using my Samsung monitor as 2nd display

Discussion in 'iMac' started by saz25, Jan 10, 2014.

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  1. saz25, Jan 10, 2014

    saz25 macrumors newbie

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    May 23, 2010
    #1
    Hi,
    I am considering an iMac after being a Windows user for 20+ years. I have this 2 year old Samsung 27" HDMI 1920 x 1080 monitor. I'm planning to use it (since I have it) as a 2nd monitor.

    I have 2 questions:

    1) Can I use both these monitors even though the resolutions are different? Native (built-in) 27" iMac is 2560x1440 and my other one is 1920 x 1080. I won't use it in mirrored mode. It would be for additional real estate.

    2) Assuming it can handle the 2 monitors as above, do I need to consider the non-standard graphics option which is: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780M 4GB GDDR5
    The base graphics is: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 775M 2GB GDDR5

    I won't be doing gaming. Perhaps video editing and primarily Word processing, office-type apps, etc.

    Thanks in advance,
    Steve
     
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  2. CH12671, Jan 10, 2014

    CH12671 macrumors 6502

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    #2
    you can use it as an additional monitor, no problem
     
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  3. Altemose, Jan 10, 2014

    Altemose macrumors G3

    Altemose

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    #3
    You should have no issues running them at different resolutions, I do it all the time. The base GPU is more than plenty but it never hurts to buy as much computer as possible!
     
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  4. Bear, Jan 11, 2014

    Bear macrumors G3

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    #4
    780M would only be useful for Gaming and Heavy Video editing (depending on applucation), so it sounds like the 775M is what you want and it will handle the extra display just fine.
     
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  5. jondunford, Jan 11, 2014

    jondunford macrumors 6502

    jondunford

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    #5
    the upgraded gpu has twice the ram which will be useful for running 2 displays
     
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  6. Bear, Jan 11, 2014

    Bear macrumors G3

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    #6
    Even the 755M with 1GB VRAM can run multiple displays with no problems. The 775M with 2GB is more than enough for what the OP is planning on using his system for.
     
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  7. gmanist1000, Jan 11, 2014

    gmanist1000 macrumors 68030

    gmanist1000

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2009
    #7
    I use two additional monitors, all with different resolutions, with my 2011 iMac and it works flawlessly. You can choose which resolution you want each monitor to run in, and the Samsung displays usually allow you to underscan or overscan to get the image fitted properly.
     
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  8. Fishrrman, Jan 11, 2014

    Fishrrman macrumors G5

    Fishrrman

    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2009
    #8
    Just get the proper connecting cable and plug the thing in.

    I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.
     
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