Multiple Monitors

[Nilnoc]

Does anyone use multiple monitors for gaming?

I'm want to start doing this, but I am not sure if it would work well mith my laptop.

[darkwoon]

Does anyone use multiple monitors for gaming?

I'm want to start doing this, but I am not sure if it would work well mith my laptop.
Probably not - most laptop graphic chipsets lack the necessary computing power to manage multiple monitors in a gaming situation. If you want to game with multiple monitors, consider a desktop computer with a mid to high-end graphic card.

[Azunite]

I have no idea how double monitors work anyway, can someone explain ?

[car_krazed94]

i just use my laptop and my desktop at the same time =P soo much easyer xD

[AutoPlay]

101 in multiple monitors

you need a specific setup to run games this can be:

(1 = monitor)

1 - 1

1 - 1 - 1

1 - 1 - 1 - 1

1 - 1 - 1 - 1
1 - 1 - 1 - 1

and so on, you need a capable graphics card as running games as such high resolution is a big task. your looking at around 2600x1920 for a dual monitor setup, youll need probably a HD5850 or GTX470 to run a game at 60fps

[Nilnoc]

Do you guys know if I'd be able to connect my laptop to a graphics card externally, and then route that to the monitors?

[acid_rayne]

my laptop can support it and i use it all the time so it shoudl work

[Azunite]

I have no idea how double monitors work anyway, can someone explain ?

Yeah guys thanks for answering this question

[Aves]

you link them together with a VGA cable, then you change your settings so that the size of your screen is big enough for 2. If I'm not mistaken.

[AutoPlay]

Do you guys know if I'd be able to connect my laptop to a graphics card externally, and then route that to the monitors?

its possible but only with the correct spec laptop, i couldent tell you unless you knew the specs

my laptop can support it and i use it all the time so it shoudl work

specs please, i garuntee you it cant

Yeah guys thanks for answering this question


101 in multiple monitors

you need a specific setup to run games this can be:

(1 = monitor)

1 - 1

1 - 1 - 1

1 - 1 - 1 - 1

1 - 1 - 1 - 1
1 - 1 - 1 - 1

and so on, you need a capable graphics card as running games as such high resolution is a big task. your looking at around 2600x1920 for a dual monitor setup, youll need probably a HD5850 or GTX470 to run a game at 60fps


you link them together with a VGA cable, then you change your settings so that the size of your screen is big enough for 2. If I'm not mistaken.

You need a graphics card with TWO out puts, 2xVGA, HDMI, DVI

[Azunite]

So like while you play game in one screen you browse internet with the other ?

[Commander Thor]

So like while you play game in one screen you browse internet with the other ?

Nah, generally the game is spread out between the two (Or more) screens.
Though, sometimes the HUD will be removed/pushed over to the secondary monitor, depending on how you have your settings set.

[Fourth Dimension]

ive done it ill just stick with one

[darkwoon]

Do you guys know if I'd be able to connect my laptop to a graphics card externally, and then route that to the monitors?
No, you cannot. The high data rate transfers required between a graphical chipset and the computer CPU/Memory can't be sent over long distances (by "long", read "more than 30cm or so") through simple cables. The only thing you can hope is for your laptop to have a replaceable graphic chipset - if I'm not mistaken, NVidia had at some point developed that. They are pretty rare, though, and so are the parts for it, so it is highly unlikely you got that.
So like while you play game in one screen you browse internet with the other ?
Yeah, you can do that. Or you can spread the game itself through both screens, but that's going to be more demanding on the graphic card :)

[AutoPlay]

No, you cannot. The high data rate transfers required between a graphical chipset and the computer CPU/Memory can't be sent over long distances (by "long", read "more than 30cm or so") through simple cables.

not entirely the case, it has been done before, with some good results

here: http://www.techradar.com/news/computing-components/graphics-cards/how-to-make-an-external-laptop-graphics-adaptor-915616

[darkwoon]

not entirely the case, it has been done before, with some good results

here: http://www.techradar.com/news/computing-components/graphics-cards/how-to-make-an-external-laptop-graphics-adaptor-915616
I stand corrected!

But...

Well, the cable was about 20cm, the adapter provided a single PCI-E lane (1x), and caused quite a lot of compatibility issues... though you are right that it is technically possible to wire an external gfx card to a laptop, you wouldn't want to try that in a gaming context (which was what the OP asked for).

I actually wondered what use there was for the PE4H card shown in your article - it would make little sense to use that to connect a graphic card. I then became clear when I checked the manufacturer's website: they describe the PE4H as a device allowing to test PCI-Express hardware - and indeed, for such a job, it makes perfect sense and is probably a great field engineering tool.

But indeed, I have anyway to revise my initial statement:
Do you guys know if I'd be able to connect my laptop to a graphics card externally, and then route that to the monitors?
Yes, but while it is technically feasible, you'll not get enough bus bandwidth to properly handle dual-screen with decent gaming performances. It is also not guaranteed to work with your own specific hardware.