THIS is the best KVM switch for gaming!

Thanks to Edward from ConnectPRO for all the help!

CHAPTERS:
0:00 Multiple computers with one monitor?
0:35 What is a KVM switch?
2:20 First requirement
3:12 Second requirement
5:20 Third requirement
6:59 Tons of problems
8:59 Fiber to the rescue?
11:56 Some more problems
13:48 Final configuration

[starrynayt]

As usual, another informative video! Good to hear that Level1Techs/Wendell's KVM made the finalist.

[bagawk]

KVMs are rare in DCs today. Most are using IPMI and/or the vendor proprietary systems like iDRAC. For the rare times that fails, usually a mobile 'crash cart' with a display and keyboard is rolled up to the server and plugged in.

[supermroz]

I battled with this as well, and ended up buying a wireless mouse and keyboard that allows for up to 3 connections, and a monitor that has 3 video input ports. When I needed to switch, I'd just press a button on the mouse, on the keyboard, and select the correct input device on the monitor in a few button presses. Not so seamless, but still quite doable.

[joshuadugan]

Love the timing of this post, I was literally planning out an entire thunderbolt KVM build yesterday. Guess I need to accept the headaches to come😅

[annihilatorg]

You've 100% captured the plight of enthusiasts. I just removed my dual DP1.2 KVM and dual 27" 4k monitors to use the new dell 40" Ultrawide and its built in KVM. In some cases it's better, others not so much.

[AchievedZeus]

The feeling of "it works but I have no idea why" is way too real. I have so much stuff that just works for no reason and I'm too scared to touch it

[pahnazd]

This sounds like quite the pain. I saw someone recommending Synergy and I couldn't agree more.
Sure, you need an extra screen, but it gives you a seamless switching of computers as is they were one machine with more screens.

Used it like that for a few years at work and it was great - one monitor PC, one monitor Mac, and I just moved my mouse between screens like it was one machine. Glorious

And you retain all hardware benefits like Gsync because of the monitors being connected to the computers directly.

[EnricoAnsaloni]

I went through these troubles too, and I decided that it wasn't worth it anymore. I always had some kind of KVM. In the VGA years it was very easy, a cheap KVM could solve your problems without glitches... Then DVI and higher resolutions came out, and I had to change but things started getting expensive but still easy because all monitors were 60Hz max. Then HDMI and DP came out, resolutions increased again and so did the price of updated KVM. My last KVM was an Aten with 1440p/60Hz support (400€ at the time) but when I upgraded to a 4k/144Hz monitor with DP and HDMI the expensive KVM was useless again. So I chose a monitor with a built in KVM, the Gigabyte AORUS FV43U but I had a problem: the built in KVM was working only between the regular ports and the USB-C DP port for the laptop so I got a simple USB switch and even if now I have to press 2 buttons (one on the monitor remote for video input switch and one on the USB switch for keyboard and mouse) I have no problem with that... And my monitor works flawlessly and I don't have to worry about the future if and when standards change

[joshuaanhalt]

There is a fourth solution, not right for every situation, but could be cheaper than a high end KVM. If you attach a monitor to each computer, you can share one keyboard and mouse between them using an app like Synergy, x2x, or one of several similar tools. The software lets the mouse virtually move off the side of one monitor, and onto the next monitor, the keyboard input follows the mouse focus. This also can enable clipboard sharing between your computers.

[plagosus]

I connected one.computer via HDMI, second via Display Port and I'm using Logitech keyboard that supports 3 devices. When I want to switch to another computer, I just press a key on the keyboard and pick a dofferent onput source on the monitor (Dell display, so you can custom map two buttons on front to twp input sources). Super easy and quick and absolutely no extra cost.

[zeusde]

i totally feel you. problems like this hit me literally all the time.

[ThePapanoob]

thats exactly why level1techs made KVM's :D theyre awesome!!

[TheAleksanderB]

I have some how similar problem and I mange to resolve it by getting a monitor with nearly two of everything - USB 3 connectors compatible with Thunderbolt standard, HDMI ports and DisplayPort. The only thing that causes problem is the DisplayPort due to the initial handshake that is happening between the device and monitor. The other mild inconvenience is that I need to switch manually the USB 3 connection to start using the peripherals. I need to clarify that I am not constantly switching between active systems, just between an active and powered off one. I am not quite sure that I need a KVM, cause I only need to switch the peripherals where are connected and been able to power other devices at hands reach.

Great explanation and troubleshooting! I really enjoy your videos and you even remind me of one of my cool beard-glasses colleague at work with the same smile and attitude to everything. Keep going!

[pauljones]

I LOVE these nerdy videos. Must be why I watch level1 tech as well

[TheCebarks]

I used to have a connect pro 3monitor kvm for switching between my personal desktop and work computers, but after a while i just got fed up with the random issues I was having and unified under a single linux system for gaming and work! Much better experience than trying to swap between systems.

[SirHackaLt.]

Datacentres I’ve worked in tend to have a trolley with a monitor, keyboard and mouse on them which gets plugged in when needed. Most of the time it’s iLo or iRac etc

[unpaid_review]

I had a while ago KVM and it was not that bulky and worked very well... In the modern time, if you need 2 computers only - you can use 2 keyboards and 2 mouses and connect displays to different ports on the monitor, or use HDMI switch. Or you can do "remote desktop". A lot of options today compared to 90s....AND I have many (MANY) LG monitors and had no any problems so ever. Not bendy one though 🤣

[rajkobogdanovic]

Hey, I love your channel. I am sorry to break it up for you - we nonlonger use KVM in data centers. Majority of modern servers have either Ilo for hp, iDrac fir Dell, BMC IPMI for supermicro, etc. which allo in parallel full diagnostic and remote console.

Today there is also a Raspberry pi based pcie card which allows remote console for a plain pc.

I still love your content! Greetings from Serbia

[maxsioulas]

Lol that did my head in 🤯 Great video and very informative and i think the ASUS ROG monitor will be an early Christmas gift..

[michaelgleason]

After you said the thing cost $800, I was disappointed you didn't say "so I built my own for $30k."