December 2, 200916 yr I'm looking to build a server and some of my qualifications (UNRaid or otherwise, in case I re-purpose) is to get dual Intel NICs. I also want it to be the lowest power possible outside of the hard drives. I've read a lot on this forum, but I have one question. Between these combos, which do you think would use less power? First choice (newer) SuperMicro X7SBL-NL2 http://www.supermicro.com/products/motherboard/Xeon3000/3200/X7SBL-LN2.cfm It uses the Xeon 3200 chipset with a TDP of 20w, but rumor also has it that this is a relative of the hungry X38 . http://ark.intel.com/chipset.aspx?familyID=28040 My CPU of choice would probably be the E5200 or E7400. So 65nm and 45nm are both possible. http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=37212 Second choice (older) SuperMicro PDSBM-LN2+ http://www.supermicro.com/products/motherboard/Xeon3000/946/PDSBM-LN2+.cfm It has an older, perhaps less efficient 946GZ chipset. TDP of 26w. http://ark.intel.com/chipset.aspx?familyID=22797 CPU would have to be something 65nm and older, so maybe the E2220 or even a Celery 430. http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=32430 I'm both undecided on the CPU as well as the motherboard. As many of you experts know, the TDP is not the idle power consumption, which is what I'm most concerned with. So do I get a newer motherboard that can take a 45nm CPU? Or just get the older one (if it's more efficient?) and take a lowly single-core Celeron 430? The performance of UNraid is important, but secondary. This thing will sit idle 95% of the time. What would you choose? Anything else I should consider? ( FWIW, It's a heck of a lot more money, but this thing has my interest too. Laptop CPU and dual Intel NICS!! http://www.logicsupply.com/products/ms_9803 )
December 2, 200916 yr How many drives do you plan to use? If I were only concerned with power I might consder the X7SLA http://www.supermicro.com/products/motherboard/ATOM/945/X7SLA.cfm or another board designed to use Mobile CPU's. I have an older MSI model that is micro ATX and uses a mobile CPU, W RAM, CPU, Mobo, PSU and spun down drives it was something like 35-40 watts.
December 2, 200916 yr Author Well, I wanted to avoid the Atom for a variety of reasons. I'd like to have a little bit of power behind this. The mobile CPU MSI board is my first choice, because I'm sure it easily beats the Supermicro boards, but I don't know if it's worth the extra $$. I was trying to see if anyone has any direct experience with those two Supermicro Server boards, or the chipsets used on them.
December 2, 200916 yr Power for what? How many drives do you need? What future are you planning for? This board may be the closest to a review on the chipset's performance http://www.supermicro.com/products/motherboard/xeon3000/3210/x7sbe.cfm There are a number of forum members who have this board.
December 2, 200916 yr Author If I decide to make this computer a firewall in the future with basically one hard drive (or none), then the total power amount minus hard drives becomes important. I realize that if I stuff 10 hard drives in an UNraid server for now that the point of diminishing returns on saving a couple extra watts is pointless.
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