KVM Switch Box Help

[icewizard64]

Hi guys,

 

Not sure if this is in the right place or not but i need some advice for my set up.

 

So i have two computers and two monitors and would like to connect each computer to both monitors. They won't be on at the same time but i don't want to keep moving cords around so i need something that will help. Each monitor has one display port connection. Somebody told me to look into a KVM Switch Box but i'm not really sure which one i need so i'm asking for some help. I also need to connect a wired keyboard and mouse, my speakers and maybe a microphone and headphones so if i understand it right, i need 3 USB connections, an audio and microphone jack and 4 display ports and then i'll just be able to switch inputs from the computer that is on to use all my gear with each pc?

 

I'm not too sure about this so any information and advice you could give would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks for the help

 

[brwainer]

With some quick looking around, I found this https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-Port-DisplayPort-Switch-Audio/dp/B003N3BU6E which has mixed reviews. I found other dual monitor displayport KVMs from higher end companies that are better known in the KVM world, but they all started at $500+. The reason this is so expensive is because you are looking for a dual monitor KVM, which is a niche product. Most KVMs are only used with a single monitor, and that's where the market is competitive.

[icewizard64]

3 minutes ago, brwainer said:

With some quick looking around, I found this https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-Port-DisplayPort-Switch-Audio/dp/B003N3BU6E which has mixed reviews. I found other dual monitor displayport KVMs from higher end companies that are better known in the KVM world, but they all started at $500+. The reason this is so expensive is because you are looking for a dual monitor KVM, which is a niche product. Most KVMs are only used with a single monitor, and that's where the market is competitive.

Okay, so what if i got a single monitor one that switches back and forth and just have the second monitor set up with 1 computer? So when the first computer is on it will have the input from the box and the one that's connected directly to the pc so i can use two monitors and the second computer will only use one monitor with the input from the box. Will that work better? I wasn't planning to spend 500+ dollars on this...

 

Thanks for the help

[brwainer]

1 hour ago, icewizard64 said:

Okay, so what if i got a single monitor one that switches back and forth and just have the second monitor set up with 1 computer? So when the first computer is on it will have the input from the box and the one that's connected directly to the pc so i can use two monitors and the second computer will only use one monitor with the input from the box. Will that work better? I wasn't planning to spend 500+ dollars on this...

 

Thanks for the help

There are many in the under $100 category, with varying USB port and audio options, as well as varying reviews. Just look up "displayport KVM". For the nunber of USB ports, you can plug a USB hub into the KVM if needed.

[icewizard64]

5 hours ago, brwainer said:

There are many in the under $100 category, with varying USB port and audio options, as well as varying reviews. Just look up "displayport KVM". For the nunber of USB ports, you can plug a USB hub into the KVM if needed.

After some thought, i've figured out a way to connect the computers and monitors so i won't need to switch between them. Each monitor has a display port and a HDMI port and so do my graphic cards so i can connect computer 1 via display port to monitor 1 and via HDMI to monitor 2 and computer 2 to monitor 1 via HDMI and to monitor 2 via display port if that makes sense. I would still need to switch my keyboard, mouse and speakers between each though so what do you think i should use for that? Is there a simpler switch?

Sorry if i'm asking dumb questions, i've been researching for a while now and all the new information is making my brain hurt.

[brwainer]

Just now, icewizard64 said:

After some thought, i've figured out a way to connect the computers and monitors so i won't need to switch between them. Each monitor has a display port and a HDMI port and so do my graphic cards so i can connect computer 1 via display port to monitor 1 and via HDMI to monitor 2 and computer 2 to monitor 1 via HDMI and to monitor 2 via display port if that makes sense. I would still need to switch my keyboard, mouse and speakers between each though so what do you think i should use for that? Is there a simpler switch?

Sorry if i'm asking dumb questions, i've been researching for a while now and all the new information is making my brain hurt.

yes - in that case you just need a USB switch like this one https://www.amazon.com/Plugable-One-Button-Swapping-Between-Computers/dp/B006Z0Q2SI

You can get switches that have a builtin USB hub, or you can get a single port one like I've linked and use a separate USB hub. They also come in both USB 2 and USB 3 versions.

[icewizard64]

1 minute ago, brwainer said:

yes - in that case you just need a USB switch like this one https://www.amazon.com/Plugable-One-Button-Swapping-Between-Computers/dp/B006Z0Q2SI

You can get switches that have a builtin USB hub, or you can get a single port one like I've linked and use a separate USB hub. They also come in both USB 2 and USB 3 versions.

Awesome! I think that will be a lot simpler as well. Thanks for the help and the quick responses