Dual Monitor Noob Question

[Sparky862]

While I am waiting on my 1440p Monitor to arrive, I came to the conclusion that I want to use my 1080p Monitor for research.

 

So I want to game on my 1440p, and let's say I play a game that requires collecting 300 collectables, I want to open a Map found on Google on my 1080p Monitor while still playing ony 1440p. So while I game I can use my 2nd monitor without Alt Tabbing in and out of my game.

 

Question is do I just connect my two monitors up and I am good to go?? Or how do I do the settings so I can game on my 1440p while my 1080p is just my information monitor?

 

 

[cooky560]

You are just good to go, if your games start appearing on the wrong screen, you can go into display settings and choose which is your "main display" all your games will appear on the screen labelled as "main display"

[mariushm]

You can change the order of monitors from Windows or your video card's settings, so that your 1440p monitor will be reported as the primary monitor to games, and games will automatically start on the main monitor.

 

[cooky560]

It's also worth adjusting the layout of the monitors while in display settings so that the layout in windows matches the layout on your desk, otherwise your mouse might not behave as expected when moving across from one screen to the other. You can just drag the monitor icons around to match how they are physically positioned in relation to each other.

 

For example: if they're both the same resolution, and next to each other, you can arrange them like this:

[Andrewtst]

Lastly you should set your games as Windows borderless instead of full screen for easier navigation in and out your games to another monitor. 

 

Also due to your both monitor is in different resolution, the transition of in between monitor may not that smooth and instead you will seen mouse cursor jumping and also big and small look in between, this is unavoidable unless both monitor is same resolution and same screen size. 

[Sparky862]

8 hours ago, Andrewtst said:

Lastly you should set your games as Windows borderless instead of full screen for easier navigation in and out your games to another monitor. 

 

Also due to your both monitor is in different resolution, the transition of in between monitor may not that smooth and instead you will seen mouse cursor jumping and also big and small look in between, this is unavoidable unless both monitor is same resolution and same screen size. 

But what keeps my cursor in the game and it not running over to the other Monitor while gaming?

 

Does it work same as Alt Tabbing? Also is Windows Mode not bad for gaming performance where you always want Fullscreen?

[cooky560]

1 hour ago, Sparky862 said:

But what keeps my cursor in the game and it not running over to the other Monitor while gaming?

 

Does it work same as Alt Tabbing? Also is Windows Mode not bad for gaming performance where you always want Fullscreen?

This is not an issue in most games. In games where the mouse is essential for movement (such as shooters) you have to alt+tab regardless to move the mouse to another screen. In games like WoW where the cursor is important, but doesn't work as it does in a shooter, just don't move it off the edge of the screen. 

[Andrewtst]

8 hours ago, Sparky862 said:

But what keeps my cursor in the game and it not running over to the other Monitor while gaming?

 

Does it work same as Alt Tabbing? Also is Windows Mode not bad for gaming performance where you always want Fullscreen?

If you don't want running over, then just choose Full Screen.

 

Full Screen and Windows borderless is similar performance most of it. But still Full screen is better for all.

[mariushm]

Some games will lock the mouse to the screen with the game until you press ESC to get into the menu, or until the game is alt-tabbed

 

Very few games actually have such issues (mouse going outside game area to 2nd monitor) for example the only one I can think of now is the old Bloodrayne game.