Ultra Low Power

NeoNemesis

NeoNemesis

NeoNemesis

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Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
1,685
Location
Theale, Berkshire
Hi Guys,

I may be barking up the wrong tree but I am looking to either buy or build a box that will act as a file share and media server with up to 4 disks (2 RAID 1 pairs), capable of running Windows Home Server and consumes as little power as possible - I'm talking sub 50w.

I could get a NAS that would do most of what I want but I would like the flexibility of a Windows device. I have been looking at integrated Atom boards but the ones I've looked at all need a PC power supply which is overkill for what I want.

Any ideas?
 
This is just what I have been looking at recently getting a ITX case with enough space for more than 4 disks has been a nightmare though!

But an ATOM fully loaded should use around about 30w max plus disks is going to take you over that 50w limit but day to day should be ok
 
Have a look for boards with embedded PSUs, eg my Commell LV677DC that I have for sale ;) (admittedly you'd need a raid card to use mine for what you wanted, which I also have :))

OK besides me the blatten attempt at sales... there is nothing wrong with the Atoms needing 20/4 pin power provided, you just buy a pico or similar PSU. You can get them at around 60W for pretty cheap and many ITX cases come with them built in.
 
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I've been trying to choose hardware for this for the past year or so, to replace a 95W amd chip. The most appealing so far is the (atom) supermicro h7spa imo. The recent release of sandy bridge has upset things again though, as I suspect the idle power of a sandy bridge system to be very similar to that of an atom system. I'm currently looking for a mini-itx h67 board with two ethernet ports, and there doesn't seem to be one yet.

There's at least one asus atom board which has a psu built in, I think it has deluxe in the title. Only one nic, but that may be sufficient.
 
Why spend the extra money on a Sandy over a Atom if you are not going to be using it for more than hosting?
Also you've still got the PCI/E port for a 2nd & 3rd nic if you want.
 
When you say they require a PC power supply, most boards will still have an ATX power connector on them since that is the industry standard. It doesn't mean they need a full blown PC PSU - you can run them off a Pico PSU or similar.

Additionally, there are some boards that come with a DC jack on them to run, but you're limiting your options there. I'd get a normal board and stick an ITX PSU onto it for the best of both worlds. Not the cheapest option, but definitely the one that will give you the best quality and flexibility.
 
Right had a quick look for you on Commell's website.. they aren't cheap, but they are good and do what you want (might have to do software raids):
  • LV-66A -VIA C7 4x SATA & 2x Gb LAN serious low power with built in CPU
  • LV-67B - Intel Mobile 4x SATA & 2x Gb LAN gives you the option to choose your CPU and give you a little more power than the C7
  • LV674 - Intel Pentium D 775 socket 4x SATA with raid 0,1,5,10 & 4x Gb LAN (ok not so low powered, but 4x LAN!)
 
Ok, I think I'm starting to get it. So it looks like I am looking for an Atom-ish board, a low power ITX PSU that has enough cables for four drives and a case that is big enough to fit it all in and but as small as possible.

Phew!
 
CAT-THE-FIFTH said:
Many of the Zacate motherboards have 5 to 6 SATA and e-SATA 3.0 ports. CPU performance is in between an Atom and a CULV ITX motherboard and the power consumption is comparable.

Here is a review of one of the cheaper Zacate motherboards:

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18232028
Click to expand...

Hey CAT you linked back to the same thread :D (or maybe its just me)

The Chenbro ES34169 has dropped in price a lot lately, might be worth a look :)
 
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Commell make some astonishing boards. The LE-575 has four Intel gigabit ports, built in power supply, and an atom 270. Finding a supplier in the UK isn't obvious, but that's a ludicrous specification.

Sourced, around £250. Think I need to work out what the limits of an atom realistically are. I can't imagine it's capable of hitting the limits of a gigabit network,

edit: Internet seems to think an atom based nas is around the 30 to 40 mbyte/s mark.
 
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kerrgreg said:
This is just what I have been looking at recently getting a ITX case with enough space for more than 4 disks has been a nightmare though!

But an ATOM fully loaded should use around about 30w max plus disks is going to take you over that 50w limit but day to day should be ok
Click to expand...

My honest results with a power meter showed the Ion machines use less than the Intel GMA3150 based (D510MO etc) boards at idle for example. And have 4 SATA (well mine FS does). Otherwise Gigabyte do a 4 port one with an extra controller but I sold mine as the power consumption was noticeably higher than the Ion. It shouldnt be but it was.

IMHO an Atom based server with 4 HDDs could be around 50w. My Ion idled at 20w with a 2.5" and around 24w with a 3.5HD green drive. Of course with 4 unless you RAID them then each can spin down when not in use. Saves power. And the Atom kicks the ARM chips in most NAS boxes. I ran a Linkstation for some years. Good but not powerful.
 
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