New PC - motherboard parallel port differences

[Neale]

I stand corrected - I was thinking more of the "What do I do about a PC if I'm using Planet CNC or similar external motion controller?" question.

Whether or not LinuxCNC is truly a real-time operating system is one of those religious debates that go on endlessly. I'm happy to agree that, up to some reasonable pulse rate (and that rate is certainly sufficient for many machines) it works fine. I've been using it for more than three years with no observed problems. There are some random timing issues, which is why the LinuxCNC kit includes a latency tester which, in effect, measures how reliably the operating system can respond in "real-time" on some particular configuration of hardware but the answer is often hardware-dependent and there are some motherboards which just do not perform well. It's not related to raw CPU performance but even LCNC can't cope with some hardware. If you want to say that LCNC is truly real-time but is let down by the hardware, I can go with that

[d4cnc]

Thanks so much again everyone! What a fantastic forum this is!

Ah ok so the controller takes some of the guesswork out of choosing a PC & parallel ports etc.. Seems the way forward then definitely to avoid that headache. In that case, I will build up a simple machine with the Asus H61M-Pro.. I've specced it at about £140.. but with the ability to upgrade at a later date to a 3770 when prices drop.. then it'd be a great machine..
Am also kind of set on Planet-CNC as it seems the best fit for me at this stage. (seems a little easier for a beginner)


PS. That Tiny Fox small PC looks great! Any links? I can't seem to find it via google.. only adorable foxes!


PPS. Is forum etiquette that if I have further questions regarding controllers or something, I should start a new thread in a more appropriate section? Or is it seen as more appropriate to continue on this thread?

[Clive S]

The way I see it, it is your thread but it would make sense to start a new thread with a new heading if it is a different topic. Or start a build thread and then you can keep all the questions in one place for your build. Its up to you.
.
Neale I wasn't trying to correct you I was just trying to show the difference between using the pp with LCNC and Mach3 for the op

[JAZZCNC]

PPS. Is forum etiquette that if I have further questions regarding controllers or something, I should start a new thread in a more appropriate section? Or is it seen as more appropriate to continue on this thread?

Naaaaa forum etiquette went out the window many moons ago around here.! It's free for all now you can do or say what you like provided your name don't start with J or D.

Regards PC and dual boot/dual use then it's not a good idea really. For what they cost and the lower spec you'll get away with using an external motion controller you'll be better with dedicated PC for the CNC machine. Trust me You'll have less hassle this way.

[d4cnc]

Ah I was going to use a drive bay thing I have that I can slot in whichever harddrive I want.. One with a CNC OS.. one with everything else... That way they never officially "meet".
I 'think' that should take the hassle out of a dual boot system.. but I'm not 100% sure..