I'm in the process of building a rack-mounted PC that the entire family can use, primarily for gaming. Instead of having individual PCs for each family member, I'm hoping to manage access better, especially for my kids who are 6 and 9, while also making this a fun project for us to do together. I'm fairly tech-savvy, having built a few PCs before, but I need some input on this setup.
**The Plan:** A single PC housed in a data cabinet, with HDMI/Display ports and USB connections going to different bedrooms. I'll rely on USB for keyboards and mice, as Bluetooth might not work well over the distance. The PC will serve multiple purposes, from gaming to homework and general entertainment, and each user will have their own Windows login with Steam Family Sharing. I'm looking for suggestions on parental controls and how to manage that within Windows too.
I've got a 12RU data cabinet for free, and now I need help with the actual PC components.
**My Questions:**
1. What kind of hardware do I need? From chassis to fans, and anything else I should consider. The PC should be capable of running games like Hearts of Iron 4, Stellaris, and more, ideally allowing up to 4 users to game at once.
2. How will it work for multiple users? I want to make sure that each person has their own setup without overlapping.
3. Is this even feasible? Wouldn't it be simpler for everyone to have their own PC? Any tips and advice as I move forward would be appreciated!
2 Answers
A setup like this can definitely be done! There are complexities, though. You could look into a VM system like Unraid for what you're trying to accomplish. Just keep in mind that managing multiple users isn't as straightforward with a standard Windows install. You'd ideally want a powerful CPU (think more than 8 cores), lots of RAM, and a solid GPU with enough VRAM to support multiple users gaming if needed. And start looking for a good rackmount case; they can be pricy!
Thanks for the detailed advice! I appreciate the focus on future-proofing. I had planned for those upgrades later on!
You might run into some roadblocks with just one PC and a regular Windows install for multiple users. It could be worthwhile to look into setting up a server with virtual machines instead. This way, each family member could have their own isolated environment. I'd suggest a VM setup if you're aiming for simultaneous gaming. It might not be the easiest route, but it could save some headaches down the road! How far along are you with your research on these options?
You mentioned needing separate monitors – that's a great point! Just make sure your GPU can handle the output for that many screens. It's definitely better in the long run to plan for separate systems once your kids get older and want to play more demanding games.