If you want to know if multiple monitors slow down a computer, this article is for you. Many people use multiple monitors on their computers. It makes switching between tasks easy and becomes a convenient way to track things.
Generally, a computer has a single monitor. When a user needs extra display space or does multiple tasks at the same time, having multiple monitors for the same computer is the option. Adding an extra monitor to the existing computer setup is cheaper than adding another computer. As multiple monitors depend on the same CPU, there are many questions regarding the performance of a computer with multiple monitors. In this guide, we answer your questions on multiple monitor setup and their performance.
Do Multiple Monitors slow down a Computer?
Yes. Multiple monitors can slow down a computer. An additional monitor to a computer means additional use of GPU resources to run the second monitor and programs on it. If the monitor does not suit your computer’s configuration, it will make it extremely hard for the performance of your computer.
If the system configuration of your computer is low with integrated graphics, adding an extra monitor will make things harder on the computer. The resources the second monitor uses will impact the overall performance, and you will feel a slowed-down computer. Even basic word-processing tasks might feel slower with an extra monitor to a low-end computer.
Do dual monitors affect gaming performance?
Mostly, gamers, stock traders, editors, and multimedia professionals use multiple monitors to do their tasks. Comparatively, the resources needed by gamers will be more as each game has different kinds of graphics with multiple monitors as well as gaming rigs connected to the same CPU. The performance will surely be affected if the GPU and CPU capabilities are not increased with additional monitors.
If you want to add multiple monitors to your computer and do not want to dent its performance, you can follow the below tips.
- Make sure your graphic card supports extra monitors: Even before getting an external monitor, make sure your graphic card can handle the extra monitor. If you already have an extra monitor and you are experiencing some pressure on the performance, it is better to upgrade your graphic card before getting another monitor.
- Choose a monitor that suits your computer’s display: If the monitor you choose a second display for your computer has more resolution and better configuration than that of your computer, you might experience a little lag or other performance issues. You need to be careful while buying an extra monitor. It is recommended to have the same monitors for your multiple monitor setups.
- Match the monitors’ settings: Each monitor comes with pre-configured settings. To not put pressure on your computer’s resources, you need to match the resolution, refresh rate, etc. on every monitor and make all look the same.
- Check the ports to connect the extra monitor: The port you use to connect an external monitor might have some impact on the performance. Each kind of port has different speeds. Modern computers and monitors come with USB-C ports. USB-C port can handle better resolutions and give a reliable connection. HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is the most commonly used port to connect to an extra monitor. These two are the best that can avoid lags and give better connections.
Read: How to change Primary and Secondary monitor on Windows
Does having multiple monitors slow down a computer?
The more monitors you add to your computer, the more it will slow down. The logic is simple. The resources of your computer are limited, but you are increasing how the resources are used. Each monitor you add to your computer takes a fixed amount of resources from your GPU based on your needs. Each monitor might have some program running on it. It leaves little room for the main application you run to use the CPU, as the resources are already in use by other processes on extra monitors.
If your computer has a dedicated GPU, your second monitor might not make a visible impact on the performance. Nevertheless, there will still be slower performance when compared to the performance with one monitor as the CPU is limited to run the programs and processes.
Do multiple monitors affect CPU performance?
No, having multiple monitors has more impact on the GPU than the CPU. Multiple monitors will affect CPU performance when you run different programs that need heavy CPU on multiple monitors at the same time as you have some extra display space. If not, it will only have an impact on the GPU as the display configuration and settings are dependent on it.
