WinCNC uses PCI/PCIe bus interrupts to achieve precise step pulse accuracy. When used with the right PC build WinCNC can output 100khz (75khz for older versions) on all six step outputs with microsecond accuracy and 100% reliability. Fast PCI/PCIe bus interrupt response is necessary to get the best performance from your CNC machine.

WinCNC 3.1:

• CPU/Motherboard: WinCNC software and drivers are compatible with AMD and Intel CPUs. Testing during product development is done using Intel CPUs. Therefore, Intel CPUs are highly recommended.
• RAM: 4GB of RAM is the minimum requirement, with 8GB of RAM recommended.
• Hard Drive: Very little hard drive space is necessary. A standard installation requires less than 100MB.
• OS: Supports Windows 10 and 11. Only 64 bit versions of Windows are supported.
• Motherboard Expansion: One PCI expansion slot is required for PCI7200 OR one PCIe expansion slot is required for PCIe7200. Hardware dimensions are slightly larger than a single slot. Additional room below the PCI/PCIe slot is required in some cases.

Note: Any WinCNC 3.0 license is compatible and an upgrade to WinCNC 3.1 is available at no cost. WinCNC 3.1 is the only version that currently supports the "Secure Boot" BIOS setting.

WinCNC 3.0:

• CPU/Motherboard: WinCNC software and drivers are compatible with AMD and Intel CPUs. Testing during product development is done using Intel CPUs. Therefore, Intel CPUs are highly recommended.
• RAM: 2GB of RAM is the minimum requirement, with 4GB of RAM recommended.
• Hard Drive: Very little hard drive space is necessary. A standard installation requires less than 100MB.
• OS: Supports Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11. Both the 32 and 64 bit versions of Windows are supported.
• Motherboard Expansion: One PCI expansion slot is required for PCI7200 OR one PCIe expansion slot is required for PCIe7200. Hardware dimensions are slightly larger than a single slot. Additional room below the PCI/PCIe slot is required in some cases.

WinCNC 2.5 & 2.6:

• CPU: An Intel Core2 CPU is the minimum requirement, with an Intel Pentium/Celeron CPU recommended. For AMD systems a socket FM2+ CPU is required.
• RAM: 2GB of RAM is the minimum requirement, with 4GB of RAM recommended.
• Hard Drive: Very little hard drive space is necessary. A standard installation requires less than 100MB.
• OS - WinCNC 2.5: Supports Windows XP, Vista, 7. 64 bit versions of Windows require a version 6 key.
• OS - WinCNC 2.6: Supports Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10. Both the 32 and 64 bit versions of Windows are supported.
• Intel Motherboard Chipset: P4-800 series, 900 series, and ICH series chipsets. Core2-945 series, P45, and G41 (recommended). 1156-All. 1155-Q65, Q67, Q75, Q77, B65, and B75 (recommended).
• AMD Motherboard Chipset: A45, A55, A58, A68H, A75, A85X, A88X, A55E, A77E, and A78 (recommended).
• Motherboard Expansion: One PCI expansion slot is required for PCI7200 OR one PCIe expansion slot is required for PCIe7200. Hardware dimensions are slightly larger than a single slot. Additional room below the PCI/PCIe slot is required in some cases.

WinCNC 2.4 & Older:

• CPU: An Intel Pentium 4 CPU is the minimum requirement, with a Core2 CPU recommended.
• RAM: 1GB of RAM is the minimum requirement, with 2GB of RAM recommended.
• Hard Drive: Very little hard drive space is necessary. A standard installation requires less than 100MB.
• OS: Supports Windows XP, Vista, 7. Only 32 bit versions of Windows are supported.
• Intel Motherboard Chipset: Any Socket 775 or older chipset is supported.
• Motherboard Expansion: One PCI expansion slot is required. Hardware dimensions are slightly larger than a single slot. Additional room below the PCI slot is required in some cases.

Notices:

• WinCNC daughter boards include a 4-pin Berg (floppy drive) power supply connector. This provides 5VDC direct from the PC power supply and can increase the maximum cumulative current output capability. While this connector isn't required, it is recommended for installations that utilize more than 4 stepper/servo motors. If your PC power supply does not have this style of connector on it then you can use an inexpensive SATA/Berg or Molex/Berg adapter.
• If you use your PC for software other than WinCNC, like a 3D CAD/CAM program, then higher CPU speed or more RAM may be needed.
• Laptop or tablet PCs can't accept the required hardware to run WinCNC. However, they can be used to access the host PC via network for remote/portable control.
• Regardless of motherboard, chipset, or other system components we can't guarantee operation or best performance on any PC configuration that has not been tested and verified.
• We offer customizable PCs, shipped with our WinCNC hardware/software and optional CAD/CAM software preinstalled.