5-box guidance

[Wilbur]

Loading Vista on a machine with 1 Gig RAM and a 2.0GHz CPU is gaming suicide. You'll need 2 Gigs RAM to get decent FPS if you load Vista, it just requires too much RAM. Your best bet is to stick with XP, at least until you can afford to upgrade those boxes.

[Jezebel]

one thing i will mention is take note of the section on cooling in Xzins post on setting up your multibox rigs. he wasnt kidding about the heat output of having so many computers in a single room. i have a small split system aircon in my home office and the temperature still went up 15 degrees or so after i started running all the PC's.

Isn't 2gb of ram a little bit of an overkill to just play wow? Aswell as 430w PSU. Very cheap though. And you could skip the DVD. Just transfer files through your LAN. That brings the sum down to around 400. And if your buying 4 computers thats about a whole computer =).

i use the PC's for work as well as other stuff that needs more RAM.. i suppose you could get away with 1gb, but why? RAM is cheap enough and 2gb makes a noticable difference.

I'd highly recomend a CPU, and a hard drive. You won't get much done otherwise.

i listed parts i purchased =) i didnt buy CPU's or HD's with my order and i wouldnt recommend parts i hadnt personally used. i already had 4 boxed E2160's and some old 80gb 7200 RPM HDD's around the house which fit my specs nicely. all the parts i listed overclock really well, also. the E2160's are sitting on 3.1GHZ, under 40c on air cooling ^^

Who did you go through Jez?

i went through MSY, an australian company.

not sure where good places to buy overseas would be. most places have local tech forums that have lots of information about reliable companies and good prices.

COOLER MASTER eXtreme Power RP-550-PCAR ATX from factor 12V V2.01 550W Power Supply - Retail
Item #: N82E16817171016
Combo'ed with case listed below.

COOLER MASTER Centurion 541 RC-541-SKN1 Black Aluminumm bezel, SECC chassis MicroATX Mini Tower Computer Case - Retail
Item #: N82E16811119088
($99.98 each)

could save yourself $50 per machine and just get the coolermaster CAC-T05. excellent case, same PSU (lower watt, obviously).. but 430w is more than enough for that system.

[Tiuz]

could save yourself $50 per machine and just get the coolermaster CAC-T05. excellent case, same PSU (lower watt, obviously).. but 430w is more than enough for that system.

Thanks, I'll definitely look into that!

That particular motherboard is a MicroATX form factor and so is the case you have listed in your post so it should fit like a glove. I personally dislike microATX because it's a bit small for my taste.

Well, my first inclination towards microATX boards was based on Xzin's writeup. But, I also like the smaller size because while I have a bit extra room on the monetary side for this project, I don't have the freedom of space. So I know I can get these boxes into my office. Just out of curiousity though, on the cooling side of things, does the smaller case make it harder to cool?

[Tealuin]

Well, it looks as though lack of knowledge or not, building the PCs is really going to be my only option. I spoke with Dell and a few other wholesalers I would be willing to work through and they don't carry ps/2 support anymore I could use the usb-ps/2 adapators...but am trying to stay away from adaptors if possible.

Unless you're going the software route you need the PS/2-USB Y Adapters or Y-Mouse anyway to connect both the KVM and Multiplexer to each computer.

Or at least one adapter if you're doing the 2 port KVM to do all or main switching only.

[Tiuz]

Well, it looks as though lack of knowledge or not, building the PCs is really going to be my only option. I spoke with Dell and a few other wholesalers I would be willing to work through and they don't carry ps/2 support anymore I could use the usb-ps/2 adapators...but am trying to stay away from adaptors if possible.

Unless you're going the software route you need the PS/2-USB Y Adapters or Y-Mouse anyway to connect both the KVM and Multiplexer to each computer.

Or at least one adapter if you're doing the 2 port KVM to do all or main switching only.

Yeah, I meant I wanted to stay away from too many usb converters. I am going to need to use one for my main. But wanted to use the y-mice to avoid all the driver installs. I'm feeling pretty good about the computer setup. Much more comfortable after some of the advice I've received here. Besides, half the fun of this project, I think, will be the setup involved . I've also significantly lowered my overall costs (never a bad thing) by going the build my own route. So that's a perk too.

[Slats]

2gb 667 Corsair RAM - $100
GeForce 8600GT - $90
Motherboard = Gigabyte DS3 or Asus P5B - $100/$130ish
CM CAC-T05 case - $49.99 (430w PSU incl.)
generic 18x DVD - $30
17" LCD - $100
--
<$500.

thats just a quick check. im sure if you research a bit you could find the parts cheaper. any decent retailer will give you a 24 hour hot test with 1-2 year RTB warranty for assembled systems. also remember that owner run business are often willing to negotiate (within reason).. the people i went through knocked $50 off the cost of each system and threw in a free 8 port switch, because i purchased 4 systems and a bunch of peripheral gadgets in one order. all up i got 4 systems, KVM, G15 keyboard, G5 mouse, switch, cables, 4x 17" LCD's and a 28" viewsonic LCD for under $3900 AUD.

Jez - ooo another Aussie! Heya.

I will be using MSY for alot of my parts too, but where the HELL did you 17" LCD's for $100 AUD? What brand/make did you get?

I dont know alot about Intel CPU's anymore - did you buy extra air cooling to O/C that CPU to that spec? And how does everything run? Which mobo did you use?

Also are you using monitor mounts and if so where did you buy in and what are you using... I will be using a Dell 24" Wide as my main screen and want the 17" on either side similar to Bradster.

-Dan

[Slats]

Yeah, I meant I wanted to stay away from too many usb converters. I am going to need to use one for my main. But wanted to use the y-mice to avoid all the driver installs. I'm feeling pretty good about the computer setup. Much more comfortable after some of the advice I've received here. Besides, half the fun of this project, I think, will be the setup involved . I've also significantly lowered my overall costs (never a bad thing) by going the build my own route. So that's a perk too.

I use an 8 Port Vetra KM and 8 Port Vetra Multicaster. I use a Y-Key (Y-Mouse whatever) for my main PC and I have four USB --> PS/2 Keyb/Mouse Adapters on my secondary PC's.

So on my KVM I have 6 switches.

Broadcast to all.
PC 1 (switches Keyboard and a PS/2 Mouse)
PC 2
PC 3
PC 4
PC 5

I plug my keyb/mouse on the KM into the standard one on the PC and plug my broadcaster into the USB converter. The USB converter only works in windows (however doesn't seem to need drivers) and since I only want to broadcast in Windows, this works for me quite well.

Those adapters cost me $9 each. I got 13 PS/2 Cables from Jaycar Electronics for about $5.60 each.

I then use a X-Keys Stick to switch between the PC's rather than ScrLck + 1 etc. So I can do it fast with 1 button.

-Dan

[Ticks]

I just can't imagine what that level 21 rogue was thinking when he saw a second group of <The Zerg> coming for him. He instantly had like 12 DoTs on him and little did he know, I have a level 38 Mage mixed in with my level 20 locks and priest. It was over before it started... =)

If anyone is thinking of rerolling, choosing Mag would be a good choice. I think we have around 6 or 8 active multiboxers and most are on every night.

[Tiuz]

Yeah, I meant I wanted to stay away from too many usb converters. I am going to need to use one for my main. But wanted to use the y-mice to avoid all the driver installs. I'm feeling pretty good about the computer setup. Much more comfortable after some of the advice I've received here. Besides, half the fun of this project, I think, will be the setup involved . I've also significantly lowered my overall costs (never a bad thing) by going the build my own route. So that's a perk too.

I use an 8 Port Vetra KM and 8 Port Vetra Multicaster. I use a Y-Key (Y-Mouse whatever) for my main PC and I have four USB --> PS/2 Keyb/Mouse Adapters on my secondary PC's.

So on my KVM I have 6 switches.

Broadcast to all.
PC 1 (switches Keyboard and a PS/2 Mouse)
PC 2
PC 3
PC 4
PC 5

I plug my keyb/mouse on the KM into the standard one on the PC and plug my broadcaster into the USB converter. The USB converter only works in windows (however doesn't seem to need drivers) and since I only want to broadcast in Windows, this works for me quite well.

Those adapters cost me $9 each. I got 13 PS/2 Cables from Jaycar Electronics for about $5.60 each.

I then use a X-Keys Stick to switch between the PC's rather than ScrLck + 1 etc. So I can do it fast with 1 button.

-Dan

Thanks for the setup info. I'll take a further look into it. Have you ever had any issues with dropped keys/latency issues? One of my biggest concerns about using the converters has been most peoples statement of "lack of testing". I would rather go with a tried and true method than strike out on an untested setup. Or at least, i would rather be the one deciding when/where to do the testing and definitely not at it's initial setup. Definitely using the converters would save some cash.

A little more research, taking the advice from others here, I think this is my final setup to go with for the alt pc's, any further thoughts?

COOLER MASTER Centurion 541 RC-541-SKN1 Black Aluminumm bezel, SECC chassis MicroATX Mini Tower Computer Case - Retail
Model #: RC-541-SKN1
Item #: N82E16811119088

ASUS A8V-VM SE 939 VIA K8M890 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
Model #: A8V-VM SE
Item #: N82E16813131069

EVGA 256-P2-N751-TR GeForce 8600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Model #: 256-P2-N751-TR
Item #: N82E16814130085

COOLER MASTER eXtreme Power RP-550-PCAR ATX from factor 12V V2.01 550W Power Supply - Retail
Model #: RP-550-PCAR
Item #: N82E16817171016

AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Orleans 2.0GHz Socket AM2 Processor Model ADA3200CWBOX - Retail
Model #: ADA3200CWBOX
Item #: N82E16819103031

CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model VS1GBKIT400 - Retail
Model #: VS1GBKIT400
Item #: N82E16820145440

EXCELSTOR Jupiter Series ESJ8080S 80GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Model #: ESJ8080S
Item #: N82E16822210003

Hanns·G HW-173DBB Black 17" 8ms DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail
Model #: HW-173DBB
Item #: N82E16824254018

ASUS Black SATA DVD-ROM Drive Model DVD-E616A3T OEM - OEM
Model #: DVD-E616A3T OEM
Item #: N82E16827135151

Total comp price is ~580 not including s/h. I'll probably place the order this evening. I know someone has already mentioned they were purchasing just 1 pc and then seeing how things worked out from there. I have to admit, I'm rather tempted to just make the bulk purchase up front. Has anyone else made this decision one way or the other and reasons for said decision?

As always, thank you, thank you, thank you. You have all been amazingly helpful

[Slats]

Can I ask why you are going widescreen on the monitor?

4x widescreen 17" and a widescreen main lcd and I think that would not work so well on your eyes and take up alot of extra space.

I am running into the problem that nobody wants to stock 4:3 screens anymore though...

Oh never had a problem with dropped keys.