Dual Display MGMT: AMD vs. nVidia

[GTaudiophile]

My laptop runs an AMD GPU with a HDMI output. I just built a PC for my GF with an nVidia GTS 450, also with an HDMI output. Both machines are running up-to-date software.

For the past year, I have been using my laptop as an occasional HTPC by connecting it via HDMI to my 50" Panasonic plasma HDTV. Now that my GF's new computer will also be in the living room area, I just thought I would run the HDMI cable to her new machine from now on.

With the AMD GPU, I can mirror the laptop desktop onto the HDTV AND use two separate resolutions (native for each) and adjust scaling on the HDTV accordingly. With the nVidia I can't seem to do this after fiddling with it for about 90 minutes. I can mirror my PC desktop onto the HDTV but then I can't adjust the resolution of the HDTV to its native res independently; it stays at the LCD/monitor resolution. In fact, all of the res options for the HDTV are greyed out. This leaves me with the option to extend my desktop onto my HDTV but this is not my preference.

I just seems to me that AMD's solution is far more robust unless I am missing something here.

 

[Arkadrel]

2 monitors = fail
get a 3rd and do this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TK1_usPNnBU&feature=related

Kinda kidding, jeez a 50"....
I think Im on a 23" monitor or something >_>

But yeah...amd > nvidia with multi monitors setups I guess.

The fact that you can hook up 6 monitors to one card, single gpu, vs nvidia needing a dual gpu card just to have 3.... says alot. Also Nvidia requires same brand of monitors/resolutions ect, while AMD can do differnt ones, differnt resolutions (I think I read) and it just works.

 

[96Firebird]

Ignoring the yet again above post that just bashes Nvidia, talking about 3+ monitors when the OP only mentions 2...

Are you using the Nvidia Control Panel to adjust things? What drivers are you using on the 450, and are there available drivers for the HDTV? I have my HDTV hooked up to my PC and can adjust resolution, etc... Seems like something is missing in your setup, unless the features differ vastly on the 450 compared to my 460.

And unless Acer makes Vizio panels, I have different brands, even different resolutions hooked up at the same time! :awe: