Low power CPU

[etsi]

I just run a few dockers, I won't use much VM's only for testing or a Linux VM. Only for backup and sometimes I play videos direct from the server. What CPU would you suggest to use, low Tdp, low idle power?

Edited August 30, 2023 by etsi

[Lolight]

16 hours ago, etsi said:

I just run a few dockers, I won't use much VM's only for testing or a Linux VM. Only for backup and sometimes I play videos direct from the server. What CPU would you suggest to use, low Tdp, low idle power?

If buying new then any of the later gens Intel i3s (non-F SKU).

Why are you concerned with low TDP?

Low TDP doesn't mean better efficiency, especially at idle.

[aburgesser]

No one publishes idle draw specs. Best you can do is see what people claim as idle power for different systems and/or apply rules of thumb.

 

TDP would estimate max draw if it wasn't gamed so much. Neither Intel nor AMD is being reasonable with that spec anymore.

 

The conventional wisdom is to slap an i3 on an ITX board if you want a power efficient Unraid box. There are more exotic solutions, but they will compromise on cost/convince/features.

[etsi]

 I was thinking too use 12100 or 12400. Is the much difference in power draw?

[Lolight]

12 hours ago, etsi said:

 I was thinking too use 12100 or 12400. Is the much difference in power draw?

None at idle, if your system is capable of and configured to achieve higher C-States.

Edited September 28, 2023 by Lolight

[turbocrow]

Intel N100

 

I use this " https://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/N100DC-ITX/"

[jit-010101]

Intel N100 has just 9 PCIe 3.0 lanes and the ASRock N100DC board is a waste of money if you ask me.

 

You can go with the classical Topton/Kingnovy GreenPCB N5105-NAS Mainboard with onboard ASM1166 and 8 PCIe 3.0 lanes (just 1 less wont make much of a difference), that one at least has everything you might need and is also capable of doing Plex HW-Acceleration (sold on Amazon).

 

Both are hardly performance monsters and will not scale if you want to do more.

 

If that's your only NAS i'd really go with the recommendation to go with LGA1201/LGA1700 instead. Here's some really good insight about that:

 

https://mattgadient.com/7-watts-idle-on-intel-12th-13th-gen-the-foundation-for-building-a-low-power-server-nas/

Edited November 14, 2023 by jit-010101