How to set up dual display with 2 screens at different res?

EdwardTeach · 8 Sep 2010 at 23:34

I have an ati 5850.

I am currently just using one screen, a benq g2420 HDBL @ 1920 1080 res.

I am thinking about plugging in my old screen, to use for outlook etc. The problem is this monitor is fairly old, and is only capable of much lower res, prob 1280 720.

What will happen if I plug in my old monitor, and what do I need to do to get both monitors running in their optimum resolution?

Also how do I choose which screen an application launches in. E.g if I want to play a game or watch a film, I will want that to be on my benq, how do I ensure that happens?

radderfire · 8 Sep 2010 at 23:39

On my Win Vista laptop I can right click on the desktop and go to Graphics Properties, and then set display setting for each monitor (laptop and external).

I don't think you can control which application opens in which monitor but I stand to be corrected.

Rgds

shine · 8 Sep 2010 at 23:42

Ultramon will do everything you need and more. Its not free but worth the investment.

bsoltan · 8 Sep 2010 at 23:44

You can set what resolutions you use in the display settings in Windows or on your GPU. The only issue with having different resolutions is if you want to share the screen on two monitors or share a program over two.

If you simply setup one as primary and one as secondary then allow them to use 'extended desktop' or something like this then you can just have a larger desktop.

Once the screen is setup, when you move a program over to that window it will remain there, so for Outlook you can just load the program then move it to the other window and leave it there, that way each time it will be in that position as it is just an extension of your current desktop.

For games, they normally launch in the Primary monitor, you can pick which monitor is primary by using the Display options in Windows.

EdwardTeach · 8 Sep 2010 at 23:52

Thanks guys. I have an Extra dvi-d cable on it's way from ocuk, so I should be able to try this out in a day or two.

timciren · 9 Sep 2010 at 20:39

u can get lots of settings in ati ccc for free

Harpss1ngh · 20 Sep 2010 at 23:56

To get a dual screen set up with different resolutions, you need two different graphics cards. It's the only way to do this. Graphics cards can't process two different outputs with two different resolutions.

fretted · 20 Sep 2010 at 23:58

Harpss1ngh said:
To get a dual screen set up with different resolutions, you need two different graphics cards. It's the only way to do this. Graphics cards can't process two different outputs with two different resolutions.

This is so not true