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Dual Monitor Causes Video Lag
posted in Hardware
1
#1
7 Frags +

So I have my 120hz monitor, and I just hooked up a 60 hz TV connected via hdmi-dvi adapter to my video card's secondary dvi slot.

I have a plasma TV that I had hooked up to it previously that did not lag while I was playing TF2 however now with the dual monitor it periodically acts as if I have 10 fps for about 2-3 seconds at a time. The monitor is actually a smaller LCD tv, not an actual monitor, if that makes a difference.

Any thoughts on what could be causing it?

So I have my 120hz monitor, and I just hooked up a 60 hz TV connected via hdmi-dvi adapter to my video card's secondary dvi slot.

I have a plasma TV that I had hooked up to it previously that did not lag while I was playing TF2 however now with the dual monitor it periodically acts as if I have 10 fps for about 2-3 seconds at a time. The monitor is actually a smaller LCD tv, not an actual monitor, if that makes a difference.

Any thoughts on what could be causing it?
2
#2
4 Frags +

Using both 120hz and 60hz at the same time makes dragging windows sometimes seem laggy. Not sure if it's a related issue.

Using both 120hz and 60hz at the same time makes dragging windows sometimes seem laggy. Not sure if it's a related issue.
3
#3
0 Frags +

Do you have an AMD or Nvidia or what sort of graphics card?

Do you have an AMD or Nvidia or what sort of graphics card?
4
#4
119 Frags +

its probably because ur shit

its probably because ur shit
5
#5
0 Frags +

I used to this have this problem then i used a non aero theme and it stopped

I used to this have this problem then i used a non aero theme and it stopped
6
#6
0 Frags +

it's not from dragging windows, it's just in game when nothing else is going on. I have a sapphire 7870

it's not from dragging windows, it's just in game when nothing else is going on. I have a sapphire 7870
7
#7
0 Frags +
BenkUsing both 120hz and 60hz at the same time makes dragging windows sometimes seem laggy. Not sure if it's a related issue.

This isn't the problem. This only occurs when you drag windows between the 2 monitors and only for a brief moment.

[quote=Benk]Using both 120hz and 60hz at the same time makes dragging windows sometimes seem laggy. Not sure if it's a related issue.[/quote]
This isn't the problem. This only occurs when you drag windows between the 2 monitors and only for a brief moment.
8
#8
6 Frags +

What OS are you running? If you are running Windows 7, I would highly recommend setting hl2.exe to initiate compatibility mode (disable aero) as it causes all kinds of weird problems like this.

Having said that, I've seen funky things happen like this from time to time when using multiple monitors that have different refresh rates. Is there a reason why you are converting your TV from HDMI to DVI? It is possible that using an HDMI cable instead would eliminate this issue.

I've also seen instances where this problem gets resolved by making a change in the display drivers to enable GPU scaling instead of display scaling. I think on an ATI, it's under 'my digital flat panels / properties (digital flat-panel)'.

The fact that your issue is occurring intermittently opens up another possibility. Your card may be negotiating clock speeds. If you have anything else open that could potentially use GPU acceleration (like aero or anything with flash), it may be periodically setting your video card to idle clock speeds, which will certainly kill performance until the clocks are set back.

Lastly, drivers! Keep a copy of your current version, then update!

What OS are you running? If you are running Windows 7, I would highly recommend setting hl2.exe to initiate compatibility mode (disable aero) as it causes all kinds of weird problems like this.

Having said that, I've seen funky things happen like this from time to time when using multiple monitors that have different refresh rates. Is there a reason why you are converting your TV from HDMI to DVI? It is possible that using an HDMI cable instead would eliminate this issue.

I've also seen instances where this problem gets resolved by making a change in the display drivers to enable GPU scaling instead of display scaling. I think on an ATI, it's under 'my digital flat panels / properties (digital flat-panel)'.

The fact that your issue is occurring intermittently opens up another possibility. Your card may be negotiating clock speeds. If you have anything else open that could potentially use GPU acceleration (like aero or anything with flash), it may be periodically setting your video card to idle clock speeds, which will certainly kill performance until the clocks are set back.

Lastly, drivers! Keep a copy of your current version, then update!
9
#9
Momentum Mod
0 Frags +

If you're running windowed that might be the problem. Whenever I play windowed it does that and I am using 2 monitors so that might be it.

If you're running windowed that might be the problem. Whenever I play windowed it does that and I am using 2 monitors so that might be it.
10
#10
0 Frags +

Im running windows 7 64 bit. I lied I'm actually hooked right into HDMI, I meant to say I have an HDMI-DVI adapter but I don't think that will help because my only other dvi is to my mobo, not the card. I'll try the gpu scaling and see if it fixes the problem. How do I make it constant clock speed rather than negotiating?

Im running windows 7 64 bit. I lied I'm actually hooked right into HDMI, I meant to say I have an HDMI-DVI adapter but I don't think that will help because my only other dvi is to my mobo, not the card. I'll try the gpu scaling and see if it fixes the problem. How do I make it constant clock speed rather than negotiating?
11
#11
0 Frags +

I use two monitors and encounter the same exact problem that the OP has. 120hz main monitor with 75hz secondary monitor. I check my temps and they're all fine so what Smaka is describing could be a possibility -- any suggestions for an Nvidia card though?

I use two monitors and encounter the same exact problem that the OP has. 120hz main monitor with 75hz secondary monitor. I check my temps and they're all fine so what Smaka is describing could be a possibility -- any suggestions for an Nvidia card though?
12
#12
1 Frags +

I saw this today and figured it might help you:
http://www.reddit.com/r/buildapc/comments/1f87g2/psa_something_i_learned_about_dual_monitor_set/

I saw this today and figured it might help you:
http://www.reddit.com/r/buildapc/comments/1f87g2/psa_something_i_learned_about_dual_monitor_set/
13
#13
0 Frags +

Having the same issue as of late as well. Pretty frustrating to play an "old game" at what should be running at 60+ fps, to be experiencing ~20-30 fps at times just because I have an instance of explorer open on my 2nd screen.

Having the same issue as of late as well. Pretty frustrating to play an "old game" at what should be running at 60+ fps, to be experiencing ~20-30 fps at times just because I have an instance of explorer open on my 2nd screen.
14
#14
0 Frags +

It sounds like a gpu scaling thing, especially if it's infrequent. You might try getting something like gpu-z and leaving that open on the other monitor while you're running it (on the sensors tab) and see if there's a change in clock speed or usage when it's going on. It should rule some things out, if nothing else.

PlatinumHow do I make it constant clock speed rather than negotiating?

Something like this, but I'd make sure that's what's happening before you mess with that

I've seen problems before that come from cards freaking out about mismatched monitors (different resolutions or refresh rates), it may have to do with that, but I don't know a good way to fix that.

It sounds like a gpu scaling thing, especially if it's infrequent. You might try getting something like [url=www.techpowerup.com/gpuz/]gpu-z[/url] and leaving that open on the other monitor while you're running it (on the sensors tab) and see if there's a change in clock speed or usage when it's going on. It should rule some things out, if nothing else.

[quote=Platinum]How do I make it constant clock speed rather than negotiating?[/quote]
Something like [url=www.tomshardware.com/forum/276479-33-5770-force-clocks]this[/url], but I'd make sure that's what's happening before you mess with that

I've seen problems before that come from cards freaking out about mismatched monitors (different resolutions or refresh rates), it may have to do with that, but I don't know a good way to fix that.
15
#15
0 Frags +

I plugged into my onboard video and it still happens, occasionally. Not nearly the frequency as it was before, but it lasts for like 5-10 seconds when it does happen. thoughts? windowed mode causing it?

I plugged into my onboard video and it still happens, occasionally. Not nearly the frequency as it was before, but it lasts for like 5-10 seconds when it does happen. thoughts? windowed mode causing it?
16
#16
0 Frags +

On a sidenote, is your HDMI cable even HDMI 1.4? Because otherwise it isn't even suited for 120hz use.

On a sidenote, is your HDMI cable even HDMI 1.4? Because otherwise it isn't even suited for 120hz use.
17
#17
0 Frags +

My second monitor isn't 120hz, it's just a regular LCD tv.

My second monitor isn't 120hz, it's just a regular LCD tv.
18
#18
0 Frags +

Oh, I thought you were on HDMI on both monitors. Did you monitor your game's framerate to rule out that it is a software issue and you framerate is actually dropping?

Oh, I thought you were on HDMI on both monitors. Did you monitor your game's framerate to rule out that it is a software issue and you framerate is actually dropping?
19
#19
0 Frags +

Yes, framerate stays constant.

Yes, framerate stays constant.
20
#20
0 Frags +

I can't really think of much else that would be dual monitor related. If it happens on integrated too then it's not gpu scaling. I'd try disabling aero and/or playing fullscreen and see if that helps.
Also reinstalling/updating drivers would definitely be worth a shot.

One more thing, to anyone who has this, how frequent/noticeable is it? I run a multi-monitor amd setup and sometimes have weird lags, but it's pretty rare, I'm curious if it's the same thing

I can't really think of much else that would be dual monitor related. If it happens on integrated too then it's not gpu scaling. I'd try disabling aero and/or playing fullscreen and see if that helps.
Also reinstalling/updating drivers would definitely be worth a shot.

One more thing, to anyone who has this, how frequent/noticeable is it? I run a multi-monitor amd setup and sometimes have weird lags, but it's pretty rare, I'm curious if it's the same thing
21
#21
0 Frags +

I've had this exact same problem before but I was too lazy to troubleshoot it and gave up. I'll start tinkering with mine again. Please help us resolve this!

I've had this exact same problem before but I was too lazy to troubleshoot it and gave up. I'll start tinkering with mine again. Please help us resolve this!
22
#22
0 Frags +

The only thing that has ever caused intermittent lag for me is compatibility issues with certain drivers. I've fixed that multiple times by just install a different set of drivers using driver sweeper and safe mode. I'm using 306.97.

I've been running a 120hz monitor and 75hz secondary for a long time and I haven't run into this issue.

The only thing that has ever caused intermittent lag for me is compatibility issues with certain drivers. I've fixed that multiple times by just install a different set of drivers using driver sweeper and safe mode. I'm using 306.97.

I've been running a 120hz monitor and 75hz secondary for a long time and I haven't run into this issue.
23
#23
0 Frags +

*Adapters-- Supposedly, according to some articles I have been reading there is no quality loss in adapters (so it can't be that- HDMI-dvi/vga-dvi/etc).

http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1704589 and http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110224212938AABnhYJ .

*Graphics cards-- The next thing I would look into is your GPU cards. If they are old consider upgrading them? Check your current specs on what you have now.

*Update all drivers-- Also make sure you have all your graphics drivers up to date: graphics card, monitors, etc.

Just a few ideas to think about...

*Adapters-- Supposedly, according to some articles I have been reading there is no quality loss in adapters (so it can't be that- HDMI-dvi/vga-dvi/etc).

http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1704589 and http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110224212938AABnhYJ .

*Graphics cards-- The next thing I would look into is your GPU cards. If they are old consider upgrading them? Check your current specs on what you have now.

*Update all drivers-- Also make sure you have all your graphics drivers up to date: graphics card, monitors, etc.

Just a few ideas to think about...
24
#24
0 Frags +

I don't have time to read other people's responses but I had a similar issue and the 120hz feel came back when I disabled Windows Aero.

I don't have time to read other people's responses but I had a similar issue and the 120hz feel came back when I disabled Windows Aero.
25
#25
0 Frags +

I have had Aero disabled for about a week now and it does indeed fix the video lag. However it just pisses me off that I can't use Aero and dual monitors.

I have had Aero disabled for about a week now and it does indeed fix the video lag. However it just pisses me off that I can't use Aero and dual monitors.
26
#26
-1 Frags +

Did y'all ever figure out the solution?

Honestly, I would just go sign up here, these nerds usually know what's up - http://www.overclock.net/f/44/monitors-and-displays

Did y'all ever figure out the solution?

Honestly, I would just go sign up here, these nerds usually know what's up - http://www.overclock.net/f/44/monitors-and-displays
27
#27
2 Frags +

Just came across this thread from Google search (incidentally, though, I do play TF2).

My setup is 144 Hz + 60 Hz. Dragging windows (no pun intended) is laggy on the second monitor. Some applications (notable, Chromium) suffer from extreme input lags when on "slow" monitor. And turning Aero off does help.

I play games on primary (faster) monitor full-screen, and no problems with them so far.

Just came across this thread from Google search (incidentally, though, I do play TF2).

My setup is 144 Hz + 60 Hz. Dragging windows (no pun intended) is laggy on the second monitor. Some applications (notable, Chromium) suffer from extreme input lags when on "slow" monitor. And turning Aero off does help.

I play games on primary (faster) monitor full-screen, and no problems with them so far.
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