Multiple Weak machines or 1 Massive Powerfull machine?

[Sentack]

I'm realtively new to Multi-Boxing. That's pretty clear. But recently I just discovered KeyClone and it's multiple display feature. The ability to have all 5 instances of an application running on screen as if they were full screen, thus enableing you to multi-box with just one computer instead of multiple cheeper computers.

Now, the advantages of this approach are pretty clear to me. 1 Master machine means less hardware purchases, and an over all much better master system that can run regular games better then 4 slave machines, each drawing a ton of power, driving your electric bills thru the roof.

The disadvantage is that you need to buy one killer machine. That could easly run you into the thousands of dollars. Blowing $4k on 1 machine isn't impossable these days and while it'll run 5 instances of WoW easly. It's also actually more expensive then buying 4 cheep machines and having 1 'decent' machine. Although the difference might be very slim.

Also, your multi-tasking your computer and that presents it's own problems. Plus, multiple machines means you can host your own multi-game party if you want. Having 5 machines in the house can be a lot of fun.

So what is the popular opinion these days? 1 Killer machine? 2-3 Decent machines, some running multiple accounts, or all separate machines?

Sentack

[Gallo]

A standard issue 5box machine is basically:

Q6600 Processor
4gb RAM
Good Motherboard
Geforce 8800GT / 8800GTS / 8800GTX
600W+ PSU (good brand)
1 or more Hard drives.

going with a 8800GT and 1 hard drive, I made my machine for $850. You could make it beefier with a 8800GTS/GTX and more hard drives and still be well under $2k.

Edit: The main "disadvantage" to 1 machine vs multiple is the possibility that at some point Blizzard will ban the software that allows us to multibox. They don't seem to have a problem with it, but all the hardware-boxers have a) this conspiracy theory b) enough money to buy 5 machines anyways or c) both.

[Ughmahedhurtz]

Just like your class, skill and macro selections, everything is a tradeoff. I run multiple machines (2.2-3.6GHz single/dual cores for the alts; Q6600 on main) so I can listen to winamp, download pr0n, capture video of my gaming and surf the web all at the same time without suffering performance issues.

[Djarid]

Multi-machine all hardware solution has the lowest latency with the highest cost

Multi-machine with software broadcast is probably has the slowest response time but has the advantage of using a broadcast mouse

Single machine has the disadvantage of no hardware broadcast but some of the features of Keyclone and Octopus are really closing the gap functionality wise. PiP, Keymaps, RR, DNP and Whitelists (with new features coming all the while). It is also the cheapest to setup and perhaps more importantly to run. It does not suffer the noise and heat issues of the hardware solution. If software mouse broadcasting ever gets developed then I think that this solution could win the day... the extra functionality more than offsetting the decreasing performance advantage of ps2 broadcasts.

[Xzin]

I prefer multiple powerful machines, personally.

[Ðeceased]

Just like your class, skill and macro selections, everything is a tradeoff. I run multiple machines (2.2-3.6GHz single/dual cores for the alts; Q6600 on main) so I can listen to winamp, download pr0n, capture video of my gaming and surf the web all at the same time without suffering performance issues.

hmm using a laptop myself.. not an amazingly powerful one either so you wouldn't need an ultra powerful PC.. as for the music etc I've learnt to optimise my set-up :P mp3 player for music (constantly charging mind you as i listen too such a lot). If you require p0rn, I guess you could go back to the old fashioned way of the VCR or something. video capture I guess would require a bit of umpf in the machine..

[Decedo]

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)?

Thanks,

[Gurblash]

I personally run 5box on my laptop *specs in sig*. I run 30fps on main window and abuse the shit out of PiPs and BOOBS with KeyClone. Runs without a hitch in PvE, they are still young though so they havn't been battle tested in PvP. I imagine that AV would be pretty ugly on framerates with lots of people on the screen though. Org turns into a move 10yards, wait 5seconds, move 10 yards, wait 5seconds deal.

Despite all its 'cons' if you don't have the financial means, or in my case no fucking room in your house to setup your desk and your 6PCs in storage, a mid-high end laptop can 5box just fine.

[BobGnarly]

Good points already, but here's my take.

For most people, having 5 computers is a waste. You aren't really going to use them very much besides when you are 5-boxing, so it's a lot of hardware that won't get a lot of use. Also, don't underestimate the effect of having 5 computers in a room from a heat POV. It's significant.

Now, when I was starting this up, I thought like you: I'd need a monster computer to manage 5 accounts on one machine. Fortunately, I tried it out on what I had and found that it was fine (6600 core2du0, 2G upgraded later to 4G, 8800gtx@2560x1600). You can see by those specs that it's far from the best. While the video card is high-end, it's also running at a very high resolution which means it's got a lot more to do when running 5 wows.

There are also some things that software brings to the table that are more convenient (DNP, PIP swapping <<< huge, keymaps, etc). These can all be done via macroing and whatnot in the game with a all-hardware solution, but the software solution is much simpler to setup and manage, in my opinion.

There are advantages to hardware, as stated above, and they aren't to be ignored. You just have to decide which side of that fence you are on.

Good luck.

[Klamor]

I prefer multiple powerful machines, personally.

not all of us have that kind of money lol