Article Introduction

Step1: Optimize Graphics Card Performance

1. Reduce game quality

2. adjusting graphics card load distribution

3. Upgrade the graphics card hardware

Step2: Matching Refresh Rate

1. Synchronize refresh rates

2. Enable "G-Sync" or "FreeSync" function

Step3: Update Graphics Card Driver

Step4: Adjust System Settings

1. Enable High Performance Power Plan

2. Disable Windows Gaming Mode

3. Optimize graphics card settings

Step5: Reduce Background Resource Usage

1. Close irrelevant programs

2. Monitor system resources

Step6: Reasonable Allocation of Monitor Tasks

1. Assign light tasks to the second monitor

2. Connect the second monitor to an integrated graphics card

Step7: Enable Hardware Acceleration

1. Enable hardware acceleration for programs

2. Check hardware acceleration settings

See also:

How to Fix Second Monitor Lagging When Playing Games

Date:09:35 AM, Jan 07, 2025    Editor:qwsa

second-monitor-lagging-when-playing-games


In the process of using multiple monitors, lagging on the second monitor while playing games is a common problem. The following is a detailed description of the main solutions to this problem, to help users quickly restore a smooth multitasking experience.



Graphics cards need to handle multiple tasks simultaneously in a multi-monitor environment. If the graphics card performance is insufficient, the second monitor may lag.


When graphics card performance is tight, lowering the game quality is the quickest solution.  

Reduce the resolution to a range that better suits the load on the graphics card (e.g. from 4K to 1080p).  

Turn off or reduce in-game effects (e.g. shadows, reflections, and particles).  


Adjust the load distribution of your monitor using your graphics card control panel (e.g. NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Radeon Software). For example, you can select "Multi-Monitor Performance Mode" or "Balanced Mode" to optimize resource allocation.


If your current graphics card cannot meet the demands of high-definition gaming and multiple monitors, you can consider upgrading your graphics card. Choose a mid- to high-end graphics card that supports multi-monitor environments (e.g. NVIDIA RTX 4060 or AMD RX 7600).



If the refresh rate difference between two monitors is too large (e.g., the primary monitor is 144Hz and the second monitor is 60Hz), it may increase the load on the graphics card.  

Adjust the refresh rate to a consistent value (e.g., 60Hz or 120Hz for both) in the operating system or graphics card control panel.  

If the primary monitor requires a high refresh rate, try setting it to 120Hz to minimize the difference with the 60Hz of the second monitor.


If the monitor supports synchronization technology, you can enable these features to reduce the latency problem.



Updating the graphics card driver is critical to the stability of a multi-monitor setup. Driver Sentry is recommended for automatic driver detection and updates, saving time and avoiding errors during installation.

Download

Click the download button to get the latest version of Driver Sentry. After installation, open the software and click "Scan".


click-scan


After the scan, identify the display driver in the results list and click "Upgrade".

Restart your computer after updating the drivers to ensure the changes take effect.



In Windows, switch the power plan to "High Performance" mode to ensure that the system prioritizes the allocation of resources to the graphics card and CPU.


high-performance


Windows Gaming Mode prioritizes the allocation of resources to games on the primary monitor, which may cause lag on the secondary monitor. Turn it off in the settings to balance resource allocation.


In the NVIDIA or AMD control panel, set the performance priority to "High Performance Mode".  

Disable Vertical Synchronization (V-Sync) to reduce latency between multiple monitors.



When the game is running, close programs that consume a lot of resources (e.g. browser, video player). Especially applications that play HD videos or 3D content can significantly increase the burden on the graphics card.


Use Task Manager or other monitoring tools to check resource utilization and terminate background processes that consume too much CPU and GPU resources.


task-manager



When using multiple monitors, you can reduce the burden on the graphics card by reasonably assigning tasks:


Avoid running applications with high performance requirements (such as video editing software or high-resolution streaming media playback) on the second monitor. Place lightweight tasks (such as chat windows or monitoring tools) on the second monitor.


If supported by the motherboard and monitor, you can connect the second monitor to an integrated graphics card and the primary monitor to a discrete graphics card to share the graphics load.



Ensure that the applications running on the second monitor (such as browsers or video players) have hardware acceleration enabled to reduce the computational burden on the CPU.


Make sure the hardware acceleration option is enabled in the system and graphics card driver to improve multitasking efficiency.

Download

Above is the way to fix the problem of second monitor lag when playing games, hope it will help you.



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