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These days, a single monitor setup almost feels like a punishment. The experience of constantly expanding and minimising windows to perform a simple task knowing how easy it would be with a second monitor is frankly archaic. So this must be what Marty McFly felt like in 1955. Now unless you're a masochist, it might be time to introduce your display to a friend or two and experience how much better things can be.
Why Use a Multi-Monitor Setup?
Before diving into the technical aspects, let's understand the benefits of utilising a multi-monitor setup:
- Increased Productivity: Studies conducted by Microsoft researchers have shown that dual or triple monitor setups can boost productivity by up to 42%. This setup allows you to spread out your workspace, reducing the need to switch between tabs and applications constantly.
- Enhanced Gaming Experience: For gamers, multiple monitors provide a more immersive experience, especially for games such as racing and flight simulators. Expanding the game across several screens offers a wider field of view, making it easier to spot in-game details or to simply use the extra displays as support screens.
- Improved Workflow for Creatives: Designers, video editors, and other creatives benefit from additional screen real estate to run multiple applications simultaneously, such as having a video timeline on one screen and editing tools on another.
- Retail Displays & Point of Sale: Retail stores and businesses can benefit from a multi-monitor display for showcasing advertising and information in the forms of video, slide shows, menus, etc to their customers allowing them to showcase multiple forms of content at one time contained on a single source device.

What Is Required For A Multi-Monitor Setup?
Obviously, the easy answer is a second display but there are a few more components to consider you may not be aware of.
- Is it right for you?: It may be obvious but the first step is to consider if a multi-monitor set up is right for you and your available work space. With the introduction of ultra widescreen monitors in recent years, many tasks and scenarios can be covered with a single wide display rather than two or more standard displays. If you think multiple displays are the solution for you, let's get started.
- Graphics Card (GPU): Ensure your computer’s graphics card supports multiple displays. Modern GPUs typically support at least two monitors, while higher-end models can support three or more. A good indicator of this is checking how many display output options are available however it will be best to check the manufacturer’s specifications to determine the maximum resolution and refresh rate supported by your hardware.
- Monitors/Displays: In certain situations, especially for gaming, selecting monitors with the same or similar resolution and size for a seamless experience is preferred to ensure uniformity in display quality and aesthetics. However, mixing resolutions can also be a benefit allowing specific content to be displayed on smaller displays such as information presented on a small display on the shop counter for customer use.
- Cables and Adapters: Depending on your monitors and graphics card ports, you may require HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI, or VGA cables. Adapters might also be necessary if your graphics card video outputs don’t match those available on your displays.
- Docks and MST Hubs: Docks and Multi-Stream Transport (MST) hubs can be essential for expanding connectivity options, especially for laptops or desktops with limited video output options. In regards to MST hubs, you will need to check your graphic card’s specifications to ensure Multi-Stream Transport functionality is supported allowing more than one monitor to be connected to a single video output on your desktop or laptop. For example, Apple computers do not support this functionality so will result in the same image being duplicated across all connected displays rather than operating in extended desktop mode.
It's also important to note that docking stations and hubs will have their own resolution limitations so it's important to check the specifications of these devices prior to purchase to ensure they will meet your requirements. While docks and hubs have the benefit of providing more connection options for laptops with limited options, connecting one may result in the loss of your computers USB-C charging port. In this scenario, we highly recommend the purchase of a dock or hub featuring a USB-C power pass through ensuring your computer continues to receive power during extended use.
- Mounts and Stands: To keep your desk organised and ergonomic, consider using monitor mounts or stands. These help position your monitors at the correct height and angle and create a tidy and aesthetically pleasing workspace.
Step-by-Step Guide to Connecting Multiple Monitors
Now that we know what is required for a multi-monitor setup, it’s time to take a look at how everything connects together.
- Check Your Graphics Card (GPU) Specifications:
- Most modern GPUs from NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel support multiple monitors. Check the specifications of your GPU to ensure it can handle the number of monitors you plan to use.
- If you're using a laptop, ensure it has a discrete GPU or a powerful integrated GPU capable of multi-monitor support.
- Identify The Connections Of Your Graphics Card (GPU):
- These days HDMI and DisplayPort are the most common with the new USB C connection quickly gaining popularity however many will still feature older connections such as DVI or VGA.
- If you are unsure of the identity of the available connections, take a look at our Cables & Connectors Guide here.
- Identify the Connections Of Your Displays:
- If you’re purchasing a new monitor from a store you are most likely to see DisplayPort, HDMI or USB C however older monitors will often feature DVI and/or VGA.
- Newer digital connections such as HDMI or DisplayPort will provide you with higher resolutions, refresh rates and picture quality however adapters are available if these connection options are not available.
- Choose the Right Cables and Adapters:
- HDMI: Most modern monitors and graphics cards come with HDMI ports. Cable Chick offers high-speed and ultra-high-speed HDMI cables in differing lengths supporting resolutions up to 8K@60Hz.
- DisplayPort: For higher resolutions and refresh rates, DisplayPort cables are recommended. Cable Chick provides a range of DisplayPort cables, including versions supporting up to 8K resolution.
- USB-C/Thunderbolt 4: The new USB-C connection is becoming more and more popular with most laptops in particular adopting this connection. USB-C is capable of 4K60Hz resolutions and beyond however bear in mind that not all USB-C connections are created equal with older generation 1 USB-C only offering data support so it’s important to check the specifications of your GPU to ensure it is capable.
- DVI/VGA: Older monitors may use DVI or VGA connections. It’s always best to opt for either HDMI or DisplayPort over either of these connection options if possible however DVI and VGA adapters are available to convert connections if required.
- The chart below provides a quick guide on which connections work together with the source connections (your laptop/PC) listed down the side converting to the display connections (your monitor/s) listed along the top.
*PLEASE NOTE* While converting from a DisplayPort source to a HDMI Display only requires a basic DisplayPort to HDMI Cable, converting FROM a HDMI source TO a DisplayPort monitor requires an Active HDMI Converter Cable which can be found on our website here.
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- Use Docks and MST Hubs:
- Docks: USB-C and Thunderbolt docks expand your connectivity options, especially for laptops. They often include multiple HDMI, DisplayPort, USB, and Ethernet ports.
- MST Hubs: MST or Multi-Stream Transport hubs allow you to connect multiple monitors to a single DisplayPort output. This is useful for extending your desktop across several displays however you will again need to check your GPU’s specifications to ensure MST is supported.
- Connect the Monitors:
- Start by connecting each monitor to your graphics card or dock using the appropriate cables. For example, if you have three monitors, you might use two HDMI cables and one DisplayPort cable.
- Ensure all connections are secure, and the monitors are powered on.
- Configure Display Settings:
- Windows: Right-click on the desktop and select "Display settings." Here you can arrange your monitors, adjust resolution, and set the primary display. Drag and drop the monitor icons to match the physical arrangement on your desk. Win + P is also an extremely useful keyboard shortcut for quickly cycling through your display configuration options without having to access settings.
- Mac: Go to "System Preferences" > "Displays" > "Arrangement." Similar to Windows, you can rearrange the displays and choose the primary monitor. The Mac keyboard shortcut of Option + F1 also allows you to quickly cycle between mirror and extended desktop modes.
- Adjust Ergonomics:
- Position your monitors at eye level to reduce strain on your neck and eyes. Cable Chick offers adjustable monitor stands and mounts to help you achieve the perfect setup.
- Ensure the monitors are at an equal distance from your eyes to maintain a consistent focal length, reducing eye strain.

Recommended Products
Below is a list of our most recommended products to help you get up and running with your multi-display set up. If we haven't listed a solution that suits your needs, please contact us here for guidance.
Select your source device connection
Additional Products
For HDMI Source Connections:
For HDMI to HDMI 4K60Hz and below: Any of our HDMI Cables at lengths of 5 metres or less will be capable of 4K resolutions. To achieve these settings at lengths over 5 metres you will either need to opt for our HDMI Optical Cable options.
For HDMI to HDMI 4K60Hz and above: Our new HDMI 2.1 HDMI Cables are capable of 8K@60Hz resolutions with supported hardware. Currently this cable is limited to 5 metres in length.
For HDMI to HDMI 4K over 10 metres: Most quality HDMI cables at 5 metres or less will be capable of 4K@60Hz resolutions, but if your set up requires a longer cable run our Avencore Carbon Series HDMI Optical Cables have you covered. Available in lengths from 10 metres to 70 metres.
For HDMI to Displayport Conversion: Coverting from a HDMI source to a DisplayPort monitor requires an active cable with a dedicated USB power supply.
For DisplayPort Source Connections:
For DisplayPort to DisplayPort 4K60Hz and above: If you require resolutions above 4K or refresh rates above 60Hz @ 4K our Premium DisplayPort 1.4 Cable will get you there. Available in lengths of 1 metre, 2 metres and 3 metres.
For DisplayPort to DisplayPort 4K60Hz and below: For resolutions of 4K@60Hz and below we recommend our Avencore DisplayPort 1.2 Cable avaialble in lengths between 0.5 metres and 3 metres.
For DisplayPort to DisplayPort over 5 metres: As per our HDMI Optical Cables, DisplayPort also requires specialised cables for distances 5 metres and over. Lengths range from 5 metres up to 50 metres.
For DisplayPort to HDMI Conversion: Unlike the difficult conversion of a HDMI source to a DisplayPort source, Displayport to HDMI Cable only requires a standard cable. Available in lengths from 0.5 metres to 3 metres. If you have a HDMI Cable already, this is also available as an adapter here.
For Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Conversion: Your desktop or laptop may feature the little brother of DisplayPort - Mini DisplayPort. Available in lengths from 0.5 metres up to 3 metres. If you already have a HDMI cable, is is also available as an adapter here.
For USB-C Source Connections:
For USB-C 4K@60Hz and above: If you require resolutions above 4K or refresh rates above 60Hz @ 4K our new Avencore USB4 Type C Cables are the answer. Available in lengths of 1 metre, 2 metres and 3 metres.
For USB-C 4K@60Hz and below: Our Premium Aluminium USB-C Cables are the standard for 4K60Hz video connections. Available in lengths of 0.5 metres through to 3 metres. NOTE: Not all devices with USB Type-C sockets can support video. Check your devices specifications to confirm.
For USB-C (source) to DisplayPort Conversion:: If your PC or laptop features new USB-C connections and you need to connect to the DisplayPort input on your monitor, this cable is a must have! Available in lengths of 1 metre, 2 metres and 3 metres. If you already have a DisplayPort cable, is is also available as an adapter here.
For USB-C (source) to HDMI Conversion:: If your PC or laptop features new USB-C connections and you need to connect to the HDMI input on your monitor or television, this is the cable for you! Available in lengths of 1 metre, 2 metres and 3 metres. If you already have a HDMI cable, is is also available as an adapter here.
Hubs & Splitters:
For 2-3 monitors to a single DisplayPort output: The great thing about DisplayPort is that you can utilise a single port on your computer to connect multiple monitors just like this 3 Way DisplayPort Splitter Cable.
NOTE: Older graphics cards or mobile graphics chipsets not capable of MST will not be compatible with this splitter.
For 2 monitors to a single DisplayPort output: If a three monitor setup is a bridge too far and you only require two displays, our 2 Port Dual 4K DisplayPort Splitter Hub is the answer! NOTE: Older graphics cards or mobile graphics chipsets not capable of MST will not be compatible with this splitter.
For 2 HDMI monitors to a single USB-C output: With modern computers and laptops seemingly doing away with every port and replacing them with USB-C only, you'll need one of our USB C to Dual 4K HDMI Splitter Hubs. NOTE: As MacOS does not offer Multi-Stream Transport functionality, the adapter will only operate in 'screen mirror' mode when connected to Apple computers and devices.
Monitor Stands & Brackets:
Final Thoughts
Setting up a multi-monitor system can greatly enhance your computing experience, whether for work, gaming, or creative projects. With the right cables, adapters, docks, and MST hubs from Cable Chick, you can easily create a seamless and efficient multi-monitor setup.
Remember to consider your specific needs and workspace when selecting products to ensure the best possible configuration and as always, if you have any questions or require assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out to the Cable Chick team.