Setup Builder

Plan your desk or entertainment system. Add your devices and get a complete cable shopping list.

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How to Use

  1. 1
    Add your devices

    List every device in your setup: laptop, monitors, docking station, speakers, and peripherals.

  2. 2
    Define connections

    Specify which devices need to connect to each other and what signals they carry.

  3. 3
    Get your cable list

    Receive a complete shopping list with recommended cable types and lengths.

About

Planning a desk or home entertainment setup requires thinking about more than just which cables connect where. Power delivery, signal bandwidth, cable management, and future expandability all factor into a well-designed system. A poorly planned setup leads to cable clutter, bandwidth bottlenecks, and frustrating adapter chains.

The modern desk setup has converged around USB-C and Thunderbolt as the primary laptop connection. A single Thunderbolt 4 cable to a docking station can replace separate cables for power, video, data, and networking. The dock then fans out to monitors via DisplayPort or HDMI, peripherals via USB-A, and the network via Ethernet. This single-cable approach simplifies plugging in and creates a cleaner workspace.

Home entertainment systems present different challenges. Devices like game consoles, streaming boxes, and AV receivers form a hub-and-spoke topology where an AV receiver or TV acts as the central switching point. HDMI 2.1 is critical here for 4K at 120 Hz gaming and eARC for lossless audio passthrough from the TV back to a soundbar or receiver.

The Setup Builder helps you visualize these connections, identify potential bottlenecks where a slow cable limits a fast device, and produce a complete cable list with the correct standard and length for each connection in your system.

FAQ

Can a docking station replace multiple cables?
Yes. A Thunderbolt or USB-C docking station lets you connect a laptop with a single cable while the dock provides HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-A, Ethernet, and audio ports. The dock handles signal conversion and power delivery, often supplying up to 90 W to charge the laptop simultaneously.
How many monitors can I daisy-chain with DisplayPort?
DisplayPort supports Multi-Stream Transport (MST) for daisy-chaining. With DisplayPort 1.4 you can chain two 4K 60 Hz monitors or up to four 1080p monitors from a single port. Each monitor in the chain needs a DP output port to pass the signal to the next display.
What cable lengths should I plan for a desk setup?
For a typical desk, plan for 1-2 meter cables between a laptop and monitors or dock. For standing desks, add extra length for height adjustment travel. USB 3.2 Gen 2 works reliably up to 3 meters passive. HDMI 2.1 is best under 3 meters for full 48 Gbps bandwidth.
Do I need a powered USB hub for my peripherals?
If you connect power-hungry devices like external hard drives, webcams, or charging phones through a hub, a powered hub with its own AC adapter is recommended. Unpowered hubs share the 4.5 W available from a single USB port, which may not be enough for multiple active devices.
Can I mix different cable standards in one setup?
Yes, and most setups do. A typical configuration might use Thunderbolt from laptop to dock, DisplayPort from dock to monitors, USB-A for keyboard and mouse, and Ethernet for wired networking. Each connection operates at its own standard independently.