Dual processors for Mill8 on a Win2K PC?

[Dave Eno]

We're replacing one of our CAD/CAM workstations. Will dual processors be a benefit to Mastercam? The new PC will be running Win2K Pro.

Thanks in advance for your input.

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Dave E.

[bstall]

YES it will!!! I have a Dell Precision 420 with 2 Intel III 733mhz processors, 512mb rdram, and RAID 0. The computer screams. You can work on other applications while running toolpaths or verifying. After this purchase all our workstations will be dual processors. It takes less than a week to make up the extra cost of the 2nd processor, just by the production time you saved. I am running Win2k pro also. I also suggest getting a high end graphics card, ie. Intense 3d Wildcat 4110 or 4115. The Gloria II is also a good card. Good luck!

[Jeremy]

Keep in mind that Mastercam is not multithreaded in V8. Therefor, the computer will be fast because it will use one processor for the Mastercam thread, and one processor for all other threads (i.e. disk access, memory management, OS overhead).

But 2 x 733 will not be twice as fast as 1 x 733 in Mastercam.