speed

[ljd10]

Does anybody know if there is any major difference in speed based on a dos cnc control system or on a windows based system?

[ger21]

Can you be more specific? Assuming your comparing TurboCNC to Windows controls?

Are you comparing parallel step/direction pulse rates only? Pulse rates can vary greatly from PC to PC. Motherboards and processors can have a big influence on the attainable pulse rate. Mach3, can run at several pulse rates, from 25Khz up to 100Khz. But most PC's can't run at 100Khz, and many can't run faster than 25Khz.

[ljd10]

I guess I am talking about all variables added in. like windows enhanced memory handling as opposed to dos. Basically if you watched two identical machines running-1 under dos and 1 under windows, and both set up for maximum speed only- no other criteria would 1 machine be faster than another. with both computers being identical.------ and seperate from the first part if you added in like gecko drives with the multiplied steps would that be a factor in the speed result?
thankyou

[ger21]

Depends on the specific control software your using, and the specific PC. Control software can run very differently on two PC's with similar specs, but different hardware. The only way to answer your question is through testing.

Again, assuming TurboCNC for DOS, what Windows software are you comparing it to, and what are the specs of the PC?

Indexer LPT in windows states that it'll run at least 100Khz, and maybe double that. Mach3 has a max of 100Khz, but for most users, that max will be 60Khz-75Khz.
I coud be wrong, but I don't think TurboCNC is as fast as any of those.

Also, if speed is your primary goal, then TurboCNC has no constant velocity mode, meaning that it will stop between every move it makes, greatly reducing it's maximum speed.

[Bubba]

all of the above is true, however the next version which was supposed to be out by now will have CV and should be capable of being 3 times faster than previous versions.

Another big difference is to run the windows based programs, you have to have a higher horsepower machine. Dos programs generally do not require this to achieve their maximum capability. Also for Turbocnc, it has a built in memory manager that will allow the use of more than the standard 640K of memory. It does not/cannot use EMM etc.