SB PC: Core 2 Duo or i5?

[rb99]

I need a better PC as my SB control PC. I hope to do some 3d cutting at some point. I have a Core 2 Duo I could use, or I could buy an off lease Lenovo i5 for $250-$350 depending on speed etc. If I use the Core 2 Duo I save money...

Which one?

[rb99]

I have an i7 for doing graphics...

[barrowj]

For my SB control pc, I am using an HP DC5800 Core 2 Duo with Vista that is working great, no issues at all. Of course now that I have stated that I will have issues this weekend :confused: . hope not..... This is dedicated strictly to controlling the SB, no designing at all although it could.

[Davo]

The graphics card is more important for the previewing and rotation of the 3D preview

I run a surface pro 3 and it works great even though it doesn't have a powerful graphics card

I believe I have an i7 processor - prior I had an i5 laptop with better graphics card

I did not notice much difference and toolpath generation seems to be the same

I even ran aspire on one of our autocad machines - 3D preview was smooth and toolpathing seemed faster but not an extreme difference to justify the price of the machine

My biggest recommendation - solid state drives - lightening fast load time on my surface - not beneficial to toolpaths or rendering though

[jerry_stanek]

If it is strictly a control computer you don't need much speed.

[coryatjohn]

I think when it comes to a SB controller, the more important metric is what you have loaded on it and what you have turned off rather than processor level. It is recommended that virtually everything be switched off, including auto-updates, virus control and any program that may start on its own. I have wifi turned off on my one as well. I don't want the computer doing anything except running the SB when a SB job is running.

[jerry_stanek]

One thing that is important is that the computer has stable USB ports. I have tried many Dells and never could get them to run my Shopbot reliably due to missing comm errors. My cheap HP runs mine all day long even files that take 6 to 8 hours with out a glitch

[coryatjohn]

And... use a UPS on your computer. Very important thing maybe some forget about.