Multiple Monitor Gaming

Mobile · Post by **Mobile** » 22 Aug 2007, 20:53

I work out of my home office as a currency trader. I have 3 22" widescreen lcd's running from 2 dualhead gaming cards in my computer.

Is there any way to take advantage of all three monitors for gaming? I know the Matrox triplehead would work, but I don't want to lose the functionality of windows seeing every monitor as a separate entity. Ultramon allows me to instantly throw windows to different monitors because windows sees them as separate. With the matrox unit, it would be like working on one big monitor - which is not as productive.

Also, I don't think the matrox box will support 1680X1050 X 3 res required to make use of all the monitors.

So I am wondering if there is a way to take advantage of my current setup for gaming?

Cheers!

Post by **Paddy the Wak** » 22 Aug 2007, 21:42

Moved here to the Surround section of the forum as it better suits your topic ...

Vroshnak · Post by **Vroshnak** » 22 Aug 2007, 21:58

Well the TripleHead2Go has software which lets you split your "one big monitor" into multiple areas (usually 3 areas, one for each monitor). If you maximize a window in one monitor, it will stay in that monitor. So for desktop use it still feels like having three monitors to work on.

However if one of the applications is full screen, like a game, then you may have a problem.

Mobile · Post by **Mobile** » 22 Aug 2007, 22:50

Well the TripleHead2Go has software which lets you split your "one big monitor" into multiple areas (usually 3 areas, one for each monitor). If you maximize a window in one monitor, it will stay in that monitor. So for desktop use it still feels like having three monitors to work on.

However if one of the applications is full screen, like a game, then you may have a problem.

Is there a quick way to move windows from one virtual monitor to another? For instance, right now I can click one button at the top of the window and send it to a monitor of my choosing. Using the triplehead, do I need to manually drag and drop, then maximize each window when jumping from one virtual monitor to another?

Also, will it remember which application starts in which monitor?

Post by **skipclarke** » 22 Aug 2007, 22:53

There is no current way to run a multi-mon setup for gaming, using multiple outputs on your gfx card (outside of specific games like Supreme Commander). The only way to do it now, is with the TH2Go, which would support a max res of 3x1280x800 (for your widescreens).

Mobile · Post by **Mobile** » 22 Aug 2007, 23:13

OK - thank you very much for the info.

thegpfury · Post by **thegpfury** » 24 Aug 2007, 14:02

Actually, you can run a lot of the DX8/9 games without using TH2GO. The software SoftTH seems to be working pretty well for me.

Here's a link to a guide I did along with some screenshots.

http://www.furytech.net/softth/softth.php

Mobile · Post by **Mobile** » 25 Aug 2007, 06:59

Actually, you can run a lot of the DX8/9 games without using TH2GO. The software SoftTH seems to be working pretty well for me.

Here's a link to a guide I did along with some screenshots.

http://www.furytech.net/softth/softth.php

Wow, thats awesome! I'll download it and give it a go. Cheers!

TheSmJ · Post by **TheSmJ** » 25 Aug 2007, 11:37

You could also try running the games in question in windowed mode, and simply stretching the window across the monitors you wish. Its not as elegant as a true fullscreen solution for sure, but it's something.

Post by **wazoo** » 25 Aug 2007, 16:54

I work out of my home office as a currency trader. I have 3 22" widescreen lcd's running from 2 dualhead gaming cards in my computer.

Is there any way to take advantage of all three monitors for gaming? I know the Matrox triplehead would work, but I don't want to lose the functionality of windows seeing every monitor as a separate entity. Ultramon allows me to instantly throw windows to different monitors because windows sees them as separate. With the matrox unit, it would be like working on one big monitor - which is not as productive.

Also, I don't think the matrox box will support 1680X1050 X 3 res required to make use of all the monitors.

So I am wondering if there is a way to take advantage of my current setup for gaming?

Cheers!

Actually there is.

I do it with two graphics cards running in SLI.

Output #1 from Graphics card #1 goes into the Matrox box whereupon I take the three outputs from the Matrox box and connect them to Input #1 on each of my three monitors.

I then use Output #2 on graphics card #1 and run it to Input #2 on my left monitor and Output #1 on Graphics card #2 and run it to Input #2 on my right monitor.

When I want to play in surround, I switch to SLI which only outputs to Graphics card #1, Output #1.

When I want to use Ultramon so I can use each of my monitors in 1600x1200 for non-gaming, I turn off SLI which then sends output to all three Output ports which are connected.

Works like a charm especially because my three panels (20" HP LP2065's) auto switch between inputs so I never have to touch the monitors at all.

Hope that helps...

Wazoo

Mobile · Post by **Mobile** » 25 Aug 2007, 17:05

Great idea Wazoo! My monitors have dual inputs, one analog and one digital, so your idea should work great!

JazW · Post by **JazW** » 29 Aug 2007, 04:13

I do exactly the same thing wazoo - works like a charm, and best of all, it allows me to use DVI when I'm not gaming! (still havent upgraded to a digital th2go...)

JKeefe · Post by **JKeefe** » 31 Aug 2007, 01:55

Yep, I do something similat to Wazoo as well. I don't have SLI, but all you need are two GPUs and side monitors that have dual inputs. It's a bit of a cabling mess behind the monitors, but up front all is nice and tidy and UltraMon gets the appropriate workout. I know how you feel using UltraMon and you are correct that the Matrox software is not nearly as capable.

The only catch to this setup is making sure the Triplehead2Go will pass on a 1680x1050 signal to you center monitor alone. I can't try it because I don't have any widescreens (I know, I know, I'm on the widescreen gaming forum). At the very least you will probably have to uncheck the "hide modes that this monitor cannot display" box before seeing it as an available resolution.

Widescreen Gaming Forum