need new pc to run emc2 (latency issues)

[Banana Jack]

sooo...my current computer has a latency rate of 275,000, which emc does not like. Is there any way to improve my latency or do i need to resign myself to getting another computer?
In that case, any suggestions? I don't even really know specifically what latency is, so i don't know what i'd be looking for in a new computer.

[wendtmk]

Originally Posted by Banana Jack sooo...my current computer has a latency rate of 275,000, which emc does not like. Is there any way to improve my latency or do i need to resign myself to getting another computer? In that case, any suggestions? I don't even really know specifically what latency is, so i don't know what i'd be looking for in a new computer.

Have you tried disabling hyperthreading in the BIOS if it's turned on?

Here's a page on the EMC2 wiki site that goes into some things you can do to try and get that latency number down:

EMC Documentation Wiki: TroubleShooting

Mark

[davidmb]

Hi,

I have just upgraded my desktop PC, and I have used my old motherboard to upgrade my EMC2 control, but I also tested both new and old systems for latency, I was planning on the ASROCK board as a potential for my next control system.
-----------------------------
AMD 4000+
ATI Radeon Video AGP
MSI Neo4 Motherboard
StarTech IDE Compact Flash Adapter + 8GB Compact Flash

Max latency 8500nS ( Average 4000nS )
------------------------------
AMD 2100 64X2 Dual Core ( This is my new desktop PC )
ATI Radeon PCI Express
ASROCK N68C-S ( has 2 pci slots + it's cheap )
StarTech IDE Compact Flash Adapter + 8GB Compact Flash

Max latency 7000nS ( Average 3500nS
-------------------------------

I have run both setups extensively, I don't use the network on the EMC setup as I use USB memory sticks to transfer GCode to the machine.

[samco]

does it have onboard video? Lots of times adding a plugged in video card fixes this.

sam

[Banana Jack]

actually it turned out to be an smi issue...went down to 38000 after that.

[rk396]

Originally Posted by davidmb Hi, I have just upgraded my desktop PC, and I have used my old motherboard to upgrade my EMC2 control, but I also tested both new and old systems for latency, I was planning on the ASROCK board as a potential for my next control system. ----------------------------- AMD 4000+ ATI Radeon Video AGP MSI Neo4 Motherboard StarTech IDE Compact Flash Adapter + 8GB Compact Flash Max latency 8500nS ( Average 4000nS ) ------------------------------ AMD 2100 64X2 Dual Core ( This is my new desktop PC ) ATI Radeon PCI Express ASROCK N68C-S ( has 2 pci slots + it's cheap ) StarTech IDE Compact Flash Adapter + 8GB Compact Flash Max latency 7000nS ( Average 3500nS ------------------------------- I have run both setups extensively, I don't use the network on the EMC setup as I use USB memory sticks to transfer GCode to the machine.

Davidmb,

What controller are you using with these two PC setups. I've recentlyjust lost my older PC to a basement flood, and now am searching for something with a parallel port, to run a G540. Did you install an additional card or are you using a USB controller?

thanks

[davidmb]

Hi Rk,

I use £10 PCI parallel port cards, that way if I kill one I can replace it easily, the last set I bought were 'Sweex PU005V2' they use a Moschip MCS9865 chipset and work fine with EMC2 and Ubuntu. My config uses 2 ports one for motor step direction spindle and estop, the second port is used for home and limit switches, but leaves plenty for the tool changer that I am working on.

If you use add in PIC cards then you will have to find the address that the card uses but this is detailed in the emc documentation.

[rk396]

Davidmb,

Thanks for the quick response. This sounds like the way i may go, just need to do a bit of research on what parts i can salvage (power supply, drives etc...)
thanks!