What do I need to run LinuxCNC???

[uli12us]

First, read all what you want to know on http://linuxcnc.org/ There are many people, they can help you, the owner of Mesa as well as some ingenieurs who use this parts in their application.
You need a PC with Intel or AMD core not really big performance, but depends from the motion card, it should have a latency, that you can test with a SW that is part of the program.
While the test is running, you should use some processer relative tasks, view some movies, run 3D-Cad or similiar programs, copy bigfiles.
Than you can see, if your PC is good enough for LCNC.

[gatesy]

I'd be looking at buying a PC to install into the machine just to run Linuxcnc, nothing else.

So any recommendations, or where I can find PC recommendations would be welcomed

[uli12us]

What are you want with PC a complete PC or only a motherboard. If you want a complete PC then you can use nearly any model from the last 3 years, they all should be fast enough for this purpose.
If you want a motherboard, then a fanless board with standard Ramboards is good. The AsrockASR Q1900B-ITX or any similiar board is more than enough. A atom board with 2*1,86GHz is good as well. If you prefer AMD, than thats no problem, the linux version you need can run on both platforms.

[z3t4]

... or where I can find PC recommendations ...

Hi Gatesy

Essentially you should be looking for a PC or motherboard with small latency and jitter numbers.
uli12us has given you some answers, but have a look here and at part I of the FAQ ('The Latency Problem') for some of the working out.

HTH

[gatesy]

I was looking at something along these lines, a fan less industrial PC

http://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale?...+industrial+pc

Ok thanks will have a look

[gatesy]

Found this one

Single core processor, but it looks like they can be built to what spec you want

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/XCY-A...rchweb201560_8

[uli12us]

Why do you want a complete computer, for much less money you get a COB Board and can add parts you like. Faster or bigger ram, SSD instead of HDD. I recommend Boards, in which you can use standard Ram chips, instead of the SO-DIMM. The board is inside your electric cabinet and don't need some extra housing. Except you want to mount the Computer behind a touchscreen Monitor, you don,t need an IPC. But single core is enogh for LCNC, it can't use a dual or Quad Core.
I use this, but must wait until I have enough money to work an my machines. The Mesa board run with this, without problems. BTW, you should have a LAN Port.


http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/Q1900M/index.de.asp

[Sven]

Do not just go ahead with buying new parts to use for LinC without knowing they are fit for purpose.

The single most important thing to run LinC well is the so called latency, for which a test is included with the Linux cnc live cd.

I sort of collect older pc's and test them for this. If the numbers are good, then I keep it.

I now run a pentium 4 2ghz I bought new maybe in 2005 or something.
Ram, ssd and that modern stuff is pretty much irrelevant for the cnc part, but it may be nice for smooth operation for the operator.

With modern boards latency can vary a lot so if you can not test it, or know from others latency is good, do not buy it.

When I started I ran LinC directly from the parallel port.
When I added a 4th axis that did not work so I had to add a BOB.

Once you have the pc, you can just try to run it, if it does not work well, add bob, or add mesa.

[JAZZCNC]

I'm not a Lcnc user but I'll just throw this question to those that have posted so far. !. . Do most of you run Steppers or Servos.?

Servo's require much higher frequency than Steppers so I would be speaking or listening to those using Servo's because it may well change the Game regards PP and PC.!