Why buy a second monitor when your PC case can double as a screen?
I've been working at PCMag since November 2016, covering all areas of technology and video game news. Before that I spent nearly 15 years working at Geek.com as a writer and editor. I also spent the first six years after leaving university as a professional game designer working with Disney, Games Workshop, 20th Century Fox, and Vivendi. 1000 Nit Monitor
ASRock is offering to turn your PC case into a display using its latest side panel accessory.
The 13.3-inch Side Panel Kit(Opens in a new window) consists of a 13.3-inch IPS 60Hz panel, brackets, and double-sided tape strips for attaching it to your existing case side panel. That way your PC case can sit next to your main monitor and act as a secondary 1080p screen.
Although the kit can be attached to any PC case side panel, ASRock recommends having a transparent tempered glass one to achieve the best viewing experience. The biggest limitation of this panel, however, is the display connection. ASRock opted to use an embedded DisplayPort (eDP) connection, which is almost non-existent in desktop PCs.
As Tom's Hardware(Opens in a new window) points out, you are effectively limited to a select few ASRock motherboards that carry an eDP port. They include the Z790 LiveMixer, Z790 Pro RS/D4, Z790M-ITX WiFi, Z790 Steel Legend WiFi, Z790 PG Lightning, Z790 Pro RS, Z790 PG Lightning/D4. H610M-ITX/eDP, and B650E PG-ITX WiFi.
If instead the panel had been equipped with a standard DisplayPort connection, or ASRock included an adapter for it in the box, then it would be much easier to use this accessory. Sadly, that's not the case, and a price for the kit hasn't been revealed yet either.
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I've been working at PCMag since November 2016, covering all areas of technology and video game news. Before that I spent nearly 15 years working at Geek.com as a writer and editor. I also spent the first six years after leaving university as a professional game designer working with Disney, Games Workshop, 20th Century Fox, and Vivendi.
I hold two degrees: a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and a Master's degree in Games Development. My first book, Make Your Own Pixel Art, is available from all good book shops.
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