Low-power CPU for OptiPlex 760 USFF

[flibberdipper]

So I may be getting an OptiPlex 760 USFF for a NAS, but the one I'm getting will probably have a Pentium Dual-Core. Now, I'm not sure how hot those run, so I'm kinda wondering what the coolest-running CPU is for one of these, while not being slower than the 2.4GHz Hyper-Threaded P4 (Northwood, of course) in my current Dell. Reason I need a low-power one is since this will be running in my closet 24/7, and during the summer I don't want it to get too toasty.

[flibberdipper]

I'd chuck in an E8400.  A 65 watt cpu will do just fine in terms of heat.

In an almost completely closed off closet? Even the little 65-ish watt P4 in my Dell will make that closet toasty, and it's not even warm out.

[flibberdipper]

Yeah but the P4's ran a much higher vcore.

Same TDP tho.

 

What about an E7400? Those still cool?

 

I should know since there's one in my weekend rig, but the ambients are so low the max loads under a worst-case scenario are less than 60C.

[flibberdipper]

TDP only means so much. TDP between the 480s and 580s is almost the same, but the 580s still run way cooler. the E8400 will still run cooler than your P4. E7300s will work great, but the E8400 will be a wee bit quicker.

I don't need quick, TBH. Again, running this on a Northwood P4 which is hyper-threaded and runs at 2.4GHz and the max load I've seen has been like 70%..

[Legitsu]

I don't think you understand EVERY Core2duo of that generation is gonna be 65W PERIOD! the only 45W wolfdale chip was the pentium 5xxx or celeron single core 

and you don't need to be worried about heat anyway you aren't working the chip hard-enough for it ever to matter

[flibberdipper]

I don't think you understand EVERY Core2duo of that generation is gonna be 65W PERIOD! the only 45W wolfdale chip was the pentium 5xxx or celeron single core 

and you don't need to be worried about heat anyway you aren't working the chip hard-enough for it ever to matter

Uh, yeah, I DO understand that not every chip is going to have a 65 watt TDP. Don't know where the hell you got that bit of info thinking that I think that, but I don't.

 

As for working it, you would be surprised. The way I have the software set up will hammer the living hell out of it when you write files to it.

[Legitsu]

Uh, yeah, I DO understand that not every chip is going to have a 65 watt TDP. Don't know where the hell you got that bit of info thinking that I think that, but I don't.

 

As for working it, you would be surprised. The way I have the software set up will hammer the living hell out of it when you write files to it.

you where just ranting on and on about how the northwood pentium was more then you need and you aren't worried about performance ... now you double back

stick a Q6600 in it then ... 

or a E8600 

either way heat isn't gonna be a issue ... open the dam closet door if it is ... 

[Legitsu]

I'd find something with a nice wide FSB and stick it in there. Anything thats a C2D will kick out a bit less heat than that P4 ya got there. I don't know if there are any low power 775 CPUs that that mobo supports. The E8400 isn't listed on dell spec sheet, however you see a lot of systems with that cpu installed in them.

according to google the board supports up to 1333 wolfdale cpus 

[Scheer]

In an almost completely closed off closet? Even the little 65-ish watt P4 in my Dell will make that closet toasty, and it's not even warm out.

 

I run a E5-1620v2 (130W TDP) system along with all of my networking equipment in a closed off closet under my stairs that has zero ventilation other than the small gap at the bottom of the door, the CPU temp stays around 40C.

The only time it gets toast in there is when I run my ancient dual Xeon system as well, but CPU temps in my main server still stay under 60C.

 

I think you'll be alright.

[flibberdipper]

I run a E5-1620v2 (130W TDP) system along with all of my networking equipment in a closed off closet under my stairs that has zero ventilation other than the small gap at the bottom of the door, the CPU temp stays around 40C.

The only time it gets toast in there is when I run my ancient dual Xeon system as well, but CPU temps in my main server still stay under 60C.

 

I think you'll be alright.

Only problem is my closet isn't under stairs (it's in my room, because it's a closet ), so any temp difference will be pretty noticeable to me during the summer. That's kinda why I wanted something low-power.

[harrynowl]

It's a Q43 chipset so you're not limited by the FSB at least. One of the best power/performance CPUs is probably the E8400, but the E5700 (Pentium) or the E7600 will offer the same performance and might be had at a lower cost.

 

I'd probably go for the Pentium as its lower amount of cache (cache = die space = heat) and bigger multiplier range (so this will help it idle at lower speeds hopefully, it does 6-15 so it will idle at 1.2GHz I expect, the E8400 does 6-9 but it has a 333 bus so it idles at 2GHz) will be of help here.

[Scheer]

Only problem is my closet isn't under stairs (it's in my room, because it's a closet ), so any temp difference will be pretty noticeable to me during the summer. That's kinda why I wanted something low-power.

 

Then I recommend a J1800 or J1900, I have one of each and they are absolutely amazing for the money the cost and power they use. A full system will only pull about 10W from the wall, and I've seen the Asrock Matx board go for as low as $35 which is one of the few bay trail boards that will use the cheaper standard DIMMs (rather than soDIMMs and it doesn't need to be 1.35v like most).

 

You should be able to sell the Optiplex and have enough or very close to enough money to build a J1900 system if you are patient and wait for the deals.

 

Just keep in mind they are not very powerful CPUs so they aren't going to transcode very well if that is the plan, but for simple filesharing they should do very well.

[flibberdipper]

Then I recommend a J1800 or J1900, I have one of each and they are absolutely amazing for the money the cost and power they use. A full system will only pull about 10W from the wall, and I've seen the Asrock Matx board go for as low as $35 which is one of the few bay trail boards that will use the cheaper standard DIMMs (rather than soDIMMs and it doesn't need to be 1.35v like most).

 

You should be able to sell the Optiplex and have enough or very close to enough money to build a J1900 system if you are patient and wait for the deals.

 

Just keep in mind they are not very powerful CPUs so they aren't going to transcode very well if that is the plan, but for simple filesharing they should do very well.

I already know those will be too expensive. All this system needs is a hard drive and a flash drive for the OS, which still brings the price up to about $100.

[-iSynthesis]

I already know those will be too expensive. All this system needs is a hard drive and a flash drive for the OS, which still brings the price up to about $100.

If you can just get one of the intel atom asrock rack boards, i know you like old hardware but if you can afford it that will be your best bet

[flibberdipper]

If you can just get one of the intel atom asrock rack boards, i know you like old hardware but if you can afford it that will be your best bet

Again, I can't.

[Scheer]

I already know those will be too expensive. All this system needs is a hard drive and a flash drive for the OS, which still brings the price up to about $100.

 

J1900 Motherboard/CPU - $35

2GB RAM Used on eBay - $15

Case w/PSU - $40

1TB Hard drive - $50

 

Total of $140, and you should be able to get ~$80 for the optiplex on eBay or Craiglist, so it would cost $60 out of pocket.

 

You could even lay it on a shelf and use an old spare PSU if you can find one to make it $40 cheaper. I know some stores like Microcenter sell 250W used ones for $5.

 

 

I assume you are getting the Optiplex for free? If you have to pay for it, I definitely wouldn't get it for your use case.

[flibberdipper]

J1900 Motherboard/CPU - $35

2GB RAM Used on eBay - $15

Case w/PSU - $40

1TB Hard drive - $50

 

Total of $140, and you should be able to get ~$80 for the optiplex on eBay or Craiglist, so it would cost $60 out of pocket.

 

You could even lay it on a shelf and use an old spare PSU if you can find one to make it $40 cheaper. I know some stores like Microcenter sell 250W used ones for $5.

 

 

I assume you are getting the Optiplex for free? If you have to pay for it, I definitely wouldn't get it for your use case.

I'm not, but my mom/stepdad are. I'll probably only pay for a 1TB Barracuda and a little flash drive.