Switching between Monitors

MagusUK · 22 Jul 2011 at 09:08

Hi guys, just wondering if/how it is possible to switch between screens, let me explain. At my desk I have a dual screen set up, both monitors plug into my single GTX580 via DVI, I then have a 3rd monitor attached to a Playseat with a HDMI cable. What I have been doing is whilst working having the 2 monitors on my desk plugged in, when I wish to play (80% of my gaming time is racing on the playseat) shutting down Windows, removing the 2nd monitor & attaching the mini-HDMI from the 3rd to the card & switching that as the main monitor.

This is a hassle & apart from getting another 580 to enable 3 monitors I want to know is there any way that I can have all 3 monitors plugged into the 580 & to be able to enable/disable which monitor I want to use without plugging/unplugging?

Thanks in advance.

panyan · 22 Jul 2011 at 09:50

i thought this could just be done by turning off/on the monitor you want to use?

i.e. you go from working to playing, you turn off the two monitors on the desk and turn on the playseat monitor? the grpahics card *should* detect the monitors being changed and adjust the picture to the monitors left on no?

Greboth · 22 Jul 2011 at 10:06

I agree with panyan, I thought the graphics card could support upto running two monitors I don't know of a reason why you can't have 3 plugged in and then select which ones you want to use.

Back in the day, I used to have a vga switch with the switch deciding which screen was used as a display. I don't know if you could set up something similar with your set up though being a mix of dvi and hdmi.

MagusUK · 22 Jul 2011 at 10:46

Hmmm...that doesn't seem to work for me. I have to say that one of the monitors on my desk has a slight fault, after transportation none of the buttons work so there is no way of switching on/off or accessing the menu on it. I switch the other monitor off & the 3rd on but nothing.

Okay, I see where I can do this through (Nvidia Control panel). Thanks

Greboth · 22 Jul 2011 at 10:52

Yes nvidia control panel is where you need to do it. If you press windows key + P brings up a quick menu for changing monitors. I use it for switching between the two I run, I don't know if it works with picking 1 or 2 of 3 monitors though.

MagusUK · 22 Jul 2011 at 12:36

Greboth said:
If you press windows key + P brings up a quick menu for changing monitors. I use it for switching between the two I run, I don't know if it works with picking 1 or 2 of 3 monitors though.

Thanks, wasn't aware of that Shortcut it's PERFECT!!

Under Projector I can run my 2 Desktops, under Computer Only it switches to my Playseat & if for whatever reason I want to run one off the Playseat & one off the Desktop I choose extended.

THANKS - the perfect the solution I was looking for

MagusUK · 22 Jul 2011 at 12:47

Greboth said:
Yes nvidia control panel is where you need to do it. If you press windows key + P brings up a quick menu for changing monitors. I use it for switching between the two I run, I don't know if it works with picking 1 or 2 of 3 monitors though.

Sorry have to say this again, THANK YOU, you have made life so much easier!! If there was a Thank you button I'd press it 10x or if I could, I'd buy you a drink or 2.