computer for mach3 use

[bluc]

Hello am currently getting ready to build a cnc router table.I plan on using the mach3 software and am wondering if the dual core atom cpu has enough grunt to run the software without a hitch. I am looking at the pov motherboard which has a dual core atom cpu and nvidia ion gpu. Anybody use these sff atom boards and are they up to the task?

[Hirudin]

Do computers with Atom processors come with parallel ports? If this is the motherboard you're looking to get keep in mind that the lack of a built in parallel port will force you to use either a parallel port card or use something like a SmoothStepper (which you just may want to use anyway). Barring that issue I would bet even the lowest speed, single-core Atom would be sufficient to run Mach 3.

If you're looking for something cheap you might want to look for an old P3 with a printer port, it'll just be larger, noisier (but next to the mill it'll be whisper quiet), and use more electricity... also there probably wont be a warranty.

[bluc]

Originally Posted by Hirudin Do computers with Atom processors come with parallel ports? I

Forgot about serial port I suppose I could easily add a card if I can get one that will run in 16x pci express slot will keep looking thanks for the reply!! Cant wait to get started!!

[pminmo]

I'm using a D945GCLF Intel MB with an Atom processor with EMC with no issues. While I use mach3 on another machine, and haven't tried it on the Atom I don't see a problem with it working. I've also setup a DOS/CNCpro and Linux/EMC Atom for a friend that boots and runs off of a 4G SD card.

[DustToDust]

Atom cores are roughly 80% as efficient as Intel's larger cores.

In other words:

Atom 270 single-core 1.6GHz ~=~ Core2 Solo 1.1GHz (if one existed)
Atom 330 dual-core 1.6GHz ~=~ Core2 Duo 1.1GHz (ditto)

In practice, I've found my Atom 330 to be roughly equivalent to a Pentium 4 of around 2.6GHz-2.9GHz. And when running CPU-intensive apps, it handles them even more smoothly.

I once installed Mac OS X on my 330, then installed VMWare Fusion with Windows XP Professional on it. There we no hiccups what so ever. I was amazed.

The Atom is a sturdy little chip.

[pminmo]

Further info on the D945GCLF, it's a Atom 230, single core 512M cache where the 330 is a dual core 1MB cache.

[bluc]

thanks for the info. I will proberly purchase one of these atom computers http://www.dealsdirect.com.au/p/inte...piano-black-1/ which come with a paralell and a serial port. I am looking at the ready made driver box stepper package from xylotex with the 428 oz-in steppers which run off paralell port. I am hoping my plans from solsylva turn up next week sometime. Cheers

[FandZ]

Originally Posted by DustToDust Atom cores are roughly 80% as efficient as Intel's larger cores. In other words: Atom 270 single-core 1.6GHz ~=~ Core2 Solo 1.1GHz (if one existed) Atom 330 dual-core 1.6GHz ~=~ Core2 Duo 1.1GHz (ditto) In practice, I've found my Atom 330 to be roughly equivalent to a Pentium 4 of around 2.6GHz-2.9GHz. And when running CPU-intensive apps, it handles them even more smoothly. I once installed Mac OS X on my 330, then installed VMWare Fusion with Windows XP Professional on it. There we no hiccups what so ever. I was amazed. The Atom is a sturdy little chip.

A little off topic, but clock for clock the Atom is no where near 80% clock for clock in performance of intel's nor AMD's desktop chip cpu's. Maybe if you are looking at 8 year old tech. Today it would be more like 25 to 40% as efficient at the same clock speed.



Here is a link comparing the Atom to 64 cpu's from new to old. An intel ceron at 1.6ghz gives about twice the performance.
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/default.aspx?b=2



Buy yea, you shouldn't have a problem running your cnc with it. Just don't plan to run any sort of cad programs to do some touch ups on it.

The size of that case is the only selling point to me. If it was me, I'd go for a regular desktop though. There are plenty of drastically more capable systems out there for 400. Besides the nice looking form factor of the one you linked to, it isn't any kind of good deal.

[bluc]

yea the form factor is selling point for me otherwise I would just do a custom build myself but I like the idea of a compact build still considering a micro atx build as well. Still have plenty of time to make up my mind wont be complete for few months.

[Torchhead]

Originally Posted by bluc thanks for the info. I will proberly purchase one of these atom computers http://www.dealsdirect.com.au/p/inte...piano-black-1/ which come with a paralell and a serial port. I am looking at the ready made driver box stepper package from xylotex with the 428 oz-in steppers which run off paralell port. I am hoping my plans from solsylva turn up next week sometime. Cheers

Recommend you look at the Gecko 540 4 axis motor driver with integrated BOB and opto isolated inputs. You can get 48V 6A to 10 power supplies (or use two of these wired in series to get 48V) You will get more than 2 times the speed and torque from the right motors and the Geckos. For optimum matched motors pick ones with low inductance rated at 3 to 3.5A. If you need a plug-n-go solution with the Gecko drives, motors, BOB, cables, enclosures etc, using the PC you chose then look at our BladeRunner line of table top controllers. They are all universal power supplies so work on 120VAC 60 hz or 220VAC 50hz.

[FandZ]

Originally Posted by bluc yea the form factor is selling point for me otherwise I would just do a custom build myself but I like the idea of a compact build still considering a micro atx build as well. Still have plenty of time to make up my mind wont be complete for few months.

Doing a custom build may be better, at some point I plan to build one for my cnc and have all the electronics enclosed in the case and attaching an lcd on the side. Or maybe I'll just make a custom back for my LCD and throw the mother board and cnc electronics in it. Too many options and not enough tooling.

[Hirudin]

Another hiccup: just because there is a parallel port that doesn't mean it'll work right. Many laptops have a parallel port but apparently many (most?) don't work right one way or another. The Smoothstepper solves this problem (as long as you have USB) but it's $200 IIRC.

Here's a (refurbished) computer with a Pentium 4 1.8 GHz, 512 mb of RAM, and Windows XP pro for $93 shipped. Deals like this are everywhere. I don't know whether the parallel port on this specific computer works or not but I bet it does.

P.S. Hmmm... It looks like the PSU on this may be problematic.