# Mach3 upgrade **URL:** \ **Category:** X-Carve\ **Created:** [December 4, 2017, 8:51am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/mach3-upgrade/46552 "2017-12-04T08:51:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![StevenBrown](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/stevenbrown/32/48995_2.png) [@StevenBrown](https://community.inventables.com/u/StevenBrown)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2017, 8:51am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/mach3-upgrade/46552/1 "2017-12-04T08:51:54Z")
I need to know exactly what is needed to upgrade to Mach3 software… i.e. hardware, price, brands ---
**Author:** ![anon68752607](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6de8d8/32.png) [@anon68752607](https://community.inventables.com/u/anon68752607)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2017, 9:47pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/mach3-upgrade/46552/2 "2017-12-04T21:47:57Z")
then search for it ---
**Author:** ![StevenBrown](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/stevenbrown/32/48995_2.png) [@StevenBrown](https://community.inventables.com/u/StevenBrown)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2017, 9:52pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/mach3-upgrade/46552/3 "2017-12-04T21:52:45Z")
thanks for the help… ---
**Author:** ![JustinBusby](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/justinbusby/32/30906_2.png) [@JustinBusby](https://community.inventables.com/u/JustinBusby)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2017, 10:04pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/mach3-upgrade/46552/4 "2017-12-04T22:04:43Z")
There’s no “right” answer here. There’s multiple options to go to MACH3. There is no exact prescription. ---
**Author:** ![anon68752607](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6de8d8/32.png) [@anon68752607](https://community.inventables.com/u/anon68752607)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2017, 3:11pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/mach3-upgrade/46552/6 "2017-12-06T15:11:01Z")
exactly. and look for a geckodrive, best value-for money out there afaik. ---
**Author:** ![CurtisCummings](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/curtiscummings/32/51964_2.png) [@CurtisCummings](https://community.inventables.com/u/CurtisCummings)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2017, 6:23pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/mach3-upgrade/46552/7 "2017-12-06T18:23:48Z")
First place to start. 1. You need a computer with a DB25 printer port $? Or a Uc100. Around $150 2. A design program to produce Gcode. Easel will no longer work for you. $50-$10000000000 3. A license for Mach3. $175 Then you have a billion different options as far as controller set up. Best choice is a Gecko G540. Around $275 Then you need wire, a box to install it all in and a bunch of other nick knacks to get the hardware together. ---
**Author:** ![StevenBrown](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/stevenbrown/32/48995_2.png) [@StevenBrown](https://community.inventables.com/u/StevenBrown)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2017, 9:18pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/mach3-upgrade/46552/8 "2017-12-06T21:18:46Z")
Thanks Curtis !!! ---
**Author:** ![JimLeftwich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e68b1a/32.png) [@JimLeftwich](https://community.inventables.com/u/JimLeftwich)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2020, 4:03pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/mach3-upgrade/46552/9 "2020-02-17T16:03:37Z")
Hi, I’m new to the forum. After buying the X controller, I found it didn’t work with Mach3 at all. I went online found a usb to Mach 3 controller board on Amazon for around $40 and at a company called Zyltech got TB6600 stepper motor drivers and built a very nice controller. the wiring is very straight forward. Don’t use the Mach3 download that comes with the board. Hope this helps Jim ---
**Author:** ![Clyde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Clyde](https://community.inventables.com/u/Clyde)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2020, 9:23pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/mach3-upgrade/46552/10 "2020-02-17T21:23:55Z")
The copies that come with these type of boards are usually not a legitimate copy of the software. If you don’t have a license to paste into the main folder you will only get limited capabilities with the software. ---
**Author:** ![MartinW.Mcclary](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/martinw.mcclary/32/63385_2.png) [@MartinW.Mcclary](https://community.inventables.com/u/MartinW.Mcclary)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2020, 9:33pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/mach3-upgrade/46552/11 "2020-02-17T21:33:27Z")
Mach3 isn’t designed to use with a GRBL controller. If you have a controller that uses a parallel port then there is an adapter called UC100. I use it with my usb laptop on another machine with a different controller. [https://www.amazon.com/CNCdrive-UC100-Parallel-Motion-Controller/dp/B00TPBGXII](https://www.amazon.com/CNCdrive-UC100-Parallel-Motion-Controller/dp/B00TPBGXII) This still won’t make it work with GRBL though. You need a license to make full use of Mach3, as the download only works up to 500 lines of code ( at least that’s what it used to stop at). ---
**Author:** ![anon68752607](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6de8d8/32.png) [@anon68752607](https://community.inventables.com/u/anon68752607)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2020, 8:41am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/mach3-upgrade/46552/12 "2020-02-18T08:41:51Z")
A geckodrive is also a dream match if you want to work with mach3. Costs about the same as the xcontroller. Just remember you need a parallel port on your pc, or else you will need additional hardware. ---
**Author:** ![BlueLocktite](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/bluelocktite/32/68346_2.png) [@BlueLocktite](https://community.inventables.com/u/BlueLocktite)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2020, 9:15pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/mach3-upgrade/46552/13 "2020-02-18T21:15:53Z")
the [Javibox.com](http://Javibox.com) was also just released as a Mach 3 based plug and play controller. incase you dont want to deal with wiring and such. You can get it with or without motors