Surround Gaming


Recommended Posts

So, from my understanding on Nvidia surround, I don't like how it works.

 

It basically takes over the Windows UI and changing how it works. I have apps that add features to my differnet monitors etc.

 

My question though is, can it be turned off? Like can I enable surround to go gaming, then turn it off when I am done?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

from what I know about nvidia surround, it allows you to run 3 or more displays depending on how much your gfx card supports.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It changes how multi montiors work, how windows react to things etc...

 

So like, from what I read, if you fullscreen a browser, it fullscreens to all of them, acts like there is only one monitor. It's quite stupid.

Also, I can't seem to find out how to even install it? Where is the download?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What it does is create a single resolution from the sum of all your monitors, e.g. 3 1920x1080 monitors would be a resolution of 5760x1080 in surround.

 

You can disable and enable this through the Nvidia control panel, but the way this has been implemented is terrible compared to AMDs eyefinity which is why I'll be moving back to AMD sometime next year.

 

I don't really understand how it takes over the Windows UI though?

 

Just think of it as making multiple monitors into one. Maximise a program, it will fill the entire resolution. Start Screen on Windows 8 does look pretty cool spanning across 3 monitors though.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ah, I see. Basically instead of Windows seeing 3 1920x1080 monitors it instead sees 1 5760x1080 monitor.

 

I can see how that would be a problem, I'm surprised nvidia doesn't have some sort of workaround for it. I was planning on building a surround setup but that sounds like a PITA.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

It changes how multi montiors work, how windows react to things etc...

 

So like, from what I read, if you fullscreen a browser, it fullscreens to all of them, acts like there is only one monitor. It's quite stupid.

Also, I can't seem to find out how to even install it? Where is the download?

 

Which is why it's primarily for games. Best on Driving games in my opinion.

It's included with the Nvidia drivers (http://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx?lang=en-us)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As long as it can be turned off, like you said, I am fine with it :)

THanks for the help!

 

Though I just updated my drivers, made sure I installed everything with it, where do I turn it on?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As long as it can be turned off, like you said, I am fine with it :)

THanks for the help!

 

Though I just updated my drivers, made sure I installed everything with it, where do I turn it on?

 

Try right clicking on your desktop, there should be an Nvidia Control Panel option. Otherwise, it should also be in the Windows Control Panel

Link to comment
Share on other sites

No, you can do single GPU, or a duel, or triple. Of course, depends on your card.

 

I know for fact I can use my 770, two DVI-Ds, one Displayport.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Starting to get confused... the Configuration tool doesn't list any SLI modes for the 770 other than single GPU, and all options Ive tried only show connectors for 2 Surround Displays. I thought a minimum of 3 displays were needed for surround gaming? Otherwise your center of view would be on the bezels.

 

http://www.geforce.com/hardware/technology/3dvision-surround/system-requirements

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hmm,

 

I see 2D and 3D options for Single GPU, both are 3 monitors, not sure the difference. If choose Surround, no options.

 

So, now I don't know lol

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sorry, I wasn't at my actual computer but I am now.

 

Under 3D Settings on the left, there is a menu called "Configure SLI, Surround, PhysX"

 

Then choose Disable SLI, this should return your resolution to the standard multi monitor setup, no Surround. This is the case for me, so I'm hoping it's the same for you.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yea, for me (currently 2 monitors, third is xmas) does not allow me to turn on.

I swear you could do two monitors, I guess not.

 

Thanks.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What it does is create a single resolution from the sum of all your monitors, e.g. 3 1920x1080 monitors would be a resolution of 5760x1080 in surround.

 

You can disable and enable this through the Nvidia control panel, but the way this has been implemented is terrible compared to AMDs eyefinity which is why I'll be moving back to AMD sometime next year.

 

I don't really understand how it takes over the Windows UI though?

 

Just think of it as making multiple monitors into one. Maximise a program, it will fill the entire resolution. Start Screen on Windows 8 does look pretty cool spanning across 3 monitors though.

How can it possibly be worse than eyefinity? I tried that once before I replaced the ATI/AMD crap with my current nvidia, it was terrible and was he'll to get back off again.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

How can it possibly be worse than eyefinity? I tried that once before I replaced the ATI/AMD crap with my current nvidia, it was terrible and was he'll to get back off again.

 

It's probably just me, but I hate that I have to go into the NVidia Control Panel every time I want to turn Surround on/off. I then have to watch a progress bar while my screen flickers black. And my main issue is that it never seems to remember the order of my monitors when I go into or come out of Surround, I had to reorder them each time.

 

EDIT: Just remembered a second issue that really frustrates me, you have to close most of your open programs when turning Surround on/off :crazy:

 

As for Eyefinity once I had set up the order of my monitors, it remembered them. Didn't have to reorder them at all when going in or out of Eyefinity. Enabling and disabling Eyefinity was far easier and seamless - a quick tap of the Windows Key + P and I could turn it on (duplicate) or turn it off (extend).

 

These are my experiences anyway, probably different to yours and there may be a solution to my issues somewhere in NVidia CP but as of yet, I haven't found them. Not all is bad though, NVidia drivers are soooo much better and released a lot more frequently than AMD. :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well I haven't used surround on the nvidia card since I only have two monitors, the third old I tried before on the AMD is kind of dead. But I have disconnected the second monitor and used it for other computers and such, and it still remembers that it's number 2, even though it was reversed when I first set them up.

I used to have a bigger problem with nvidia forgetting the order of my monitors before, but then, so did the AMD, so I'm not sure that actually was the drivers, but rather the windows multi monitor system that simply didn't remember and they changed it in one of their patches. I dunno.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.