Can you use Nzxt Cam as a second monitor?

NZXT CAM, a powerful and feature-rich application, is one of the most popular options for managing and monitoring your system. Whether you’re gaming, streaming, or handling demanding tasks like video editing, NZXT CAM provides real-time insights into CPU and GPU usage, temperatures, FPS, and much more.

But what if you want to take your PC monitoring experience to the next level? Can NZXT CAM be used as a second monitor? While the software isn’t explicitly designed for this purpose, it can be configured to work seamlessly on a secondary display. This opens up a world of possibilities for enhancing productivity, optimizing gaming setups, and creating a more immersive PC experience.

Using NZXT CAM on a second monitor can provide several advantages. For gamers, it allows you to track performance metrics like frame rates and temperatures without interrupting gameplay. For content creators, it ensures that you can monitor system load while working on resource-intensive projects. And for streamers, it makes it easy to keep tabs on system stats while managing overlays, chat, and stream quality on your primary screen.

What Is NZXT CAM?

Before diving into setup details, let’s take a closer look at NZXT CAM and why it’s a go-to tool for gamers, streamers, and productivity enthusiasts.

Key Features of NZXT CAM

System Monitoring: Tracks CPU, GPU, and RAM usage in real-time, allowing users to identify and resolve bottlenecks.
Customizable Overlays: Displays FPS, temperatures, and other data during gaming or multitasking.
RGB and Hardware Control: Syncs with NZXT products for easy lighting and cooling adjustments.
In-Depth Analysis: Offers detailed insights into system performance trends over time.
User-Friendly Interface: Combines functionality with aesthetic appeal, making it simple to navigate.

These features make NZXT CAM indispensable for maintaining optimal system performance, especially for high-demand applications.

Can NZXT CAM Serve as a Second Monitor?

The direct answer is no, NZXT CAM isn’t inherently designed as a secondary monitor software. However, it can be used creatively to mimic the functionality of a second monitor by displaying its interface on an additional screen.

What Does This Mean?

When we say NZXT CAM can be used as a “second monitor,” it’s important to clarify that the software itself isn’t designed to function as an independent display extension like tools specifically built for screen mirroring or display management. Instead, NZXT CAM is a system monitoring application designed to track and display your PC’s performance metrics, including CPU usage, GPU temperatures, frame rates, and more.

However, you can leverage its interface and functionality creatively on a secondary screen to achieve a similar effect. Essentially, this means running NZXT CAM on your PC and physically moving the application window to a second monitor connected to your setup. The result is that the second screen serves as a dedicated display for NZXT CAM, allowing you to keep critical system information visible at all times without cluttering your primary monitor.

For example:

Gamers: You can game uninterrupted on your primary monitor while keeping an eye on real-time performance metrics, such as FPS or GPU temperatures, on the second screen.
Streamers: You can monitor your system’s performance while managing your stream, overlays, and audience interaction on your main monitor.
Content Creators: When rendering videos or performing other resource-heavy tasks, you can ensure your system is running optimally by monitoring resource usage on the second display.

Using NZXT CAM on a secondary monitor doesn’t change the way the software functions it’s still an advanced monitoring tool. However, by dedicating an entire screen to its display, you enhance its usability. This approach is practical, non-invasive, and perfect for multitasking setups, helping you maximize both performance monitoring and workspace efficiency.

Why Use NZXT CAM on a Secondary Monitor?

Performance Monitoring

For many users, particularly gamers, streamers, and professionals working with resource-intensive applications, real-time performance monitoring is critical to maintaining a smooth and uninterrupted experience. NZXT CAM, when used on a secondary monitor, offers an easy and efficient way to keep track of important system metrics such as temperatures, FPS (frames per second), and usage stats (CPU, GPU, RAM utilization).

Gamers: During gaming sessions, tracking FPS, CPU, and GPU performance ensures that your system is running optimally. If you notice performance drops, such as a decrease in FPS or an increase in GPU temperature, you can take immediate action—whether it’s reducing in-game graphics settings, closing background applications, or adjusting hardware settings like fan speeds. Having NZXT CAM on a second monitor means you don’t have to minimize your game to check these stats.
Streamers: For streamers, having NZXT CAM on a secondary display ensures that you can monitor vital system stats while staying engaged with your audience. By keeping an eye on things like GPU load or CPU usage, streamers can avoid issues such as stuttering, crashes, or overheating.
Professionals: Whether you’re working with video editing software, running simulations, or rendering 3D models, system performance can significantly affect workflow. With NZXT CAM open on a second screen, professionals can easily identify performance bottlenecks without interrupting their work, allowing them to make adjustments and prevent delays.

This real-time performance data helps users quickly identify and address system issues, optimizing their overall computing experience.

Improved Productivity

When working on tasks such as video editing, graphic design, or 3D rendering, system performance is directly tied to productivity. These tasks are often resource-intensive, requiring significant processing power from your CPU and GPU, as well as substantial memory.

Video Editing: When editing large video files or working with complex timelines, a high-performing system is crucial. If your system starts to overheat or if your CPU usage spikes, it can cause lag, rendering delays, or crashes. With NZXT CAM on a second monitor, you can monitor resource usage while editing, so you can quickly adjust or take preventative action before these performance issues affect your workflow.
Graphic Design: In graphic design, particularly with programs like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator, large files and multiple open projects can put a strain on system resources. NZXT CAM’s system statistics displayed on a secondary screen let you track CPU and RAM usage in real time. If performance begins to degrade, you can save your work and close unnecessary applications to free up resources.
3D Rendering: 3D rendering is one of the most demanding tasks for any computer, often utilizing the full power of your CPU and GPU. If either of these components becomes overburdened or overheated, it could slow down the process or even cause crashes. By keeping NZXT CAM on a secondary monitor, you have immediate visibility into your system’s health, allowing you to troubleshoot issues without interrupting the rendering process itself.

In all these cases, having NZXT CAM available on a secondary monitor allows you to address potential performance problems proactively, helping to maintain productivity without constant distractions.

Streamlined Multitasking

Whether you’re a streamer or a gamer, multitasking is essential to maximizing your efficiency and performance. Streamers, for instance, often juggle multiple tasks at once—monitoring their system’s health, interacting with their audience, managing stream settings, and running various programs. Having NZXT CAM open on a second monitor makes this process much easier.

For Streamers: Streamers need to ensure that their stream runs smoothly without any lag or crashes. By displaying NZXT CAM on a second monitor, streamers can track their system’s performance, including CPU usage, memory usage, and GPU load. This allows them to monitor potential issues like CPU overloads or GPU overheating while keeping their main screen focused on stream management. For example, if the stream is running on OBS and the system is starting to show signs of performance degradation, the streamer can immediately identify the issue and take action, such as lowering in-game graphics settings or closing background applications.
For Gamers: Gamers can use a similar setup, where the second monitor is dedicated to tracking system performance while the primary screen remains fully engaged in gameplay. This setup allows gamers to keep an eye on FPS, temperature readings, and resource usage during high-stakes gaming moments, such as online multiplayer battles. Gamers don’t have to worry about pausing the game or alt-tabbing to check the system status—they can stay fully immersed while monitoring vital stats in real time.

In both streaming and gaming, the ability to monitor system performance without interrupting gameplay or streaming ensures smooth multitasking. You can react to performance dips or hardware concerns instantly, making for a much more efficient and enjoyable experience.

How to Display NZXT CAM on a Second Monitor

Setting up NZXT CAM on a second monitor is straightforward. Follow these steps for an optimal configuration:

Install and Configure NZXT CAM

Download NZXT CAM: Visit our NZXT Cam Website to download the latest version.
Install the Software: Follow the on-screen instructions to complete installation.
Sign In or Create an Account: You’ll need to log in to access all features.
Adjust Settings: Customize the monitoring interface to display the data most relevant to you.

Set Up Your Second Monitor

Connect the Monitor: Use a compatible cable (HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C) to connect the secondary display.
Configure Display Settings:
- Right-click on your desktop and select Display Settings.
- Choose Extend These Displays to use the second monitor independently.
Position the Monitors: Arrange the monitors logically in the display settings to match your physical setup.

Display NZXT CAM on the Second Monitor

Launch NZXT CAM.
Resize the window to your preferred size.
Drag the application window to your secondary display.
Maximize the window for a full-screen interface or leave it resizable for multitasking.

Creative Ways to Use NZXT CAM on a Second Monitor

Gaming Dashboard

Display NZXT CAM’s FPS and temperature stats while gaming on the primary monitor.
Monitor real-time performance data without interrupting gameplay.

Content Creation

Use NZXT CAM to track system load during video editing, rendering, or graphic design tasks.
Quickly identify if your CPU, GPU, or RAM is nearing its limit.

Streaming Setup

Streamers can monitor system stats on a secondary monitor while managing chat, overlays, and alerts on their primary screen.
Ensure the system runs smoothly throughout the stream.

Diagnostics and Troubleshooting

Use NZXT CAM to diagnose system issues such as overheating or hardware throttling during intensive tasks.
Keep it open on a secondary screen to catch potential problems early.

Benefits of Using NZXT CAM on a Second Monitor

Enhanced Multitasking

Having a secondary display for NZXT CAM frees up your primary monitor for productivity or entertainment tasks.

Optimized Performance Management

NZXT CAM allows you to react to performance issues in real time, preventing potential system crashes or slowdowns.

Streamlined Workflow

With NZXT CAM on a second monitor, you can keep critical performance data visible without disrupting your primary tasks.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

Using NZXT CAM on a second monitor may occasionally present challenges. Here’s how to address them:

NZXT CAM Won’t Display Properly on Second Monitor

Check Display Settings: Ensure your second monitor is correctly configured in your system settings.
Update Drivers: Outdated GPU or monitor drivers can cause display issues.

High Resource Usage by NZXT CAM

Adjust Refresh Rate: Lower the refresh rate in NZXT CAM’s settings to reduce CPU and GPU usage.
Close Background Applications: Free up system resources by closing unnecessary apps.

Compatibility Issues with Older Hardware

Update NZXT CAM: Ensure you’re running the latest version of the software.
Consider Alternatives: If compatibility issues persist, explore alternative monitoring tools like MSI Afterburner or HWMonitor.

Alternatives to NZXT CAM for Second-Monitor Use

If NZXT CAM doesn’t meet your needs, here are a few alternatives:

MSI Afterburner

Offers detailed system monitoring and customizable overlays.
Works well with gaming setups.

AIDA64 Extreme

Designed for professional monitoring, including second-screen support.
Provides extensive performance data for advanced users.

HWMonitor

A lightweight tool for monitoring temperatures, fan speeds, and voltages.
Ideal for users seeking simplicity.

Advanced Tips for NZXT CAM Users

Customize the Interface

Tailor NZXT CAM to display the metrics you find most valuable. For instance:

Gamers: Focus on FPS, GPU temperature, and CPU usage.
Content Creators: Highlight RAM and storage usage.

Leverage Overlays

Use NZXT CAM’s overlay feature to display real-time stats directly within your games or applications.

Sync with NZXT Ecosystem

If you have NZXT hardware, such as cases or cooling solutions, take advantage of CAM’s integration for seamless control.

Conclusion

NZXT CAM may not be a native second-monitor solution, but with a bit of creativity, it can be used effectively to display real-time system performance on an additional screen. Whether you’re a gamer, content creator, or multitasker, this setup can significantly enhance your workflow and system awareness.