Low power CPU for a HTPC/NAS setup

[ScorpioJonesy]

I am looking to get a new setup for my HTPC and also replace my Microserver at the same time. I was thinking of getting a Skylake 6600T due to its 35W TDP, does anyone know what the performance would be like compared to a regular 6600 and if the extra cost is worth it? The thing will be on 24x7 hence why lower power options interest me.

Another option would be to go Haswell low power maybe instead?


Lastly does anyone know if Overclockers will be getting the 6600T in?

 

[malachi]

I went with a Celeron G1820 (Haswell based CPU) otherwise I would have picked the AMD A4-4000 if I didnt sell my FM2 board months before.

 

[lude1962]

You're comparing 2 14nm chips, max tdp is irrelevant, as its on 24/7 you need to know min tdp (assuming a direct relationship between power and tdp), but that figure's never published.
The 6600 has a faster clock speed thats why max tdp is higher.
Consider this, in a processor intensive operation (100% cpu), chip a 30w tdp, chip b 60w tdp, chip b does the processing in half the time of chip a, hence half the power usage, a bit simplistic but you get the idea.

 

[chippy08]

You're comparing 2 14nm chips, max tdp is irrelevant, as its on 24/7 you need to know min tdp (assuming a direct relationship between power and tdp), but that figure's never published.
The 6600 has a faster clock speed thats why max tdp is higher.
Consider this, in a processor intensive operation (100% cpu), chip a 30w tdp, chip b 60w tdp, chip b does the processing in half the time of chip a, hence half the power usage, a bit simplistic but you get the idea.

But once chip b finishes the job its still using more electricity while idle so chip a is slower to do the job when idle it will uses less electricity.

 

[lude1962]

But once chip b finishes the job its still using more electricity while idle so chip a is slower to do the job when idle it will uses less electricity.

True but negligible.

 

[ScorpioJonesy]

You're comparing 2 14nm chips, max tdp is irrelevant, as its on 24/7 you need to know min tdp (assuming a direct relationship between power and tdp), but that figure's never published.
The 6600 has a faster clock speed thats why max tdp is higher.
Consider this, in a processor intensive operation (100% cpu), chip a 30w tdp, chip b 60w tdp, chip b does the processing in half the time of chip a, hence half the power usage, a bit simplistic but you get the idea.

Ok this is kind of info I wanted. So to confirm my thinking if I put the PC into a low power mode in Windows etc will a 6600 non K and a 6600T run about the same when idle and under clock the CPU the same?

If so and I go with the 6600 I would then get the benefit of being able to go quicker when needed and save some £ as the T is more expensive.

That about sum it up?

 

[chippy08]

whats wrong with a 25watt tdp 5350 wont that do the job you want to do and save power costs.

 

[ScorpioJonesy]

whats wrong with a 25watt tdp 5350 wont that do the job you want to do and save power costs.

I want something with some power as along with being a HTPC it is a media hub too with 4x sat tuners. On top of that it will be my NAS, downloader and VPN gateway. Lastly I want something 4K capable in the now / future and something I can steam stream too.

Over all the CPU cost of the entire setup is not that much by the time you add in my case, PSU, tuner cards, drives etc. Spending an extra £50 - £75 is not a problem as I just want something which will last as long as my Q6600 did I did look at AMD and if I was on a budget I would be tempted however clock for clock Intel are better IMHO if you disregard cost.

Found this article - https://www.pugetsystems.com/labs/articles/Introduction-to-Intel-S-series-Processors-617/ - So it seems just a regular non S / T will be fine as the environment it is in does not require it be heat / power limited only that the CPU can run lower power, which all of them do when not under heavy load.

 

[AiiR]

I second the AMD 5350 on an mitx board, great little chip and can be cooled passively.

If you need something with a bit more power, why not get a skylake i3?

 

[ScorpioJonesy]

I second the AMD 5350 on an mitx board, great little chip and can be cooled passively.

If you need something with a bit more power, why not get a skylake i3?

I need a reasonable amount of SATA ports and expansion slots so it will be a mini atx board, plus the case I have is already can take a full size ATX anyways. Then for the CPU the i3 looks great especially the 6300 but for not too much more I can get something with genuine 4 cores. As this will be doing a lot of different stuff ie recording TV, transcoding, NAS, downloading, VPN etc I will probably go i5. There is only about £50 between the two at the end of the day.

Cheers for the help though