USB mess.

[TheYamen]

I have no clue on where to start with this, but we go. I have 2 machines (Desktop PC and a Laptop) the Desktop i use for private life, gaming, etc.. whereas i use the laptop for work. I'm a bit freak when it comes to devices and weird stuff so i have a lot of usb devices connected to my PC. list of devices:

• label printer.
• huge enter button (smash that enter).
• a funny RGB pixel figure of ghost.
• Headset wireless 1st dongle steel series.
• Mouse wireless 2nd dongle steel series.
• Keyboard (standard usb 2.0 keyvboard) yeah i know this will be my next update.
• Microphone Hyperx.
• RGB gaming pad?! (don't judge)
• Web cam.
• couple of extra usb cables i use to (connect/charge my phone), 2nd one to charge some other stuff i have laying around.

some of these devices are connected directly to the Desktop (back and/or front) 

some are connected via 2 usb hubs 1st hub with 4 devices 2nd with 7. (usb hub is that the correct name?)

So i total i got like 15 usb cables/devices connected and yes i use them all together. The thing is i need my Keyboard/mouse/cam/headset to be switched between the 2 machines -remember Desktop gaming Laptop work?). so i use the hub with 4 to switch from one to the other when i need to make the switch.

My problems/questions are:

1. What is the best way to handle all of these devices (and are they really alot?) specially that i need to keep 1 or 2 free easy to access slots for USB sticks and/or my camera (not the web one).
2. I saw some USB switch which allows me to switch between the 2 machines without plugging/unplugging every single time, is this any good? and do you recommend having it with an external power?
3. taking about external power, the Hyperx mic (connected in the back of my Desktop) i mentioned above doesn't work unless i unplug and plug it everytime.

i have no clue what to type next, its all over my head atm. so i will leave this as is and wait for someone to maybe recommend me something good since i don't believe i am the only one with this problem.

 

 

==============================

UPDATE

==============================

One further question: how can i ensure that i am using USB3.0 for mouse/keyboard/cam/headset all the time so i get best connection for the dongles.

[kb5zue]

[kb5zue]

Maybe this will help.

 

https://www.google.com/search?q=usb+color+code&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS1055US1055&oq=USB+color+code&aqs=chrome.0.0i512l7j0i390i650l2.11800j0j15&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

[saintlouisbagels]

If it's not a privacy risk for you, could you submit some pictures of your desk setup so that we don't make any impossible suggestions?

 

Anyways, some of those things should be offloaded to a separate USB charger that could be affixed to the underside of your desk.

• RGB Gaming Pad (this doesn't need a data connection to your PC, right?)
• RGB Pixel Ghost
• The extra usb cables

57 minutes ago, TheYamen said:

I saw some USB switch which allows me to switch between the 2 machines without plugging/unplugging every single time, is this any good? and do you recommend having it with an external power?

You're talking about a KVM.

You might need to buy 2 KVMs because you're using so many devices and I can't find any cheap options that have more than 4-ports.

 

57 minutes ago, TheYamen said:

==============================

UPDATE

==============================

One further question: how can i ensure that i am using USB3.0 for mouse/keyboard/cam/headset all the time so i get best connection for the dongles.

I don't know if it's true anymore, but USB 3.0 ports are very noisy and could interfere with 2.4GHz frequency (like Wi-Fi). This was a huge problem for me back in my college days (10 years ago) and the school-supplied laptop lol.

Also, the keyboard, mouse, and headset would receive ZERO benefit from using a USB 3.0 port. They're all 2.0 devices because they simply don't need that all data throughput. Webcams could benefit if your webcam is actually using up that much bandwidth and is USB 3.0 compatible.

[TheYamen]

2 hours ago, saintlouisbagels said:

If it's not a privacy risk for you, could you submit some pictures of your desk setup so that we don't make any impossible suggestions?

 

Anyways, some of those things should be offloaded to a separate USB charger that could be affixed to the underside of your desk.

• RGB Gaming Pad (this doesn't need a data connection to your PC, right?)
• RGB Pixel Ghost
• The extra usb cables

You're talking about a KVM.

You might need to buy 2 KVMs because you're using so many devices and I can't find any cheap options that have more than 4-ports.

 

I don't know if it's true anymore, but USB 3.0 ports are very noisy and could interfere with 2.4GHz frequency (like Wi-Fi). This was a huge problem for me back in my college days (10 years ago) and the school-supplied laptop lol.

Also, the keyboard, mouse, and headset would receive ZERO benefit from using a USB 3.0 port. They're all 2.0 devices because they simply don't need that all data throughput. Webcams could benefit if your webcam is actually using up that much bandwidth and is USB 3.0 compatible.

its not a provacy issue but its a real mess i will try to add some photos after cleaning

 the gaming pad is kinda a USB extender. (https://amzn.eu/d/7NqjRhk) its no longer available -not surprised- it was a cheap thing!

USB ghost and extra cables can probably be removed to a power plug as you mentioned. 

 

for the KVM i dont think i need more than 1 with 4-USB ports since i only need to switch keyboard/mouse/headset/camera would you recommend some specific brand? also every time i look these stuff up its all about amps and volts! how much do i need for that?

 

nice tip on the USB 3.0 with not needing that much put through, but i am not 100% sure what amount of data is transmitted specially over the headset and mouse. but i assume you are right. i better check them!  i dont mind the webcam that much.. 

thanks for the reply in general

 

[saintlouisbagels]

6 minutes ago, TheYamen said:

for the KVM i dont think i need more than 1 with 4-USB ports since i only need to switch keyboard/mouse/headset/camera would you recommend some specific brand? also every time i look these stuff up its all about amps and volts! how much do i need for that?

I've been using UGREEN for my devices and at work. They make 4-port USB 2.0 and 3.0 models. You can also give them supplemental power (via micro USB) if you need to plug in something power hungry like a portable hard drive and... idk maybe webcams? Never checked their power draw before.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N6GD9JO/

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MXXQKGM/