2nd monitor affect gaming performance?

[envy14tpe]

I am thinking about adding a second monitor but I will only game on my primary monitor. (dell u2311h)
I want a second monitor to watch computer levels and to watch videos or surf net while playing game.
Sounds ridiculous, but that's what I want.

My question is, how will a second monitor affect gaming performance? If I am playing BF3 with 560 Ti, can I use the i5 video card (3000) to run a second monitor, or do I have to use the same video card for both monitors?

 

[fantastik250]

It's dependent on the resolution you'll be playing at and multi-monitors. Anything higher than 1920x1080 will require a bit more VRAM, For example a GTX 560 Ti 2GB. So you can use multi-monitor you don't have to do 2560x1600 otherwise your frame rates will be affected.

 

[envy14tpe]

I play at 1920x 1080. My GPU is 1GB.

What are you basing this on?

 

[rdc85]

It will hit performance, and u will need to plug both mon to the card. In the end it will depends on the game....

Well, U will always had option to disable one mon if the game needs more horse power, and keeps dual if the game is light one..

 

[fantastik250]

The multiple monitors, graphics settings, and at that resolution will require more VRAM.

 

[jaguarskx]

There will be a performance hit, but it should be very small if all you are doing is surfing the web monitoring game / system performance on the 2nd monitor. I have a dual monitor setup (1920x1200 x2) and my Radeon HD 5850 is more than power enough to play games on one monitor while the 2nd monitor is more or less idling.

 

[envy14tpe]

I guess I'm confused why they even include graphics in most of the i5 chip family. I know there are some i5s without it, but who buys an overclockable chip and wants to us onboard graphics rather than discrete?

I had thought I could use HD Intel 3000 to run a separate monitor while my gaming needs the MSI 560 Ti. Now I'm kicking myself for not getting a 2GB GPU, but then again desires change. I had to think some cost savings.

jaguarskx.. Have you noticed a dip in fps or did you have to lower the quality in order to play games?

 

[amuffin]

I guess I'm confused why they even include graphics in most of the i5 chip family. I know there are some i5s without it, but who buys an overclockable chip and wants to us onboard graphics rather than discrete?

Cause of this
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/275461-29-review-overclocked-intel-3000-graphics-performance

 

[deepb]

I have a setup where my PC is connected to a main gaming monitor as well as my Full HD TV and I will be gaming while watching movies on the TV. The performance does not seem to be effected more than 1 or 2 FPS when the TV is completely disconnected. And yeah, I'm gaming on a 6870.

 

[envy14tpe]

Best answer selected by Envy14tpe.

 

[Mousemonkey]

This topic has been closed by Mousemonkey