Multiboxing hardware Multiboxing is a term used to denote one user playing multiple accounts simulataneously . This can be done using one or more machines . Solutions exist for both the PC and Mac . There are also solutions for using both PC and Mac at the same time . Look to Multiboxing for a general overview on this subject and to Multiboxing software as well as Multiboxing macros . When it comes to Multiboxing software there has been plenty of new and impressive software released to help make multiboxing a breeze . Some of the most poplur ones are called Pwnboxer and Isboxer . Both of these are very good but from reading some of the reviews available and using them both myself I would recommend using Pwnboxer but you can judge for yourself . To have a look at what this software can do simply go and check it out here . PWNboxer The only thing I would suggest is not to waste your gaming time trying to get a free multiboxing software to work as they are full of glitches . Remember to read more about this subject at multiboxing software Hardware requirements . World of Warcraft has easy to meet system requirements . This makes it relatively easy to run two instances on a single core processor equipped system and even more on multi - core systems . When running multiple copies on one machine it is suggested the graphics and sound options of the extra accounts be turned down . Note that the same rules apply to running multiple instances on a Mac . The first suggestion , Single instance per machine , can be used to define the minimum system for an extra account when running multiple accounts across many machines . It is assumed that a display device , keyboard , and mouse , are included in the requirements . When using multiple machines a separate display for each can be very helpful . Additional Hardware . Depending on how much money you ' re willing to invest the following additional hardware items can be considered . Depending on the method used to control multiple accounts the amount of additional hardware will vary . Slave systems . If you decide to build , I suggest a MicroATX motherboard ( that supports ELECTRICAL x16 PCI - E - a lot ONLY support 1x electrical but 16x physical - a big problem ! ) , a single or dual core processor , at least 1 gig of memory , an 80 gig hard drive , cases , power supplies , an nVidia 6600 GT or better ( avoid 6200 , 7200s , etc and avoid all built in video cards ) . You will need four of these machines , assuming you already have a box that is at least as beefy as these . If money is not an issue then buy five identical machines and defragment regularly and you should see them load at nearly the exact same time . Put solid state hard drives in there and short of latency , everything should match up perfectly . You can take this as far as you want to go and spend as much as you can possibly spend but MicroATX boards with a solid video card and processor will run WoW at optimum framerates with decent quality and max sight distance . Period . ATX mobos or top of the line systems are just icing . Each " bare bones " system will run approximately $ 500 or $ 2000 for four systems . Total Cost - $ 2000 Running total cost - $ 2000 . Extra Monitors . LCD Monitors are dirt cheap these days . Do not go CRT . Any 15 - 17 " monitor will work perfectly . If you want a larger monitor for the center screen that is perfectly fine but WoW can be played fine on 17 " monitors and anything bigger will make it very hard to monitor your " secondary " characters as they will be out of your peripheral vision . So when one gets rooted , sapped , feared etc - you will likely not even know it . You can get a solid 17 " monitor for $ 150 . I highly suggest getting ones with as small a bezel as possible to enable them to be placed as close as possible to each other . Response time is a personal preference but nearly any 17 " LCD these days is more than sufficient for your purposes . Total Cost - $ 600 Running Total - $ 2600 Monitor Mounts . You have three options here . The best option ( and most expensive ) is to purchase an Ergotron DS100 triple monitor arm . If you want to mount six monitors ( one for websites , email , vent , etc ) then buy their 24 " pole , triple monitor mount and either a desk stand or desk clamp mount . Then just mount your bottom monitors using their existing stands and save some money . They have newer options that articulate and you can certainly get two triple arms if you wish but each triple arm runs about $ 200 . These are on ebay all the time and are rock solid - I highly suggest buying used and saving a hundred bucks or so . You may ( probably will ) need to buy a 24 " pole to go along with the triple arm . These are fairly cheap . If you cannot find one ( the DS100 line has been discontinued but parts abound still ) then go to http : / / www . onlinemetals . com and buy a 24 " 1 . 5 " aluminum TUBE ( not pipe ) . With as thick a wall as you feel comfortable with . I suggest at least 1 / 8 " . Pipe does not have a 1 . 5 " OD ( outer diameter ) . The ergotrons all use 1 . 5 " OD circular tubing . Controls . Vetra Keyboard Multicaster . In my experience there are a few hardware choices you need to make to actually control your characters . You will need two Vetra keyboard broadcasters . These will allow you to take the output of a single machine and send it to multiple computers . Make sure you match this with a PS / 2 keyboard . USB is too difficult to multicast and is not a good option here . This rules out the use of the Nostromo N52 , Ergodex DX1 , the Logitech G15 and other USB only keyboards . Each Vetra Keyboard Broadcaster ( VIP - 844 - BC ) costs $ 200 . To control four total boxes , you need one . To control five , you will need two . They will make you a custom model if you ask and delivery is usually within two weeks but I do not have a quote . They are usually pretty reasonable though . You will also need the PS / 2 cables . I highly suggest http : / / www . monoprice . com . Their cables are solid , CHEAP and just work . Make sure you pick up a single short male to male PS / 2 cable to link the two Vetras together as well as the five male to male PS / 2 cables to connect from the Vetra ' s outputs to the computers . Total Cost - $ 400 Running Total - $ 3250 Keyboard / Mouse KVM . I highly suggest SOME form of a KVM , if only to switch from sending keystrokes to every machine to your main computer . Vetras are top notch , enterprise level units . The VIP - 802 - KM is what you need to send input to all or one machine . If you want to go further , and be able to send keystrokes to any single machine , you will need Y - Mice for each machine . You only need the KM option , saving some money over a full KVM - which also sends video . You just need to send the keyboard data ( and perhaps mouse ) . KVMs switch far too slow . You need a dedicated monitor for EACH box you wish to play . Total Cost - $ 120 ( 2 port version ) Running Total - $ 3370 Y - Mouse . If you want to use a KVM , you will need a Y - Mouse . I assume you will only want one - to control your main box OR all 5 . If you want to individually control them without buying a keyboard for each ( or using Synergy ) then you will need a Y - Mouse for each . The Y - Mouse gives you two PS / 2 ports instead of one . They offer mice and keyboard versions and they can be cascaded to give you more ports if needed . They are simply plug and play - no drivers required . Vetra makes something similar but costs more - go with the Y - Mouse . They are sold by the same company that sells the X - Keys . Think of them as a little 1 port Vetra Keyboard Multicaster made by a different company . Total Cost - $ 60 ( each ) Running Total - $ 3430 X - Keys . I HIGHLY suggest picking up at least an X - keys Desktop . That will give you 20 physical keys ( and a total of 40 virtual keys with an ALT key modifier ) . More if you setup a second alt / control key and modify your WoW macros accordingly . Make sure to purchase a PS / 2 version . All of the X - keys have keyboard pass throughs - so you just attach your regular keyboard to it and plug it into the computer - nothing else is required . You can cascade several of them together . I also highly suggest printing out the keycaps in the right size ( . 58 " square - but you will need to slightly cut the two bottom corners ) in color . That way you will have an on screen version of your input system and a simple glance will tell you what key you are pressing . WoW Icons are available from http : / / www . wowwiki . com / List _ of _ WoW _ icons . You WILL need to resize them to . 58 " before you print them . The ghetto method of doing that is simply opening a Word document , dragging and dropping the icons ( you can drag and drop all of them at once ) then right clicking on each one and setting the size manually . Another ( better ) option is to do it the right way and use an automated Photoshop script to change the size and then place them with your favorite desktop program . Word will work though , but the quality will be lower . Good enough though if you lack the graphical talent to photoshop like a pro . For those who truly want the best setup they can get , go with an X - keys Professional . It costs $ 170 ( vs $ 120 ) but it expands you from 20 to 58 physical keys . If you are running PvP or a complex PvE setup , you will definitely want a Pro . I suggest starting with the center 20 keys and expanding out from there . For non - combat uses , I personally use a Stick . They cost $ 100 but give you 16 keys to summon water , cast buffs , etc . They can also have a modifier key and I reserve two keys to switch between the KVM computers . ( The Vetras switch with a special keyboard combination as well as with a physical button ) . Any of the X - Keys can be programmed to repeat when held down and of course they can store macros and not just a single keypress or combination of key presses . Whatever you wind up getting , make sure they are PS / 2 and NOT USB . Total Cost - $ 120 ( Desktop - $ 170 - Professional - $ 100 Stick ) Running Total - $ 3550 Keyboard . My personal keyboard of choice is the Happy Hacking Lite II . It has a VERY small footprint and has the directional pads , unlike the Pro version . They run about $ 80 each and come in USB or PS / 2 . For my main input keyboard , I went with a PS / 2 model and for the other 4 , I went with USB . If you plug a USB and a PS / 2 keyboard into a computer , windows will simply treat them as an either or setup . So if you type on one , it displays that text . If you type on the other , it displays the other . If you type both at the same time , it intertwines them . Perfect for multiboxing . Mouse control works in the same way . A Gray Happy Hacking Shown Below Normal Keyboard Total Cost - $ 400 Running total cost - $ 3950 Mice ( Wireless ) . Mice input is tough . You will likely want to setup mouse input for all 4 " secondary " computers and one for your main . A wireless mouse is cheap . Get a RF mouse , not an IR . Go optical . I use logitechs but any brand should work as long as they are the same brand . Buy four . Set three of the mice aside and plug in all 4 receivers . USB mice work fine . To set them all to the same frequency , click the sync button on the mouse and then click the receivers . They should all sync right up . Every so often the mice will desync slightly ( a few pixels at most ) . To " resync " run the WoWs fullscreen and just move the mice to any corner then to your destination . It makes turning in quests , etc MUCH easier . Total Cost - $ 80 Running total cost - $ 4030 Mice ( Wired ) . You will want either a dedicated mouse per machine or use the KVM to send mice input to each individual machine . The KVM has a SMALL but noticeable latency - switching is NOT literally instant . I personally use dedicated mice but the KVM option would work if you purchase PS / 2 mice and a 6 port KVM ( technically you only need a 5 port KM but Vetra only sellf 6 port models ) . Obviously with USB mice this will not work . Go optical and wired ( although wireless SHOULD work too ) . Mice input works the same way as keyboard input . You can have multiple ones connected without any problems . Don ' t forget a mouse for your main ( fifth ) box . Total Cost - $ 50 Running total cost - $ 4080 Other considerations . Electrical costs . Your electrical costs will increase as each box takes up about 250 watts of power . MicroATX power supplies usually run only 70 or 80 % efficient . Assuming a kilowatt hour cost of 10 cents per kilowatt - hour , and you will be using around 1000 watts ( 1 kilowatt - hour ) per hour , it will cost you ten cents per hour to run four more boxes . Running 24 / 7 , this will mean an extra $ 75 per month . Play area layout . Once again , this small detail makes a difference . If you run 5 or 6 monitors , I strongly suggest some logical order to how your characters are arranged and which computer runs which character . Your " main " is generally in the middle and the secondaries flank your main to either side . My personal choice is A in the lower left , B upper left , C upper right and D lower right . Clockwise with X in the lower middle . The upper middle is for browsing the internet , looking up quests , vent , etc . My key arrangement mirrors this and the X - Keys Desktop and Pro are perfect for this kind of setup as they have 8 keys wide and 5 vertical . Making your physical interface as intuitive as possible will speed the learning process and make far more logical sense when playing .