Awesome setups thread (pics)

SephStorm

So, we have a post your cisco lab thread, I was looking at pictures of awesome pc setups, and I thought itd be cool to put them in one place. So, post pictures of your setup, or one you wish was yours. For the setup experts, it'd be nice to get some advice on how we could build these setups on the cheap. I'll start. From: 15 Envious Home Computer Setups | inspirationfeed.com

I thought this was as good as it got.



Then I saw this:



Then there are much more realistic home office setups like this:



I've gotta get something like these. i've got about 7-8 pcs/laptops and i'd like to get a nice setup where I can have cable/gaming on its own tv, then monitors for the laptops, servers and consoling into the rack id like to build when I get back. I have a 4 port DVI but that thing... ugh...

demonfurbie

out of reach of the kids

Tackle

demonfurbie wrote: »

out of reach of the kids

Funny - I was just thinking about building something like that. If you don't mind...
What did you use for the back plate?
What kind of PS is that?
What do you call the ribbon that's used for your graphics card?

demonfurbie

ya can get the gear at xoxide but its not mine ... i was pricing it after i saw it but it adds about $400 to the total cost to mount it like that

diamond plate works best and custom cables for the vid card and a flat screen tv mount for hanging

http://www.xoxide.com/modaccessories1.html

SephStorm

Very nice, i've never seen a cable like that, very cool.

I like the coloring of the room, makes it look like you are in some kind of secure, sterile area.

Roguetadhg

This my first attempt in making a multiple monitor setup beyond triple.



The monitors were working, but I took this picture in the middle of tear down so don't mind the standby modes - they were all powered by a little Optiplex 360. Yes, It was horrible. Yes, It lagged. I've had people come into my office, look and turn right around without saying a word :P Priceless.

I used stacks of postit notes, IDE harddrives, as well as retired computers to create the wall. I tried to stack a third layer of CRTs but the wall became too unstable and heavy. I opted for LCDs for longevity.

The heat that all the CRTs powered on at once made me get headaches, and the temp in the room would often reach beyond 95 degrees - in winter. I had two 80mm fans (connected to an old AT Powersupply) to push the heat around from behind the CRTs.

It only lasted a few weeks. Oh. At the back of the crt wall you can see a computer stick out - I placed a projector there

My current setup has LCD monitors. and a Large TV. I need a larger power supply, and then I'll recycle my 285 GTX into the mix so I can get 3 LCDs of decent power going. I'll get pictures up when I can. I've downsized the number of monitors to 8. (inc TV)

SteveLord

^ I think sitting there for any longer than 5 minutes would make you sterile.

kriscamaro68

Mine isn't as cool as some of those but its a work in progress. I will post pics up soon when its a little closer to being done.

MickQ

Nice work guys, but I think in all fairness that one of the better setups that I've seen has been something like this:

Iristheangel

This is a somewhat recent image of my setup. Everything is the same except that I added another 22 inch screen onto my gaming PC. It's not as cool as some of the setups pictures but I'm happy with it. I've got four routers, three switches, three servers, a touchpad, a streaming media server for my 60 inch tv, two laptops and a gaming PC in there. My gf refuses to let me buy more toys to add onto it

tpatt100

I think some of those people with that many monitors daydream they are Tank in the movie the Matrix.

Roguetadhg

apparently a lot of programmers , poker players (running multiple tables), stock brokers, ships, security rooms... Multiple screens isn't such an oddity as before. Being able to watch more than one thing in an instant does help getting things done.

Personally, I use Computer 1 for keeping tabs on tickets, another for email, another for the company help site, and the other for IMs. Having to look between tickets, reply to them via email client, making sure that where the ticket is 'supposed' to go and all having a conversation with my boss on IM because he's juggling 2 phone calls and talking to the vp. Fun. I will often times put up the topology sheet on one of the monitors as well.

As for my personal computer, I'll put up multiple sites (30" is sweet for that), and then I'll have the two 15s with other stuff. I'll read eBooks, white papers, router sim, have winamp going. I need to procure a larger power supply for my personal computer and to power the last 15 Inch.

The TV is for another computer which I can list what needs to be done, projects, important notes about projects, meetings, conferencing. Anything that needs to be listed that I just need to glance up. I love not having to alt-tab.

Then the monitors behind me are for building images, fixing people's computers.

There's endless uses for a lot of screen space. I can see what I need to and don't need to rely on my poor memory to do it.

Or course, you could also just do gaming, and enjoy the benefits of seeing more too :P


If you're looking to build your own multiple screen setup I'd recommend a monitor program (I use UltraMonitor). There's free programs out there, but I like to pay for what I use every day, in and out.

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/features/beyond_ultramon_free_software_solutions_multiple_monitors


More multiple Monitor setups:



http://www.stefandidak.com/office/:

tpatt100

In the SOCs I worked in the multiple monitors were setup by contractors but we ended up turning off most if not all of them. It makes cool looking promotional pictures though.

Roguetadhg

Iris, Wow. I just noticed your black cat in one of the pictures. It took me a second to see a pair of eyes. >.<

VAHokie56

Roguetadhg wrote: »

This my first attempt in making a multiple monitor setup beyond triple.



The monitors were working, but I took this picture in the middle of tear down so don't mind the standby modes - they were all powered by a little Optiplex 360. Yes, It was horrible. Yes, It lagged. I've had people come into my office, look and turn right around without saying a word :P Priceless.

I used stacks of postit notes, IDE harddrives, as well as retired computers to create the wall. I tried to stack a third layer of CRTs but the wall became too unstable and heavy. I opted for LCDs for longevity.

The heat that all the CRTs powered on at once made me get headaches, and the temp in the room would often reach beyond 95 degrees - in winter. I had two 80mm fans (connected to an old AT Powersupply) to push the heat around from behind the CRTs.

It only lasted a few weeks. Oh. At the back of the crt wall you can see a computer stick out - I placed a projector there

My current setup has LCD monitors. and a Large TV. I need a larger power supply, and then I'll recycle my 285 GTX into the mix so I can get 3 LCDs of decent power going. I'll get pictures up when I can. I've downsized the number of monitors to 8. (inc TV)

lol ghetto! I would be scared to sit there

Iristheangel

Ah yes, he's a little ninja.
Impressive pics, Rogue

Novalith478

Aren't 4 screens a little overkill? I just switch work-spaces for all these different needs. You can do it Windows too I think. That's just me. Staring at 4 screens after awhile would make my eyes hurt

networker050184

Well you usually stare at one at a time.....

Roguetadhg

What networker said. If I think about it, I really just glance at the information, as I already know what is where in my field of neck motion. It takes me a second to glance up at my tickets, email, topology, im. I can look at GNS3 topologies, white papers, all the white have my CLI open - all while not needing to worry that I missed a ticket.

It's a split second to glance. I don't have to find the right window, then the tab. I used to use more than one browser because of compatibility issues with internal websites, for example. Couple with everything on one screen it was just a mess and a hassle. I spent a lot of time swapping windows than actually doing what I wanted to do and get done.

I'm trying to upload what is my current setup but photobuckets is down currently. I used imgurl instead:

Novalith478

This is true, I guess it really comes down to personal preference and what one is used to.

SephStorm

Im just saying, all these setups are sexy. And I love how we just happen to have a backtrack screen up when we take our pics, or a certification book

MickQ

My current setup - just moved into a new place - and as it happens, yes Seph, I am looking through IEEE standards as part of an assignment for my uni course.

mapletune

I really like Mitch's office at office faq



Klein's older setups were better imo~ Home Office « klein2 but at least this is the website that got me to think about certification =p

SephStorm

i'll have to see if i got pics of my setup on my pc. all i have right now are pics of my old cert book collection.

Patel128

@Roguetadhg - I loved how you used towers for monitor/speaker stands!

Roguetadhg

@MickQ, I like the fireplace. Is it real? Need to buy you a bankers lamp for the classy "Library" feel!

@Patel128, It's a heck of a lot cheaper than using a quad monitor stand. Honestly, I'd rather have the stand. It'll look more professional, and it scratches my OCD nerve.



The one thing I dislike about having so many screens is that the color differences are really off. My top-left monitor is warmest (Kelvin/Color) wise than the coolest bottom left. I'll need to buy a monitor calibrator - which can be a problem with multiple monitors.

Keeping the thread alive... With Macs and Bill Gates - In the same thread. I'm evil.

Source: Multi-Monitor Roundup #2 | Creative Home Offices

the_hutch

A semi-recent picture of my setup...

the_hutch

The SOCOM Joint Communications Unit airplane...

SephStorm

Not going to ask how you got that picture.

GOZCU

not the awesome one, but mine ...

MickQ

@Rogue: Thanks man. A banker's lamp would do quite nicely, or one of those nice aluminium ones you have. I love the screen on case style, too. Cheap, but effective. How about this for a quad mount for your good self?
Yep, the fireplace is real. That was it burning a combination of wood and peat at the time. I'll be getting a stove soon before the autumn and winter comes. Need to get some proper heat into this place - it's about 200 years old and can get fairly damp.

@Novalith: I have 3 screens at work for monitoring and working. I still need more!!!


Seems like we all have some nice kit around the place.