Energy-Efficient "Green-ish" PC Build

[greenishPC]

Just wanted to ask if any of you see any improvements/compatibility issues on this build. Looking to put together an energy-efficient PC that doesn't sacrifice too much speed. Its mostly a mainstream pc that I occasionally program on. I don't do any gaming although I might connect this pc to my hdtv once in a while (hence the mATX and the case).

Budget is about $1000 so I'm under it at this moment. I'm planning to reuse my 24" monitor, keyboard, and mouse.

Processor: From what I gather, the i3-540 is the best performance per watt (I've been waiting for the AMD Fusions to come out but its just too far off.) I'm using the IGP so I don't need a dedicated graphics card (mainly to save electricity). I'm pretty sure since it comes with the heatsink and fan, it would also come with the thermal paste but I'm not too sure.

Hard Drive: Getting a X-25 80GB SSD for the OS and the apps. The secondary hard drive is the only non-energy conscious part - its a Western Digital Caviar Black but its only a little over a watt I would be sacrificing so I can live it.

Memory: G.SKILL ECO Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)

Power Supply: SeaSonic X650 Gold 650W. The power supply is definitely overkill but its one of the cheaper 80 Plus Gold from a reputable brand.

Here's my newegg list.

https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.aspx?ID=10298734

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[mfenn]

We can't view that wishlist unfortunately.

Anyway, what you have sounds good, but I would probably ditch the X650 and go with something more appropriately-sized like the Neo Eco 400W. Since you're operating at such a low load on the X650, the difference in efficiency between the two is only going to be a few percent. You'd be more "green" by donating the $110 you save to planting some trees or whatever.

 

[greenishPC]

Oops. Here's the list (http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=10298734).

As for the power supply, I'm probably going to switch over to the SeaSonic 400W version. Thanks!

 

[Davidh373]

all good choices. I believe you'll need a 3.5" to 2.5" bracket/ bay converter/ bay adapter for the SSD to fit in the 3.5" internal bay of that case.

 

[mfenn]

Oops. Here's the list (http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=10298734).

As for the power supply, I'm probably going to switch over to the SeaSonic 400W version. Thanks!

Your list looks good!

all good choices. I believe you'll need a 3.5" to 2.5" bracket/ bay converter/ bay adapter for the SSD to fit in the 3.5" internal bay of that case.

The retail box X25-M actually comes with an adapter, so he's all set there.

 

[greenishPC]

Thanks! I didn't think of an adapter either way - kinda assumed that it was so small and light that I wouldn't need one. Don't know what I was thinking. Thanks!

 

[Binky]

For the uses you state (no gaming, occasional TV-video use), I don't know why you wouldn't consider one of the mini-nettop systems. The Atom processors are just barely able to push HDTV resolutions, but they can do it. As a simple desktop, they really work great, especially when paired with an SSD. They are also absurdly energy efficient (all laptop components) and very small.

You could do one of the higher-end netbook systems that are $200-$300 with an SSD easily for $500 or less. These are made by Zotac, Jetway, Foxconn, Lenovo, and others. The D510 processor is dual core at 1.66ghz, and the D525 is dual core at 1.8ghz.

Here's one of the new models with the D525.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16856107072

 

[greenishPC]

Well I do program a bit on it and running VS 2010, SQL Server Express is a bit slow on my current computer. Not unbearable but I'm worried about how an atom would handle that. Nevertheless, you're not the first to suggest that and I think you have a good point. I'm going to price that out but possibly with a Intel Core i3-330M that I see ASRock has.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16856158014

 

[Zap]

For the uses you state (no gaming, occasional TV-video use), I don't know why you wouldn't consider one of the mini-nettop systems. The Atom processors are just barely able to push HDTV resolutions, but they can do it. As a simple desktop, they really work great, especially when paired with an SSD. They are also absurdly energy efficient (all laptop components) and very small.

I would not recommend an Atom based setup unless the OP only said "just email and web browsing." Sure, I did a lot more than that on my netbook, but I got tired of hitting performance limitations. I don't want "just barely able." I would want to "git 'er done!"

I have a freshly built ITX setup at home that is an Atom 510 with an Intel 40GB (okay, Kingston with firmware flash). It feels a heck of a lot better than the netbook, but still skipped here and there with HD video.

That system was to be for my mom, but I ended up building something more powerful using a Pentium G9650 CPU on an MSI H55 chipset board also using the 40GB SSD. It actually feels a bit peppier and HD video is no problem. In typical usage it draws about 5W more than the dual core Atom (around 40W versus 35W). It peaks a lot higher though, with stress tests pushing it just under 70W while the Atom is just breaking 40W. However, even playing back HD video just pushes it barely over 40W (maybe 42W?). In S3 sleep it pulls 2W.

I used this Pixxo CI-8102H case and replaced the noisy and crappy included PSU with an FSP unit. It is OOS but since the OP seems to like Seasonic, the SeaSonic SS-300SFD should do the trick. SPCR reviewed it and really liked it, saying it is very quiet while putting out solid power. Basically it is like most other Seasonic PSUs. ^_^

 

[piasabird]

I think a standard Intel MATX system would be just as good. The system in my sig has HD video and HD Audio. It does not have HDMI but a lot of the new motherboards do. I did switch to a soundbar that mounts on my monitor, but if someone else wants to listen external speakers that can project the sound may be better even better if you have a sound system with rear wireless speakers. Of course theater sound probably isnt really green or cheap. A good tv would probably cost as much as the computer system.

 

[frostedflakes]

You might also consider an Athlon II X2 and 785G (or maybe one of the lower end variants, 760G) motherboard. With a bit of tweaking, it can be a very power efficient combo. Granted, the Core i3 processors are faster, but a X2 240 isn't exactly a slouch, would probably be plenty of speed for what you do. And although it doesn't sound like money is an issue, the AMD setup would be quite a bit cheaper.

Also, X-650 is beyond overkill for that setup, and you'd be running it at low load most of the time, so efficiency wouldn't be that high either. For example, with a 43w DC load, efficiency is only 77.3% according to SPCR's review of the power supply. You'd have to be pulling 200w from the PSU for its efficiency to reach 90%. If you don't plan to add a discrete video card in the future, you could get good efficiency with a PicoPSU and external AC adapter. For comparison, with a 41w DC power draw, SPCR found the PicoPSU to be 83.6% and 85.6% efficient (depending on the AC adapter used). This is because switching mode power supplies have an efficiency curve that peaks at roughly 50% load, and efficiency drops off slightly near its max load and drastically near minimum load. So for a low power system, you're generally better off getting a lower rated PSU. Would be slightly cheaper than the X-650 as well.

For example, this poster at SPCR achieved 30w idle and 45w while running Prime95 with an undervolted Athlon II X2 240.

http://www.silentpcreview.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=58228

If the 1TB drive is just for storing media, replace it with a WD Green. You don't need the higher RPM the Black offers, and it will reduce power consumption a bit.

Something to keep in mind that all this talk of efficiency kind of becomes pointless at low loads. For example, let's say your system required 30w DC at idle. With a 70% efficient power supply it would draw about 39w at the wall. With a 90% power supply it would draw 33w, a whopping 6w difference. So you might consider, is it really worth paying a price premium for a PicoPSU or Seasonic Gold PSU for a low power system. I mean high efficiency is obviously important for high loads, for the same example at 300w DC, a 90% efficient PSU would use 60w less than one that is 70% efficient, which is obviously a pretty big difference. But as long as you make sure to select low power components for your system so it isn't drawing a lot to begin with, power supply efficiency isn't going to make a huge difference.

Just some stuff to think about.

edit: Not really relevant to your build, but just something I always thought was neat. If you're careful about the components you select, you can even build a pretty low power gaming system. Check out this thread. Quad core CPU and a 5750 both being run on a 150w PicoPSU. Pretty impressive performance per watt.

http://www.silentpcreview.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=57219

 

[nerp]

Second AMD / 785G IGP setup. Performance/watt is excellent.

 

[greenishPC]

Thanks for the info! I decided against the Seasonic 650 Watt and am going for the Seasonic 400 Watt. And yeah, that the high efficiency for a low power difference will mean i really won't be saving that much - not enough to justify the cost at least. Still its a high quality PSU so i'll be using for future builds.

I'll look into the AMD setup. Thanks!

 

[greenishPC]

Looking at an interesting post related to your recommended setup and the one that I was going to build.

http://www.silentpcreview.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=57855

 

[Sp12]

Consideration -- AMD 1055t 95TDP edition? http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...299&CatId=4433

Chances are you have no need of the hexacore, especially as it's 65$ more but it's worth looking at.

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/147?vs=143

Combined with an 880g AMD mobo for the IGP and it'd be better perf/watt.

 

[jaydee]

Have you thought about waiting a couple months for Ontario (I assume your first post referred to Llano)? Should be way better than Atom performance-wise, probably about the same power draw (9-18W). Way greener than Core-i3.

 

[jaydee]

You could also buy a CULV (C2D or Core i3/5) laptop, slap in an SSD, and get an external adaptor for your WD Black drive.

Just connect your keyboard, mouse and monitor and you're good to go. Much greener than a standard desktop like you're talking about.

 

[greenishPC]

Better than a I3/H55 combo? I'll check it out.

 

[greenishPC]

You could also buy a CULV (C2D or Core i3/5) laptop, slap in an SSD, and get an external adaptor for your WD Black drive.

Just connect your keyboard, mouse and monitor and you're good to go. Much greener than a standard desktop like you're talking about.

Yeah that was my first thought. But the failure rates of laptops is the reason why I decided against it. I figure that the fact that a desktop will last longer and not end up as quickly in a landfill would justify the extra power.

 

[greenishPC]

Have you thought about waiting a couple months for Ontario (I assume your first post referred to Llano)? Should be way better than Atom performance-wise, probably about the same power draw (9-18W). Way greener than Core-i3.

Yeah I was referring to the Llano. I decided against the atom/ontario and other netbook processors because I plan to develop on my machine. Since we're talking about future processors, looking at anandtech's preview of the sandy bridge and the specific processors tweaked for power makes me salivate a bit.

 

[greenishPC]

Consideration -- AMD 1055t 95TDP edition? http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...299&CatId=4433

Chances are you have no need of the hexacore, especially as it's 65$ more but it's worth looking at.

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/147?vs=143

Combined with an 880g AMD mobo for the IGP and it'd be better perf/watt.

I'll check this out later. I can't believe it would beat an hexacore would beat an i3/h55 in performance per watt. (I can live with the cost.) Thanks!

 

[greenishPC]

Consideration -- AMD 1055t 95TDP edition? http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...299&CatId=4433

Chances are you have no need of the hexacore, especially as it's 65$ more but it's worth looking at.

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/147?vs=143

Combined with an 880g AMD mobo for the IGP and it'd be better perf/watt.

JUst used the anandtech bench and the AMD Phenom II X6 1055T does certainly trounce the i3. This processor wasn't on their list but other AMD Phenoms were and overall they were all on the high-end of the overall power usage.

 

[MalVeauX]

Heya,

A non-tweaked 785 AMD chipset motherboard with the HD4200 integrated GPU with a dualcore (regor) chip with an optical drive and two HDD's idles around 55watts real-world (I have a watt meter). That's non-tweaked. You can tweak it to drop it a bitch more. Some people get them into the 30's range, but it takes a lot of stuff to do that. Not worth it to me. At the mid-50's, that's great. Plenty of power (3Ghz dualcore). Sure it ramps up consumption when you are using it more heavily, but a few minutes after you're not needing all the power, it drops right back down (lovely coolNquiet tech). You can go quadcore or hexcore and the power consumption when idling is the same by the way. The CPU's all drop to next to nothing on idle thanks to coolNquiet. Quads that only take 95watts at full load are fine (propus). Plenty of power for your needs. Yet still uses little juice to get there.

Very best,

 

[heyheybooboo]

I've been lusting after the Asus M4A88T-I Deluxe 880g Mini ITX since it rolled out.

My recent experience with Asus has been excellent. I'm benching a 785TD-V as an HTPC replacement and it's been a joy. Sleeps at 2w and wakes in a manner of seconds - been up for 2+ weeks. Makes it really hard to whip out the cash for that mini ITX -- LOL

But then I take a look at the Lian PC-Q07 Mini-ITX Tower and start drooling.




--

 

[Binky]

I would not recommend an Atom based setup unless the OP only said "just email and web browsing." Sure, I did a lot more than that on my netbook, but I got tired of hitting performance limitations. I don't want "just barely able." I would want to "git 'er done!"

Zap, you're being a little harsh here on Atom-based systems. I reallly don't think that you're being fair to say "only email and web browsing" just because it hiccups on HD content occasionally. Normally you're the champion of small micro-ATX systems. Maybe you just bought a crappy netbook!

I also admitted that the current Atom stuff can push HD, but just barely. If you need perfection, maybe the Atom is just a little too underpowered. As a basic desktop though, this isn't true at all. I've got an Atom 510 (dual core 1.66ghz, 2GB ram, 30GB SSD, Win7) used as a desktop system and it works really well! It does Hulu, netflix, and live streaming from a local college without an issue.

Now, if you want to bog a little Atom system down with a crappy laptop hard drive, and cripple it with something like Vista, or 1GB of memory, yeah, that's going to suck.