A Complete Guide to Setting up Dual Gaming Monitors! Pro Gamers’ Tips to Quick Switch Dual Windows
2023/08/21 ｜By G Editor
If you think dual monitors are only helpful for work, then quite frankly you are behind the times! Dual monitors, in addition to be helpful for work, are an incredible mate to accompany you to go through all stages of games, which greatly enhance your gaming experience!
Why use dual monitors for gaming?
Although a super-large monitor is the standard equipment for playing computer games, according to the complexity of the game and the diversification of tasks, more and more players find that upgrading to dual monitors help improve the gaming experience and the efficiency of multitasking profoundly.
The benefits of using dual gaming monitors include:
✅ Simultaneously view game walkthroughs or plugins tutorials to break through levels and find treasures more quickly.
✅ Follow the chat room or reply to netizens' messages at the same time.
✅ Stay tuned on streaming platform (likes Twitch, YouTube, etc.), and monitor audience’s feedback.
✅ Access to work Email at the same time. Balance work and play!
✅ Stretch a game on dual monitors to enlarge the view and enhance the sense of immersion.
Games are too complicated now! If you would like to beat levels more quickly or engage with game companions on time, try to add a second monitor! It helps you go smoother on your path to be a game streamer or a professional player.
Games are too complicated now! If you would like to beat levels more quickly or engage with game companions on time, try to add a second monitor! It helps you go smoother on your path to be a game streamer or a professional player.
Set up Dual Monitors for Gaming
To be multitasking while gaming, the dual monitors should be set as extended modes. One of the monitors is the main game screen, and the other one is the second auxiliary screen! ! Take a Windows 10 computer as an example:
① Connect the external monitor to the computer (the interface depends on the computer, usually HDMI or USB-C)
② Right-click on the Windows desktop and select Display Settings!
③ Select "Extend these displays."Select Monitor 1 or 2, and then slide down to tick" make this my main display," and the selected display is set as the main screen!
(Note: Click Identify to detect Monitor 1 and 2.)
💡Tips for Using Windows Shortcut Keys:
● Shortcut for Extend Display :
Press 【Shift + Win+ P 】→ This will pop up a sidebar on the right side. → Select Extend
● Shortcut to Move Windows between Dual Monitors :
Press 【Shift + Win + left or right arrow key】to switch the applications between the main and the secondary screens.
④ Open the game on the main monitor
In the [Display Output Settings] in the game, set the game to be output on the first screen!
Play Games on Dual Monitors! Multitasking with the Main & Secondary Monitor Makes Your Gaming Experience More Perfect.
Here we choose to set the laptop as the main display (you can also choose to set the second monitor as the main display). In the extended mode, there are main and secondary screens to display two applications!
Benefits of Gaming Dual Monitor↓
➤ Search the Game Guides while Gaming to Easily Break through the Level!
No need to repeatedly switch windows while playing games! Open the game window and the game guide website/video at the same time on the dual monitor, and you can view the guide at a glance, which quickly increase your level!
➤ Playing Games & Watching Ball Game Streaming – Double Your Enjoyment!
Access to two of your favorite entertainments on dual monitors simultaneously to maximize your leisure time! Play games while watching your favorite shows, like live-streaming, ball games….etc. It’s super relaxing!
➤ Interact with Audience while Streaming to Enhance Liveness.
Place the game window and the chat room window on each screen, so that you can see the feedback of your teammates or the audience in real time. You will not miss any exciting moments!
Q & A for Dual Gaming Monitors
Q1: Why did my game window shrink when clicking on the second screen?
A: Lots of games provide three display modes: Fullscreen Mode, Borderless Windowed Mode and Windowed Mode. Many players use full-screen mode so as to reduce the game lag. However, when setting some of the game in fullscreen mode, switching windows are relatively difficult. That is, when using the second monitor to check the game guides or chat rooms, the game window on the main screen shrinks.
If you encounter this kind of situation, it is recommended to select "Borderless Mode" in the game settings. You can play the game in full version without borders, while switching windows smoothly. When the mouse is moved to the second screen for operation, the game window will not be affected.
Q2: The game is not smooth or look pixelated, how to solve it?
A: Different games require different image processing levels. For 3D games, mid-to-high-end independent graphics cards must be used for 3D image processing. If you find that the game is not smooth, please make sure that the graphics card specifications of the computer meet the requirements of the game. At the same time, go to the independent graphics card setting panel and confirm the game program is processed by the specific independent graphics card.
① Confirm the graphics card specifications of the computer
Click Windows start bar, enter "Device Manager" > open the Device Manager window > find the "Display adapters" category and expand it. Generally speaking, Intel Graphics means the built-in graphics card in the CPU, while Nvidia, AMD or other manufacturers means the independent graphics card! If there is only an internal display in the device manager, you should consider installing an independent graphics card to run the game smoother!
② Switch to the independent display when the game is running (take the Nvidia control panel as an example.)
Open Nvidia Control Panel → Click "Manage 3D Settings" → In "Global Settings" → Click the "Preferred graphics processor" option → Select the preferred graphics processor. → choose "High-performance processor."
Or: in "Program Settings" → select the program to be customized → drop down the menu of preferred graphic processor → Select "High-performance NVIDIA processor."
Q3: The game is on the second screen, and cannot be dragged back?
A: Please go to the setting of the game, and confirm that the display settings are set to the main screen, save it and return to the game. If the game is still displayed on the second monitor, please try to press [Alt + Enter] to switch to Fullscreen/Windowed Mode, so that the display settings of the game will be effective.
Or use the shortcut keys 【Shift + Win + Left/Right arrow keys】 to return the game to the main screen.
Additional Notes : How to stretch a game across 2 monitors?
Many players will extend the display of the game on multiple screens to enjoy game immersion experience!
Both AMD and Nvidia graphics cards provide the display function of merging multiple screens into a single screen. AMD calls it Eyefinity, and Nvidia calls it Surround. If you want to set the game to stretch across monitors, you have to ensure that the computer's system specifications meet the minimum system requirements of the graphics card. And then, enter the graphics card panel settings, the Nvidia graphics card needs to enable the Surround setting, and the AMD graphics card needs to enable Eyefinity!
▼ Nvidia Surround View ▼
▼ AMD Multi-Display Eyefinity Technology ▼
Conclusion
Dual gaming monitors bring you a more upgraded gaming experience! By setting the primary and secondary monitors through Windows, you can play games while searching game guides, watching videos, or replying to messages, helping you focus more on your goal to beat levels or multitask on your favorite entertainment, which greatly saves your time!
Dual gaming monitors are super satisfying. Players, who have tried them, now cannot imagine without them! As a gamer, you might like to start building dual gaming monitors for yourself today!
