Man of Honour
- Joined
- 21 Nov 2004
- Posts
- 45,041
Looks good. Always fancied me a small build like this.
New build: low wattage (<20w) idle, totally passive, gaming HTPC
- Thread starter Bigsy
- Start date
I didn't, but if you want to go crazy I reckon you could probably get close to 15w if not lower by undervolting.
Popular opinion is that the default vcore on a lot of the lower end a6's is too high. I run overclocked to 3.65 with a slight undervolt and its 100% stable, if you run stock I reckon you could knock a ton of vcore off it. Probably to the ram and mobo too.
Got my pico arrive today so will post wattage results tonight.
Ok after installing my pico my wattage is
Power to pc (0 watts)
Running windows 7 (8 watts)
Using xbmc to play movie (10 watts)
So a big saving on a what a normal Psu uses.
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Its almost the same as your device but you good be correct but i dont wish to buy another just to test it.
Yes a6-3500
Could ( for completeness) post your entire setup ? Indeed 8 Watts idle sounds pretty low...
(and also, what other tweaks or settings you use to get those values?)
Thanks,
Alex.
AsRock A75M-ITX Motherboard
AMD Llano A6-3500 Tri-Core Processor with Integrated AMD Radeon HD, 6530D Graphics
Crucial CT064M4SSD2 64GB M4 SSD
Samsung F1 ITb Hard Drive
Im not running a case fan as it dont get hot enough and everythink is @ stock
First reading with old psu watching film was 51watts but with pico it says 10 watts but if the meter is correct or not its still gone lower which is why i brought a pico so i am happy with that.
Ok, in that case deffo take your pure numbers with a pinch of salt, still comparatively you numbers work for you
If you check this table: http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/amd-fusion-intel-core-i3_8.html#sect0
It shows that the cpu ALONE pulls 8w at idle and 15.5w when playing a movie.
Bare in mind that these readings are taken directly off the cpu 12v rail so very very accurate.
Now factor in mobo, ram, ssd, hdd, etc and a psu efficiency of ~85% and you can see how way out your meter must be, in fact given your previous odd readings with it I might suggest its just plain busted
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Soldato
Hmm how do you find the stock cpu cooler for cooling? What sort of speed are you having to run the fan on it? I am trying to decide whether I could get away with the stock fan but I know I do hate noise and this is in my bedroom.
I do find the stock cooler loud but to be honest once a film is running i dont notice it but its only 5 foot from where i sit. This was only temp until i get a silent cooler but i might not even bother changing it now as it dont really notice while watching a movie.
Ok, in that case deffo take your pure numbers with a pinch of salt, still comparatively you numbers work for you
If you check this table: http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/amd-fusion-intel-core-i3_8.html#sect0
It shows that the cpu ALONE pulls 8w at idle and 15.5w when playing a movie.
Bare in mind that these readings are taken directly off the cpu 12v rail so very very accurate.
Now factor in mobo, ram, ssd, hdd, etc and a psu efficiency of ~85% and you can see how way out your meter must be, in fact given your previous odd readings with it I might suggest its just plain busted
I did have some other power monitors i got from energy companys but i never used them so chucked them out. But if i do find someone with a monitor local i will check again.
Soldato
Ahh looks like I will need to go aftermarket then! Hoping to use it 24/7.
I think thats the best way.
Soldato
As it's a gaming build.. what games, and what's the performance like please?
(and yes... after about 2.68 seconds I realised I wanted this build lol. It's gorgeous).
(and yes... after about 2.68 seconds I realised I wanted this build lol. It's gorgeous).
Ok, in that case deffo take your pure numbers with a pinch of salt, still comparatively you numbers work for you
If you check this table: http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/amd-fusion-intel-core-i3_8.html#sect0
It shows that the cpu ALONE pulls 8w at idle and 15.5w when playing a movie.
Bare in mind that these readings are taken directly off the cpu 12v rail so very very accurate.
Now factor in mobo, ram, ssd, hdd, etc and a psu efficiency of ~85% and you can see how way out your meter must be, in fact given your previous odd readings with it I might suggest its just plain busted
Nice power-use comparison of those mobo's on that same website:
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/mainboards/display/mini-itx-socket-fm1_7.html#sect0
According to this review the asrock uses a bit more ( 3 watt) but the gigabyte board is similar as the asusboard in power consumption (but without wifi).
Any thoughts on the gigabyte-motherboard? ( since it is 30-40 euro's cheaper, it might be a good deal for the money..)
Alex.
Associate
- Joined
- 26 Mar 2010
- Posts
- 85
Have you built this yet mate? Thinking of doing the same thing...
Associate
- Joined
- 26 Mar 2010
- Posts
- 85
Could you post your settings for the oc mate as I want to build on of these and wouldn't have a clue with the oc - pm them me if it's easier...
Associate
Just read the thread agai and notice you mention mounting a DAC internally.
What DAC have you used, do you have any pictures of how you intalled it inside your case as I was going to add an external dac when I get around to building a HTPC but internal would be a lot more tidier.
Cheers
What DAC have you used, do you have any pictures of how you intalled it inside your case as I was going to add an external dac when I get around to building a HTPC but internal would be a lot more tidier.
Cheers