How to Daisy Chain Monitors Using Different Methods in 2023?

Having a multi-monitor setup at your workspace offers improved productivity no matter which field you belong to.

However, connecting two or three or even four monitors to a single PC could become problematic sometimes.

Why?

Well, first of all, there would surely be a lot of cord clutter to deal with. Secondly, your PC with limited video ports can only afford to connect only one or two monitors at once.

To solve these problems, we come up with a reliable solution, i.e., daisy chaining the monitors with a single cable.

“How to daisy chain monitors?” is a question that we will answer today with proven and practical methods.

Have a look as follows:

What does Daisy Chaining for Monitors Mean?

Daisy chaining is the process of connecting several displays (up to 6) to a computer using a series of cord connections from monitor to monitor.

In doing so, we do not limit a PC to connect all displays directly to it. In fact, we daisy chain other monitors with each other for a reliable and immersive workspace experience.

What happens is that a laptop or a PC is connected to a single monitor only. That monitor is then connected to other displays through daisy chaining.

3 Different Ways of Daisy Chaining Monitors

We commonly use three different ways to daisy chain monitors. That includes:

Let us get started with explaining each method one by one:

How to Daisy Chain Monitors Using DisplayPort 1.2?

To daisy chain monitors via DisplayPort 1.2, you will require the following things first;

A graphics card compatible with DisplayPort 1.2 interface

MST-compatible/DisplayPort 1.2 monitors.

Updated video card drivers.

Steps to Follows:

Step 1: Verify GPU Compatibility

First things first, verify whether your graphics card supports the DisplayPort 1.2 interface or not.

If it’s compatible with DisplayPort, move forward to next step:

Step 2: Connect Your PC to First Monitor

Secondly, connect your PC to the first monitor via DisplayPort 1.2

The whole process is extremely easy. Just find the port on your PC and connect it to your MST-compatible monitor accordingly.

Step 3: Connecting First Monitor to 2nd Monitor

After that, connect the DisplayPort out connection of first monitor with the DisplayPort In connection of second monitor.

If you have more than 2 monitors, then follow the same step for 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and so on.

Step 4: Open OSD (On-Screen Display)

Open the OSD of first monitor and enable DisplayPort 1.2 from menu section.

Refer to the user manual of your monitor’s manufacturer if you cannot find the DisplayPort option on the OSD menu easily.

Step 5: Disable Last Monitor’s DisplayPort

While you daisy chain the monitors, ensure that the last monitor’s DisplayPort 1.2 is disabled.

Step 6: Check Your Monitors

Check all monitors to see whether they are working as expected or not.

How to Daisy Chain Monitors Using Thunderbolt

Daisy chaining monitors is also possible through thunderbolt.

However, for a flawless display connection, make sure that the monitors and laptop you use for daisy chaining have Thunderbolt version 3 or above ports available.

After checking, follow these steps:

Steps to Follow:

Step 1:

Power on all monitors that you want to daisy chain with the source device.

Step 2:

Connect the Thunderbolt Out of your laptop with Thunderbolt In on the first monitor.

Step 3:

Connect the thunderbolt Out of first monitor with Thunderbolt In of 2nd monitor.

Step 4:

Repeat step 3 if you want to connect more than two displays with the laptop.

Step 5:

Adjust display settings configuration from your laptop and enjoy multi-streaming monitors for increased productivity or an immersive gaming experience.

How to Daisy Chain Monitors Using USB-C Connection

Daisy chaining is also possible through USB-C connectivity. However, with this cable, you will have to sacrifice the resolution of a monitor a little bit.

Anyways, the whole process goes as under:

Steps to Follow:

Step 1:

Get yourself a USB-C converter and connect it to your PC first.

Step 2:

Use the DisplayPort hub for connecting first monitor to your PC.

Step 3:

Simply connect the first monitor to 2nd one using the USB-C ports.

Step 4:

Follow the same steps if you want to connect more than two monitors in daisy chaining.

Step 5:

Check whether the displays are working okay or not. If they seem distorted, simply go to display settings and adjust the screen resolution accordingly.

Bandwidth Limit of DisplayPort 1.2, Thunderbolt and USB-C

DisplayPort daisy chaining offers full HD 1080p resolution when connecting two monitors only.

However, the resolution will lower down while you connect more than two monitors due to limited bandwidth.

Compared to that, Thunderbolt daisy chaining ensures ultra HD 4k resolution at a solid 60Hz rate. You can connect several displays using Thunderbolt ports and it will have no impact on the overall resolution.

Coming towards USB-C daisy chaining, the first two monitors will offer 1080p resolution. But as connect one more monitor, you will see a slight drop in overall resolution and refresh rate of all monitors respectively.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Final Takeaways: How to Daisy Chain Monitors?

Daisy chaining monitors is an easy way to enhance your workspace or gaming rig setup.

Although you will face some minor resolution drops while daisy chaining monitors, the difference is not much noticeable.

Try either the DisplayPort 1.2 or Thunderbolt connectivity method to easily daisy chain two or more than two monitors.

You could also try USB-C connectivity, but that’s only possible with the help of a converter.

Good Luck expanding your display interface and enjoying a boost of productivity with your workspace!

Arthur Finch