# What are our hardware options when using Onyx? **URL:** \ **Category:** Hardware\ **Tags:** touch\ **Created:** [August 8, 2020, 11:28pm UTC](https://forum.obsidiancontrol.com/t/what-are-our-hardware-options-when-using-onyx/6354 "2020-08-08T23:28:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![arretx](https://forum.obsidiancontrol.com/user_avatar/forum.obsidiancontrol.com/arretx/32/3036_2.png) [@arretx](https://forum.obsidiancontrol.com/u/arretx)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2020, 11:28pm UTC](https://forum.obsidiancontrol.com/t/what-are-our-hardware-options-when-using-onyx/6354/1 "2020-08-08T23:28:22Z")
To date, all we’ve been using is a MacBook booting to Windows 8 with a mouse, keyboard, and a single external display. Needless to say, we’re a bit limited…or that’s what I think at least. Our budget is being poured into camera gear right now, so we’re limited regarding what we can do to upgrade the lighting hardware. By default, we _are_ upgrading our computer system to Windows 10 Pro on a new PC. So, here are a few questions: 1. Are there any PC specs that are an absolute need (RAM, Form Factor, GPU, etc.?) 2. Would adding a touch-screen monitor improve our experience, or just complicate it. 3. Would it make sense to have a touch-screen _and_ a console for control, or just a console? 4. Is the NX Touch an ample controller, or should we go bigger? Context: 38 fixtures. So far, one universe. A typical Sunday incorporates MIDI triggers from ProPresenter to fire off one or more of about 10 different playbacks. We have 4 movers (2 wash, 2 spots) and the rest are washes or ellipsoidals. On occasion, we need to quickly program new functions or scenes (wedding receptions, etc.) With only a mouse and keyboard, it seems like a pretty slow process. Thoughts? Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Watson](https://forum.obsidiancontrol.com/user_avatar/forum.obsidiancontrol.com/watson/32/250_2.png) [@Watson](https://forum.obsidiancontrol.com/u/Watson)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2020, 4:36pm UTC](https://forum.obsidiancontrol.com/t/what-are-our-hardware-options-when-using-onyx/6354/2 "2020-08-09T16:36:48Z")
Hey Jon, So you have some options. We run several PC setups and Consoles in our facility and here’s what I’d recommend. First, I’d take a look at the minimum systems requirements and the hardware that was built into the NX4. They can be found here. [http://support.obsidiancontrol.com/Content/Onyx/PC\_requirements.htm](http://support.obsidiancontrol.com/Content/Onyx/PC_requirements.htm) [https://obsidiancontrol.com/nx4](https://obsidiancontrol.com/nx4) - Look under hardware tab towards bottom of page. With that said, I would recommend a touch screen, and at least 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD, and an i7 processor. Form factor is your preference. I’ve used desktop workstations and laptops. If it’s an installed environment a desktop might be preferred. Also, an all in one touchscreen may be an option for you. However, I do like the ability to have the option to switch out “components” if something fails. Like if a monitor acts up I can just switch it out. Or if the desktop crashes, I can plug in a laptop. If you have a touch screen that will definitely speed up your workflow. But I do have volunteers that prefer the mouse and keyboard. So I would have both options available. The NX-Touch is a nice console surface or even and NX-Wing (or the older M2PC). It really depends on your workflow. If you are currently using a mouse and keyboard, just going to a touchscreen and an NX-Touch will be a great setup. However, if you’d like to have a physical keypad and parameter encoders then I’d look at the NX-Wing. Whatever options you choose, start with a more powerful of a PC as you can. You can always continue to add control surfaces and hardware (Obsidian / ONYX is a very scalable system) as you continue to grow. Hope this helps, Watson ---
**Author:** ![arretx](https://forum.obsidiancontrol.com/user_avatar/forum.obsidiancontrol.com/arretx/32/3036_2.png) [@arretx](https://forum.obsidiancontrol.com/u/arretx)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2020, 10:36pm UTC](https://forum.obsidiancontrol.com/t/what-are-our-hardware-options-when-using-onyx/6354/3 "2020-09-04T22:36:29Z")
Thanks! So we’re waiting on delivery of an Intel NUC i7 with 256SSD and 1TB 2.5 with 16GB Ram and support for I think up to 3 external monitors. We also went ahead with both options a) a touch screen display and b) the nxtouch. I think it will work out. We’ll see what happens when I put it all together. ---
**Author:** ![Julianbell21](https://forum.obsidiancontrol.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/b38774/32.png) [@Julianbell21](https://forum.obsidiancontrol.com/u/Julianbell21)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2022, 11:35pm UTC](https://forum.obsidiancontrol.com/t/what-are-our-hardware-options-when-using-onyx/6354/4 "2022-12-10T23:35:18Z")
@arretx I was wondering if you can provide an update once your setup is complete.