Looking to get a second monitor, need a bit of advice please

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15 Jan 2014
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Hey Guys,

So i'm thinking of getting a second monitor but have a few questions that i was hoping you guys could help me with as i can't find concrete answers online.

Ok so i currently game and everything on one 24 inch monitor @ 1920 x 1080 res and i dont want to Alt-Tab out to check things online or do other general things.

So what i want to do is get another monitor, unfortunately desk room is an issue so i would have to get a smaller one. Ideally i would like game on the 24 inch and have a smaller say 17 inch for browsing etc.

Thing is before i buy one can i ask can i get some help with a few questions please?


1. Can i have a second monitor even if the resolution is different from my main monitor? most of the smaller ones are a resolution of 1366 x 768?

2. Will having a second monitor impact gaming performance on my main screen? (Both screens will be connected to the same GPU EVGA GTX 570 SC)

3. From what i understand to game on one i have to use windowed mode on the game but will it fill the whole of my main screen and will i just be able to move the cursor across the browse on the other? i have read online that some games minimize if you move the cursor across is this true?

4.Is it possible to set the screen saver to activate on the little screen to stop screen burn with out it affecting the gaming screen? I.E Game on big screen screen saver on the other.

Thanks guys i just want to understand how this all works before i buy one.


PC Sec

i5 2500k CPU @ 4.2 Ghz
MSI P67 A GD65 Mobo
8GB Ripjaw Ram
EVGA GTX 570 SC (Looking to upgrade but am waiting for the new Nvidia 800 cards to come out)
650 W Corsair PSU
 
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  1. Yes, this is no problem whatsoever.
  2. Tiny little bit more VRAM used and that's about it. So yes, but negligible.
  3. Depends on the game, ideally your games support 'Windowed full screen' which has the game covering the main monitor and you being able to click outside the game. Almost all games that support this lock the cursor in the game window, sometimes you're able to 'mouse out of the game' if it's in a "menu" mode.
  4. CRTs and Plasma's have burn in / image retention, modern monitors do not
How are you limited space wise? I've managed to squeeze 3 monitors on my desk only wide enough to support one by the use of monitor arm desk clamps.
Something like Arctic Dual Monitor Stand Z2 for example would allow you to setup 2 monitors on a desk as narrow as 10" (if there's no walls in the way)
 
  1. Yes, this is no problem whatsoever.
  2. Tiny little bit more VRAM used and that's about it. So yes, but negligible.
  3. Depends on the game, ideally your games support 'Windowed full screen' which has the game covering the main monitor and you being able to click outside the game. Almost all games that support this lock the cursor in the game window, sometimes you're able to 'mouse out of the game' if it's in a "menu" mode.
  4. CRTs and Plasma's have burn in / image retention, modern monitors do not
How are you limited space wise? I've managed to squeeze 3 monitors on my desk only wide enough to support one by the use of monitor arm desk clamps.
Something like Arctic Dual Monitor Stand Z2 for example would allow you to setup 2 monitors on a desk as narrow as 10" (if there's no walls in the way)

Thanks very much for the reply Axeia it is much appreciated.

Unfortunately deck space is rather limited for me at the moment but i will check out the stand you linked.

Thanks again
 
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