Home Forums Discussions General Discussion Version 8 Client Computer clock speed requirements advice sought.

Thanks in advance to anyone who may have some experience to help guide me regarding purchasing new client machines for version 8.

Here is my setup since beginning AC v5 in 2010: Peer to peer network, Main computer is desktop, Clients are 1 desktop and 3 laptops. Two laptops are wireless, rest are hardwired. Solo practice, limited budget, time, and computer knowledge, no consultants, so far have managed IT myself perusing AC User Board helpful posts.

For better or worse, I have decided to manage the looming ICD-10 billing deadline by upgrading from 6.3.3 to 8.newest and have already taken the following actions:
a.) As I have zero experience with servers in my solo practice and a limit budget and time, I will be continuing the peer to peer network with which I am familiar, current router is "b/g/n" not "b/g/n/ac".
b.) Scheduled with AC 9/16/2015 appointment to upgrade.
c.) Began researching replacing every single computer since none have specs sufficient for v8.
d.) I got the impression here: http://amazingcharts.com/ub/ubbthreads.php/topics/65881/Re:_Why_is_8.2.2_slow_and_how_#Post65881 that one of the main rate limiting determinants is the "Main" computer clock speed. So I have already worked with my vendor to purchase the second fastest i7 processor in my budget category, an i7-4790 Quad-Core 3.6 - 4.0GHz TB. 16Gb RAM. I ordered Windows 10 Pro also. Both already done deal.

I was planning to purchase all new client machines also running Windows 10 Pro.

So here is my question: is the system speed of the clients solely dependent on the "Main" computer clock speed and router and wired/wireless connection, or do I need the additional expense of the in the clients of
1.) faster clock speed than run of the mill i3 processors (~1.8GHz in the less expensive laptops)
2.) greater CPU cache then standard i3 processor 3MB
3.) greater than the AC specified minimum RAM of 4Gb?

I would greatly appreciate any advice or comments from users already running v8.

It would appear your main machine is more than adequate.

Of the 3 determinants you question (clock speed / cpu cache / RAM>4) I would put clock speed as the biggest factor. You might get a sl boost with 6 or 8 G, I don't think that cache will be a big factor. I would feel more comfortable with a clock speed in the 2.x range rather than the 1.x

I have been using Win10 on my laptop (core2 duo @ 2.2 GHz) with a copy of AC (installed full version and have logged into my desktop test server) for about 4 months (it wouldn't install prior to that) and it has been stable and the speed was decent.

I might feel more comfortable with 8.1 (with classic shell) at this time, which can be upgraded later. It DOES have a proven track record of being stable. AC has given Win10 it's blessing but again, a couple years track record vs a couple months.....

All the work is being done by the main computer. I don't think you will find a lot of difference from the clients running the queries.

You mention a wireless router. That is going to be the HUGE factor. Like four seconds vs 14 seconds.

Wendell and Bert,

Thanks for your expertise.

Bert,

I just tested my old (current) system v6.3.3 peer to peer from Main Intel Core2 Duo 3GHz (hardwired to router), "N" router, wireless to laptop Pentium Dual Core 2.3GHz in my furthest exam room 30 feet and 4 walls between router. Opening chart 7-8 seconds (basically what I've been living for last couple of years.)

According to your experience, would you predict with peer to peer from new Main i7 3.6GHz hardwired to "N" router then wireless to laptop latency will increase from my current 7-8 seconds just switching to AC version 8.newest?

Thanks.

Why would you not be using an /ac router? The speeds are nearly three times faster. Certainly, an i7 will give you faster speeds as it is probably the most important of all the hardware requirements. But, my Xeon processor is pretty fast, and I still get slow speeds.

All things being equal (which they aren't given your new main), v8.2 will be slower than 6.3.3. In fact the 6 series is the most stable and fastest of all the versions IMO.

I guess it is because you are using wireless, but I simply could not function in an environment where opening a chart took > 7 seconds. My charts open in < one second each time, and my tabs open in under a second and then instantaneous once everything is cached.

But, it is different for everyone. I guess I would just make sure you test it first.

See PM.