Added 2nd Monitor, now game is slow

[Bonefrag]

I added a 2nd monitor, and tweaked all the settings in my Nvidia properties manager and in COD4 game but I'm still lagging hard. If I get more RAM will that matter or do I need a faster GPU?

Thanks,

 

[Angellas]

GPU and bandwidth are key when adding a second monitor. Think of it like this:

1024x768 res = ~786K pixels to generate.
786kpx = say 100 clocks.

Add a second monitor at 1024x768 and you're running 200 clocks.

If your card can't handle over 186 clocks, the second monitor will have to get it's CPU time in somewhere. Your game performance will be hindered if a Program sends it's graphics rendering requests somewhere other than to the GPU because the GPU says it's busy.

The clock numbers listed above are totally bogus, but I hope you get the general idea. Try adjusting the resolution of the second monitor and see what performance increase you get.

Another note: Knowing more about your hardware and resolutions would be helpful as well.

I hope this helps you!

 

[Bonefrag]

Processor: AMD Phenom(tm) 9500 Quad-Core Processor, MMX, 3DNow (4 CPUs), ~2.2GHz
Memory: 2046MB RAM
Hard Drive: 160 GB
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 8500 GT
Monitor: Viewsonic 19" VA1903wb (1440x900 optimum resolution) and Acer 22" (ACER X223WDbd 22" Widescreen LCD Monitor - 1680x1050, 2500:1, 5ms, VGA, DVI, Black)
Sound Card: None
C-Media CM6501 Like Sound Device
Speakers/Headphones: Audio/Fx
Mouse: G5
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.070227-2254)

 

[Angellas]

Sorry, my friend. There is not a chance that you could run both of those off of a single 8500GT at their native resolution with smooth game play. You may be looking at spending a few dollars to handle those numbers. Have you considered SLI?

 

[Bonefrag]

Do you mean using two GPU's? I have the capability.

Sorry, my friend. There is not a chance that you could run both of those off of a single 8500GT at their native resolution with smooth game play. You may be looking at spending a few dollars to handle those numbers. Have you considered SLI?

 

[Bonefrag]

I'd rather just get one better GPU though.

 

[PureBlood]

Yea the main problem is your graphics card. I wouldn't recommend going sli with 8500gt's, it would be better to just buy a new graphics card all together.

HD4850

9800gtx

Those are some of the cheaper cards that should be able to run the game well. But there are better options if you are interested in spending more

 

[Bonefrag]

Isn't Nvidia coming out with a new one...GTX 480 or something like that?

 

[PureBlood]

There is the 300 series coming.. but unless you are willing to spend hundreds of dollars on your next gpu I wouldn't recommend waiting and buying one on release

 

[Toasteddude]

There is the 300 series coming.. but unless you are willing to spend hundreds of dollars on your next gpu I wouldn't recommend waiting and buying one on release

400 series. They will most likely be quite expensive.

 

[FreakingHell]

400 series. They will most likely be quite expensive.

Not exactly. The GTX 480 and GTX 470 will be expensive. There will be lower end ones too, but those will come a couple months later. And expensive is a subjective term anyway...

I'd say your best bet at this time is to go with a 5xxx series Radeon card, probably 5770 or higher.

You could also consider a GTX 260, but the prices aren't great right now and you'll be missing out on DX11. Or you can wait for Nvidia's 400 series, which will be launched in March for the high end single GPU cards, and later for the lower end and dual gpu card.

 

[Bonefrag]

Thanks for all your help...this geforce GTX+ 512 MB one looks good...of course, I'm going to have to upgrade my power supply too! :/ Mo' money, mo' money, mo' money!

 

[Angellas]

Gaming computers will 'nickel and dime' you to death!