MCE 2005 as Server (power savings)

[sep]

Hi,

My current server is a MCE 2005 PC. I'm using this as a server because all my stuff (3TB) is on this PC. It does everything I need to, but the PC is an older AMD 4200 dual core w/ and with a 600w powersupply being on all the time it's using way to much power. Is it possible to use standbye mode when not in use and when a network request is sent from a PC to take it out of standbye mode? Or if you have other suggestions please feel free to let me know.

Ultimatly I want to move to WHS or some other windows based server.

Thanks,
-JC

 

[tcsenter]

Enable Cool and Quiet in the BIOS and other CPU power management features such as PowerNow! and C1E support (if available). Might want to download the AMD processor driver from AMD. Other BIOS options to look for:

Auto Detect DIMM/PCI CLK - Enable
DIMM Power Down - Enable

Go into the device properties (Power Management tab) for your LAN device and USB Root Hubs and make sure "allow computer to turn-off this device" is checked.

Set hard drives to turn-off after 10 minutes in OS power options. Do you have a monitor connected? Leave it powered off. Use integrated graphics or a super low-end graphics card. Disable all unused devices in BIOS (e.g. parallel port, audio, etc.)

That should reduce your idle power consumption to very little. If you want even better reduction, buy a decent PSU with active PFC (if your current unit doesn't have it).

 

[Modelworks]

tcsenter already covered the basics
If you want low power then consider picking up a NAS. Some of them are selling for under $100 now and consume less than 20 watts of power when in use and about 3 watts when idle.

 

[sep]

I give these options a try. Thanks : )

 

[Chiefcrowe]

WHS would be very nice, or a NAS. that is what i'd do.

 

[JackMDS]

Some old computer can be awaken from Sleep through the Network, many are Not.

It depends on the hardware.

The function is a configuration of the Mobo's BIOS, the OS, and the Network card, you have to actually try your system.

 

[Binky]

MCE2005 was pretty hit or miss on sleep mode. Some setups could use S3 but many people had a lot of problems with sleep functions.

You could try underclocking and undervolting the CPU as low as possible. You shouldn't need much cpu speed to effectively serve documents. I'd drop it to around 1.5ghz.

 

[sep]

Here is what i setup. It's not working. It's not going in to sleep or anything. On all the time.

BIOS:
S3 for Powersavings

LAN device and USB Root Hubs and make sure "allow computer to turn-off this device" is checked.

Set hard drives to turn-off after 20 minutes in OS power options.
Monitor is off.

Using a 9700GT and I know it's using lots of power. No integrated graphics.

Disable all unused devices in BIOS (e.g. parallel port, audio, etc.)

Nothing in the bios for....Enable Cool and Quiet in the BIOS and other CPU power management features such as PowerNow! and C1E support (if available). Might want to download the AMD processor driver from AMD. Other BIOS options to look for:

Auto Detect DIMM/PCI CLK - Enable
DIMM Power Down - Enable

Powersupply is a 600w. Don't powersupplies draw 600w constantly?

 

[Chiefcrowe]

From what i understand, a power supply won't draw the max constantly, just depending on what is running on the system and what load it's under.

 

[sep]

Argh...tried all the options I could. it doesn't go in to sleep mode on its own. I was hoping that no network traffic it would go in to sleep mode...but it doesn't.

 

[Tsaico]

I suggest just getting a new embedded board for this. I got an intel Atom, had all of my stuff and then I put that into my current box. The board itself was 59 from fry's. Not particularly powerful, but it works well as a NAS, and also worked well as a router too...