i am new to cnc but am trying to learn as much as possible through this forum what is the recommended cpu speed to work a cnc machine smoothly with a hobby cnc drive board ? i have read that all it takes is a 486-66 mgz processor but faster is better . what i want to know is if you have a 2.0 gig or faster processor in your computer would it be capable of running 2 cnc routers at the same time if you have 2 parallel ports available for use?

jc286006,
What processor speed you need depends on the program you are going to run. Many people use an old 486 for programs like Turbocnc and run under dos. However IF you want to run under windows, "Ain't no way" you can get away with something like that.
Look at the controller that you want to use and be guided by their minimum system requirements.
As far as trying to control 2 machines at once with one computer, I don't (personally) think that is going to happen at this time do to the time constraints on the program. Now when the new class of "black boxes" are on the market and the timeing of the computer is not an issue, then maybe.

thanks bubba that answers both my questions