Mastercam Speed Test

[gcode]

You might want to consider a laptop with a dual monitor docking station set up at each location.
If raw power is your goal, high end desktops will always out perform laptops though.
Boxx and Xi Computers are building fully warrantied desktops overclocked t0 6gig now if your wallet can stand it.

[JakeL]

Yes.  lol.

In that case, I'll plan on a desktop.

Is it worth reaching out to CNC Software or my Mcam reseller for recommendations? Or will I get better responses on this forum? I know a lot of you guys probably have more experience than my reseller or some guys at CNC software.

You might want to consider a laptop with a dual monitor docking station set up at each location.

I'm fortunate enough to have a full setup at both locations. They're identical setups so it's plug and play.

If I continue getting these big projects I'll be spending most of my time in the secondary location. They moved all our biggest best machines and best operators to the second location. So the big projects will all be run there. The primary location is slowly turning into a lot more production work instead of job-shop work. Production is cool but job-shop work is more fun IMO.

[neurosis]

Xi Computers

I've talked to that guy before through email. He seems pretty easy to work with.

It looks like his "High-End 3D Mod./Simulation" 13th gen Intel laptops only have options for Geforce cards (the 4090 fireball). That's unfortunate.

edit: I see why now. He's sold out. 

[JParis]

If I had to replace our newer Dells at this moment, this is where'd I be..

https://mysolidbox.com/product/engineering-mobile-level-3/

Product Description
Engineering Mobile – Level 3 with Complete SolidBox Integration
Windows 10 Pro x64 Operating System
Intel Core i9-12950HX, 30MB Cache, 24 Threads, 16 Core, 2.3GHz to 5.0GHz vPro
64GB RAM
12GB NVIDIA Quadro RTX A3000 Video Card
512GB PCIe M.2 Solid State Hard Drive (OS)
512GB PCIe M.2 Solid State Hard Drive (DATA)
16-inch, WLED FHD+ 1920 x 1200, 60 Hz, Anti-Glare, Non-Touch, 99% DCIP3, 500 Nits, RGB Cam/Mic WLAN
Intel Wifi 6E (6GHz) AX211 2×2 with Bluetooth Wireless
SD Card Reader
Integrated Webcam & Microphone
Backlit Keyboard
6-Cell (93WHr) Lithium Ion Battery
Dell ProSupport Plus – 3 Years for End User
Accidental Damage Service
Dell Keep Your Hard Drive Data Protection Service

This is already close to what I run with a better processer and slightly better graphics card and I still stress it out on occasion

[neurosis]

Is it worth reaching out to CNC Software or my Mcam reseller for recommendations?

I'd be surprised if CNC offered any recommendations other than minimum requirements? I've never asked them but I could see how that could turn in to an issue if they made recommendations and for some reason they didn't pan out. 

Hard to say with your reseller not knowing anything about them.

There are a few on here that wouldn't steer you in the wrong direction if they decide to chime in.

[champshire]

Here are the specs that my reseller recommends. It's a pretty nice list with lots of options. I am fortunate enough to have a great reseller with Fastech here in Ohio.

https://www.fastechinc.net/_files/ugd/f65028_6e99cc77a04744ed97b3f26c3116ea2d.pdf

Hope this helps.

[JakeL]

I built out a computer on Xi Computers. Please let me know what you guys think:

13th Gen Intel Core i9-13900KF 24-Core 8P+16E, 32-Threads, 36MB Cache, 3.0GHz to 5.8GHz Max Turbo Freq.
128GB (4x32GB) DDR5-5200
NVIDIA RTX A5000
2x 32" BenQ PD3200U 3840x2160NR 4K/UHD
1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6Gb/s Seagate Barracuda 3.5 64MB Cache buffer
Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Fully installed
ASRock Z790 PRO RS (DDR5) Intel Z790 Chipset for 13/12th Gen CPUs-1xPCIe 5.0 x16-1xPCIe 4.0 x16 @x4-2xPCIe 3.0 x1-DDR5 to 128GB RAM-1x2.5G LAN-4xM.2 PCIe 4.0 x4, 8xSATA 6Gb/s w/RAID 0/1/5/10.-HD Audio-8xUSB 3.x/2.0-1xTB, 1xSPI-TPM headers-HDMI/DP-ATX M/B
600W Bronze Certified 80 Plus Rosewill Glacier-600M

Here's my list of questions:
1. is there any reason to do 2x graphics cards? is it worth it for the price?
2. what size monitors do you guys use? I currently have 2x 27" and think 32" would be nicer but I also don't want them to be "too big"
3. should a secondary monitor not be identical to the main monitor? It seems like that's what the site recommends but I don't understand why.
4. is 1TB enough storage?
5. should I be looking at any of the additional add-ons? Ex. Noise reduction or disk drives?
6. what difference does the different power supply options make? Should I get something better than what I picked out?

[neurosis]

1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6Gb/s Seagate Barracuda 3.5 64MB Cache buffer

Any particular reason you'd go with a mechanical drive vs ssd? You're looking at MUCH slower transfer rates which would have a huge impact on performance.

2x 32" BenQ PD3200U 3840x2160NR 4K/UHD

With that resolution, your graphics card is going to be a huge bottleneck.  Do you *need* that high of resolution?

[JParis]

1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6Gb/s Seagate Barracuda 3.5 64MB Cache buffer

NO, this will slow the system...SSD drives are the best way today.

1. is there any reason to do 2x graphics cards? is it worth it for the price?

No, no CAD/CAM gain

2. what size monitors do you guys use? I currently have 2x 27" and think 32" would be nicer but I also don't want them to be "too big"

I find two - 27's more than sufficient

3. should a secondary monitor not be identical to the main monitor? It seems like that's what the site recommends but I don't understand why.

Match them...the scaling differences between size and ratio aspect drive me utterly bananas

4. is 1TB enough storage?

At one point in time a 200 meg hard drive was, "bigger than we'll ever need"...plan accordingly

5. should I be looking at any of the additional add-ons? Ex. Noise reduction or disk drives?

Internal SSD's, platters will slow you down with the read/write lag....and every platter eventually fails.

6. what difference does the different power supply options make? Should I get something better than what I picked out?

The more highend peripherals, the more power you generally need...I would think in that setup, 850 watts would be enough.

[gcode]

Here's my list of questions:
1. is there any reason to do 2x graphics cards? is it worth it for the price?
2. what size monitors do you guys use? I currently have 2x 27" and think 32" would be nicer but I also don't want them to be "too big"
3. should a secondary monitor not be identical to the main monitor? It seems like that's what the site recommends but I don't understand why.
4. is 1TB enough storage?
5. should I be looking at any of the additional add-ons? Ex. Noise reduction or disk drives?
6. what difference does the different power supply options make? Should I get something better than what I picked out?

Go to the trouble to build a quote with a quote number, then call them an talk to them about it
They guys are experts and I've found them to be honest as well, I will PM the contact info
of the guy I've dealt with if you want it.

Question 1  I don't think so
Question 2  two 24" Dell UltaSharps and a 32" curved in the middle
Question 3  like John said monitors of different resolution can cause real headaches
                   I had a lot of trouble getting my current setup running and if I could do it over,
                   I wouldn't do it again.... but I do love the 32" curved monitor (Dell S3221QS)
Question 4  1b should be enough, but I'd make it  an SSD drive
Question 5  I would upgrade the power supply and get liquid cooling.
                    I've got a couple of liquid cooled Boxx machines with nearly 10 years service on them
                    with zero downtime

[kccadcam]

Definitely go SSD.

The RTX A5000 is a beast. I don't see a reason for 2.

Monitors,
I run three 27's, (Currently running Samsung, very nice)
One is Mastercam screen, the second is Toolpaths manager, Levels manager, and Planes Manager.
The third is everything else, (Mastercam Forum) email, intranet, FactoryWiz, etc.

I think 32's would be too big, unless you can sit farther away from the screens.
(I would like to try that curved screen tho...)

[gcode]

re Xi Computers
I forgot to mention this
If you write them a check when you place the order, they will give you a 3% discount
That's not something to sneeze at when you're buying a $6K computer

[JakeL]

Any particular reason you'd go with a mechanical drive vs ssd?

The only reason I went with that hard drive was because that was the default one and I don't know much about hard drives. After a couple google searches I understand the basics so here's my new pick:
2TB Solid State Drive Samsung SSD 870 QVO 2.5 SATA 6Gb/s 560/530MB/s Seq.R/W Shock Resistant 1500G

With that resolution, your graphics card is going to be a huge bottleneck.  Do you *need* that high of resolution?

Also didn't realize that's how that works. Would it be bad to stick with my current 2x HP M27ha monitors?

The more highend peripherals, the more power you generally need...I would think in that setup, 850 watts would be enough.

So this power supply should work better?
850W Gold Certified 80 Plus Phanteks AMP PH-P850G Fully-Modular 120mm FDB fan ATX12V 90% efficiency Active PFC PSU

I will PM the contact info of the guy I've dealt with if you want it.

I will certainly take that info please.

Huge thanks for everyone's suggestions here, this is so helpful.

[neurosis]

Also didn't realize that's how that works. Would it be bad to stick with my current 2x HP M27ha monitors?

Since you're already contacting Ai, ask him how well that card drives two 4k monitors.  It may do it just fine.

[kccadcam]