Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: jevs on January 28, 2013, 01:39:18 PM

Title: New computer questions
Post by: jevs on January 28, 2013, 01:39:18 PM
Due to troubles with my computer on my CNC, I think I am going to build a new computer.

I believe I am going to go with:
Intel i3 3220 $99.99
MSI Z77A-G41 Motherboard $34.99 w/processor purchase.
Couple gis of memory
Reusing my Parallel card (PCI I thing-have to look again)
Reusing my wireless network card (PCI also I think)
400-500 Watt power supply and new case
64 Gig SSD Drive
DVD
Windows 7 32 Bit :(

This is about the best price/performance I think I will do. Not sure where I will get it Yet. It's overkill for Mach3 I know, but should be stable (I hope).  I know an old junk computer should work, but I am tired of fighting with them and getting nowhere on my CNC machine.

My main question is on the Video card side of things. I know on the specs required page for Mach 3 it recommends a seperate video card. Is this really necessary with my proposed setup that will be very fast for a mach3 dedicated computer? I really don't want to pay for a seperate video card that I don't need, unless it is going to cause problems with Mach 3, then I will get one.

I am still trying to figure out if the board above even has on board video, it has vga port and HDMI, but I have not found where it says it has on board video. Either way I will try to pick a MB with on board video, unless you guys tell my I should not use on board video even on a newer faster MB/Processor.
Title: Re: New computer questions
Post by: jevs on January 28, 2013, 01:48:37 PM
It looks like it would have graphics capability that is built into the i3.


Graphics Specifications

Processor Graphics

Intel® HD Graphics 2500


Graphics Base Frequency

650 MHz


Graphics Max Dynamic Frequency

1.05 GHz


Intel® Quick Sync Video

Yes


Intel® InTru™ 3D Technology

Yes


Intel® Insider™

Yes


Intel® Wireless Display

Yes


Intel® Flexible Display Interface (Intel® FDI)

Yes


Intel® Clear Video HD Technology

Yes


# of Displays Supported

3
Title: Re: New computer questions
Post by: Chaoticone on January 28, 2013, 04:48:24 PM
Jevs, its hard to say if the on board graphics will do or not.  I have run a few with just on board with no problems, not very robust machines either.  Some have ran hogs and had trouble. It's hard to say.  I would try it with on board and if it plays up, get a card then.

Brett
Title: Re: New computer questions
Post by: jevs on January 28, 2013, 05:18:59 PM
I think that is what I will do. If it does not cooperate, I might just invest in a motion contoller instead of a video card.....

I also may downgrade to a Celeron G550, they are only $35, but that may not offer the $50 off on a motherboard with that one. Going to the store after work to shop....
Title: Re: New computer questions
Post by: DHay13 on January 28, 2013, 08:47:31 PM
Try tigerdirect.com. I buy from them all the time. Pretty good prices. You can usually get a barebones kit from them for about $200-250 with no OS. I just put a server together today from parts I ordered last week. Installed the OS and had it running before I left work today.
Title: Re: New computer questions
Post by: jevs on January 28, 2013, 09:17:37 PM
I just got my parts from Micro-Center. No waiting and better prices than Tiger-Direct on a lot of stuff.

I ended up with:
Intel i3 3225 $119.99 (retail box with fan etc)
Gigabyte GA-B75M-D3H MATX Motherboard $24.99 (was $50 off with processor)
Sandisk Extreme 120 Gig SSD drive $89.99
Kingwin Internal Dual 2.5" HDD/SSD to 3.5" Plastic Mounting Kit $4.99
Cooler Master TC102 Mid Tower ATX Computer Case with 500W Power Supply $36.99
Kingwin 120mm BB Fan (x2) $3.99 Each
Kingston HyperX Red 4GB DDR3-1600 (PC3-12800) CL 9 Memory Module $19.99
LG 24x Super Multi Internal SATA DVDRW DL Drive  $15.99

All new computer with good stuff = $320.91 + tax
Not bad :)

The sucky part is I had to pay $87.96 For Window 7 Home Premium 32 bit. I just couldn't bring myself to put my old XP on this thing.
The good thing is for some weird reason they had a single returned one that was lower priced than normal.

So, now I have some work to do.

Since I went the all new route, I will have to make the old one work once I take it out so I can sell it. I should be able to get back $100-150 for that one though.

Hopefully my computer headaches will gone after this.


Title: Re: New computer questions
Post by: DHay13 on January 28, 2013, 09:53:28 PM
Good luck and don't forgot thermal compound. That's a pretty good price for the OS. I'm not familiar with running Mach3 on Windows 7 so can't really offer any advice there. I have it installed on an XP laptop connected to my CNC machine. I also have it on this laptop with Windows 7 Pro 64-bit but I don't use it on here. I put it on here when I first got it so I could mess around with it while I sit here watching TV. I have ran simulations on it without any problems but that's about it.

Let me know if you have any questions.