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Running USB3.1 through home (just for fun)

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Deal Fanatic
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Sep 21, 2012
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Mississauga

Running USB3.1 through home (just for fun)

Planning on doing this once school is over, just wanted to get some feedback first.

For the longest time, I've been considering replacing all the machines in my house with one central machine.
(Just because I thought it would fun )

The only thing stopping me were displays. Didn't want to run DVI, USB, and HDMI.
USB3.1 can transmit upto 10 Gbps

According to Google

1440@60Hz requires 4.93Gbps
1080@60Hz requires 2.25 Gbps

I can't imagine mice, keyboard and other peripherals to take up too much bandwidth so I'm going to assume its negligible.

I'd need one line to support one 1440p + 2x1080p screens + a handful of USB peripherals (controllers, mice, keyboard)

If I were to buy an ASUS USB 3.1 card, I would able to accomplish my goal right?
https://www.asus.com/Motherboard-Access ... YPEA_CARD/ <Despite the 2 ports, the controller is still limited to 10Gbps right?

I also have a question about hubs
Would hubs like this http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B010DHGPLM/ deliver full bandwidth? or will they slow down the entire system?

The plan is to run cables to each level of the house, and use hubs so I can connect peripherals. Will use unRAID to divide up my central machine to VM. I figure this way I can solve me issue having a slow NAS.

Central Machine Spec: (Already own)
i7 3820 --> planning to switch to a 6 core CPU if necessary
44GB RAM
3xR9 290 --> Might need to remove one GPU if I run out of PCie lanes. (40 Gen3.0? lanes)
3x240GB SSD
6TB HHD storage -->Might switch to RAID1 since there's no way I'll use this much storage
Corsair AX1200 PSU (fresh from eventual RMA)
Smart APC 1050W UPS --> might need to remove/cripple a GPU for this to work
Planning on creating 2 gaming rigs + HTPC+NAS.

Planning on using USB3.1 to HDMI for the 1080p screens, and a USB3.1 to DVI-D for the 1440p
Favourite Games: NieR (PS3), Catherine (PS3), Persona 3 FES/Portable (PS2/PSP), Final Fantasy IX (PSX), Persona 4 Golden (PSV), Witcher 1,2,3 (PC), Skyward Sword (Wii), Pokemon Colosseum (GC), Fire Emblem Awakening (3DS), Shin Megami Tensei IV (3DS), Majora's Mask (3DS), Bravely Default (3DS)
14 replies
Deal Expert
Aug 2, 2004
38395 posts
12019 upvotes
East Gwillimbury
Maybe it's just me, but I'm completely lost. What exactly are you trying to accomplish?

Sounds like you want to use one computer as a server and set up two thin clients using USB 3.1
Deal Fanatic
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Nov 18, 2002
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BC Interior
Dinujan wrote: Planning on doing this once school is over, just wanted to get some feedback first.

For the longest time, I've been considering replacing all the machines in my house with one central machine.
(Just because I thought it would fun )

The only thing stopping me were displays. Didn't want to run DVI, USB, and HDMI.
USB3.1 can transmit upto 10 Gbps

According to Google

1440@60Hz requires 4.93Gbps
1080@60Hz requires 2.25 Gbps

I can't imagine mice, keyboard and other peripherals to take up too much bandwidth so I'm going to assume its negligible.

I'd need one line to support one 1440p + 2x1080p screens + a handful of USB peripherals (controllers, mice, keyboard)

If I were to buy an ASUS USB 3.1 card, I would able to accomplish my goal right?
https://www.asus.com/Motherboard-Access ... YPEA_CARD/ <Despite the 2 ports, the controller is still limited to 10Gbps right?

I also have a question about hubs
Would hubs like this http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B010DHGPLM/ deliver full bandwidth? or will they slow down the entire system?

The plan is to run cables to each level of the house, and use hubs so I can connect peripherals. Will use unRAID to divide up my central machine to VM. I figure this way I can solve me issue having a slow NAS.

Central Machine Spec: (Already own)
i7 3820 --> planning to switch to a 6 core CPU if necessary
44GB RAM
3xR9 290 --> Might need to remove one GPU if I run out of PCie lanes. (40 Gen3.0? lanes)
3x240GB SSD
6TB HHD storage -->Might switch to RAID1 since there's no way I'll use this much storage
Corsair AX1200 PSU (fresh from eventual RMA)
Smart APC 1050W UPS --> might need to remove/cripple a GPU for this to work
Planning on creating 2 gaming rigs + HTPC+NAS.

Planning on using USB3.1 to HDMI for the 1080p screens, and a USB3.1 to DVI-D for the 1440p
I have no idea what you're trying to achieve here. Keep in mind there's a recommended max of 3 m on USB 3.1 cables.
Deal Guru
Feb 9, 2006
13378 posts
8308 upvotes
Brampton
USB 3.1 doesn't actually provide what you're looking for. You need the superset Standard of Thunderbolt to achieve that.

EDIT: I'm wrong. It can using the DisplayPort mode.
Deal Expert
Mar 23, 2004
35606 posts
18999 upvotes
Keep in mind USB doesn't provide networking connectivity and also you may want to consider the maximum cable length allowed for USB. While there is no set maximum USB.org recommends you don't go over 3m which is only 10ft--ridiculously short for trying to run through an entire home. Don't be surprised if your plan doesn't work out too well when longer cables start giving issues or data errors.

You can try using powered hubs and maybe active cables (if they exist) to increase lengths but the whole idea seems silly to me. I mean you're free to try it out and if it works for you that's great but otherwise you may have wasted a bunch of money for nothing. USB really wasn't designed to connect an entire house. It's designed to connect local peripherals with a little more stuff added into 3.1 with Type-C, like the alternate mode support. But then you're just using another type of protocol over a USB cable, which isn't really anything that special and will only complicate matters with connecting things. I advise against it, but again you're certainly free to see what you can get working and what works for you.
Deal Fanatic
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Sep 21, 2012
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Mississauga
ichpen wrote: I have no idea what you're trying to achieve here. Keep in mind there's a recommended max of 3 m on USB 3.1 cables.
Ahh, well the screws up almost everything.

I guess I'll to figure out another way to transmit the display data, or with for aomething like this

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00M74MBKO/
Favourite Games: NieR (PS3), Catherine (PS3), Persona 3 FES/Portable (PS2/PSP), Final Fantasy IX (PSX), Persona 4 Golden (PSV), Witcher 1,2,3 (PC), Skyward Sword (Wii), Pokemon Colosseum (GC), Fire Emblem Awakening (3DS), Shin Megami Tensei IV (3DS), Majora's Mask (3DS), Bravely Default (3DS)
Deal Fanatic
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Sep 21, 2012
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Gee wrote: Maybe it's just me, but I'm completely lost. What exactly are you trying to accomplish?

Sounds like you want to use one computer as a server and set up two thin clients using USB 3.1
Setup a computer in the basement with 3 virtual machines, so 3 users cab use it at once. However to do that I need a way of transmitting the screen infomation.
Favourite Games: NieR (PS3), Catherine (PS3), Persona 3 FES/Portable (PS2/PSP), Final Fantasy IX (PSX), Persona 4 Golden (PSV), Witcher 1,2,3 (PC), Skyward Sword (Wii), Pokemon Colosseum (GC), Fire Emblem Awakening (3DS), Shin Megami Tensei IV (3DS), Majora's Mask (3DS), Bravely Default (3DS)
Deal Expert
Aug 22, 2006
31271 posts
17295 upvotes
Steam Link?
$60 for a thin client.
But you'll still need local keyboard/video/mouse.
It can run wirelessly (probably easily since it's not a game) but ethernet would be ideal.
Deal Fanatic
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Sep 21, 2012
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death_hawk wrote: Steam Link?
$60 for a thin client.
But you'll still need local keyboard/video/mouse.
It can run wirelessly (probably easily since it's not a game) but ethernet would be ideal.
this might work
https://www.reddit.com/r/valve/comments ... esktop_or/

I'll give it a shot

I don't get why they limited themselves to 100M though.
Favourite Games: NieR (PS3), Catherine (PS3), Persona 3 FES/Portable (PS2/PSP), Final Fantasy IX (PSX), Persona 4 Golden (PSV), Witcher 1,2,3 (PC), Skyward Sword (Wii), Pokemon Colosseum (GC), Fire Emblem Awakening (3DS), Shin Megami Tensei IV (3DS), Majora's Mask (3DS), Bravely Default (3DS)
Deal Guru
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Nov 5, 2001
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Edmonton
There are USB over Ethernet extenders, but are costly and unreliable vs a short distance (under 3m) link. Same with hdmi/displayport extenders. If you just need to get an image on a disply and don't mind sacraficing image quality and refresh with a little pixelation it can be done.

How do you think all those displays in restaurants, airports, banks, casinos, etc get display?



What is going to be the main use of the client systems? If just 1080p/4k playback of media, then just get basic media playback devices and call it a day. Hook them up with gigabit Ethernet or wireless n/c and be done with it.

If gaming, then a duplicate rig with high end cpu and video card is the only way to get it done. We just aren't quite there yet with high end wireless graphics displays, maybe in a few more years.
Deal Expert
Aug 22, 2006
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Dinujan wrote: I don't get why they limited themselves to 100M though.
They covered this in the FAQ on the discussions page.
TL;DR no real reason to go Gigabit.
100Mbps ETHERNET?! WHHHHHAAaaattt?!!1

Yes. That is more than 3 times the bandwidth needed for in-home streaming. Why should they put a 1Gbps or 10Gbps port on there?
Deal Fanatic
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Sep 21, 2012
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death_hawk wrote: They covered this in the FAQ on the discussions page.
TL;DR no real reason to go Gigabit.
Isn't it limited to 1080@60Hz?

Or were there other concerns besides bandwidth that made them decide 1080p@60Hz would be the max setting.
Favourite Games: NieR (PS3), Catherine (PS3), Persona 3 FES/Portable (PS2/PSP), Final Fantasy IX (PSX), Persona 4 Golden (PSV), Witcher 1,2,3 (PC), Skyward Sword (Wii), Pokemon Colosseum (GC), Fire Emblem Awakening (3DS), Shin Megami Tensei IV (3DS), Majora's Mask (3DS), Bravely Default (3DS)
Deal Expert
Aug 22, 2006
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Dinujan wrote: Isn't it limited to 1080@60Hz?

Or were there other concerns besides bandwidth that made them decide 1080p@60Hz would be the max setting.
That's also in their FAQ.
TL;DR 1080p is cheap to process. 4k needs special hardware costing several hundreds of dollars compared to an all in one package costing $60.
Member
Nov 19, 2009
450 posts
128 upvotes
Windsor
I've been interested in doing something like that ever since I saw this:
http://thehomeserverblog.com/esxi-lab-specs/
He was doing it all over cat6 and though I didn't notice mention of resolutions, overall performance of the setup seems to be good for him. I don't know how much sense it makes once you add the cost of all the extenders if price is one of your main drivers, but the concept interested me enough that I finally picked up a FX-8320e to toy with not long ago.
Deal Addict
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Dec 3, 2010
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Toronto
Linus from linus tech tips has posted a video on Vessel that was later taken down (maybe because it was forthe CES show) of how he had ran 7 monitors, each with its own keyboard and mouse from one computer. Not only that, but they all were running a very high end game at max settings with absolutely no lag. The moniters themselves were also high end, and not 1080p. So keep a lookout for that.

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