Looking for more screen space or eager to simplify your multi-monitor setup? Daisy chaining could be the perfect solution! While it’s certainly possible to set up multiple monitors without it, daisy chaining can significantly streamline the process—reducing cable clutter, freeing up ports, and simplifying connections. But how exactly does it work, and can you implement it with your current setup?
Keep reading to learn how to connect multi-monitor with daisy-chain, or explore ViewSonic’s monitors with daisy-chain capability to find models that best suit your needs.
No matter what your job is—from a stock trader who needs to keep an eye on multiple markets at once to a video editor managing different video sequences—a multi-monitor setup shouldn’t be a hassle. While connecting all your monitors directly to your desktop or laptop or via an HDMI docking hub is one approach, it often leads to tangled cables and used-up ports, which can quickly become frustrating. Thankfully, you can also daisy chain monitors to achieve the same results with far less clutter. This method streamlines your setup and keeps your workspace neat and efficient. Ready to simplify your tech life? Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of daisy chaining!
What is Daisy Chaining
Generally, daisy chaining involves connecting multiple devices in a linear sequence using a single cable path. Each device is connected to the next with one cable, creating a continuous circuit where the signal flows through each device in sequence. While this method can be applied to many electrical devices, it is particularly useful for linking multiple monitors to a computer. This streamlined setup reduces cable clutter and simplifies the overall connection process, making it an efficient option for expanding your display capabilities.
Think of daisy chaining like making a necklace or armband by tying daisies together, each bloom connecting seamlessly to the next. You start by connecting the first monitor to your computer. Then, you link each additional monitor to the one before it, just like adding another daisy to the chain. Each monitor has two connectors: one for receiving the signal and one for passing it along. The signal flows from your computer to the first monitor, then from that monitor to the next one, and so on. This creates a simple, neat chain of monitors, reducing the mess of cables and making setup a breeze.
How to Daisy Chain Monitors
Daisy chaining enables you to connect multiple devices to a single port on your computer using technologies such as DisplayPort Multi-Stream Transport (MST) and Thunderbolt. This feature is supported by DisplayPort MST versions 1.2 and 1.4, as well as Thunderbolt 3 and 4. Essentially, you can connect several monitors to one computer port, with the first monitor receiving the signal and then passing it on to the next.
When using DisplayPort for daisy chaining, you can connect up to four monitors to a desktop or three to a laptop, with the laptop’s screen serving as the fourth display. The quality and stability of the output rely on the performance of your computer’s graphics card (GPU). DisplayPort MST divides the video signal to distribute it among the connected monitors, supporting either extended or mirrored display configurations.
With a Thunderbolt port, you can daisy chain up to six devices, including external GPUs, storage drives, docking stations, and monitors, minimizing cable clutter and streamlining your workspace. Thunderbolt 4 supports up to two 4K monitors at 60Hz or a single 8K monitor at 60Hz with just one port, making it a strong choice for users who need ultra-high-definition visuals. DisplayPort, on the other hand, can handle two 4K monitors at 60Hz or one 8K monitor at 30Hz.
Daisy Chain Monitors: Higher Resolution vs. Higher USB Speed
When implementing daisy chaining, you must choose between high-resolution and high-speed USB data transfer based on your needs. This trade-off is particularly important in setups using USB-C, which supports daisy chaining.
High Resolution Mode
High-resolution displays require significant bandwidth. For instance, a single 4K monitor at 60Hz can nearly consume the entire bandwidth available on a DisplayPort (DP) 1.2 connection. When multiple high-resolution monitors are connected, this bandwidth must be divided among them. This division can reduce the maximum achievable resolution or refresh rate for each monitor, potentially impacting the visual quality and performance of your display setup.
To address this, High Resolution Mode prioritizes display resolution, allowing monitors to maintain 2K (2560×1440) resolution at 60Hz. However, this setting reduces the USB speed to USB 2.0, slowing down data transfer speed. This trade-off helps manage bandwidth allocation while maintaining high display quality, but it will be more demanding on the GPU, potentially leading to lower performance in other applications like gaming or 3D rendering.
High Data Speed Mode
If achieving the highest display performance is your priority or you’re using your monitors as docking stations for peripherals like hard drives or USB hubs, opt for High Data Speed mode. This mode lowers the refresh rate of secondary monitors to free up bandwidth, improving overall display performance and responsiveness.
However, the secondary monitor’s resolution and refresh rate will be limited, for example, to 2K (2560×1440) resolution at 25Hz. While this might seem low at first glance, it is functional (consider that the framerate for most movies is 24 frames per second). If you wish to achieve a higher refresh rate, you can lower the monitors’ resolution, for instance, to FHD (1920×1080).
Practical Tips for Optimizing Your Daisy-Chained Setup
Now that you are familiar with daisy chaining, here are some practical tips to help you with the setup:
Check monitor capabilities: Ensure your monitors support daisy chaining through DisplayPort (DP) 1.2 or 1.4, or Thunderbolt 3 or 4. Some monitors, especially docking monitors, come with built-in ports that allow direct connection without the need for additional adapters or splitters. The primary requires a DP or USB-C in port and a DP out port. If you only want to use 2 monitors, then the second only requires a DP in port. If you need to use three, the first two require DP in and out ports.
Assess your priorities: Determine whether high-resolution displays or faster USB speed is more critical for you. For graphic design, video editing, or data visualization tasks, prioritize resolution and refresh rate. For data-heavy tasks such as large file transfers or using multiple external drives, prioritize USB speed.
Bandwidth usage: Be mindful of the total available bandwidth and how it is allocated. If using multiple high-resolution monitors, you may need to adjust the refresh rate or resolution settings to maintain acceptable USB data transfer speeds. Technologies like Display Stream Compression (DSC) can reduce the bandwidth required for high-resolution displays without noticeably impacting visual quality, freeing up bandwidth for other uses, such as USB data transfer.
Use quality cables: High-quality cables are essential for achieving the full bandwidth capabilities of your connection technology. Poor-quality cables can cause connectivity issues and degrade performance.
Firmware and driver updates: Regularly update the firmware and drivers for your monitors, docking stations, and connected devices. Manufacturers often release updates that improve performance, compatibility, and stability, ensuring your daisy-chained setup runs smoothly.
Final Thoughts
Daisy chaining is an efficient way to manage multi-monitor setups. By understanding daisy chaining, you can assess your needs, select the appropriate technology, and create a high-performance, clutter-free workstation that meets your demands and enhances productivity.
Ready to get your daisy-chain monitor? Discover ViewSonic’s monitors with daisy-chain capability.