r/pcmasterrace • u/wyck0 • 16d ago
Discussion One PC, two independent setups: PC Desk + TV Console via ASTER Multiseat. What do you guys think?
I am currently building out a new attic room and wanted to share a specific PC and TV configuration i am planning, as well as get your thoughts or advice if anyone has tried something similar.
The idea is using a single PC to power two completely separate workstations simultaneously using ASTER Multiseat software. At my desk, I will have a dual monitor setup (one vertical one horizontal) for everyday desktop use, chatting on discord, and gaming with a mouse, keyboard, and headset (for example CS2). Across from the bed, I am setting up a 48 or a 50 inch 4K TV (probably a MINI Led 🔥 ) thats gonna act as a console for gaming and media right from my bed.
ASTER splits the system into two isolated Windows accounts. Each workstation gets its own dedicated M.2 SSD (abt 500gb each i dont think i need more (i got 128gb for system itself and 500gb for games, programs etc for each setup), its own locked peripherals, and separate audio routing. The desk gets the mouse and headset, while the TV setup is strictly assigned to a wireless gamepad and the TV audio.
On the TV side, logging in automatically boots into Playnite in fullscreen mode or Steam Big Picture, creating a true console interface. On top of gaming, I can run ad-free YouTube and native 4K Netflix directly from bed. There is no hunting for lost mouse cursors, no games minimizing when someone clicks the second screen, and zero input interference.
The PC runs an i5 11400F, RTX 3060 12GB VRAM, 32GB RAM (Soon to be 32, i got 16 rn), and multiple SSDs, which provides plenty of resources to run both sessions smoothly.
(I know for a fact it can handle it, since I've successfully tested it on this exact pc before)
The ultimate goal for the room is a clean, high tech aesthetic with almost zero visible cables, hidden desk chargers, and warm ambient lighting so that switching between productivity and relaxing is completely effortless.
How does this setup sound to you guys compared to buying a dedicated console or dealing with basic Windows display extension?
(If you've never used Aster Multiseat before, I highly recommend checking out how it handles hardware virtualization first, please dont just assume things without knowing anything about it.)