Question:

I’m experiencing cursor lag on my secondary screen when running tasks that moderately engage my CPU and GPU, such as Discord, Spotify, and gaming, even though the resource usage doesn’t seem excessively high. This issue doesn’t occur on my primary monitor or when the laptop is used without additional monitors. My setup includes an iiyama G-Master GB3467WQSU-B5 monitor at 165Hz as the primary display and the laptop’s 60Hz screen as the secondary. The laptop in question is an HP ZBook Power G10 with an Intel i7-13700H CPU, Nvidia RTX Ada 3000 GPU, and 32GB RAM. The problem persists across different input devices, not just with my Logitech Pro X Superlight mouse. Despite my efforts to find a solution through forums, the issue remains unresolved. Could you provide guidance on mitigating this cursor lag?”

Answer:

Cursor lag on secondary screens can be a frustrating issue, particularly when it disrupts workflow or gaming. The problem described involves cursor lag on a secondary screen when running moderately heavy tasks, despite seemingly low CPU and GPU usage. Notably, this lag does not occur on the primary monitor or when the laptop is used solo, suggesting a specific issue with multi-monitor setups.

Possible Causes and Solutions:

1.

Refresh Rate Disparity

: The primary monitor has a refresh rate of 165Hz, while the secondary laptop screen is at 60Hz. This significant difference can cause synchronization issues, leading to lag.

Solution

: Try setting both screens to a common refresh rate, if possible, or enable V-Sync in your graphics settings to synchronize the frame rate with the refresh rate of the monitors.

2.

Insufficient GPU Resources

: Even if the GPU usage doesn’t appear high, distributing resources across two monitors with different resolutions and refresh rates can strain the GPU.

Solution

: Check for driver updates for your Nvidia RTX Ada 3000 GPU, as updates often include optimizations for multi-monitor setups.

3.

USB Polling Rate

: High-performance mice like the Logitech Pro X Superlight have adjustable polling rates. A mismatch between the polling rate and the screen’s refresh rate can cause lag.

Solution

: Adjust the mouse’s polling rate in the Logitech G Hub software to see if it alleviates the issue.

4.

Interference from Other Devices

: Wireless devices can experience interference, which may cause lag.

Solution

: Test the mouse connection by using a wired mouse or moving other wireless devices away from your workspace.

5.

Software Conflicts

: Running multiple applications like Discord, Spotify, and games simultaneously can lead to software conflicts.

Solution

: Close unnecessary applications to see if the problem persists. Additionally, check for any background processes that might be interfering with mouse performance.

6.

Power Settings

: Laptops often have power-saving features that can affect performance.

Solution

: Adjust your laptop’s power settings for maximum performance, especially when plugged in.

7.

Hardware Limitations

: The HP ZBook Power G10 is a powerful machine, but every system has its limits.

Solution

: Monitor system performance via Task Manager or similar tools to check if there are any hardware bottlenecks.

Conclusion:

Cursor lag on secondary screens can stem from a variety of sources, from hardware to software, settings, and even physical setup. By methodically testing each potential cause, you can identify the culprit and apply the appropriate fix. If the issue persists after trying these solutions, it may be worth consulting with a professional or reaching out to the support teams of the products involved. Remember, the key is to isolate the variables and test systematically. Good luck!