How to set up a multi-seat Windows PC.
This blog will demonstrate just how to set up a Windows 10 (Home or Professional version) pc in a multi-seat configuration for both gaming or a powerful workstation. What exactly is a multi-seat pc? A multi-seat pc is just a local computer not connected via LAN or in any work-group and uses local log in credentials for accessing your (or your kids) desktops! What you’ll need:
- A program like Aster Multi-seat software.
- Windows PC
- a powerful multi-core CPU
- a main/mother board that supports multiple gpu’s
- multiple gpu’s (video cards)
- a powerful power-supply
- multiple monitors
- wireless pointing devices and keyboards (for each workstation)
Aster Multi-seat supports up to 6 workstations connected to a single Windows PC listed here as ‘place 1, place, 2’ in my personal setup, each of my workstations have dual monitors as pictured below, both workstations have webcams, place 1 is pictured to separate it’s signal from place 2 camera that’s not pictured. The software keeps inventory of all the assets assigned to each workstation like multiple webcams for simultaneous Zoom meetings, keyboards, and pointing devices! (Windows itself can separate the audio, see below)
My personal setup is on the Home version of Windows, in a personal computer I have no use for the active directory features available in the professional version but either will work all powered by a robust multi-core CPU, I’m currently running an Intel i7–5820k good for 6-cores, 12 threads @ 3.30Ghz more than enough.
Each workstation must be fed by it’s own independent GPU. The video cards do NOT have to be identical but they have to be of the same make. My two cards are an MSI GTX 1060 6GB and an EVGA RTX 2080ti, both are Nvidia cards and thus are managed with the similar device drivers. This of course means that my mother or main board supports multiple gpu’s (mine supports up to three gpu’s, that’s 3 workstations possible in my setup).
Windows has the ability to separate audio (for at least two workstations in my case). First you’ll want to access control panel and open your sound settings icon, set your default device as your speaker output (like Realtek) as the default device. Next access the recording tab and right-click in empty space and select show disabled devices, that bring up a new option of stereo mix, right click and enable, then double-click to bring up the options, access the listen tab, click listen to this device, then set whatever you want to use as your sound output.
Here with Aster disabled, you can see the setup of two webcams, Aster will divide these once enabled.
And here with the default audio output, place 1 and place 2 in my set up.
This makes it possible for simultaneous Zoom meetings when Aster is enabled and is also valuable is LAN head to head gaming without setting up an actual LAN.
Each of my video cards are capable of running 4 monitors at 1080p @60fps on their own, my desks however doesn’t have the real estate. Also be aware of the power requirements of running two or more gpu’s. I’d recommend no lower than a 850 watt power supply is feasible, which I’m currently running.
Hope this helps, please clap!
