Multiple Monitors and Connections

[c3k]

Folks,

I've searched, and either can't get a straight answer or don't understand the jargon.

I'm new to multi-monitor setups. Currently I have 2 1920x1200 monitors hooked up to a GTX 670 (4Gb) card.

Monitors:
- An older Benq 24" Q24WS model (per the sticker on back) or 241W (per Nvidia control panel)
-- Available inputs: DVI, VGA, HDMI, Component, Composite, S-Video
-- Using DVI

- A newer Asus 24" PA248 ProArt.
-- Available inputs: DVI, VGA, HDMI, DP
-- Using HDMI

The GTX 670 has 3 outputs: DVI, HDMI, and DP.

I understand that there is some sort of "stretched" display or "separate" display you can use. I have never seen any options. I plugged 'em in, and I have the same screen saver on each monitor. I can move pages across both displays, and straddle them. Games generally only show on one screen. (In fact, I don't remember ever seeing one show on both...)

Since DVI is connected to the BenQ, that's where my POST and UEFI BIOS show. But the Asus is my main screen.

I'm about to pull the trigger on a new GPU, one of the GTX 970's. Most of those have similar outputs to my GTX670. How would I hook up a 3rd monitor? (Well, the DP output would be the obvious answer...)

Gigabyte's GTX970 Gaming G1 has 3 DP's, one HDMI, and one DVI output. I'm leaning that way... (My next monitor will probably be another Asus PA248.)

My setup works, but only by dumb luck and good engineering, not because I know what I'm doing.

Is there some sort of basic FAQ/tutorial for multiple monitors I can read?

Thanks,
Ken

 

[evt]

I understand that there is some sort of "stretched" display or "separate" display you can use. I have never seen any options. I plugged 'em in, and I have the same screen saver on each monitor. I can move pages across both displays, and straddle them. Games generally only show on one screen. (In fact, I don't remember ever seeing one show on both...)

You mean this?

You can access that by right-clicking your Desktop --> Screen Resolution.

Since DVI is connected to the BenQ, that's where my POST and UEFI BIOS show. But the Asus is my main screen.

Just swap the cables between the monitors and rearrange the monitors accordingly in Windows.

 

[c3k]

Ahh...I did not see that option as changeable. Thanks.

Swapping cables: sure, but is there a benefit to swapping? As far as I can tell, for 1920x1200 monitors without speakers (no sound needed) DVI, HDMI and DP are all equivalent.

 

[evt]

Swapping cables: sure, but is there a benefit to swapping? As far as I can tell, for 1920x1200 monitors without speakers (no sound needed) DVI, HDMI and DP are all equivalent.

No benefit (outside of higher resolutions or weird compatibility issues), but only if browsing the BIOS on your non-main screen (BenQ) really bothers you.

 

[c3k]

BIOS on any screen is fine...

With SLI, would ALL the outputs have to come from ONE of the two video cards?

 

[GotNoRice]

BIOS on any screen is fine...

With SLI, would ALL the outputs have to come from ONE of the two video cards?

Are you trying to have the game spread across all 3 monitors, or are you just looking to game on your main monitor while having secondary displays for other purposes? If the latter, then I'd actually recommend enabling your onboard video and moving everything other than your primary monitor onto that.