Multiple Weak machines or 1 Massive Powerfull machine?

[aetherg]

I bought 4 identical Dell mini-towers - 2ghz Core Duo w/ 1GB RAM and integrated graphics - for $300 each including shipping. They're typically running at 30-60FPS depending on the situation. I'd estimate they draw about 150W each (the power supplies are only 250W max), and generate very little heat. So as far as cost/heat/electricity, it's not a problem if you're careful about what you buy.

As I see it (still not sure if I made the right decision myself), the main argument in favor of one beefy machine is the ease of setup & use. With keyclone, especially new features like PiP, one beefy machine has great advantages over having lots of monitors or using VNC.

The main disadvantage is that, even with four cores, four gigs of RAM and an 8800, I doubt your framerates will be as smooth as separate machines.

[Sarduci]

I prefer multiple powerful machines, personally.

I'll second that notion. Too bad I don't have the space for 5 monitors.....

[Xzin]

I prefer multiple powerful machines, personally.

not all of us have that kind of money lol

True. But even then, you can get a VERY solid setup for ~ $2.5k ish that should pull 30+ FPS pretty much anywhere.

Depends on your version of what an expensive hobby is really but even a quad core is hard to put together for under $1k.

[glo]

Long term I think separate machines is best, Blizz could come out tomorrow and ban key broadcasting software.

Even with a large monitor having many clients in view makes it a pain to write your macros and read smaller text.

[Djarid]

Long term I think separate machines is best, Blizz could come out tomorrow and ban key broadcasting software.

Even with a large monitor having many clients in view makes it a pain to write your macros and read smaller text.

Agree, however PiP makes up for this, I can do basic stuff in my 384x300 non-focused windows e.g. Loot, hand in and get quests, trade with a vendor and use FPs

Anything else, I just Swap that instance into my main region (1538x1200) and then can read any text. It takes about 1 or 2 10ths of a second for me to swap windows. I am running an Athlon X2 4600+ 4Gb (2.8Gb avail) and an X1950XT on a 24" (1920x1200) monitor.

Do I get performance probs? sure, mainly in cities but since moving to linked Data folders this has improved.

Regarding the acceptable use of key broadcast software, it has the same likelihood of being banned as the full hardware solution. If a ban ever was imposed then it will be the process not the mechanism that they have problems with.

[Lyonheart]

i just paid 3500 for my newest PC ( i still use the last one for my "support" team of a mage and priest to buff/port my other 5 ) I could easily afford 5 PCs.. but I play other games and try almost anything that comes out. For me i have to play games at max res/settings or its just not worth it. So i always have the latest hardware. Anyway, i love only "needing" one PC. Keyclone and maximizer make it "easy" and I run all 5 acnts very smooth. ( two monitors ) Right now I'm using a 20' and 19' but will soon have two 30s for a bit more viewing area.

[Fearlys]

Blizzard will never ban multi-boxers, especially with us all aspiring to be like Zin (FREAKIN 10 BOXING ARE YOU SERIOUS???). If anything they'd upgrade servers and make wow more multiboxing friendly. They care nothing about the social benefits of an MMO and if they can get 50% of there player base to multi-box?? In the words of Method Man " DOLLAR DOLLAR BILL YAW!!!!!" :huh:

[keyclone]

I'm really new to dual-boxing, at the moment I have 2 chars (actually just started this last weekend). I'm also using keyclone after trying two computers with 'Synergy'. I found it a little with synergy, and keyclone has made things allot easier. I would like to add more chars in the future, so if was to go multiple computers, can they be controlled with keyclone (or some similar application)?

keyclone was initially designed to take advantage of all the hardware i had laying around... so yes, keyclone can easily connect multiple machines together. actually, there is no real limit to the number of machines you can connect.

this is a pic from the keyclone walk-thru 'tutorial' page:





as you can see.. multiple machines, multiple instances... 1 keyclone per machine. the most i have had in a 'keyclone network' has been 24 across 6 or 7 machines... but that was over 18 months ago. i haven't heard of anyone trying to connect more accounts in wow yet... but it's doable (but would probably bring down the ban hammer due to account sharing)

if you have any more questions, please feel free to drop me a note.

[Decedo]

I just installed a GeForce 8800 GTS (640MB) and new power supply and pip rocks now. Thinking about upping the toons (not up to Xzin's level though). ......getting hooked on this multi-boxing!

[marvein]

[quote='Fearlys',index.php?page=Thread&postID=45269 #post45269]Blizzard will never ban multi-boxers, especially with us all aspiring to be like Zin (FREAKIN 10 BOXING ARE YOU SERIOUS???). If anything they'd upgrade servers and make wow more multiboxing friendly. They care nothing about the social benefits of an MMO and if they can get 50% of there player base to multi-box?? In the words of Method Man " DOLLAR DOLLAR BILL YAW!!!!!" :huh:[/quote]

this is pretty much the case right here. They are not going to remove that kind of income from their stuff as long as we stay withini the realm of human controlled (which it is). For me the reason is I dont have space in this cramped apt to actually setup 5 computers on my desk (I have plenty in my place though) when I eventually get a bigger place/house I will definately be going to a 5 massive machine setup. I am an avid folder ( [url='http://folding.stanford.edu']Folding@home[/url] ) so I have all the PCs I need just add video cards and Im good but currently my one massive machine can handle things. Though Im upgrading to a quad core and adding another hard drive in short order to improve loading times.