The 100W AMD/Intel PC - small server build log - Page 2 - Overclock.net

dragosmp · 06-27-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manyak

Excluding video card(s), a normal (1 CPU, 1 HDD, not overclocked) computer won't use more than 150W, maybe 250W if its top of the line stuff. And that's being generous.

The fact is the laptop chargers and the 12VDC-to-atx adapters can't possibly take more than 120W (tops 150W at a huge price). All the problem lies here: 150W is quite a lot, 160W is already impossible.

My rig fully charged probably consumes around 350W, that's why I need a mid-atx case.

ryboto · 06-27-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by dragosmp

How did you measure this, if you don't mind asking?

If your numbers are true, than the whole concept can go down the drain

What concept goes down the drain? I'm at 2.5ghz, under full load, if I were to undervolt at the stock CPU speed, I'd probably lose 15-20W. I use a Kill-a-Watt power meter that measures AC power draw. so, assume the DC load is ~80% of the AC draw, and under full CPU load, my system needs ~85W DC.

dragosmp · 06-27-08

Well, the CPU is 45W (top), 25-30 the mobo, 12 the HDD, 14 the ram so it adds up nicely. Thanks for the input

*EDIT Apparently there in the specs of the HDDs there are specified values up to 30W at spinup. Since this can only be caused by the inertia of the platters the figures can be applied to most modern HDDs, isn't it?

LINK HERE

ryboto · 06-27-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by dragosmp

The fact is the laptop chargers and the 12VDC-to-atx adapters can't possibly take more than 120W (tops 150W at a huge price). All the problem lies here: 150W is quite a lot, 160W is already impossible.

My rig fully charged probably consumes around 350W, that's why I need a mid-atx case.

I have a 220W AC-DC power brick. Though, 350W is quite a lot.

ryboto · 06-27-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by dragosmp

Well, the CPU is 45W (top), 25-30 the mobo, 12 the HDD, 14 the ram so it adds up nicely. Thanks for the input

*EDIT Apparently there in the specs of the HDDs there are specified values up to 30W at spinup. Since this can only be caused by the inertia of the platters the figures can be applied to most modern HDDs, isn't it?

LINK HERE

I think if you turned down your overclock, and undervolted, you could run your sig system at under 100W CPU load. The G2 revision is more power efficient than the G1 I own, so you could get away with 2.6-2.8ghz at the same power levels as my chip, depending on the binning of yours. The 3850 is only a 65W card, if I remember correctly, so, you should be under 200W at full GPU+CPU load.

DuckieHo · 06-27-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryboto

What concept goes down the drain? I'm at 2.5ghz, under full load, if I were to undervolt at the stock CPU speed, I'd probably lose 15-20W. I use a Kill-a-Watt power meter that measures AC power draw. so, assume the DC load is ~80% of the AC draw, and under full CPU load, my system needs ~85W DC.

How are you load testing? Prime95 + ATITool simultaneously?

ryboto · 06-27-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuckieHo

How are you load testing? Prime95 + ATITool simultaneously?

I actually haven't done a CPU+GPU full load test. Using F@H SMP, the system consumes 107W. This is higher than any of the Orthos tests. When I play Oblivion, the system consumes ~168-188W AC. This implies Oblivion may be using both cores, since the HD3870 idles around ~20W, and consumes ~85W fully loaded. 107W+65W= 172W. I've had trouble getting Atitool to work recently, it isn't playing well with CCC.

edit: I've been meaning to do some combined CPU+GPU load testing, but haven't gotten around to it.

Manyak · 06-27-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuckieHo

How are you load testing? Prime95 + ATITool simultaneously?

I read "full CPU load" and figured no GFX card test in there. I dunno.

Edit: Started writing the post, got up for a minute, came back and submitted, and ryboto already asnwered you. So nvm.

dragosmp · 06-27-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryboto

I think if you turned down your overclock, and undervolted, you could run your sig system at under 100W CPU load. The G2 revision is more power efficient than the G1 I own, so you could get away with 2.6-2.8ghz at the same power levels as my chip, depending on the binning of yours. The 3850 is only a 65W card, if I remember correctly, so, you should be under 200W at full GPU+CPU load.

I did test this... but the mobo is quite reluctant to accept the CPU @stock. It's a DFI, I should have seen this coming. It simply can't boot if all is on auto.

I plan a new rig with this power envelope in mind, and since I want to force 110w I must build it from the ground up.

guyladouche · 06-27-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by dragosmp

This thread is about the power consumed by each component in a PC.

I like this idea. Are you concerned about heat at all? I mean, from the CPU? You *might* be able to make use of an older dell case (because I think they have decently-designed cases as far as airflow goes)--to have a passively-cooled CPU HSF, relying on ducting and airflow generated by a single exhaust fan? Getting rid of a fan might allow you to go with a more powerful component somewhere else (though it's not like a fan consumes that much power in the first place). Might cause other temps to increase though, with less overall case airflow...

Just an idea.

Also, you could go with an AMD Turion X2 cpu instead of a regular desktop CPU--I don't know how the power consumptions vary exactly, but I'd think the notebook CPU would consume less power (and put off less heat as well)--and aren't they the same socket? might require a bios update though...). I guess some elaborate heat-pipe network would not be a bad idea to cool the CPU and not sacrifice overall case airflow (as done in notebooks), but that would be quite complicated, and perhaps somewhat defeat the purpose of your idea.

All in all, this is interesting! Definitely sub'd!

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The 100W AMD/Intel PC - small server build log

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