Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => Mach4 General Discussion => Topic started by: Mauri on September 26, 2015, 10:31:36 PM
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Hi,
For those still not sure what the minimum spec machine is suitable for Mach4, here are some pointers.
I have tested a number of low spec XP NB's and PC's.
You must have 1.5 or greater OpenGL to display Toolpaths (tester available online internet).
If you plan to do any reasonable 3d engravings then:-
If you have a notebook with a video card it must be at least 512MB.
If the CPU does the video you should have 2GB or more of RAM.
CPU should be at least a Intel Duo 3Ghz processor.
On video cards Mach 4 uses GPU where as Mach3 did not.
Example.
Notebook Duo Intel processor T9300 2.5Ghz with 3GB Ram and a NVIDIA Quarto NVS 320M (256MB) with OpenGL 3.30 with XP 32bit Pro.
File Rotary size 47MB
Mach3
GPU 0-1% CPU 50% Low GPU temperature.
NB had still good response with mouse movement while processing cut.
Mach4
Lead-time 3+ times longer than Mach3
GPU 95% with max of 98% with 149MB being used and 0 to 30% CPU with and average of 15% and high GPU temperature.
NB had sluggish response with the mouse.
So this slightly aged notebook although reasonable quick is not suitable for mid to large Mach4 engravings.
At present Mach4 Toolpaths is still being worked so this may change.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Mauri.
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i have run mach 4 fine on a 1.7Ghz with 1.5 gig of ram graphix 256MB
with 0 to 10% CPU used
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Blockhead,
Try G-Code with 1.5 to 6 Million lines and see how you go.
Regards,
Mauri.
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I don't run code`s that big that`s just being silly it`s fine at 200,000 lines
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Running code of 1-1.5 million lines is NOT normal and should NOT be used as a comparision of choosing a PC to run NORMAL code sizes.
That would be like using a Max load 0f 60,000 lbs as a base to pick out your new family car. You would end up with a semi truck to drive to church on Sunday. Can be done but a waste of resources.
IF you need to run large file like that put your money on a good graphics processor card it will do MORE good than anything else. The toolpathing IS the HOG. You can always just turn it off if needed on the RARE occasion of a large file.
(;-) TP
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TP,
I will give you this much, yes most people do not do fine 3D Engravings on their Mill or Router that contain large files.
You cannnot turn off Toopath display in Mach4 (at least not that I can see) on Mach3 yes you can.
Mach3 has handled these large files as well as displaying the toolpath both in 3 and 4 axis with no issues.
Mach3 uses miniscule resouces to do these large files with the GPU.
Using this NB 4 Axis Simulatneous file 73,701KB finish cut for Router Table only uses 23MB of GPU and 0% to 1% GPU Load and a low temp, with 48% CPU load and a low tempwhile cutting.
Mach4 with this NB uses 168MB GPU 97% GPU load and high temp (it would over heat the NB on a full run), the CPU is 20%. doing the samething.
Mach4 does not rotate the toolpath at this stage as well like mach3 does it just stays stationary.
There are issues with Mach4 Toolpath display program and these are being worked on, so when this is completed then maybe the problem will be fixed.
The graphics card in this NB on its day was Fast (NVIDIA Quadr NVS 320M) for Notebooks with XP and Vista.
We are trying to extablish specications using existing old equipment running XP Pro.
Regards,
Mauri.
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Mach3 uses miniscule resouces to do these large files with the GPU.
Mach3's toolpath display is known to be a huge resource hog, and can seriously effect performance on older PC's.
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xp laptop`s have a big differences over pc of the same age and make a laptop is only good for 3 years then they start getting hotter and hotter and slower and slower I would never try a old laptop, note book to run a machine, newer laptop are not to bad but old PC are fine if it`s nieces and clean and not a acer
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The GPU SHOULD be able to run 100% without shutting down or overheating if NOT then you have a BAD designed GPU unit with far too small of coolling area. Same with teh CPU.
Yes there ARE GPUs and CPUs out there that are badly designed for this type of load. You learn a lot IF you have ever work with high end Cad/graphic design software and videos cards.
Mach4 should NOT be a resource hog but it seems it is. Hopefully THAT will change soon.
(;-) TP
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or if you listen to experienced people like you TP and Gerry and the other that have been there done that
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or load without the toolpath.
http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,30928.0.html
DazTheGas
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To all,
I am an experienced user of IT equipment.
Today I ran the same file on a Fast PC with a MSI GeForce GTX 970 with 4GB GPU.
Result after the file was loaded and the toolpath displayed the GPU went and stayed at 100% usage.
To me this confirms that there is an issue with the Mach4 Code and not the notebook.
I have made the Mach4 team aware of the issue.
By the way the Notebook is a HP 8710P and is not that slow.
Regards,
Mauri.
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then why can I run it fine on a below minum speck computer
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Mauri, what version of Mach4 are you using?
There was an issue in some earlier versions with CPU usage maxing out.
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Hi,
I am using V2703.
Regards,
Mauri.
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Hi,
File loading on a Fast PC even as big as 100MB is instant, and very quick even on low spec PC's/NB's I tested.
Generating the Toolpath is very slow (3.5+ times slower than Mach3), but does not have much GPU usage if any, until it has completed, then depending on the G-Code size 3 or 4 axis simultaneous or not, it will have high GPU usage up to 100%.
I have tried many G-Code files from large to small on this fast PC and depending on the files size it will reach 100% GPU usage.
On PC's without a video card is has less of an effect.
On running small jobs on mills and router tables, this mach4 version is not an issue and would not be seen.
Users performing large fine 3D engravings this is a major problem.
Mach3 with large 3D engraving files 3/4 axis even simultaneous on low spec machines is not an issue (3Ghz with 1 or 2 GB RAM and no video card). Even full display of the toolpath actually turning (4 axis) while cutting is not an issue.
The Mach4 program has some sort of continuous loop with the Toolpath generation once it has completed its install cycle.
Regards,
Mauri.
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Mauri last time I ran M4 on a below speck computer using a large 3D file 691 KB it was fine 45 min run time and that was with a 250 mb graphics card with no graphics card it`s still running fine that`s a machine running M4 no siming.
when I tried M4 on my gaming laptop it was just as good, a half dead laptop it was fine, A acer pc it would not run and it was above minimum speck this is all connected to a machine and this computer ran M3 like a dog, all my other computer`s I tryed M3 or M4 with no problems.
why is this you ask they are not regular pc or work stations they are gameing computer`s why do I use gaming computer better than a regular pc/laptop cheaper and faster than a work station pc/laptop.
my main computer is a gaming laptop that run rings around faster and newer work station laptop with the same specks at $3000 less than a work station computer