Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: Profpinz on November 21, 2008, 06:44:34 PM
-
I read the minimium PC requirements and similar threads relating to Mach 3, but I am building up a specific computer for use with the software / router and plasma, so I might as well make the most of the situation and get it right first time.
Are there any specific recommendations for the Mach 3....any foible's that I'm liable to run into.
In other words any MB's, graphic cards, etc, etc that it doesn't like or runs better on!
Any input would be appreciated.
Thanks.
Peter.
-
I have a cheap PC Chips MB and a cheap AGP card and it has been running for two years perfectly. Machine is used about 7 hours a week every week.
-
Personally I steer away from PC Chips and ECS mobos but maybe they have improved over the last 4 or so years.
What you want to avoid is a mobo with onboard graphics. The more memory you have the better it will be (within reason) and you dont need the latest and greatest graphics card but a decent one of 128 or 256Megs will work great.
A lot of mobos dont come with parallel ports now so unless you are going to use something like the SmoothStepper then you will have to make sure it has a PP on it.
I have been using Via Pico mobos (see pic below) recently in my Lathe and Mill and they work great but as they dont have a PP you need to use the SmoothStepper or one of the other USB motion controllers. If you are using such a device then onboard graphics or even a laptop should not present a problem.
Hood
-
Hood,
Impressive setup.
You might want to beef up that frame though . . ;)
-
lol, had 100mm x 100mm x 6mm angle left over from a job so thats why it was used :)
Hood
-
G'Day Guys,
Thanks for the input!
OK, I'm off to a PC Swap meet .... who knows, I might even pick up a MB for the project.
Peter