Looking for a 4 port HDMI/DP + USB KVM

I'm indifferent between HDMI and DP, both will work.

This is to replace my current VGA model, which I use to control a few secondary boxes with hand me down GPUs. An 1180/2080 for my gaming machine (not on the KVM) is in my near future, that will pass the 1080 it's currently running onto one of the KVM boxes. I've had enough headaches with the one DP-VGA adapter currently being used with an AMD 460 on that setup that I'd rather spend a bit more money for a new KVM instead.

If possible I'd like to stay at $100 or less, but if I have to spend more for reliability I can go to $200 or maybe $250. Beyond that and I'll probably just buy another DP/VGA dongle and swear at it regularly.

If it doesn't break the bank 1440p or 4k support would be nice for future proofing, but for what I'm using these systems for 1080p 60hz is good enough.

I have no need for audio support, but as long as the cables are detachable so they don't add to the rats nest would have no objection to one ticking that box too.

What I do is use an HDMI switch, which are relatively cheap and can support 4K60, etc. and then additionally a USB switch for my mouse and keyboard.

This ends up being cheaper, and actually has better features than most of the cheaper KVM switches. However, you do lose some convenience having to deal with 2 separate boxes.

It may depend on your needs, too. I have 2 PCs here (USB switch with 4 inputs / 2 outputs) and a 4-port HDMI switch (for the 2 PCs + a PS4 Pro + UHD BD player).

These are the ones I'm using:

Tripp Lite 4-Port HDMI Switch $42
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BHSDNIO/

UGREEN USB Switch Selector $20
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MXXQKGM/

I also found this one on Amazon and looks pretty neat. I probably would have bought this is it was around when I originally wired this up.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F6XFVZ3

cybereality said:

I also found this one on Amazon and looks pretty neat. I probably would have bought this is it was around when I originally wired this up.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F6XFVZ3

Click to expand...

I somewhat belatedly ordered this KVM. My initial impression is less than glowing. I'm trying to use it with an old 1600x1200 monitor (should be childsplay, it's single link DVI like a 1080p display), but it's unable to pass a working video signal from either of the connected PCs (AMD 460 and NVidia 980) to the monitor. Something is going over and keeping the display from going to sleep but nothing is displaying other than a horribly messed up (looked like a CRT with broken sync) BIOS screen when booting nothing. I'm going to have to drag a second monitor over tomorrow so I can connect a working display and the KVM simultaneously to see what the PCs think they're connected to via the latter.

Ah, sorry. Never know the quality with these switches.

cybereality said:

Ah, sorry. Never know the quality with these switches.

Click to expand...

Don't beat yourself up, it's the sort of product I'd've likely bought off of reviews. Mostly positive and a majority of the negative ones were stupid (generic remote has extra buttons that don't do anything, doesn't come with 4 sets of cables, no KVM mouse/keyboard ports dot do fancy mice/keyboards) or not relevant to me (mac issues). I retrospect there is one from someone who appears to've had the same problem I ran into with a 1680x1050 monitor.

After connecting a 2ind monitor to a KVMed PC in an unsuccessful attempt to debug problems: The PC saw the monitor on the end of the KVM as expected and thought it was working fine the monitor was unable to display anything though.

I then ried testing the KVM by moving it to where my main PC. I have a 4k monitor on it, but it only supports HDMI 1.4 (4k 30hz). I tried the same thing there, one monitor directly connected and the 4k via the KVM. I tried both 4k and lesser resolutions. Same thing though, the PC thought everything was fine, the monitor just sat there with a blank screen. Going to return this and try a different model..

After sending my prior KVM back I suffered an attack of Real Life and only recently got around to trying again. During the intervening half year a number of new inexpensive 4k60 capable KVMs showed up on Amazon. I eventually ended up getting this one for $85:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CPLB6Y1/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I hooked everything up and it works great so far. The only slightly screwy thing is that it's packaging included 3 USB A-B cables. For a modern KVM I'd say it should come with combined USB/HDMI (or USB/DP) cables; or nothing at all. I really don't need any more AB 2.0 cables, I've got an entire gallon bag full of them in my parts closet (along with the similar size bag of DVI cables and half gallon(?) bag of VGA ones, most of them will probably end up recycled whenever I next do a cleanout); but if you're going to include them in the box WTH package 3 of them with a 4 port KVM.