You can run multiple monitors off one DisplayPort cable. Here’s how
Many PC users assume that every monitor requires its own cable to connect to the computer. However, DisplayPort offers another solution. Thanks to Multi Stream Transport (MST for short), several monitors can be connected via a single DisplayPort port. This allows you to set up a multi-monitor configuration without having to run multiple cables from the PC to the screens.
To connect several monitors to each other via DisplayPort, at least one monitor must have a DP output that relays the signal.
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First and foremost, your graphics card must support MST. However, this feature was introduced with DisplayPort 1.2 and has been available on numerous systems since around 2013. If in doubt, it’s worth checking the device’s technical specifications. It’s equally important to have at least one monitor with a DisplayPort output. This is usually labelled “DP Out.”
If your PC has several DisplayPort ports, you can use them for multiple monitors. With MST, a single DisplayPort is sufficient for this.
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The monitor displays part of the video signal itself and passes the remaining data stream on to the next screen. The final monitor in this chain only requires a standard DisplayPort input. The setup is simple: Connect the PC’s DisplayPort output to the first monitor. From its DisplayPort output, run another cable to the next monitor.
This so-called “daisy chain” can then be extended to include further monitors as required. Next, enable the MST function in the first monitor’s settings menu. Windows will then automatically recognize the additional displays. You can arrange them accordingly in the Windows display settings. If monitors do not have a DisplayPort output, an MST hub can be used instead.
“Daisy chaining” allows you to run multiple monitors via just one DisplayPort connection. A very tidy solution for a multi-monitor setup.
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This device connects to the computer’s DisplayPort or USB-C port and distributes the video signal across multiple outputs. This technology is particularly handy for laptops, as many models only have a single video port. With MST, you can still run a multi-monitor setup while significantly simplifying cable management.
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