties:

1. Right-click on the taskbar.
2. Select Properties.
3. In the Taskbar tab, under Multiple Displays, check the box Show Taskbar on all Displays.
4. Click OK to confirm.

Span desktop background across all monitors. You can now span a single panoramic picture across multiple monitors. Microsoft Windows 10 includes a new panoramic theme under personalization options. To span a desktop background across all monitors:

1. Press Windows logo + X key on the keyboard.
2. Under Windows Settings, click Personalization.
3. Click Browse and select a panoramic image from the disk location where you have stored the image.
4. Under Choose a fit, select Span.

Setting up multiple monitors

Determine the type of video connectors that are available on your PC and the monitors. The number of video connectors depends on the type of graphics card that is installed on your PC. Most desktop PC graphics or video cards can support two or more monitors, depending on the graphics card and PC specifications. However, laptop PCs can support up to two monitors depending on the PC specifications.

Once the cables are connected securely, your PC should automatically detect and display the desktop screen on the connected monitors. You can now select the display style that best suits your needs.

Microsoft Windows provides multiple display style options on how the desktop screen is displayed across multiple monitors that are connected to your PC.

1. PC Screen only - Use only display 1 and show nothing on display 2. The second monitor is ignored and only the primary monitor is used.
2. Duplicate (also called Clone mode) - Show the entire desktop on both displays. The second or other monitors mirror the primary monitor.
3. Extend - Stretch the desktop across the two displays. The desktop screen of your PC is extended across all the detected monitors and allows you to have a desktop screen that spans across all monitors.
4. Second Screen only - Use only display 2 and show nothing on display 1. The primary monitor will be disabled and only the second monitor will be used.

Troubleshooting multiple monitor issues

Microsoft Windows 10, 8 or 8.1, 7 support dual or multiple monitor setup. If you encounter problems with multiple monitor setup like a blank or black screen, no signal to monitor, resolution issues, etc. Refer to the CyberPowerPC knowledge-base article How to Troubleshoot Multiple Monitor Problems on CyberPowerPC computers?.

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