Linux on Intel Atom 230

BusError · 13 Nov 2008 at 08:47

Debian installed without any hitch, however the acpi modules for cpufreq won't load, do the cpu stays at 1.6Ghz, and the fan stays on...

I'm using 2.6.27-1 so far. I have a nasty feeling I'm going to have to roll my own kernel :/

Anyone else using that cpu, or the atom in general ? (eeepc etc)

BusError · 13 Nov 2008 at 12:31

What kernel do you run ? Is it an Atom N270 ? Is it a stock kernel or a 'special' one ?

I don't want *ubuntu, it's not a desktop computer I'm making, it's a small server.. but the kernel support is just what I need..

BusError · 13 Nov 2008 at 23:19

Well turns out it just won't work. The Atom 230... doesn't support speedstep. And the fan on the northbridge is always on (4000rpm !!) so really, for a machine that I wanted quiet/silent, it's exactly the contrary I got.

It makes more noise than my Mac Pro AND overclocked q9650 put together !

The Atom N270 seems to have speedstep, but what is really needed is a different northbridge.

BusError · 14 Nov 2008 at 09:16

There is no room in that tiny case for a passive cooler unfortunately. it's already a "low profile" cooler.
The sad thing is that the CPU itself barely warms up, but the northbridge grows /hot/ very quick if I unplug the fan...

I think the Atom 230 boards as they are is just a no go for quiet low power. Only thing they achieve is the low price point!

BusError · 15 Nov 2008 at 11:36

Actually this is worth reading, AMD is already on top, with existing hardware...

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/Atom-Athlon-Efficient,1997.html

--
I managed to quiet the machine down a bit, and now it's running at ~35C/~40 (idle/load) it's somehow not ideal tho, I will look into quieting the chipset -- possibly with a peltier, I have a few lying around !

Any suggestion on how to hook a peltier without dew problems or related ? My guess is that I could use the chassis as heatsink somehow, it's a nice solid metal case.

Otherwise, I rebuilt a kernel x64_64 and surprisingly, that works quite a bit better! I kept all the userspace 32 bits of course.

BusError · 17 Nov 2008 at 10:58

Well I might get a different board/chassis in the end. there is just not enough room in that case for any passive cooler. It's already a tight fit !

I managed to get better control on the case fan, and I'm very happy with the temperatures, just not with the noise level.

Made a custom x86_64 kernel that works quite a bit better on that CPU too; I kept the userspace 32 bits but it appears the extra registers and such helps a lot with the kernel itself. I now wonder why the hell it's not a standard option in mainstream distros !