Two Monitors, Two Games?

[Xiode]

Currently, I have a 1900XTX powering two monitors via dual-DVI: a Dell 1905FP and a "15 LCD monitor that I've had for a long time. I run World of Warcraft on the big screen and my web browswer or AIM on the other.

However, here's my question: How can I get two different instances of World of Warcraft running on each monitor? Would I need two completely different installations? If I try to do it now by simply dragging a copy of WoW to my other screen, my FPS drops real low, almost like a slideshow. It's not that my computer can't handle it, because I can ALT+TAB back and forth all day and not lag one bit. It would just be nice not to have to.

Anyone?

[bobthemoo]

nope wont work unless you have two computers, it would minimise the game everytime you moved the cursor across screens

[Echo_]

when i use to play daoc they let you do that.

is this in windowed mode?

[Mr.Guvernment]

dont start the same thread in 2 places. just have one.

http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=462278

http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=462277

[Xiode]

I didn't mean to, I'm sorry. I posted it across multiple forums to get some different opinions, and I forgot I already posted it here.

I know there's a way to do it, because I use to do it with Diablo 2. I just dont' remember how!

[jediman]

are you running in windowed maximized mode?
you should no have to minimize wow to play two screens if you are in window mode
you do seem like you have the specs to be able to.
turn everything down to minimum settings and see if it helps your fps problem.
if it does help it means you need more graphics power
otherwise try installing it again on another hard drive and run one off each drive

[Xymurgy]

The fps probably has something to do with the secondary device trying to render 3d images. I just set up a dual monitor on my machine, and the fps on the 2ndary screen is pretty horrid, even as a small window. Even when the 3d field is shared between both screens, fps dips real low and won't go back to normal until the 2ndary device is released from having to render the 3d.

I'd imagine to get decent fps on both monitors, you'd have to go to a dual-vid card set up (note: I don't know if it's possible with your hardware).

[Senater_Cache]

having 2 screens does not give your computer the ability to run 2 games at once.
you can maybe use mirroring and see the game on both monitor , but having two instances of a game pen is entirely dependent on your computer....if you cant do it with one screen you def cannot with 2.

[nachosyumm]

If i use two monitors, wll i be able to play a fps or rts on one screen then do instant messaging on the other?

[Senater_Cache]

you will be able to... but th eremaining functionality of either is dependant on your hardware capability and resources.

[nachosyumm]

ati 800xl, 3200 amd 64, then i will be buying the dell 2007. Currently i have a compaq 17 inch crt at 1080 x 768, but i was thinking of going 800 x 600. I could get a cheap secondary video card for the older monitor. Would that be a good idea?

The second screen wuld only be for GAIM and winamp.

[Hipcrostino]

running two instances of WOW as long as they are windowed and indipendant installation should be fine. not so great for the fps, but entirely possible. It will NOT work iff they are not in windowed mode.

The issue it that only the window with focus will have controll ove the mouse and keyboard. it would get a little hard to play two at once IMO.

BTW: i play tracmainia on full graphics in one monitor and have winamp and messanger open in the other and its fine. I did find issues with my overclocking on the gpu though. i had to lower it more than if i had only one moniter active (how i play all other games). this is most likeally becuase of the extra work involved in supporting two moniters. its a good way to moniter temps and such though

[Deathknight]

you will be able to... but th eremaining functionality of either is dependant on your hardware capability and resources.

The thing that I find interesting regarding gaming with a 2nd monitor for web browsing, chatting etc is that if you alt-tab a full screen game (thus minimizing it) a great deal of memory swapping takes place. On resource intensive games this tends to bog down the machine for a few moments. With two monitors this is not nearly as much of a problem, at least it has not been in my experience.

The key is that the game needs to have a windowed mode for dual monitors to work well however.

[Mr.Guvernment]

^^^ yuppers

cause most game as soon as you click on that second monitor, it will minimize the game, or games like Civ III, if you need to scroll right - it will go off the game to the 2nd monitor and that screws you up