Multi monitor setup with different resolutions

[foolfromhell]

I have a 1280x1024 monitor and I am thinking about buying a 1680x1050 monitor.
Can I use dual-monitor in WinXP and maybe Vista with different resolutions and aspect ratios?
I know how to do it in Linux by editing the xorg.conf file, but is it possible in Windows?
If needed, my system info is in my profile.

 

[George Powell]

Yes it is easily done using the nvidia drivers.

I did it until recently and it works very well.

 

[dderolph]

I've also done it with nVidia, either with a single APG card or an AGP card running one monitor and the PCI card running the second monitor.

 

[foolfromhell]

Can I run supreme commander dual monitors?
Is there any downside?
And how are performance hits? It wont be redering much else than the desktop and Firefox in the secondary monitor... so...

 

[Peter]

Nothing that would prevent you from doing that, no matter what graphics card you have there.

The one thing that will bite you is physical pixel size. Windows has only one single scale setting (the "96/120/custom dpi" control in Display Properties).

Pixel sizes on 19" 5:4 and 22" 16:10 monitors are similar enough though, same for a 17"/20"wide combo.

 

[heartsurgeon]

using dual monitors with either ATI or Nvidia cards is hit or miss.
I have multiple machines, with all sorts of video cards, including an Nvidia card that is less than 1 month old...

trust me when i say that it you can end up with unstable setups if your running two monitors with different resolutions.

in my home theaters, I have given up on running dual monitors with different resolutions...

 

[Noema]

I run a 22" 1680x1050 and 17" 1280x1024.

Works well because 1680x1050 is basically wide 1280x1024 (almost the same number of vertical pixels).

As for stability...my system doesn't seem any less stable with dual monitors enabled, nor do games take a noticeable performance hit.

I have an nVidia card, by the way.

 

[CaiNaM]

Originally posted by: foolfromhell
Can I run supreme commander dual monitors?
Is there any downside?
And how are performance hits? It wont be redering much else than the desktop and Firefox in the secondary monitor... so...

yes.

and you'll cut your framerate in half.

 

[Peter]

Not necessarily ... only if the graphics card is cheap and thus short on RAM bandwidth.

 

[n7]

Eh, i've found most games don't really like being stretched across multiple displays, but you could try.

 

[Peter]

That is something that consumer graphics cards indeed don't do well. Running the 3D application on one screen and using the other for generic application stuff works well though - if the 3D app doesn't hog the system (and the input focus) too much.

 

[Tifosi248F1]

Yes you can run dual monitors with different resolutions. You may want to find a program to use instead of going thru the drivers. I use UltraMon, it has a lot of little features that let you choose what monitor things run on by default and other options. As for Supreme Commander, I played the demo and the game itself will take advantage of a dual display setup. The game itself was on one monitor and a larger view of the map was on the second. It was a pain because you couldn't scroll the game map in the direction of the second monitor. Kinda nice that the game can take advantage of it but I didn't like it much. And there is no problems running a game on one and 2D apps on the other. I often have my temp monitors up on my other display while I'm playing so I can keep an eye on them.

 

[Chapbass]

I'm using a 3 monitor setup with different resolutions (24" 1920x1200 in the middle, 1440x900 19" on either side). dont have an ounce of issues.


8800gts 640 going to my 24 and my 19 on the right, and yes i do play supcom with both of them enabled....framerates hurt a bit, but i can do it . I can also run two wow clients at once on the two monitors.

FX5200 pci card running the other 19". mainly use this for my other apps when gaming (ventrilo, AIM, Xfire, music, etc.)


i wouldnt try stretching a single game (unless it supports it like supcom) over all the monitors though...might get a little weird.


I had to install the drivers manually as the 8800 and 5200 use different drivers (just trying to install one set causes the comp to lock on bootup).


before i had my 24", and was just using dual monitors on my x800 at the time, i didnt have a hint of problems.



EDIT: btw, my roommate is running a CRT at (i believe) 1280x1024 as well as a 19" WS 1440x900 on a 1950gt and his runs without a hitch as well.

 

[Capt Caveman]

I've run dual-monitors using different resolutions with the following cards:

Nvidia MX400, FX5200, 7800GTX 512
ATI 8500, x800xl, x1600(laptop) and x1900xtx
Intel Integrated Graphics on a laptop

Just go into Windows->Display Properties->Settings

 

[JBT]

I run a 24" widescreen 1920x1200 and a 20" 4:3 1600x1200 with no issues.

 

[aka1nas]

Originally posted by: CaiNaM

Originally posted by: foolfromhell
Can I run supreme commander dual monitors?
Is there any downside?
And how are performance hits? It wont be redering much else than the desktop and Firefox in the secondary monitor... so...

yes.

and you'll cut your framerate in half.

The OP gave a bad example. Supreme Commander actually supports dual-monitors in game allowing independent views. This would roughly halve your framerate. However, if the OP only plays the game on one monitor(like every other game), then performance shouldn't be greatly impacted.

 

[zylander]

I run a 1920x1200 and a 1280x1024 using ultramon. You can do it easily through the nVidia drivers but Ultramon has more features that I like.
If what aka1nas says about Supreme Commander is true and it can support dual monitors than it should work fine, but you will take a big performance hit. I wouldnt try using dual monitors on games that dont support it though. Youtr view will get split right down the middle which will screw you up in game, especially in FPS games.

 

[DaveR]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
I've run dual-monitors using different resolutions with the following cards:

Nvidia MX400, FX5200, 7800GTX 512
ATI 8500, x800xl, x1600(laptop) and x1900xtx
Intel Integrated Graphics on a laptop

Just go into Windows->Display Properties->Settings

I see you used an MX400. I tried it and as soon as I use my 22" WS on the DVI output winxp gives me a BSOD. I can use safe mode, but when the forceware drivers are loaded it will not work. It does, however work on the VGA output. I have ordered a HIS 9250 (ATI) card with 128MB memory to see if it will work. It is about the only 4x agp card left to buy!

 

[dderolph]

So, you just decided to add a reply to a thread that's almost 6 months old? Anyway, you silly boy, there are still many AGP cards on the market. newegg.com lists 85 of them.

 

[DaveR]

Originally posted by: dderolph
So, you just decided to add a reply to a thread that's almost 6 months old? Anyway, you silly boy, there are still many AGP cards on the market. newegg.com lists 85 of them.

Sorry for late post, but saw that guy had an MX400. It is not working for me.

Yup...and most are 8X or 4x/8x. I need 4X AGP. I saw the HIS on Newegg and see that Amazon has it for $39 minus a $15 rebate and free shipping. That is not bad for $24.

 

[Steve]

Any AGP 8x card will work just fine in an AGP 4x slot. 8x is mandated to be 4x compatible.

 

[DaveR]

Originally posted by: Steve
Any AGP 8x card will work just fine in an AGP 4x slot. 8x is mandated to be 4x compatible.

Good to know, but I did find a card on Amazon for $39 - $30 in rebates. It is an ATI based 9250 with 4X AGP and 128MB memory. Should have it at the end of this week.