Question:

“Dear expert, I’ve encountered an odd issue with my PC that I hope you can shed some light on. Recently, I purchased an LG 34WP550B monitor, and I’ve noticed that when it’s the sole monitor connected, my system experiences significant lag, making it quite difficult to use. However, when a second monitor is connected alongside it, the performance issues disappear, and the system operates smoothly. This leads me to believe that the problem isn’t related to insufficient system resources. For reference, the 34″ monitor is configured to run at 75Hz, and upon checking the system’s resource usage, nothing unusual was detected. My setup includes a Windows 10 desktop with an Intel Core i3-10100f processor, an Nvidia GTX1060 6GB graphics card, 16GB of RAM, and an Asus Prime H470 motherboard. Have you come across this issue before, and if so, what could be the potential cause? Your insights would be greatly appreciated.”

Answer:

Dear PC User,

Thank you for reaching out with your intriguing issue. The scenario you’ve described—where a PC lags with a single monitor but performs well with two—is indeed unusual, but not unheard of. Let’s delve into some potential causes and solutions.

1.

Monitor Compatibility:

The LG 34WP550B is an ultrawide monitor that may require specific settings or drivers to function optimally. Ensure that you have the latest drivers installed for both your monitor and graphics card.

2.

Display Settings:

Windows 10 offers multiple display configurations that can affect performance. Check your display settings to ensure that the monitor is set to its native resolution and refresh rate.

3.

Cable Quality:

The quality of the cable connecting your monitor to your PC can impact performance. A subpar cable might not handle the bandwidth required for your monitor’s resolution and refresh rate.

4.

Graphics Card Settings:

The Nvidia GTX1060 6GB should handle a dual-monitor setup without issues. However, specific settings in the Nvidia Control Panel might be optimized for multi-monitor setups, inadvertently causing lag with a single monitor.

5.

Power Settings:

Windows 10 has various power plans that can throttle performance. Ensure that your power plan is set to ‘High performance’ to avoid any power-saving measures that could cause lag.

Troubleshooting Steps:

1.

Update Drivers:

Start by updating the drivers for your graphics card and monitor. Manufacturers often release updates that improve compatibility and performance.

2.

Check Cables:

Try using a different, high-quality cable to connect your monitor, preferably one that is certified for the required bandwidth.

3.

Adjust Display Settings:

Experiment with different resolutions and refresh rates to see if the lag persists.

4.

Nvidia Control Panel:

Explore the Nvidia Control Panel settings. Look for any options that might affect single-monitor performance and adjust accordingly.

5.

Power Plan:

Change your power plan settings to ‘High performance’ and observe if there’s an improvement.

Conclusion:

The issue you’re facing is likely due to a configuration or compatibility problem rather than a hardware limitation. By methodically going through the potential causes and troubleshooting steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the lag you’re experiencing with your LG monitor.

Remember, the key is to isolate the variables and test each one until you find the culprit. If the problem persists, consider reaching out to the monitor manufacturer for further assistance.

I hope this information proves helpful in resolving your PC’s performance issue.

Best regards,

An IT Expert