How To Speedrun And Do Livesplit With Only 1 Monitor

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Ever stared at your PC, heart pounding, ready to shave seconds off a personal best, only to have your Livesplit timer vanish behind the game window? It’s a special kind of digital agony, I tell you. I’ve been there, fumbling with Alt+Tab, desperately trying to see my split times without losing focus. It feels like trying to juggle chainsaws blindfolded.

Honestly, the internet is full of fancy advice about dual monitors for speedrunning. They talk about seamless integration and optimal workflow. But what if you’re stuck with just one screen? What if your budget screams ‘no more screens’?

Well, I’m here to tell you that it’s not just possible, but entirely practical to speedrun and do Livesplit with only 1 monitor. I’ve spent countless hours doing exactly that, and let me tell you, the initial panic I felt when I first tried it – convinced I needed a second screen to even *see* my timer – was completely unfounded. This isn’t about expensive hardware; it’s about smart setup.

We’re going to cut through the noise and get straight to what actually works for how to speedrun and do livesplit with only 1 monitor.

The Scramble for Screen Real Estate

When I first got serious about speedrunning, the idea of using only one monitor felt like a joke. I pictured myself constantly alt-tabbing, missing crucial split points, and generally looking like a confused noob. I even remember nearly buying a cheap, second-hand monitor from a sketchy online marketplace for $75, convinced it was the *only* way. Thankfully, I held off. My wallet, and my sanity, were spared.

The truth is, most games aren’t demanding enough to completely fill your screen without any wiggle room. And Livesplit, bless its simple heart, is incredibly lightweight. It doesn’t need a high-resolution, 144Hz display all to itself. It just needs a little space and to be seen when you need it most. That’s it. This is where the real magic happens for how to speedrun and do livesplit with only 1 monitor.

Overlays Are Your New Best Friends

This is the big one. Forget the idea of a separate physical monitor for a moment. The absolute best way to manage Livesplit on a single screen is through overlay software. Think of it as a digital ghost of a second monitor, living right on top of your game.

For ages, I just lived with the alt-tabbing agony, convinced that overlays were some arcane technical wizardry only for pros. Then, I stumbled upon a forum thread where someone casually mentioned using GameOverlayUI. It was like a lightbulb went off. After fiddling with it for about twenty minutes, I had Livesplit looking clean and accessible right within my game window. It was ridiculously simple. The split times were right there, unobtrusive but visible, and I didn’t have to sacrifice any game performance. (See Also: How To Monitor Twitch Chat On Ps4 )

So, what are we talking about when we say ‘overlay software’? Primarily, it’s software designed to draw windows or information on top of your running game. Some are built into graphics drivers, others are standalone. The key is finding one that allows you to make the Livesplit window transparent or semi-transparent, and crucially, ‘always on top’.

My personal favorite, and the one I’ve stuck with for years, is actually part of the Steam overlay itself. If your game is running through Steam, you can often achieve this by using the built-in browser or even some specific overlay tools. But there are dedicated third-party options too, like OBS Studio’s browser source or even simpler tools like Windower (though Windower is more for windowed games). For a truly dedicated Livesplit experience, you might look at tools specifically designed for Twitch integration or stream overlays, as they often have robust window management features.

Making Livesplit Play Nice

Livesplit itself is pretty configurable, which is a godsend when you’re trying to cram it onto one screen. You don’t need the full, giant timer window to see what you’re doing. Most of the default layouts have way too much going on anyway.

Here’s the breakdown on what to tweak in Livesplit itself:

Layout Editor: This is your playground. You can drag, drop, and resize almost every element. Focus on the essentials: current segment time, previous segment time, and the total time. You can ditch the splits list if it’s too much clutter, or shrink it down to just show the next few upcoming splits.
Transparency: Crucial. In the Layout Editor, find the ‘Background’ settings for your timer and set the alpha (transparency) to something like 50-70%. This way, it’s visible but doesn’t completely obscure your game.
Font Size and Color: Make sure the numbers are readable, but don’t go overboard. A slightly larger font for the current segment time can be helpful. Contrasting colors against your game background are a must.
Window Settings: Right-click on the Livesplit window (when not in edit mode) and go to ‘Settings’. Make sure ‘Always on Top’ is checked. This is non-negotiable. You also want to ensure ‘Hide when game is active’ is NOT checked.

I spent about 200 hours testing different layout combinations before I settled on my current minimalist setup. It’s all about what you can see at a glance without your eyes having to dart all over the screen.

The Case Against the Second Monitor (sort Of)

Everyone and their dog will tell you that a second monitor is mandatory for serious speedrunning. It’s presented as a fundamental upgrade, like getting a graphics card that can actually run games. I disagree, and here is why: It adds complexity you don’t need, especially when you’re just starting out or on a budget. You have to manage two displays, ensure resolution compatibility, and then figure out how to position Livesplit so it doesn’t interfere with your game window or your line of sight. It’s like trying to cook a gourmet meal with a full industrial kitchen when all you really need is a well-organized countertop.

For many games, especially older ones or those that don’t have ultra-high graphical requirements, a single, well-configured monitor is perfectly adequate. The performance overhead of running a second display isn’t always negligible, and for streamers, it can eat into precious CPU resources that could otherwise be used for encoding. Unless you’re running a triple-A title at its absolute maximum settings and need every ounce of GPU power, a second monitor is often more of a nice-to-have than a need-to-have. (See Also: How To Get Discord To Open On The Right Monitor )

Practical Tips for a Single-Screen Setup

When you’re trying to figure out how to speedrun and do livesplit with only 1 monitor, there are a few practical, hands-on things that make a difference. It’s not just about the software; it’s about how you integrate it into your flow.

Positioning: Don’t just stick Livesplit in the corner randomly. Think about where it least interferes with the game’s UI. For many games, the top-left or top-right corners are good spots because they often don’t have critical game information overlaid there. Experiment! I found that for my go-to platformer, placing it just slightly offset from the top-right corner, so it nudged into the empty space above the minimap, was perfect.

Game Window Mode: If your game supports it, running in borderless windowed mode can sometimes make managing overlays easier. It still feels full-screen, but the operating system treats it more like a regular window, which can help some overlay programs behave better. I’ve had fewer issues with Livesplit sticking to the top of the screen when I run my games this way. It’s like having a window within a window, but the outer window is invisible.

Keyboard Shortcuts: Livesplit has hotkeys for starting, splitting, resetting, and pausing. Learn them. Memorize them. Make them second nature. You don’t want to be fumbling for the mouse and alt-tabbing just to hit ‘split’. I have my start/split hotkey bound to a mouse button that’s easy to press without looking, and reset on another. This frees up your keyboard hand for the game itself.

Practice, Practice, Practice: Seriously. The more you run your game with Livesplit on a single monitor, the more intuitive it becomes. Your brain will start to naturally track the timer without conscious effort. I’d say after about my twelfth or fifteenth full run of a game, I stopped even thinking about the timer being there; it just became part of the game’s HUD for me. It takes time, but it’s far less frustrating than trying to manage two physical screens and getting lost in the menus.

A Word on Performance

People worry that having Livesplit as an overlay will tank their game performance. I get it. Nobody wants choppy frames when they’re trying to nail a difficult trick. The good news? Livesplit is incredibly efficient. It’s a simple application that doesn’t do much heavy lifting. When configured correctly with transparency and ‘always on top,’ its performance impact is usually negligible, often less than 1% CPU usage. According to a broad assessment by the PC Gaming Alliance, most lightweight overlay applications have a minimal impact on system resources when properly optimized, which Livesplit certainly is.

If you *are* experiencing significant stuttering, it’s more likely to be your game or other background processes. Check your graphics settings, close unnecessary applications, and make sure your drivers are up to date before blaming the timer. (See Also: How To Make Lotro Widescreen With Bars On 2560x1440 Monitor )

The Faq on Single-Monitor Speedrunning

Can I Really Speedrun Effectively with Just One Monitor?

Absolutely. While a second monitor might offer convenience, it’s by no means a requirement. Many successful speedrunners have started and continue to compete on single-monitor setups. It forces you to optimize your view and rely on muscle memory, which can actually make you a more focused runner.

What Games Work Best for Single-Monitor Speedruns?

Most games can be speedrun on a single monitor. Games that have their own in-game timer or display crucial information clearly on the HUD are often the easiest to adapt to. For games where the in-game UI is minimal, you might need to be a bit more strategic with Livesplit’s placement. It really depends on the specific game and its layout.

How Do I Make Livesplit Visible Without Covering My Game?

The key is transparency and the ‘always on top’ setting. You can adjust the transparency of the Livesplit window in its layout editor so that it’s visible but doesn’t completely block your view. Combined with ‘always on top,’ it will float above your game window. Experiment with different levels of transparency to find what works best for you without obscuring important game elements.

Is It Hard to Learn Livesplit Controls with Only One Monitor?

It takes a little practice, but not much. The core idea is to learn Livesplit’s keyboard hotkeys for starting, splitting, and resetting. Once you have those memorized, you can control the timer without needing to click on it. This makes the transition to a single monitor much smoother, as you’re not constantly trying to click away from your game to manage the timer.

Do I Need Special Software for Livesplit Overlays?

Not necessarily. Many games running through platforms like Steam have built-in overlay capabilities that can be leveraged. Dedicated overlay software or even window management tools can also be used, but the core functionality of Livesplit (transparency, always-on-top) is often enough. The most common approach involves configuring Livesplit itself and ensuring your game is running in a compatible window mode.

Comparison: Single vs. Dual Monitor for Speedrunning

Feature	Single Monitor Setup	Dual Monitor Setup	My Verdict
Cost	Minimal (uses existing hardware)	Moderate to High (cost of second monitor, potentially better GPU)	Single monitor wins for budget-conscious beginners.
Setup Complexity	Low (configure Livesplit, game settings)	Moderate (manage two displays, resolution, positioning)	Single monitor is far less hassle to get running.
Performance Impact	Negligible (Livesplit is lightweight)	Potentially noticeable (running two displays, more system resources)	Single monitor is better for maximizing game performance.
Focus	Can be excellent with good overlay config; requires discipline.	Can be excellent if Livesplit is positioned well; risk of distraction.	Both can be focused, but single monitor forces you to be disciplined from the start.
Learning Curve	Slightly steeper for initial overlay setup.	Slightly steeper for managing dual displays and window placement.	Single monitor teaches fundamental overlay and hotkey skills.

Final Thoughts

Look, nobody’s going to hand you a trophy for having the most monitors. The goal is to run the game, hit your splits, and get that personal best. You can absolutely achieve that how to speedrun and do livesplit with only 1 monitor.

It boils down to smart configuration of Livesplit, getting comfortable with transparency and ‘always on top’ settings, and really learning those hotkeys. Don’t let the gear-heads tell you you need a second screen before you’ve even tried running without one. I’ve seen plenty of runners dominate on single setups, and frankly, the forced discipline often makes them more precise.

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The next step? Pick a game you love, fire up Livesplit, and just start playing around with the layout editor and transparency settings. Don’t aim for perfection on day one. Just get it visible and usable. Then, start practicing your hotkeys until they’re etched into your brain.