Help with dual display please!!

maucerit

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I current have a Samsung monitor I am using to play games on via HDMI and want to hook up a cheap extra on I have at my house via VGA so when I play games I also have cheap one on desktop. Is it possible to hook my Samsung to play games and cheap one to be on desktop and maybe designate a key to switch between monitors in game. If not I just really want my second one to display MSI afterburner to tell me my fps. Thanks for your help
 

jon the cpa

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What graphics card are you running? Typically they have two outputs, so just hook up the second monitor and go. If you have a second output but the connectors don't match (VGA vs. DVI/HDMI), you'll need an adapter.

Don't, however, try connecting one monitor to your graphics card and the other to the onboard graphics output from your motherboard. I had a very bad experience with this in the past.
 

jon the cpa

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Also, when you get the second monitor connected, just right-click your desktop, go to Properties, and choose to "Extend desktop to this display." You can put your toolbar on either one. I prefer my toolbar on my smaller monitor so that games can utilize the entire screen even when run in windowed mode.
 
I don't have a good idea of what you are trying to do. You have a computer with a Samsung monitor hooked up via HDMI. You then want to hook up an old monitor via VGA as well. This is all very doable. What most people do is set the second monitor up as an extended display. This makes them work as two different monitors. Say your game on the first one and MSI afterburner on the second. You don't need a key combo to switch between the two as they will both be on.
 
Every gaming card I know of has at least two useable outputs. Just attach the side monitor to one of them. Use an adapter if need be.

I use extended desktop and monitors or e-mail on the side monitor.

Gaming will be directed to the primary monitor.
The side monitor will have no impact on your gaming.

Most games, but not all, will let you still see what is going on on the side monitor.
If you need to access an app on the side monitor, the windows pearl key will break you out of the game.
 

maucerit

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Yes but if I'm playing games on the Samsung I don't want to look to far left or right and end on up the second monitor. Once I enter full screen mode on the Samsung I do not want to worry about moving to far ending up on second monitor. Also does the PC just know to game on one monitor And desktop on another? First time doing this. I have MSI gtx 680
 

jon the cpa

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If you are running the game in full screen, it won't allow your cursor to move to the other screen. You would have to run in Windowed mode for that to happen. Solution? Run all games full screen. Keep in mind that some games, when run in full screen, won't allow you to see your second monitor (it will be black). That's the only drawback, so you will have to choose between Full screen with black second monitor or Windowed with the cursor being free to move to the other screen. It's a give and take.

The 680 certainly has a second output. Depending on your other monitor's connection, you'll likely need an adapter. If the other monitor has an HDMI or DVI input, just plug that sucker in and you're good to go.
 


How this is handled is determined by the game, and if you are in windowed or full screen mode.
In civ 4 full screen, a cursor moving to the edge of the screen finds the edge and scrolls the map properly.
 

jon the cpa

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As 4745454b stated, it's just not necessary. However, if you were running in full screen and your second monitor was blank, the Windows key would minimize your game and show your desktop on both monitors. Then you can Alt-Tab back into your game.