Windows 7: Concerns with gaming and 2 monitors

I know using 2 monitors while gaming will lower my FPS, I am wondering if I just go into the AMD Control Center and "disable desktop" will my graphics card be less strained and put me back to regular FPS? Or do I have to unplug it from the computer.

Thanks, Andrew.

Are you going to game on one monitor or use both thus highering the resolution? Kind of confused because of the way you stated your question. Also that card is kind of low end for high resolutions which are double to use on two monitors at high settings which is why your getting lower fps. I think what your trying to say is you want to game on one screen correct? Try holding the windows key then press P and it will let you navigate and choose how many monitors you want displaying.

I also run dual monitors and only use one to when gaming. I have shortcuts on my desktop to switch back and forth. Its the equivalent to doing the windows key + P and selecting "computer only" or "extend". I just turn the second monitor off, I don't disconnect it from my video card.
Display Switch Shortcut - Create

I only play on 1 monitor and watch youtube on the second. I have 1600x900 and 1280x1024. So does disabling increase my FPS or do I have to unplug it?

If you disable it you don't have to unplug it. If its disabled the video card just ignores it. All you'll get is a "no signal detected" message on that monitor if you leave it on while disabled.

alright thank you man, one more quick question. What do you suggest for me is better? my new 1600x900 LED monitor, or my old 1280x1024.

Thats just personal choice. Me I don't like small wide screen monitors. My two monitors are normal 4:3 aspect ratio 1280 x 1024 LCD's. I'll take an LCD over a CRT any day, they are in my opinion, a lot easier on the yes.

alright thanks

It isn't the second monitor that is/may cause lower FPS but the watching of youtube on the second while playing. That causes the card to run at lower clocks, part of UVD,

Unified Video Decoder - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

which are lower than the the full clock speeds. AMD cards have three different power states,

1. Low or idle where the clocks are at their minimum (100 core and 150 memory in the case of my 6850).

2. UVD which is somewhere between low and full.

3. Full, which is whatever the card is designed to run at.

The problem with youtube and running it on a second monitor while gaming is it causing the card to run in UVD power state, thereby causing a drop in FPS while gaming. No need to turn off or disable the second if you don't have youtube running as the card will then run at its full power state, and if there is any performance difference it will only be a couple of FPS if that.