[mythtv-users] Low power FE/BE CPU

[Michael T. Dean]

On 11/13/2009 12:45 PM, Patrick Doyle wrote:
> Or am I focusing too much on the 35/45W processors and should I just
> aim at a dual-core 65W processor and depend on a reduced clock rate to
> reduce the power?
>
> I am interested in the lower power CPUs for both energy and noise conservation

IMHO, the AMD Regor-based Athlon II X2 240e 45W TDP dual-core CPU would 
be ideal.  Unfortunately, since the Regor "e" line was released a month 
ago, AMD has been giving all of them to Sony and HP for their 
"all-in-one" systems (computers built into touch-screen monitors--does 
anyone actually use them?).

I got tired of waiting and just bought an AMD Regor-based Athlon II X2 
240 65W TDP dual-core CPU.  Since all of the "e" processors come off the 
same line as the non-e processors, I'm hoping to get a lucky pick.

Note, also, that chipset plays a /large/ role in system power usage 
(potentially larger than the role that CPU plays).

See 
http://www.lostcircuits.com/mambo//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=59&Itemid=42&limit=1&limitstart=6 
and note that the 6.8W processor shown at the top of the list (the 
Regor-based AMD Athlon II X2 250 dual-core CPU) is a 65W TDP CPU showing 
6.8W usage at idle.  The next page shows the Athlon II X2 250 at max 
pulling 30.8W.  Of course, that review was done before AMD released the 
"e" series of Regor processors, so they may have "picked well" when they 
chose a processor to send for testing.

Mike