Lower power consumption: Mobile Athlon XP or Sempron w/CnQ?

[GnatGoSplat]

I'm looking to upgrade a PC rather inexpensively. The PC acts as a home media server and file server. I leave it up 24-7 so I want low power consumption when it's idle since it sits doing absolutely nothing >16hrs/day when I'm at work and asleep.

I was originally considering a Mobile Athlon XP2400+ 35W CPU, I think they are around $90-something.

But for a little less, I can get a Sempron 64 3000+. Supposedly Cool & Quiet will let it automatically drop to 20W or maybe less when under low load.

It sounds like the Sempron is the better, faster CPU, and overall will save more power. Is Sempron 64 the way to go, or am I missing something?

I read only Sempron 3000+ supports Cool & Quiet. How about the Sempron 64 palermo? Does the 64 version have the same restriction in that the 2600 and 2800 do not have CnQ, but 3000 and 3400 do?

 

[imported_erikm5150]

you might wanna ask this over at silentpcreview.com

 

[Powermoloch]

The best place to answer your question is at www.amd.com technical support forums. Those guys in there can definitely help you out.

 

[GnatGoSplat]

Thanks for the tips, I'll post there and see.

Right now I'm leaning towards the Sempron 64 because although the Mobile Athlon XP supports PowerNow, I think the BIOS would have to support it and I doubt any desktop mobos support it. That would make the Mobile Athlon XP 35W at all times while the Sempron 64 can throttle down to 20W or less making it the better powersaver. Plus it is a little cheaper for newer technology and future capability for me to upgrade to a 64-bit OS once there are drivers available for all my peripherals.

 

[imported_Kensai]

ULV Pentium M @ 7W Max. 😉

 

[GnatGoSplat]

Originally posted by: Kensai
ULV Pentium M @ 7W Max. 😉

That would be ideal just for straight power savings, but it would take a LONG time to make up the difference in price! I did look at that option, but the price difference is too great. I don't know what it idles at, but I think it would take many years to make up for the difference in price.

 

[Fox5]

I say the Sempron, it's 90nm versus 130nm for mobile athlon xp.