How to Speedrun with One Monitor: My Mistakes
Look, nobody tells you this until you’ve already sunk a few hundred bucks into stuff that looks cool on paper but just… doesn’t work. I’m talking about those shiny peripherals and fancy software setups that promise to shave seconds off your times, only to leave you staring at a cluttered desk and a slower run.
Especially when you’re trying to figure out how to speedrun with one monitor. It feels like everyone else has dual setups, triple setups, or a dedicated streaming rig that costs more than my first car. The pressure to have more screens is immense, but it’s mostly just noise.
I wasted a solid two months and about $180 on a fancy capture card I didn’t even need, thinking it was the key to better on-screen info. Spoiler: it wasn’t. The real trick isn’t more screens; it’s smarter use of the one you’ve got.
The Myth of the Second Monitor
Seriously, the amount of online advice that starts with ‘get a second monitor’ is staggering. It’s like a mantra. People spout it like it’s the gospel. And yeah, for some games and some speedrunning categories, it can be helpful. But for a huge chunk of what people actually run, it’s just… extra. A distraction, even.
My own journey into speedrunning was a comedy of errors, largely thanks to this second-monitor dogma. I bought a decent second monitor, wired it all up, spent hours configuring software only to find myself constantly glancing away, losing focus on the game itself. It felt like trying to drive a car while also watching a separate TV. Pointless and dangerous for my times. After my fourth attempt at a PB with the second monitor bogging me down, I ripped the cables out and haven’t looked back for most games.
What Actually Matters on That Single Screen
Forget the extra pixels for a moment. What *information* do you actually need visible? This is where you have to get brutal and honest with yourself about the game you’re playing. Is it a UI-heavy RPG where you need to track multiple timers and stats? Or is it a fast-paced platformer where the entire game fits on screen? (See Also: How To Put 144hz Monitor At 144hz )
For many games, the most important things are the game itself, a timer (usually an external one like LiveSplit, which you can overlay), and maybe a reference to a specific strat or a quick-check route. Trying to cram chat, Discord notifications, and ten different web pages onto a second screen only splits your attention.
Think of it like a chef working in a cramped kitchen. They don’t have a giant counter for their personal notes; they have their ingredients, their tools, and their recipe card within arm’s reach. Everything else is stored away. Your single monitor needs to be that focused workspace.
Tools for the Single-Screen Warrior
You don’t need a whole new display to manage your speedrun essentials. Here’s what I’ve landed on:
- LiveSplit (or similar timer): This is non-negotiable. It sits on top of your game. You can configure its transparency and position so it’s there but not intrusive. Make it big enough to see easily, but not so big it covers crucial gameplay elements. I usually have mine in a corner, dimmed slightly so it feels like part of the game’s HUD.
- Overlay Software: OBS Studio or Streamlabs OBS (even if you aren’t streaming) are fantastic for overlaying text files or images. This is where your route notes, key inputs, or cheat sheets live. Set them to be semi-transparent and always on top. This is far less disruptive than a whole other monitor.
- Game Settings: This is often overlooked. Many games have UI scaling options, or ways to hide non-essential elements. Turn off distracting background animations. Reduce peripheral clutter. If the game gives you options to simplify its own interface, use them ruthlessly. A cleaner game screen means less for your brain to process, even if you aren’t consciously aware of it.
My Dumbest Purchase: The ‘gamer’ Overlay Controller
About a year ago, I saw this ad for a programmable keypad, like a mini keyboard with a bunch of customizable buttons. It promised ‘instant access to game commands, macros, and overlay controls’. I thought, ‘Aha! This will be my single-monitor command center!’ I spent $120 on it. It arrived, and it was… clunky. The software was a nightmare, and half the buttons just ended up triggering my actual keyboard shortcuts anyway, causing me to fail a run spectacularly when I accidentally opened my inventory mid-boss fight. The whole point was to simplify, and it just added another layer of complexity that felt like trying to play a piano with oven mitts on. So yeah, that $120 taught me a valuable lesson about what ‘simplification’ really means.
When ‘less Is More’ Actually Applies
This isn’t just about saving desk space or money, although those are nice perks. It’s about cognitive load. Think about how a concert pianist’s eyes move; they’re not scanning a giant teleprompter. They’re looking at the sheet music, their hands, and the conductor, all within a tightly defined visual field. Speedrunning, especially on one monitor, demands that same kind of intense focus. Your brain has a finite amount of processing power. Why would you deliberately tax it with visual noise? (See Also: How To Switch An Acer Monitor To Hdmi )
I remember one time, a speedrunner I followed, let’s call him ‘Fast Eddie’, was known for his insane splits. Everyone assumed he had this elaborate multi-monitor setup. Turns out, he ran everything on one screen and used a tiny, almost invisible overlay for his timer and a single line of text for the current objective. He was a master of visual economy. It was like watching a hummingbird – focused, precise, and incredibly fast.
Contrarian Take: Your Monitor Count Is Not Your Skill Level
Everyone says you need more screens to be competitive. I disagree, and here is why: The skill in speedrunning isn’t about how many ways you can display information; it’s about how efficiently you can process the *necessary* information. If you can’t manage your run with a single, well-configured monitor, adding more screens will likely just make you worse. It’s like trying to learn to cook by buying every single kitchen gadget imaginable; you end up with a cluttered workspace and no idea where to start. Focus on optimizing your single display before you even *consider* adding another.
Faq: Your Burning Single-Monitor Questions
Can I Really Be Competitive Without a Second Monitor?
Yes, absolutely. Many top speedrunners use only one monitor. The key is efficient use of screen real estate and clear organization of your necessary information (timer, route notes, game). It’s about focus, not screen count. A single, well-managed monitor can be more effective than two or three poorly configured ones.
What’s the Best Way to Display My Timer on One Screen?
Use an overlay program like LiveSplit. You can set it to be transparent and ‘always on top’ of your game. Position it in a corner where it’s visible but doesn’t obstruct critical gameplay elements. Experiment with transparency and size until it feels right for the specific game you’re running.
How Do I Manage Route Notes Without a Second Screen?
Overlay text files are your best friend. Use OBS or similar software to display a text file that contains your route. Keep it concise. Alternatively, use a simple web page that you can quickly alt-tab to if absolutely necessary, but ideally, the notes should be overlaid and visible at a glance. Some people even use cheat sheets printed out and placed *near* their monitor, but that’s still external information. (See Also: How To Monitor My Sleep With Apple Watch )
Is It Harder to Learn a Game Speedrun with Just One Monitor?
It can feel that way initially, especially if you’re used to having information scattered. However, it forces you to internalize the game’s mechanics and your route more effectively. Think of it as mental training; the more you rely on your own recall and quick glances at essential info, the better your muscle memory and reaction times will become. It’s a steeper learning curve, but the payoff is a more profound understanding of the game.
What About Games with Complex Uis?
This is where you have to be very selective. For games with very dense UIs that are integral to the speedrun (like some strategy games or complex RPGs), a second monitor *might* become more justifiable. However, even then, explore every in-game option to simplify or move UI elements on your primary monitor first. If you absolutely must have more space, consider if that specific game is the best starting point for your single-monitor speedrunning journey.
The Physical Setup: Minimizing Distraction
Your desk isn’t just a digital space. Physical clutter is just as bad as digital clutter. Keep your desk clean. Only have the absolute essentials within reach: your controller or keyboard/mouse, your drink, and maybe a small notepad for quick, ephemeral thoughts that don’t need to be on screen. Everything else should be put away. I even bought a cheap monitor stand with built-in cable management, and it made a surprisingly big difference. The fewer things your eyes can dart to, the better.
| Item | Function | Verdict (My Opinion) |
|---|---|---|
| Dual Monitor Setup | Displays game and external info simultaneously. | Overkill for most games. Can lead to divided attention and slower times. Only truly beneficial for very specific, complex runs. |
| LiveSplit Timer | Essential for tracking progress and splits. | Mandatory. Configurable transparency makes it work on a single monitor without being intrusive. |
| OBS/Streamlabs Overlays | Display route notes, objectives, or other text. | Highly recommended for single-monitor setups. Allows you to keep crucial info visible without a second screen. |
| Programmable Keypad | Quick access to macros, commands, or timers. | Situational. Can be useful but often adds complexity and potential for error if not set up perfectly. I’ve personally found them more trouble than they’re worth for my needs. |
According to a general consensus among long-time speedrunning communities, the emphasis is shifting *away* from elaborate hardware setups and *towards* optimizing software and in-game configurations for single-display efficiency. It’s not about having the most screens; it’s about making the most of the ones you have.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, ditching the second monitor was one of the best decisions I made for my speedrunning. It forced me to get smarter about how I managed information, and my times actually improved because I was more focused.
Don’t get sucked into the hardware arms race. Figure out what information is truly critical for the game you’re running, and then optimize your single monitor to display that information clearly and unobtrusively. The goal of how to speedrun with one monitor isn’t just to do it, but to do it effectively.
Start by stripping down your setup. If you find yourself genuinely bottlenecked, *then* you can explore adding more, but do it with a clear purpose, not just because everyone else seems to have it.
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