Yes, you can play games on an external TV or monitor while using your PC.
Yes, you can play games on an external TV or monitor while using your PC.
Hello. Yes, you can configure your monitors to let you play games on one while using the computer normally. You’ll need to adjust settings so both displays work together. Your i7-4790K and MSI 970 should handle it if you manage the power usage properly. Running a game on TV won’t usually drain much GPU power, but browsing on your monitor might slightly affect performance.
Simply connect it and navigate to the control panel to configure the screen patterns. It will consume GPU resources, but a 970 processor should manage it effortlessly!
Remember that response time is usually a bit above 5ms on most LED TVs.
It's tough to juggle anything else since you can only concentrate on one task at a time—just talking about active windows, not multitasking with people. However, you can run a game alongside other apps open on the second screen, but you can't use them and play the game simultaneously (like having someone control the game while you work).
I previously watched YouTube clips on one screen while playing on another, using a low-quality laptop. With your configuration, it should run smoothly—connect the extra monitors, right-click the desktop, pick "screen resolution," and ensure additional monitors extend the desktop (default is often duplicative). You can move the monitors in this window to align them properly. Some games let you select the preferred monitor in settings; I recommend making that your main screen so everything appears there automatically. Also, consider installing Display Fusion from Steam—it’s useful for adding a taskbar per monitor and customizing backgrounds. Good luck! (Note: If you’re not using Windows 7, some instructions may need adjustment)
Are you thinking about keeping a larger monitor as your main display all the time or just for gaming? It will function that way. If you intend to use the bigger screen only during games and switch to a smaller one for everything else, you’ll likely have to switch it back to the primary screen while playing and then back again—power button won’t help much. Or you might need to configure games to open on the secondary monitor or move them there consistently.
I haven't tested it, but adjusting the settings to boarderless window could improve concentration on two windows.