Computer for running a CNC taig

[Hokan]

Just looking for info on what everyone else has done/uses for a computer. I've never had luck buying used systems or components to refurbish. After I get my tax return I'm going to be pulling the trigger on a deepgroove1 w/gecko setup and most likely swapping out the 36v PSU to a 48v PSU from Keiling along with adding their E-stop button. Building a computer isn't a problem. I've always built my computer rigs. I've been looking at using the following:

ASUS motherboard 775 socket motherboard
Intel Celeron 2ghz chip
I have a 120gig HD and 2 BFG Nvidia 8600 cards sitting around from my last upgrade, then would just need 2gig DDR ram, dvd drive, WinXP, and then a case.

Built it probably wouldn't be more than $400 for an 2ghz Celeron setup and would have the individual parts warranty behind 90% of it. Just wanting to verify this setup would be adequate. I've read that mach3 sometimes doesn't like the multi-core processors. And this setup should be good enough that I can run Alibre (I have the full expert package w/cam) on it without any problems too. I'm even thinking about going w/ a full Tower case so I can just move the Gecko drive into it and have a mobile multi-cnc computer/control setup like Novakon offers.

Thoughts or recommended changes anyone?

-Allan

[MechanoMan]

Mach3 has surprisingly little processing requirements. What really matters is no having those things which might interrupt the parallel port.

I got my PC off the curb at heavy trash day. Needed a new power supply. It's just a few years old and was one of the cheapest computers made when it DID come out. Changed from the original on-board video to a video card I threw in there and it's fine. Well, I upgraded the processor and RAM with slightly better ones I had from my last computer that had a smoked motherboard, but you get the idea.

[5artist5]

What are some things that interrupt the parallel port?

[fretsman]

What are some things that interrupt the parallel port?

Your best bet is to do a little researching on the website of the software that you plan to use your CNC with.

Which one do you plan on using?

Dave

[5artist5]

I was planning on using Mach3

[MechanoMan]

What are some things that interrupt the parallel port?

Internal video card, laptop power-saving features, blah blah. The stuff Artsoft tells you not to use.

[fretsman]

I was planning on using Mach3

Yes, as mechanoman mentions, you'll want to check out the Artsoft website and find and download the Windows XP optimizations manual.

Dave

[Jeff-Birt]

One of the most important things to remember is to ONLY use the computer for the Machine control. Do not put any other software on it. Almost every piece of software nowadays has some silly service it installs to make it start up faster, check for updates, etc. Those little things have a habit of causing lots of hard to find problems.

If you plan on using a SmoothStepper (USB pulse generator and I/O board) then a PC with USB 2.0 is a good idea. Some of the machines that originally came with built in USB 1.1 ports had lots of issues with the USB ports.

[dot-dash-dot]

If you plan to run WinXP, go to Black Viper's website and read it! In additon to not loading up anything but the software you need to run the Taig mill, turn off all the XP services that are memory and CPU hogs! Black Viper's website will give you a number of different configurations which will improve performance. A fast solution might be to use the gamer's configuration but with print services intact, since this may affect how XP handles the parrallel/USB/serial ports.

DDD.

[5artist5]

is there any reason to run XP instead of win 2000?
The machine I was going to put mach3 on already has win2k on it so I figureed i'd just reformat it and reinstall win2k unless there is some reason to go to XP.

[Hokan]

If your just running mach3 on the computer, Win 2k will work. If your running any other software (like CAD) on it, then Win 2k may be a problem either in compatibility or maybe lack of drivers (like newer direct-x). I'm using Alibre Expert.... it's noted on their website Win 2k may run Alibre but it isn't test supported on it (so no guarantees) and I want to be able to make model changes on the fly in the garage instead of trekking into the house. So it's all in your end use plans for the computer.