[mythtv-users] Low power backend suggestions?

[Kristo Kriechbaum]

On Monday 17 January 2005 1:49 am, Greg Cope <gregcope at gmail.com> wrote:
> On Sun, 16 Jan 2005 21:48:55 -0800, <klk+myth at robotics.caltech.edu> wrote:
> > So I'm looking to build a backend only machine that consumes the least
> > amount of power.  My first thought is to go with something like a
> > Pentium-M, so if I need a little extra cpu for transcoding or
> > something, I can get it, but can throttle it down when I don't need
> > it.
> >
> > Right now, my backend/frontend is:
> > P3 900 MHz
> > 512 MB ram
> > 2 x Avermedia M179 (just like a PVR250)
> > 1 x 200 gig ide hd
> > 1 x 250 gig ide hd
> >
> > and I have a third 200 gig ide hd sitting around while I build this
> > machine.
> >
> > My main requirements:
> >
> > 1. Low low power.  I don't want to be keeping the electric company in
> > business :-)
> > 2. quiet.  I don't want the room this machine is in to sound like an
> > airport.  I don't mind hacking in a bigger slower fan.
> > 3. ample PCI slots for my M179's and at least one IDE controller (and
> > maybe an hdtv card in the near future).
> >
> > I hardly ever transcode anything, and I have the mpeg2 encoder cards,
> > so I don't really need much raw processing power.  This machine will
> > also share out my music, videos, etc.
> >
> > Like I said above, my first thought is to go with a Pentium-M 1.6 GHz.
> > I would just as easily go with AMD, as they are much cheaper, I just
> > don't know as much about their mobile processors.  My laptop has a
> > Pentium-M, so I know that the cpu throttling "just works" with
> > cpuspeed.  I've found various related threads in the archives, but
> > nothing that ended up verifying my thoughts.
> >
> > Thanks for any help/suggestions!
> >
> > Kristo
>
> What's wrong with what you have?
 
Nothing in particular.  It's an old compaq deskpro, and the case doesn't have 
enough space for all my drives.  The fans are pretty loud (which I could 
replace I suppose).  I also feel like building a new machine, and giving this 
old one to my brother-in-law :-)

> The Mprocessors and motherboards are very expensive - to the point
> that I thought the cost/benefit would be an issue.very 

Yes, they are quite expensive.  I was hoping someone on the list has had 
experience with the mobile AMD processors.

I tried googling around to figure out how much power certain cpu's use when 
use.  I kind of found stuff, but nothing that really answers my questions.  I 
don't mind paying extra if it uses less power in the end.  I know the actual 
dollar savings won't amount to much, but there's also the heat and noise 
issue.

> Thought about the VIA stuff?

I assume you're talking about the mini-itx boards?  They would be just fine, 
but as far as I know, those only have one pci slot.  I need 2 at the very 
least for my M179's.

>
> Greg
>