3 Monitor Gaming Setup In 2023: Device Requirements And Setting Up

From: BeginnersTech YouTube Channel

Dreaming of a fancier computer setup?

Unless you're a minimalist who doesn't need to multi-task, any adulting otaku would prefer a computer setup that lets them do many tasks simultaneously.

A three-monitor gaming setup seems like a fitting solution to a workstation or entertainment pod that limits you from fulfilling your digital activities.

By having three monitors displaying essential apps at the same time, you get to do more and enjoy more.

So, whether you are after higher productivity levels or more hardcore gaming, a multi-monitor combination is, hands down, a justified expense.

Also, if a dual monitor isn't giving you enough agility and convenience to switch between programs or get things done, why not add more screens to the picture?

This comprehensive guide aims to solve the questions around a 3 monitor gaming setup.\

Table of Contents

Benefits Of A 3 Monitor Gaming Setup

 -- Multi-tasking Convenience

 -- Increased Productivity and Performance

 -- Achieving The Gamer or Otaku Aesthetic

3 Monitor Gaming Setup: Things You Need

-- PC Requirement

------ Three Monitor Gaming Setup Graphics Card Options

------ RAM

-- Laptops

-- Monitors

-- Cables, Mounts, and Others

Steps In Setting Up A Triple Monitor Gaming Station

-- Check GPU For Monitor Outputs

-- Make A Final Setup Decision

-- Connect The Monitors To The Ports

-- Configure Your 3 Monitor Gaming Setup

------ Configuring Multi Monitor Setup On Windows

------ Configure Multi Monitor Setup On MacBook

Quick Tips In Setting Up A Multi Monitor Gaming PC Workstation

-- Adjust According To Eyesight And Convenience

-- Avoid Procrastination

-- Optimize App Organization

Final Words

Benefits Of A 3 Monitor Gaming Setup

It's easy to fall in love with this tech extravaganza. However, if you realize the gifts of a three-monitor computer setup, you'll pat yourself many times on the back for pushing this wiser-than-ever decision.

Let us enumerate the perks of this three-monitor gaming setup.

Multi-tasking Convenience

Becoming an Alt+tab (for Windows) or cmd+tab (for Apple) expert is a good thing. But time will come when you need to drop this tapping nonsense so that you can focus your energy on other things.

A triple computer monitor allows you to organize app screens in a way that makes sense. The center is usually dedicated to frequently used software. It's where most of the action happens.

The rest of the monitors can be reserved for monitoring, control panel, and communication. Moreover, there may be times when you'll need two full-screen apps at a time, like copying and comparing data between Google Sheets. 

Streamers would also need multiple monitors busy when holding a lengthy gaming session with their fans. Some influencers would need to engage with the comments while streaming, ensuring they thanked everyone who shared their livestream or donated.

There are more ways to exhaust a 3-monitor setup to your convenience. This configuration will strongly depend on what you do and your preference. So, plan accordingly and use this layout wisely.

Increased Productivity and Performance

Seeing a gorgeous triple monitor personal computer is like having a Cerberus as your pet. It gives you a feeling that you're a gladiator or a brawny demi-god ready for war. Thus, the setup alone puts you in the mood for slaying, whether at a game or work.

The fact that a 3 monitor gaming setup allows you to multi-task already increases your capacity. On top of that, a PC upgrade like this widens your scope, giving you more advantage in whatever you do.

Achieving The Gamer or Otaku Aesthetic

Whether you aim to create a gamer or an anime room, a three-monitor gaming PC should instantly bestow it with the otaku aesthetic. You can watch your anime on a side screen and monitor the stock or crypto activity on the other while you do hard coding on your new website in the middle.

Now, let's move on to the requirements.

3 Monitor Gaming Setup: Things You Need

Cables and monitors aren't the only things you need for a convenient and high-functioning 3-monitor gaming setup. You'll be surprised to see more on this checklist, so you should review these required tools before going to Amazon to purchase random gizmos recklessly.

PC Requirement

You should note two things when it comes to the ability of a computer to display on multiple screens and let you multitask: the graphics card and RAM.

Three Monitor Gaming Setup Graphics Card Options

If you have a top-notch or decent gaming PC, it should be able to support three monitors at once. But to be sure, consider visiting your system's settings and resources to see whether the installed graphics card can support three monitors.

AMD Radeon RX 570

Affordable but decent graphics cards: AMD Radeon RX 570 and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650

ASUS ROG Strix RTX 4090 OC

Best of the best graphics cards: ASUS ROG Strix RTX 4090 OC and ASUS TUF Radeon RX 7900 XTX OC

RAM

Meanwhile, the multi-tasking capacity will depend on the computer processor and RAM. While most new devices have decent and lasting processors, not every PC would have enough RAM.

Some would say that 8GB RAM is enough for starters. However, you risk lagging and crashing if you decide to do more office work involving multiple sheets or engage in real hardcore gaming. 

A proper choice would be a 16GB RAM or two 8GB RAM, which gives a tad bit better performance than the earlier. For content creators and multimedia operators, you'll need 32GB RAM and probably high-performing CPUs like the following:

Budget: AMD Ryzen 5 5600

High-end option: Intel Core i9-14900K

CPUs with HDMI connection would be a practical choice, so consider getting them instead of computers with only VGA or DVI ports.

Laptops

For on-the-go users who prefer varied environments in work and gaming, but still would like a 3-monitor setup when they're in the mood for vicious engagement, there's one question that may appear in mind:

Can you have a 3-monitor gaming setup with your laptop? 

The quick answer to this is yes. But like a desktop or mini CPU setup, a triple monitor workstation will have its own system requirements. Unfortunately, many entry-level laptops couldn't handle the display and tasks expected from this computer setup.

Here are the best laptop choices that can handle triple monitors:

• Lenovo Legion 5 
• Apple MacBook M2 Pro
• Dell XPS 15 – 9500
• Acer Predator Triton 500
• Razer Blade 14 Gaming Laptop

Send us your request, and we'll create an honest blog post and video review on our Facebook page with over 130,000 followers.

Monitors

Regarding a 3-monitor gaming setup, you can't just purchase any monitors. Consider the size, resolution, shape, and the type of setup.

An ultrawide monitor gives a good viewing experience and may be a good primary screen. However, it's hard to make a gaming setup work with an ultrawide TV as your secondary viewing device.

Curved monitors are good for dual monitor gaming setups. They may still complement a 3-monitor format but are less flexible than normal ones.

The next step after figuring out which CPU to buy is understanding the best setup for your kind of work or gaming. 

Here are some three monitor setup samples to get inspiration from:

Pinterest: Atlant

Source: Pinterest

Source: Pinterest

Pinterest: LG Canada

The best monitors for multi-monitor gaming battle station include:

• ASUS TUF Gaming VG279Q1A
• Gigabyte M27Q P
• Dell UltraSharp U3223QE 31.5″ 4K UHD WLED LCD Monitor
• LG 27GP95R-B 27 inch Ultragear UHD
• BenQ PD2700U

Cables, Mounts, and Others

Now that you've ensured your CPU and RAM can handle triple monitors, it is time to find compatible cables and mounts. Here are other things you might need.

• HDMI Cable
• Triple Monitor Articulating Mount
• Huanuo Dual Monitor Mount
• Cable Management Tube
• Multi HDMI Splitter Port

Steps In Setting Up A Triple Monitor Gaming Station

Some otakus may be good in programming and other software applications. However, not everyone is cut out for hardware tasks.  

Check GPU For Monitor Outputs

As we highlighted earlier, it's impossible to set up three monitors on a PC if the device doesn't have enough ports. Thus, you have to check the back of your PC or your device's display settings.

For Mac users, here's how to check for ports on your Apple device.

If you're using a Windows laptop, go to settings > system > display. It will display the number of monitors your PC/laptop can support.

Windows laptops or MacBook users without HDMI ports can buy an external HDMI hub.

Make A Final Setup Decision

There are plenty of options besides a side-by-side setup. Picturing this in your mind and considering how you intend to use the workstation would help you decide which workstation arrangement fits your style. You can also choose between stacked monitors or a combination of landscape and portrait displays.

Connect The Monitors To The Ports

Plug the HDMI, VGA, or DVI cable into their respective ports. Use labels so you'll know which monitor is connected to which hub.

Afterwards, check if each monitor is registered to the PC. The default display after turning them on is your desktop background. Sometimes, it will give you a black screen, which is still okay before further configuration.

If there's no light in standby mode or the monitor flickers through the inputs, it could be because the PC doesn't recognize the connected display device. Check the ports and monitors for possible hardware problems.

Not having problems? Let's move on to the next step!

Configure Your 3 Monitor Gaming Setup

Finally, we get to the more exciting part. Once you confirm that the system accepts all the monitors wholeheartedly, it is time to configure them properly.

Configuring Multi Monitor Setup On Windows

From your Windows desktop, right-click and choose Windows Display Settings. Usually, the orientation of the monitors you connect is out. Thus, this step is crucial in positioning the displays to your desired arrangement.

The Windows Display Settings will allow you to drag and drop monitors to your preferred orientation. Click on "Identify" so that you'll know which monitor is which. Finally, finalize the changes by clicking OK/Save and "Keep Changes" before the timer goes out.

Configure Multi Monitor Setup On MacBook

We've been using Macintosh devices for years and have set up multiple monitor combinations on our MacBooks. The MacBook Air M1 and M2 Thunderbolt can support two additional monitors. A MacBook Pro has Thunderbolt 4, which means it can wield more screens simultaneously!

You'll only need an HDMI app with two HDMI ports, connect the cables, and voila! Your desktop background should automatically display on the extra monitors you connected to your MacBook.

To customize multi-monitor display settings on your MacBook, click on the Apple icon > system preferences > display. Here, you can set the resolution, choose whether to extend or duplicate the display and pick the primary monitor.

Quick Tips In Setting Up A Multi Monitor Gaming PC Workstation

We are rounding up again some tips for setting up a multi-monitor or 3 monitor workstation. We've added more quick reminders that weren't mentioned earlier.

Adjust According To Eyesight And Convenience

Sometimes, what looks aesthetically pleasing isn't convenient. You'll know about this once you begin squinting or you wake up with a stiff neck. Thus, observe how you'll do in the first few hours of using your newly setup 3 monitor gaming workstation.

Avoid Procrastination

If you set this up for work, remember that this setup can increase productivity only if you use the rest of the screens for work-related apps. Using the monitor to display your feeds, games, and anime will only slow you down.

Optimize App Organization

This step in organizing a multi-monitor work setup is 100% for you to figure out. Not all computer usage is the same, so just make sure that the computer arrangement will serve its purpose.

Final Words

A three-monitor gaming setup a.k.a. battlestation may be an intimidating upgrade. However, it is an achievable tech boost in price and execution. Still, a high-end gaming solution does wonders, although plenty of affordable tricks make a decent multi-monitor PC workstation look awesome.