Korean Job Discussion Forums

[bassexpander]

Computers are sucking a lot of energy these days, but you can purchase certain dual-core chips that are still fast, yet eat almost half of the power. Anyone else finding this an interesting topic? I am considering purchasing a new computer based on performance per watt. I'm not looking to be a total miser, but am considering mostly the 65 watt dual-core chips (atom sucks-- won't go there). The quads seem to suck a lot of power. I am tired of just using my notebook, and want something powerful yet easy on the electric bills.

Sounds like the Geforce graphics cards are far better at energy conservation as well.

I'm also looking for a miserly power supply, but it seems the brands often differ from what's in the USA.

Any suggestions or comments?

[eamo]

Things are getting much better nowadays for greener computing...........but, from what I've seen on tech sites, it's still only really possible to get a saving of roughly 15% on power usage while still having a powerful computer.

Intel CPU's and some motherboards have idle-state features..........but GPU's are still really power-hungry. Something like an HD4870 (130-150w power draw) is going to cancel out any power savings from the energy saving features of the other components.

I've read something about nVidia GPU's having an idle-state. I hope ATI can do something about that too. That's where the big savings can be had.

Then there's high-efficiency PSU's. That might be where you'll save most juice.

So you can build a system with 'green' CPU, PSU, mobo and maybe even GPU...........but, from articles I've read, they don't really slash the price of your power bills.....maybe just 15% is possible.

I'm an absolute disgrace when it comes to green computing. I'm using efficient parts, but I've disabled all idle-state features to indulge myself in overclocking.

I've calculated my PC probably costs me around 50,000won per month to run. I get a lot of use out of it so that's okay by me.

[bassexpander]

I'm expecting to save as much as 30%+ on my power bill (that's a considerable amount). A 15% savings ceiling is inaccurate, based on what I'm reading. It is, as you said, very dependent on the power supply. It also helps not to have a massive LCD monitor.

I'm not looking to play games, and I'm planning on using graphics cards that don't need fans. I also want it silent. One of my pet peeve's is a computer that sounds like a jet. Annoying as hell.

[eamo]

If you don't need to play games then it's a completely different matter. Buy all the low-power options. You could indeed run it with 30% less power than a gaming machine.

380w PSU
42nm CPU
Any GPU which is powered by the mobo alone (75w or less)

Use all the idle-state features and you could run that PC 24/7 for maybe $20 per month.

[Temporary]

This is why I bought a DNS 323 uses only about 20watts and does all my torrenting. I shut down the main pc and just leave that chuging away.

[bassexpander]

Asus has a 9600GT card that uses a big fat heat sink with no fan. I'm tempted to get that and go with a larger monitor (the savings on the computer power would be negated by a huge monitor, but oh well).


http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=29796&vpn=EN9600GT%20SILENT%2FHTDI%2F512M%2FA&manufacture=ASUS

Any opinions on the 9600GT as a general-use board? Overkill? Should I go with a cheaper no-fan board? I have a feeling that onboard graphics might slow down my Vista experience a lot?

[jonbowman88]

My computer runs on 275 watts. It's one of thos small asus bookshelf models. The board is a ASUS P5L-VM 1394 if you care. One of the best video card on the market in terms of performance/watts is the ATI 2400 (ive done a lot of research), this card was the best a year ago not sure now. i don't play many games however, its more of an avg gaming card I believe

My computerer runs vista fast, specs:

core 2 duo E4500
4 gb ram
2 hard drives (one is a wd green)
DVD writer
pci audigy card
ati 2400

Side note, if you run vista it's basically essential to not use an onboard video card. One of the nice things about vista is that is utilizes the GPU, and takes the load off of your CPU.

[hanguker]

[bassexpander]

Thanks, Hanguker... but that's from 2006.

I was thinking of going with on-board graphics, but think having at least a cheap card could make a fair difference in CPU speed. Looking at something in the 9000 series.

The 9500 GT is not a gamer by any means, but it will do blu-ray playback well, and maxes at 50 watts.

[bassexpander]

Looking at this now:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127386

Has HDMI, HDCP, and is fanless.

[bassexpander]

It's looking like the best performer per lowest watt rating that can do Blu-ray playback will be AMD's 780G chipset with onboard HD3200 graphics. It will do blu-ray acceleration, taking a huge load off of the CPU, and has HDMI out. It's also HDCP capable, and the whole system is capable of just 42 watts at idle and 73 watts max, or thereabouts, with the right low-end CPU. I'm thinking about dual-core AMDx2 4850 for a CPU. Should be plenty for surfing (which is most of what I do).

http://brand.danawa.com/AMD

[sobriquet]

http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?PC-1230

Atom is now available in desktops

[bassexpander]

HA! http://www.enuri.com/view/Detailmulti.jsp?modelno=1546256&fb=1&porder=10&viewBimg=Y

Looks like an i-mac.

[Jeff's Cigarettes]

I reckon I'd go w/ that MSI. Cheap, low power and has the resolution. HDMI connection is a bonus as well. Only thing is I don't see it available here in Korea. Just order from the US and get that rebate as well. No duty at that price as well but you'll have to pay the shipping.

[bassexpander]

Sobriquet, the Atom is a great low-power chip. Unfortunately, it's getting raped in reviews because the current chipset that has to be paired with it is a wasteful energy hog. The chipset is so bad that it ruins the overall system power savings numbers compared to other chipsets. Also, it can't run blu-ray by a longshot.

The AMD set-up I mentioned in my most recent post above seems to be the ultimate ticket. It compares to the AMD 4800x2 chip of just a few years ago, yet at a tremendous power savings. That was a high-end gaming CPU just a few years ago, and is certainly more than enough for very fast web surfing, office applications, decent video editing, or whatever you want to do with it short of gaming. The board has the ability to add a good gaming GPU and faster AM2+ chip in the future for solid upgrade potential.

I really think that AMD 980G chipset board in a standard HTPC case is the ticket for me. I might even add a blu-ray drive and sell my ps3.