Power consumption question

adam_m · 29 Apr 2010 at 07:43

Would a modest Core 2 system use significantly more power than an Atom/Ion based setup?

..it's for a home media server, ITX case choices are proving a bit restrictive unfortunately, hence the dilemma.

Thanks!
Adam

mrfun1981 · 29 Apr 2010 at 08:06

put the spec in here http://extreme.outervision.com/PSUEngine & it will tell how much power the whole system will use.

But a Atom will use less power than a core 2 system

J.B · 29 Apr 2010 at 08:11

If memory serves the Atom will use a lot less

Simon42 · 29 Apr 2010 at 08:38

This isn't as clear cut as it used to be because although the Atom will be good in both idle and load, some of the Core 2 (and certain steppings) plus the low end AMDs offer very good idle power consumption and not bad load consumption.

Engram · 29 Apr 2010 at 09:04

My new Intel D510 powered WHS machine uses 35 watts. I think you'd struggle to beat that with Core 2.

Simon42 · 30 Apr 2010 at 00:30

Engram said:
My new Intel D510 powered WHS machine uses 35 watts. I think you'd struggle to beat that with Core 2.

As a comparison my Intel E5300 based WHS machine with three drives uses around 48W with the drives not in sleep mode, but the system otherwise idle. A few more watts but quite a bit more performance so a reasonable compromise.