Mach sovtware vs multi processor machine

[Hosehead]

I'm a newbie around here (obviously). I am beginning to plan a cnc conversion and want to controll it with Mach 3 software.

Does anyone run Mach 3 on a dual or quad core processor machine? Will it work any better on a single processor machine?

I have a copy of XP pro to put on a computer, I figure the easiest way to get a decent machine would be to buy a new box, formatt the hard drive and then install XP and go from there.

[Kipper]

Originally Posted by Hosehead I'm a newbie around here (obviously). I am beginning to plan a cnc conversion and want to controll it with Mach 3 software. Does anyone run Mach 3 on a dual or quad core processor machine? Will it work any better on a single processor machine? I have a copy of XP pro to put on a computer, I figure the easiest way to get a decent machine would be to buy a new box, formatt the hard drive and then install XP and go from there.

Or just read the PC spec for Mach and use an appropriate PC?

[ger21]

If you want to run it at the highest kernel speeds (up to 100Khz), a dual core PC might work better than a single core. But it should run great on anything 2Ghz and above, and you can pick those up on Ebay for $150. The minimum specs are 1Ghz, and pretty much anything above that should work OK. I think sme guys are even using those tiny new Intel Atoms.

[johnmac]

The requirements don't mention multi-processors. From what I understand, the software has to be written for multi-processors. If it isn't, it only runs on one of the processors. The other one helps run the OS, but nothing else. I don't know if this includes multi-core processors.

I have an old P3 800 mhz 2 processor box that I would like to put to use, but I don't know if it meets the 1 ghz processing requirement, so it just sits collecting dust.

John

[ger21]

Mach is not multithreaded, but the extra processor can pick up some of the windows overhead, leaving more CPU for Mach3. Dual processor and dual core are basically the same as far as your software is concerned.

As for the 800Mhz PC, try it and see if it works. I know at least one person running Mach3 on a ~500Mhz PC. One thing that will increase the odds of it working OK is to turn off the toolpath display, which uses the majority of resources.