Jump to content

KVM with at least one USBC TB input?

Ketec
By Ketec
in Peripherals
 Share
Posted

For setting up a functional WFH setup.
I have a dell workstation laptop  - with only USBC.

AMD based PC for gaming - 2x 2k@180hz monitors.

 

Work GP policy recently blocked RDP access that i used to bridge this gap this far.

 

Now i have no option but to get a KVM - working on a 1080p tiny single laptop screen is impossible. And work "solution" of a dell dock is ridiculous - i would have to constantly swap all the cables from PC to the dock and back.

 

But most KVM i can see  - like level1tech and tesmart, that can handle refresh rate are just pure hdmi/dp  or all usbc.

Are there hybrid solutions or do i also need another dock on top of KVM to split laptop usbc to 2x displays?

Do KVM-s that can handle 190hz+ even exist at this point? I do not want to degrade my gaming experience because of work.

Link to comment
https://linustechtips.com/topic/1584776-kvm-with-at-least-one-usbc-tb-input/
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
2 hours ago, Ketec said:

For setting up a functional WFH setup.
I have a dell workstation laptop  - with only USBC.

AMD based PC for gaming - 2x 2k@180hz monitors.

 

Work GP policy recently blocked RDP access that i used to bridge this gap this far.

 

Now i have no option but to get a KVM - working on a 1080p tiny single laptop screen is impossible. And work "solution" of a dell dock is ridiculous - i would have to constantly swap all the cables from PC to the dock and back.

 

But most KVM i can see  - like level1tech and tesmart, that can handle refresh rate are just pure hdmi/dp  or all usbc.

Are there hybrid solutions or do i also need another dock on top of KVM to split laptop usbc to 2x displays?

Do KVM-s that can handle 190hz+ even exist at this point? I do not want to degrade my gaming experience because of work.

So you have a laptop that only has USB-C (no HDMI or DP) and you want to connect it (and another machine) to 2 displays, a keyboard, and a mouse (plus some other USB periferials) but can't find a KVM that takes USB-C as a video input?

 

I've had the same issue with a ROG Flow Z13, the solution should be a USB-C to HDMI cable, however you'd need 2 of them to connect 2 monitors, and enough USB c ports to connect it all. Alternatively, you could connect the laptop to it's dock and then the dock to the KVM.

I might be experienced, but I'm human and I do make mistakes. Trust but Verify! I edit my messages after sending them alot, please refresh before posting your reply. Please try to be clear and specific, you'll get a better answer. Please remember to mark solutions once you have the information you need. Expand this signature for common PC building advice, a short bio and a list of my components.

 

Common build advice:

1) Buy the cheapest (well reviewed) motherboard that has the features you need. Paying more typically only gets you features you won’t use. 2) only get as much RAM as you need, getting more won’t (typically) make your PC faster. 3) While I recommend getting an NVMe drive, you don’t need to splurge for an expensive drive with DRam cache, DRamless drives are fine for gamers. 4) paying for looks is fine, just don’t break the bank. 5) Tower coolers are usually good enough, unless you go top tier Intel or plan on OCing. 6) OCing is a dead meme, you probably shouldn’t bother. 7) "Bottlenecks" rarely matter and "Future-proofing" is a myth. 8) AIOs don't noticably improve performance past 240mm.

 

Useful Websites:

https://www.productchart.com - helps compare monitors, https://uk.pcpartpicker.com - makes designing a PC easier.

 

Bio:

He/Him - I'm a PhD student working in the fields of reinforcement learning and traffic control. PCs are one of my hobbies and I've built many PCs and performed upgrades on a few laptops (for myself, friends and family). My personal computers include 4 windows (10/11) machines and a TrueNAS server (and I'm looking to move to dual booting Linux Mint on my main machine in future). Aside from computers, I also dabble in modding/homebrew retro consoles, support Southampton FC, and enjoy Scuba Diving and Skiing.

Fun Facts

1) When I was 3 years old my favourite toy was a scientific calculator. 2) My father is a British Champion ploughman in the Vintage Hydraulic Class. 3) On Speedrun.com, I'm the world record holder for the Dream Bobsleigh event on Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games 2010.

 

My Favourite Games: World of Tanks, Runescape, Subnautica, Metroid (Fusion and Dread), Spyro: Year of the Dragon (Original and Reignited Trilogy), Crash Bash, Mario Kart Wii, Balatro

 

My Computers: Primary: My main gaming rig - https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/user/will0hlep/saved/NByp3C Second: Hosts Discord bots as well as a Minecraft and Ark server, and also serves as a reinforcement learning sand box - https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/user/will0hlep/saved/cc9K7P NAS: TrueNAS Scale NAS hosting SMB shares, DDNS updater, pi-hole, and a Jellyfin server - https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/user/will0hlep/saved/m37w3C Foldatron: My folding@home and BOINC rig (partially donated to me by Folding Team Leader GOTSpectrum) - Mobile: Mini-ITX gaming rig for when I'm away from home -

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
  • Author

Yes, laptop has only USB-c/thunderbolt.
levle1techs has some, but not sure if it allows mixing C and DP - but they also come at a hefty (likely closer to 800€+ with shipping) price tag.

Also, ones that can actually handle dual 180hz displays.

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
1 minute ago, Ketec said:

Yes, laptop has only USB-c/thunderbolt.
levle1techs has some, but not sure if it allows mixing C and DP - but they also come at a hefty (likely closer to 800€+ with shipping) price tag.

Also, ones that can actually handle dual 180hz displays.

Which dell workstation laptop is it exactly? If the dock supports dual DP you could use this: https://www.store.level1techs.com/products/p/14-kvm-switch-dual-monitor-2computer-z5erd-n6mbj

I might be experienced, but I'm human and I do make mistakes. Trust but Verify! I edit my messages after sending them alot, please refresh before posting your reply. Please try to be clear and specific, you'll get a better answer. Please remember to mark solutions once you have the information you need. Expand this signature for common PC building advice, a short bio and a list of my components.

 

Common build advice:

1) Buy the cheapest (well reviewed) motherboard that has the features you need. Paying more typically only gets you features you won’t use. 2) only get as much RAM as you need, getting more won’t (typically) make your PC faster. 3) While I recommend getting an NVMe drive, you don’t need to splurge for an expensive drive with DRam cache, DRamless drives are fine for gamers. 4) paying for looks is fine, just don’t break the bank. 5) Tower coolers are usually good enough, unless you go top tier Intel or plan on OCing. 6) OCing is a dead meme, you probably shouldn’t bother. 7) "Bottlenecks" rarely matter and "Future-proofing" is a myth. 8) AIOs don't noticably improve performance past 240mm.

 

Useful Websites:

https://www.productchart.com - helps compare monitors, https://uk.pcpartpicker.com - makes designing a PC easier.

 

Bio:

He/Him - I'm a PhD student working in the fields of reinforcement learning and traffic control. PCs are one of my hobbies and I've built many PCs and performed upgrades on a few laptops (for myself, friends and family). My personal computers include 4 windows (10/11) machines and a TrueNAS server (and I'm looking to move to dual booting Linux Mint on my main machine in future). Aside from computers, I also dabble in modding/homebrew retro consoles, support Southampton FC, and enjoy Scuba Diving and Skiing.

Fun Facts

1) When I was 3 years old my favourite toy was a scientific calculator. 2) My father is a British Champion ploughman in the Vintage Hydraulic Class. 3) On Speedrun.com, I'm the world record holder for the Dream Bobsleigh event on Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games 2010.

 

My Favourite Games: World of Tanks, Runescape, Subnautica, Metroid (Fusion and Dread), Spyro: Year of the Dragon (Original and Reignited Trilogy), Crash Bash, Mario Kart Wii, Balatro

 

My Computers: Primary: My main gaming rig - https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/user/will0hlep/saved/NByp3C Second: Hosts Discord bots as well as a Minecraft and Ark server, and also serves as a reinforcement learning sand box - https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/user/will0hlep/saved/cc9K7P NAS: TrueNAS Scale NAS hosting SMB shares, DDNS updater, pi-hole, and a Jellyfin server - https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/user/will0hlep/saved/m37w3C Foldatron: My folding@home and BOINC rig (partially donated to me by Folding Team Leader GOTSpectrum) - Mobile: Mini-ITX gaming rig for when I'm away from home -

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
  • Author
1 minute ago, will0hlep said:

Which dell workstation laptop is it exactly? If the dock supports dual DP you could use this: https://www.store.level1techs.com/products/p/14-kvm-switch-dual-monitor-2computer-z5erd-n6mbj

dell precision 5570 (12900 a2000 variant). I do not actually have the dock at home either at this point. Would be best if i could have skipped another extra device and power brick.
I'm also left wodnering baout the comment there:
 

  • Lower resolutions + Higher framerates possible e.g. 144hz @ 1440p work just fine because of full DP 1.4 compatibility. (Overclocking not supported)

Especially considering i have 2x 165hz (running on the 180hz overclock). Wouldn't want to downgrade them to 144.

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
4 minutes ago, Ketec said:

dell precision 5570 (12900 a2000 variant). I do not actually have the dock at home either at this point. Would be best if i could have skipped another extra device and power brick.
I'm also left wodnering baout the comment there:
 

  • Lower resolutions + Higher framerates possible e.g. 144hz @ 1440p work just fine because of full DP 1.4 compatibility. (Overclocking not supported)

Especially considering i have 2x 165hz (running on the 180hz overclock). Wouldn't want to downgrade them to 144.

Ah, I'd misread the monitor resolution in your earlier message. 😞 If you really can't do without 180 Hz I think you might be stuck unless L1Ts release a DP2.0 KVM.

 

As for doing it without the dock: powering it and also outputting 2 displays will use up all three usb c ports on the device, so there wouldn't be a spare port to connect the laptop to the KVMs USBc port. TLDR, to connect 2 monitors to that laptop, you're gonna need the dock.

 

A couple other alternatives:

 

Would a single monitor KVM be a good option? Admitedly, that monitor would be locked to 144hz, but if you have your laptop open on the desk you'd still have 2 montors for work and play, and also it wouldn't require you to buy the dock.

 

Apart from that the cheapest option might actually be to find a place for a second desk plus a cheap monitors for work use.

I might be experienced, but I'm human and I do make mistakes. Trust but Verify! I edit my messages after sending them alot, please refresh before posting your reply. Please try to be clear and specific, you'll get a better answer. Please remember to mark solutions once you have the information you need. Expand this signature for common PC building advice, a short bio and a list of my components.

 

Common build advice:

1) Buy the cheapest (well reviewed) motherboard that has the features you need. Paying more typically only gets you features you won’t use. 2) only get as much RAM as you need, getting more won’t (typically) make your PC faster. 3) While I recommend getting an NVMe drive, you don’t need to splurge for an expensive drive with DRam cache, DRamless drives are fine for gamers. 4) paying for looks is fine, just don’t break the bank. 5) Tower coolers are usually good enough, unless you go top tier Intel or plan on OCing. 6) OCing is a dead meme, you probably shouldn’t bother. 7) "Bottlenecks" rarely matter and "Future-proofing" is a myth. 8) AIOs don't noticably improve performance past 240mm.

 

Useful Websites:

https://www.productchart.com - helps compare monitors, https://uk.pcpartpicker.com - makes designing a PC easier.

 

Bio:

He/Him - I'm a PhD student working in the fields of reinforcement learning and traffic control. PCs are one of my hobbies and I've built many PCs and performed upgrades on a few laptops (for myself, friends and family). My personal computers include 4 windows (10/11) machines and a TrueNAS server (and I'm looking to move to dual booting Linux Mint on my main machine in future). Aside from computers, I also dabble in modding/homebrew retro consoles, support Southampton FC, and enjoy Scuba Diving and Skiing.

Fun Facts

1) When I was 3 years old my favourite toy was a scientific calculator. 2) My father is a British Champion ploughman in the Vintage Hydraulic Class. 3) On Speedrun.com, I'm the world record holder for the Dream Bobsleigh event on Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games 2010.

 

My Favourite Games: World of Tanks, Runescape, Subnautica, Metroid (Fusion and Dread), Spyro: Year of the Dragon (Original and Reignited Trilogy), Crash Bash, Mario Kart Wii, Balatro

 

My Computers: Primary: My main gaming rig - https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/user/will0hlep/saved/NByp3C Second: Hosts Discord bots as well as a Minecraft and Ark server, and also serves as a reinforcement learning sand box - https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/user/will0hlep/saved/cc9K7P NAS: TrueNAS Scale NAS hosting SMB shares, DDNS updater, pi-hole, and a Jellyfin server - https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/user/will0hlep/saved/m37w3C Foldatron: My folding@home and BOINC rig (partially donated to me by Folding Team Leader GOTSpectrum) - Mobile: Mini-ITX gaming rig for when I'm away from home -

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
  • Author
7 minutes ago, will0hlep said:

Ah, I'd misread the monitor resolution in your earlier message. 😞 If you really can't do without 180 Hz I think you might be stuck unless L1Ts release a DP2.0 KVM.

 

As for doing it without the dock: powering it and also outputting 2 displays will use up all three usb c ports on the device, so there wouldn't be a spare port to connect the laptop to the KVMs USBc port. TLDR, to connect 2 monitors to that laptop, you're gonna need the dock.

 

A couple other alternatives:

 

Would a single monitor KVM be a good option? Admitedly, that monitor would be locked to 144hz, but if you have your laptop open on the desk you'd still have 2 montors for work and play, and also it wouldn't require you to buy the dock.

 

Apart from that the cheapest option might actually be to find a place for a second desk plus a cheap monitors for work use.

The third option is actually the most expensive one - would need to buy a house for the extra space first!

DP1.4 has more then enough bandwidth - ii would assume if they have 2 inputs/out, it would use two separately and not share bandwidth?

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
3 minutes ago, Ketec said:

The third option is actually the most expensive one - would need to buy a house for the extra space first!

Was worth asking, we tech people have a tendancy to overcomplicate everything sometimes 😞

I might be experienced, but I'm human and I do make mistakes. Trust but Verify! I edit my messages after sending them alot, please refresh before posting your reply. Please try to be clear and specific, you'll get a better answer. Please remember to mark solutions once you have the information you need. Expand this signature for common PC building advice, a short bio and a list of my components.

 

Common build advice:

1) Buy the cheapest (well reviewed) motherboard that has the features you need. Paying more typically only gets you features you won’t use. 2) only get as much RAM as you need, getting more won’t (typically) make your PC faster. 3) While I recommend getting an NVMe drive, you don’t need to splurge for an expensive drive with DRam cache, DRamless drives are fine for gamers. 4) paying for looks is fine, just don’t break the bank. 5) Tower coolers are usually good enough, unless you go top tier Intel or plan on OCing. 6) OCing is a dead meme, you probably shouldn’t bother. 7) "Bottlenecks" rarely matter and "Future-proofing" is a myth. 8) AIOs don't noticably improve performance past 240mm.

 

Useful Websites:

https://www.productchart.com - helps compare monitors, https://uk.pcpartpicker.com - makes designing a PC easier.

 

Bio:

He/Him - I'm a PhD student working in the fields of reinforcement learning and traffic control. PCs are one of my hobbies and I've built many PCs and performed upgrades on a few laptops (for myself, friends and family). My personal computers include 4 windows (10/11) machines and a TrueNAS server (and I'm looking to move to dual booting Linux Mint on my main machine in future). Aside from computers, I also dabble in modding/homebrew retro consoles, support Southampton FC, and enjoy Scuba Diving and Skiing.

Fun Facts

1) When I was 3 years old my favourite toy was a scientific calculator. 2) My father is a British Champion ploughman in the Vintage Hydraulic Class. 3) On Speedrun.com, I'm the world record holder for the Dream Bobsleigh event on Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games 2010.

 

My Favourite Games: World of Tanks, Runescape, Subnautica, Metroid (Fusion and Dread), Spyro: Year of the Dragon (Original and Reignited Trilogy), Crash Bash, Mario Kart Wii, Balatro

 

My Computers: Primary: My main gaming rig - https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/user/will0hlep/saved/NByp3C Second: Hosts Discord bots as well as a Minecraft and Ark server, and also serves as a reinforcement learning sand box - https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/user/will0hlep/saved/cc9K7P NAS: TrueNAS Scale NAS hosting SMB shares, DDNS updater, pi-hole, and a Jellyfin server - https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/user/will0hlep/saved/m37w3C Foldatron: My folding@home and BOINC rig (partially donated to me by Folding Team Leader GOTSpectrum) - Mobile: Mini-ITX gaming rig for when I'm away from home -

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
1 hour ago, Ketec said:

DP1.4 has more then enough bandwidth - ii would assume if they have 2 inputs/out, it would use two separately and not share bandwidth?

Yes, the pairs of DP ports don't share bandwidth and should be limited only by the DP1.4 standard (which I thought clapped out at 144 Hz at 1440p, but will in fact manage 240hz apparently).

I might be experienced, but I'm human and I do make mistakes. Trust but Verify! I edit my messages after sending them alot, please refresh before posting your reply. Please try to be clear and specific, you'll get a better answer. Please remember to mark solutions once you have the information you need. Expand this signature for common PC building advice, a short bio and a list of my components.

 

Common build advice:

1) Buy the cheapest (well reviewed) motherboard that has the features you need. Paying more typically only gets you features you won’t use. 2) only get as much RAM as you need, getting more won’t (typically) make your PC faster. 3) While I recommend getting an NVMe drive, you don’t need to splurge for an expensive drive with DRam cache, DRamless drives are fine for gamers. 4) paying for looks is fine, just don’t break the bank. 5) Tower coolers are usually good enough, unless you go top tier Intel or plan on OCing. 6) OCing is a dead meme, you probably shouldn’t bother. 7) "Bottlenecks" rarely matter and "Future-proofing" is a myth. 8) AIOs don't noticably improve performance past 240mm.

 

Useful Websites:

https://www.productchart.com - helps compare monitors, https://uk.pcpartpicker.com - makes designing a PC easier.

 

Bio:

He/Him - I'm a PhD student working in the fields of reinforcement learning and traffic control. PCs are one of my hobbies and I've built many PCs and performed upgrades on a few laptops (for myself, friends and family). My personal computers include 4 windows (10/11) machines and a TrueNAS server (and I'm looking to move to dual booting Linux Mint on my main machine in future). Aside from computers, I also dabble in modding/homebrew retro consoles, support Southampton FC, and enjoy Scuba Diving and Skiing.

Fun Facts

1) When I was 3 years old my favourite toy was a scientific calculator. 2) My father is a British Champion ploughman in the Vintage Hydraulic Class. 3) On Speedrun.com, I'm the world record holder for the Dream Bobsleigh event on Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games 2010.

 

My Favourite Games: World of Tanks, Runescape, Subnautica, Metroid (Fusion and Dread), Spyro: Year of the Dragon (Original and Reignited Trilogy), Crash Bash, Mario Kart Wii, Balatro

 

My Computers: Primary: My main gaming rig - https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/user/will0hlep/saved/NByp3C Second: Hosts Discord bots as well as a Minecraft and Ark server, and also serves as a reinforcement learning sand box - https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/user/will0hlep/saved/cc9K7P NAS: TrueNAS Scale NAS hosting SMB shares, DDNS updater, pi-hole, and a Jellyfin server - https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/user/will0hlep/saved/m37w3C Foldatron: My folding@home and BOINC rig (partially donated to me by Folding Team Leader GOTSpectrum) - Mobile: Mini-ITX gaming rig for when I'm away from home -

Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing Peripherals

×