Noc's Five Box

[Nocturne]

Well I finally got around to cleaning my desk off and figured I'd make it a Kodak moment :wink:

Here's my setup for the time being, I'm saving up for a keyboard mux sometime here in the next few months. The PCs are all custom builds, the four being exactly the same which saved a lot of setup time. I use a logitech wireless keyboard/mouse and a Belkin N52 for the mages. I don't PvP much with them so the monitor distance doesn't bother me. ( I do occasionally lose someone) If you have any questions feel free to ask.


My desk:


My group on Tortheldrin at level 61 - Priest & 4 Mages

[Xzin]

Very nice!

Is it too hard to monitor all 5 with the monitors so far apart?

[Qcybershop]

what server?

[Nocturne]

Very nice!

Is it too hard to monitor all 5 with the monitors so far apart?

I sit back far enough that it has not been overly hard, though PvP has been unkind with this setup. Should I venture back into that aspect of WoW (besides the occasional run-in) I will probably modify the desk and remove the drawer/cubbies so they can all be closer together. My other option is a custom mount for the ergotron stands that mounts to the back of the desk, however I am concerned that the pressboard crap they make it out of will prove to be too weak. I have been expressly told that I will not be wall mounting them (my first choice) as my wife has put her foot down. :wink:

As for servers, both groups pictured are on Tortheldrin, a disgustingly unbalanced (3.5:1 H:A) server that opened around January of this year. I had hoped for better.

[Qcybershop]

how u find out the balance of the server for horde / alliance?


nevermind i got it :shock:

[Xzin]

Actually, the ergotrons are rock solid. I am using an array of 6 of them to support 6x 30" monitors. They aren't cheap but they are solid steel and aluminum.

Buy em used, ebay is a great source.

No need to wall mount em. Desk mount, grommet, desk stand - all rock solid.

[Otlecs]

That's a really nice setup. I like the way you've positioned the base units.

> ergotron stands that mounts to the back of the desk

I'll echo Xzin's comments on these things. I've just set up a four monitor "free standing" unit and it's really, really well engineered

Pre-purchase, I had quite a few discussions with my wife about how a stand with such a small footprint (which is essential for my setup - I'll post pictures when I finally get it all done!!) could possibly hold four screens securely.

I admit I had concerns too, but having actually put one together now, I have no hesitation in recommending them.

[Nocturne]

Its not the Ergotron stands I'm concerned about (I have two pictured). I was contemplating a vertical mount for them to the back of the desk, after some thoughts on the weight and pressures that would be applied I'm fairly certain it would destroy the desk in one way or another.

[Xzin]

Probably. I had to erect a rather large aluminum frame to support the weight of the 30"ers - they weigh in at about 25 lbs each. I would highly suggest mounting to a sturdy desk. Solid wood is what I used (around 1" thick) for the old Zin setup. That thing never moved a millimeter and it held up 6 screens.

Keep in mind though that a normal 17" monitor "only" weighs about 10ish lbs - so even 6 of them really isn't THAT bad. Depends on how flimsy your desk really is though

No offense but it appears to be one of those MDF filled, laminate topped "kits" that you can buy at a local office store? Not that it can't hold the weight but at some point you need to think about spreading the weight out a bit..... they make some hardcore grommet mounts as well as the stands - I would imagine 2 poles would be plenty to support the weight of 6 monitors.

Do the math and go with your gut though. I just finished engineering an entire support structure to manipulate almost 200 lbs of monitors and it cost me about $5k worth of mounts to do it properly (bear in mind this was to mount 6x 30" and 6x 17" monitors and make them fully adjustable - with memory and everything).

But for 6x monitors......... Two poles should do alright - you can wall mount (why though?) if you find a few studs (and get the wife to approve apparently).

Why not just use the existing two bases and buy a triple monitor extension kit?