Build Low Power Server and Office PC

[imported_cldpeak]

I've read some articles about the AOpen and DFI low power motherboards as well as the ASUS pentimum M adapter and wonder if anybody had real world usage of these boards or can suggest system components that would work towards a low power goal.

Currently I've bought surplussed PCs and used them servers running Windows 2003 but the electric bill is beginning to add up. Especially for root domain contollers that do very little.

In addition, I would like to build a low power solution for our regular "office use type" PCs.

Have these boards worked out for anyone? Especially a good reduction in watts usage? or I'm open to suggestions for two systems, one low demand server and one workstation...

Thanks!

 

[Bobthelost]

First thing is to ditch the CRTs, LCDs are a massive energy saver. A simple option for office use type PCs is to just use an older computer, with lower power draw.

Otherwise check out http://www.silentPCreview.com with power leads to heat, heat leads to noise, noise leads to suffering such is the path to the dark side...

 

[imported_cldpeak]

Yes, I agree - these computers run headless and I do use older surplussed PCs but they still average 180 watts each at idle. This adds up to about $20 a month for each that is running 24/7. So the 35-50 watts an Aopen, pentium M board is very tempting replacement for a low demand server...

 

[EatSpam]

I have two systems based around the ASUS CT-479 adapter. With a Pentium-M 1.7ghz CPU and 1 HD, they average around 50-60 watts of power. Performance is more or less the same as a p4@2.53ghz.

Very quiet, too.

 

[bob4432]

the a64s have the cool 'n quiet which throttles them down. unfortunately i don't have a kill-o-watt, but my opteron 144 even o/ced to 2.5GHz throttles down to 1.4GHz and 1.1V. i know it is probably not the same as one of the p-m machines or a turion T series, but may be good to go for your needs. the m/b in my sig was $63 and a64 3200 (verify they have c'nq) usually run around $160 (mine is a agp board which may or may not be of an issue to you). and compared to my old p4 @ 3.0GHz, my room is much cooler, probably 5F

i know the p-m stuff goes low, but the boards are pretty expensive.

 

[imported_cldpeak]

Thanks! I was hoping to see some wattage that low with the CT-479- but less expensive than the Aopen boards? Can you share the components you used, motherboard, HD etc...?

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Have you considered using an old laptop? Depending on how low-demand your server is and what it's doing, a laptop with the screen off could be a champion. Would probably use around 25-35 watts as a whole unit, and unless you plan on hitting it with heavy filesharing or other storage-intensive activities, there really wouldn't be a difference.

Just something to consider.

- M4H

 

[imported_cldpeak]

that's actually not a bad idea! I'll have to see if I can get Server 2003 running on them.

 

[WobbleWobble]

I personally have a Pentium M setup for my server.

Pentium M Dothan 1.5GHz @ 2.0GHz (I know, o/cing a server is a bad idea)
Asus CT-479 socket adapter
Asus P4P800-VM (integrated video)
Antec Aria (very quiet SFF case with a 120mm PSU fan)

 

[EatSpam]

Originally posted by: cldpeak
Thanks! I was hoping to see some wattage that low with the CT-479- but less expensive than the Aopen boards? Can you share the components you used, motherboard, HD etc...?

I used:
Asus P4P800-VM motherboard $95
Asus Ct-479 adapter $50
Pentium-M 1.7ghz $220
Corsair 2x256mb PC3200 RAM
Western Digital WD2000JB 200gb HD with SATA/IDE converter
Pioneer slim-DVDR drive
Antec Aria case
iMon inside remote

Not a server, its an HTPC.