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I'm at a crossroads and need some PC advice. I'm a web developer so I'll have a few local web and DB servers running, maybe Photoshop and or Illustrator, any number of MS Office programs running, SQL Server Management Studio and Visual Studio. Occasionally, ill game but nothing like 13 hour CS sessions that I used to put in.

I have a Dell XPS 15 L502x:

It's definitely enough power for everything I do. No question about that. However, last week I was working at a clients office. They had a developer out on vacation so I ended up using his PC that was hooked up to a triple monitor array of awesomeness!

Now that I have been exposed to the triple. I gotta have it. I saw that there are some external adapters on Amazon that could accommodate my PC running 3 external monitors but I'm pretty suspect about trying to support 2 x 24''monitors (1920x1200) with my CPU and one with my GPU. I'll spend the G on the triple setup but I'm afraid of the lag / performance loss.

Hopefully you guys can help me with this.

  1. Will running 3 monitors with my current setup using external adapters noticeably slow down performance?
  2. Does a real external GPU exist? Or are they all CPU driven adapters?
  3. Do I just need a new rig to support three 24" monitors 1920 x 1200?

More info:


Windows Experience Index

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  • Stay away from USB2.0 VGA adapters. They are horrible. The experience is like being RDP'd into the desktop. Everything is laggy and slow. You're best bet may be to get a USB3 VGA or DVI adapter and a USB3 Hub. If you do go this route, make sure that you get a powered hub.
    – kobaltz
    Feb 19, 2014 at 18:35
  • Will this adapter use the CPU?
    – stink
    Feb 19, 2014 at 18:49
  • Was this setup powered by a laptop? The most I ever see powered by a laptop is dual monitor via docking station.
    – Ramhound
    Feb 19, 2014 at 18:57
  • @Ramhound I have a MSI GS70 that supports 3 external monitors as well as the primary laptop screen. In total, I have 4 monitors rocking on my development lappy.
    – kobaltz
    Feb 19, 2014 at 19:08

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