Gaming GPU GTX260M Connected to External Monitor - A Question of Performance

So this is something I intend on trying soon, but I wanted to see if others have tried this with my particular laptop model/GPU

I currently own a ASUS G60VX 2.7GHz C2D (overclocked from 2.1) running a 1GB GTX 260M GPU, 4GB RAM.

Generally speaking, the primary game I play is usually World of Warcraft. When I play it on my laptop, I tend to get 60 fps (capped by triple buffering) when inactive in most places and about 40fps in raids. Most of the time I have my external monitor (22in LCD 1680 x 1050) connected to the VGA port to read stuff or listen to music. I tend to avoid running videos because I notice the FPS spike a bit (not a whole lot, roughly ~35FPS with some video).

So after browsing the forums and searching, I was wondering if anyone has ever gamed on a GTX 260M GPU and an external monitor. I know that this particular laptop has the ability to turn off the laptop's monitor (Fn+F8), but I've never tested game performance on it for a game like World of Warcraft.

Obviously I wouldn't try this with a more GPU hungry game like say BioShock or such.

Any information would be appreciated.

 

your question is in regards to performance loss from displaying an external monitor?

if you're using a single monitor solution, the resolution will affect performance differently - what resolution is your notebook?

 

Well my G71GX 2.53ghz GTX 260m and 6 gig of ram I noticed little performance drop from my systems LCD @ 1440x900 to 1680x1050 on my 22" external playing WOW. I average around 50-60FPS with most medium-high settings in towns. Haven't raided in awhile so can't help you there.

 

I actually have it hooked up to my 21" CRT often as I tend to use my laptop (see sig) more like a mobile desktop. The GTX260M can handle most what you can throw at it; I've tried BioShock, Crysis, ArmA II, Stalker, etc. I do get a break though, running it at 1280x1024 on the CRT versus the 1680x1050 native; however one frustrating drawback is that I have yet to figure out how to force the refresh rate above 85Hz. I am used to previously gaming on my CRT at 120Hz or more, so the difference is fairly noticeable for me. It could be the DVI-VGA converter, but if you notice the same, it's probably a card or driver limitation.

 

kind of a old thread but i dont wanna start a new one so i used the search button, anyways i just got a g60vx, clocked to 2.6ghz and same old underclocked 260M. I was wondering if the temperature will rise or stay the same using an external monitor, i know performance will drop because of the resolution change. Current monitor im using right now is a 1080p monitor, 24" acers. Very nice, and im used to this monitor and not used to the laptop's 16" screen.

edit: forgot to mention im connecting it thru via HDMI port

 

There should minimal temp changes. While higher resolution is taxing your GPU a tad-bit more, it's not like at a lower res your GPU is idling... so the increase in resolution will generally lead to minimal temp increases.