Have an old PC running mach 3 for my cnc router.  Every now and then having issues booting it up.  So was looking to replace it, but wanted to see if newer versions of mach 3 are now better with newer pc support.  I know previously it was no 64 bit windows, and loads of issues with pci parallel ports vs on board ports.  Just wondering if all that remains the same as years ago.

Taken from the NFS downloads page...

Mach3 Minimum Recommended Requirements:

Requirements if using the parallel port for machine control:

Desktop PC (Laptops are not supported) with at least one parallel port
32-bit version of Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7 (64-bit versions will not work)
1Ghz CPU
512MB RAM
Non-integrated Video Card with 32MB RAM(Large G-code files, especially 3D files will require a video card with 512MB RAM or higher)


Requirements if using an external motion device for machine control:

An appropriate external motion controller (options can be found on the Plugins page)
Desktop or Laptop with Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 10
1Ghz CPU
512MB RAM
Video Card with 32MB RAM(Large G-code files, especially 3D files will require a video card with 512MB RAM or higher)

Tweakie.

So the answer is:  No.

Nothing has changed in 9 years.  Thanks.

What really kills me is the 'non-integrated video card)... is that really going to make things not run correctly?    Does anyone run all this on the integrated video?    Can't put together a lower power mini-itx in a small box AND have a non-integrated video card.   Kind of a pain in the butt.

Personally speaking, both my machines have cheap, integrated video MB's and they both work fine.

Yeah, I did a bit of digging and it seems that requirement is no longer valid for modern machines.

You will find that the video issue only becomes important when running very long Gcode programs. It generally manifests itself as a program freeze, which can usually be overcome by turning off the toolpath display or by fitting a graphics card with greater RAM capacity.

Not everybody will experience this problem but enough have done so to warrant Artsoft / NFS including the graphics card requirements in their recommendations.

Tweakie.

Hi Arbo,
my old XP computer was getting very cranky so I replaced it with a miniITX board based on a dual core Atom processor
running Windows 7 Embedded. Works a treat.
The board I chose has one built in PP and a PCI slot to which I have fitted a second PP. The Atom has a built in video engine
and shares RAM with the CPU, I've had no issues with video with part programs of 200kB.
A miniITX board (less RAM and HD) of this type can be had for $80-100 US.

Craig

Craig, yeah I bought a j1800 itx board that is similar, dual core celeron.  Just got it running yesterday, went with win 7 32 bit because I am using the PP.   So far seems to run ok.