FPS problems with dual monitors

[Tylosion]

Dear Techers,

 

A while ago I've bought myself a second monitor, but before I explain the problem, this is my setup: i7-4790K, enough RAM, gtx 980ti, pb287q (4k 60 Hz monitor) and a something something 1080p screen (set on 59 Hz* as supposed to, to a-synchronise the two monitors). Now, obviously, when the secondary monitor is displaying 'something' the main monitor starts struggling in games. It drops from around 55-60 fps down to 40-45 in rough situations and lag so now and then even when idling ingame. Pretty self-explanatory, although displaying a video isn't graphically intensive at all. So I unplugged the HDMI to the second monitor from the 980ti and plugged it into the mobo. I thought it would take a 'load' off the 980ti, but this actually worsens the situation. Occasionally the secondary monitor has some bugs for which I have to restart the computer to fix it? The main monitor has quite some more dips also... It's basically less stable that way....

 

Why doesn't the problem fade as the iGPU is now powering the second screen? 

 

What can I do to minimize the performance loss when using the second screen? Because disabling the second screen through "windows key + P" GREATLY improves frame rate and decreases frame time!  

 

Much appreciated!

Tilo

[Marcus Torre DeProspero]

3 minutes ago, Tylosion said:

Dear Techers,

 

A while ago I've bought myself a second monitor, but before I explain the problem, this is my setup: i7-4790K, enough RAM, gtx 980ti, pb287q (4k 60 Hz monitor) and a something something 1080p screen (set on 59 Hz* as supposed to, to a-synchronise the two monitors). Now, obviously, when the secondary monitor is displaying 'something' the main monitor starts struggling in games. It drops from around 55-60 fps down to 40-45 in rough situations and lag so now and then even when idling ingame. Pretty self-explanatory, although displaying a video isn't graphically intensive at all. So I unplugged the HDMI to the second monitor from the 980ti and plugged it into the mobo. I thought it would take a 'load' off the 980ti, but this actually worsens the situation. Occasionally the secondary monitor has some bugs for which I have to restart the computer to fix it? The main monitor has quite some more dips also... It's basically less stable that way....

 

Why doesn't the problem fade as the iGPU is now powering the second screen? 

 

What can I do to minimize the performance loss when using the second screen? Because disabling the second screen through "windows key + P" GREATLY improves frame rate and decreases frame time!  

 

Much appreciated!

Tilo

Just run both screens on the gtx 980 ti it will help. Also run your games on fullscreen so that any videos playing in the background are nullified(ignored). If none of that works don't play videos on the second screen, plain and simple.

[LightCode Gaming]

What game does the FPS drop on? It might be too intense for your computer to handle 4k (or upscaled 4k from 1080 depending upon the game) AND have another 1080 on the side, even if it is IGPU handling it. 

Are your drivers up to date?

If you do have a video up on the second screen, and you have the primary screen "idling" while you are messing with the second screen, the primary screen /WILL/ drop frame rates. Because you aren't "using" it, because the game thinks you are tabbed out, telling the CPU and GPU to do less for it.

[Tylosion]

I'm using the second screen to watch a stream on, sooooo not watching that is NOT what I bought it for.... plain and simple  The game I'm playing is World of Tanks (native 4k, yes) fullscreened, which is borderline in terms of what a gtx 980ti (OC) can handle. Playing with only the main monitor, it runs PERFECT  But with the second monitor? Nah, just nah, it's k, because it's not that fast paced, but it's far from optimal. I'll go update the drivers right now and see if it'll make a difference. I'm not really doing anything with the secondary monitor except for fullscreening the stream and then firing up World of Tanks. Why would the main monitor start struggling when the only thing changing is another monitor being plugged into the iGPU?.... Is it the CPU being the bottleneck here!? Whuuuaaaaat....

 

*new driver upate, let's see....

[Tylosion]

Well, this is awkward.... the problem is now fixed... the stability of the frame rate has massively improved after updating the drivers.... Im gonna try plugging it into the iGPU again, to further more stabilize it. And see, what'll happen  Thanks