I'm thinking of getting a 2nd monitor and utilizing the extended
desktop function. Could you please let me know how this would work if
I wanted to play a game?
- Some games, not all support multiple display outputs to create a sort
of "panoramic" viewing experience. You'd one to consult the game's
FAQ to check for yourself.
Would I be able to have the game appear only on one monitor?
- Most games only appear on one screen unless configured otherwise.
Would I be able to have the game appear only on one monitor? Also does
this incur any performance penalties? I've been reading that when
playing games the second monitor freezes and it's essentially useless.
- Using two screens for a game will definitely hinder computer performance if it isn't high enough spec to support it, the key components being your graphics card and CPU.
So would I not be able to play a game on one monitor and browse the
web on the second?
- When I run a game full screen on my first monitor I still able to
watch a movie or something on my second monitor. Unless your game is
running in windowed mode you will need to tab out to use your mouse
on the other screen.
If my game is in windowed mode, will the mouse stay within the edges
of the screen? Like if I was playing SC2/Civ 5/etc, would the mouse be
able to move the screen when I drag it to the sides or will it jump to
the second monitor?
- It would stay "locked" in to your game unless you alt+tab out of it.
It will not be possible to move your mouse out of the game window whilst you are playing.
If my game is in windowed mode, will the mouse stay within the edges of the screen? Like if I was playing SC2/Civ 5/etc, would the mouse be able to move the screen when I drag it to the sides or will it jump to the second monitor? – Dante – 2014-07-17T14:39:33.847
Whether a game properly captures the mouse pointer varies widely. Sometimes, phantom hover effects can be observed on secondary displays. – Daniel B – 2014-07-17T14:50:25.580
@DanielB I'm well aware, happens to me very occasionally but it shouldn't do ;) – Samuel Nicholson – 2014-07-17T14:51:43.493
Your last point isn't 100% certain. I still play Civ 3 on my two-monitor system, and I can mouse out onto the other monitor (if I click on anything, it does still minimize the game). – Brian – 2014-07-17T15:29:34.150
@Brian Some games for some reason do sometimes allow the mouse to "jump" out of the game window. Usually during a transitional phase of gameplay and you click and it minimizes the game. As far as I know this is a an issue to do with the game, rather than any configuration on the machine. – Samuel Nicholson – 2014-07-17T15:31:31.977
That sounds right. Civ 3 is the only example I can think of that acts this way - everything else I play in full-screen mode locks the mouse to that monitor. – Brian – 2014-07-17T15:33:12.167
@Brian I experience it sometimes with CS:GO, I think maybe it's a DirectX thing ;) – Samuel Nicholson – 2014-07-17T15:34:21.047