Mastercam Speed Test

[kccadcam]

Is that Mastercam speed test file still around anywhere?
Can't seem to find it.
We want to test our new PC (RTX A5000)against the old one (Quadro 4000).

Also want to test using our shared folder on the network vs. running everything local.

[gcode]

Benchmark 3.0 on eMC

I don't know if the download link still works

[kccadcam]

Benchmark 3.0 on eMC

I don't know if the download link still works

Now I have to remember my password over there.
It's been awhile.

[kccadcam]

Link is dead.

[gcode]

check you PM's on eMC

[kccadcam]

Thanks G,
I'll report back with results.

[kccadcam]

After a few runs this is the result:
Both running Shared folder on the network (Machine Defs, Posts, and Tool Libraries)

PC#1:
Windows 10
Not sure on Motherboard
Intel® Core™ i9-9900K 3.60 GHz
Corsair (2 X 32) 64.0 GB DDR4 3600
Samsung SSD 970 EVO Plus 500Gb
Nvidia Quadro P5000 16Gb GDDR5X
(3) Dell E2723HN Monitors

Regen - 3.286 Minutes


PC#2:
Windows 11
MSI MAG Z690 Motherboard
12th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-12700K  3.60 GHz
Corsair (2 X 32) 64.0 GB DDR4 3600
Samsung SSD 980 Pro 1TB
Nvidia RTX A5000 24Gb GDDR6
(3) Samsung S27R35x Monitors

Regen - 2.362 Minutes

[gcode]

That Win 11 machine is rockin'

[JakeL]

I want to start by saying I have very limited knowledge on computers in general. One of my buddies built my home desktop while I watched and asked questions, so I understand some stuff but not a lot.

I run on a laptop at work and our IT guy tends to be a bit cheap. I've never had any issues in the past couple years with the laptop, but I recently got my first "big" project. We do aerospace parts and a standard project for me is file sizes between 20-50k and between 50-150 operations. This "big" project has been file sizes of 75-125k with 200-300 operations. It's been an awesome project so far but I've noticed a lot more wait time.

OptiRough operations and stock models are taking 3 or 4 minutes to regen when they take 20-30 seconds in the smaller projects. I understand the extended regen times are partially due to the part being bigger and more complex. But I also read about some of you guys with 1gig files and over 1000 operations, and it made me think this laptop might not cut it for "bigger" projects.

I got the Benchmark 3.0 file (thanks gcode) and it took 6min 40sec to regenerate all the operations. After some digging, it seems to me that this time is on the slow side.

So I guess my question is, if my management is willing to spend some money on a new laptop for me (I haven't asked yet so I don't have a number) what should I be looking for? It's rare my company ever does projects much larger or more complex than the one I'm currently working on, so I doubt I need anything crazy. I just don't want to ask for something new without having something in mind, because then I'll probably get whatever the IT guy picks.

Here's what I know about my current laptop:
Dell Precision 3550
Windows 10
Processor - Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-10610U CPU @ 1.80GHz   2.30 GHz
Installed RAM - 16.0 GB (15.6 GB usable)
Toshiba KXG60ZNV512G NVMe KIOXIA
NVIDIA Quadro P520
I run thru a Dell WD19DCS to two HP M27ha monitors.

Please let me know if more information is needed. Any information or suggestions are very much appreciated.

[neurosis]

Please let me know if more information is needed. Any information or suggestions are very much appreciated.

Do you have any idea what your budget is?

[gcode]

If you are on a budget, your best bet is the Dell Business Outlet Store
Look for Precision WorkStations, i7 to i9  and a good Quadro RTX video card
A lot of ram is good too, but you can always add more ram

[JakeL]

Do you have any idea what your budget is?

I'm working on getting a number from management.

If you are on a budget, your best bet is the Dell Business Outlet Store
Look for Precision WorkStations, i7 to i9  and a good Quadro RTX video card
A lot of ram is good too, but you can always add more ram

This brings up a new question, why is my current setup not performing very well if it meets most of these requirements? Is the video card slowing me down a lot? And if so, can I just upgrade that instead of getting a whole new laptop? Or it better to just start from scratch if they're willing to spend the money?

[neurosis]

And if so, can I just upgrade that instead of getting a whole new laptop?

In most cases, it's not easy or worth it to upgrade the graphics card in a laptop. Some laptops have access panels for easy upgrading parts. I'm guessing that the Dell laptops don't? Even then, it's likely that the graphics card will be soldered in place. 

[JakeL]

Do you have any idea what your budget is?

Management said sky's the limit for a budget. So I asked if I could spend 10k on a new computer and they said to spec something out and get them a number for approval, so I'm taking that as a yes. They also just put another "big" project in front of me, a lot of surfacing on this one.

One thing they did bring up was if it would be better to buy a desktop or laptop? I would prefer a laptop so I could transport it between our 2 locations, but if a desktop would perform better than I think I'd prefer that.

Again, any information or suggestions is appreciated.

[neurosis]

One thing they did bring up was if it would be better to buy a desktop

Yes.  lol.

I would prefer a laptop so I could transport it between our 2 locations, but if a desktop would perform better than I think I'd prefer that.

If you need it to be portable then obviously you're stuck with a laptop.  You get more bang for your buck with a PC, they usually last longer, and they are easier to upgrade if you need to. 

Some of the other guys in here are better at recommending Mastercam ready PC's/Laptops. I'm frugal so probably skimp too much to be trustworthy.