> Rendering a vertical game vertically you're touching more output pixels (more of the > monitor's surface area) so when no hardware scaling is occurring it's a heavier CPU > load.
100% Exactly right. It makes a hell of a difference and I use rotate all the time along with HLSL settings which gives things a very nice look.
It's really evident with the Artwork change that went in some months ago as well.
That's why I still enjoy running VP with Full Screen tables. All the new pinball stuff available retail these days does not allow rotation for a vertical display that I have seen