Energy efficient cpu for small Server

[sese317j]

Hello,

at the moment I use an AMD A10-7800 in order to run a small system which I use as a “server”. The server runs a variety of different applications, a Minecraft server, a Csgo server and some other gameservers. Because energy is fairly expensive where I live, I want to change the processor (and the mainboard if necessary) to something more energy efficient. I want to continue to use my “old” DDR3 Ram, that’s why I don’t want to buy a new processor. Performance wise I’m pretty happy with the A10 7800 (Cinebench r15: 240 points). When idle, the total power consumption of the system is round about 40W, but if the Minecraft server is running it draws over 100W.

 

So in short, I’m searching for an energy efficient processor that supports DDR3 and that you can buy used pretty cheap.

 

Sebastian

[Oalei]

I think something along the lines of i5 3470s have a 65W TDP Intel spec, if that's what you're aiming for. 

[Electronics Wizardy]

DDR3 is really gonna limit you here, Lots of power savings is in newer chips that are ddr4 only. Id just sell the ram and get a newer platform

 

40w idle is pretty good, your not saving that much from that idle.

 

If you want really low power, id go something likea  i3 9100.

[Windows7ge]

What's the cost of power in your area because 40W is really good for a "server". Only pulling over 100W while under stress is equally very good for a "server". You won't really be saving much power without greatly sacrificing performance if you want something even more power efficient.

 

Believe me when your servers pull >1kW from the wall 24/7 then you can think about how expensive it is to run them.

[beersykins]

57 minutes ago, Windows7ge said:

Believe me when your servers pull >1kW from the wall 24/7 then you can think about how expensive it is to run them.

Man I start getting irritated when all of my lab rack stuff pulls over 300w lol

 

Although the fan tray on the cat4510+E pulls that by itself almost

[Windows7ge]

4 minutes ago, beersykins said:

Man I start getting irritated when all of my lab rack stuff pulls over 300w lol

 

Although the fan tray on the cat4510+E pulls that by itself almost

For me it's for a good cause. I'm probably closer to 2kW really. I have a lot of CPU power so I donate all the un-utilized performance to World Community Grid.

 

I saw a CISCO unit like that at work once. Wonder if I can find the pictures that I think I took...can't remember.

[sese317j]

17 hours ago, Windows7ge said:

What's the cost of power in your area because 40W is really good for a "server".

I pay 0,29€/kwh, so running a server that on average consumes 70W costs me nearly 180€ per year. I have read that the A10-7800 has a cTDP (Configurable TDP), but the mainboard I'm using at the moment does not have that option. Is there something like a list of all the mainboards that suported the cTDP feature for the A10-7800?

Sebastian

[Windows7ge]

7 hours ago, sese317j said:

I pay 0,29€/kwh, so running a server that on average consumes 70W costs me nearly 180€ per year. I have read that the A10-7800 has a cTDP (Configurable TDP), but the mainboard I'm using at the moment does not have that option. Is there something like a list of all the mainboards that suported the cTDP feature for the A10-7800?

Sebastian

What motherboard are you using?

 

If you're so inclined to you may be able to underclock the CPU. I believe all AMD chips of the last 10 years or so are Black Edition (unlocked).

[sese317j]

Thanks for your suggestions. I abandoned the idea of using my old DDR3 and just went for a Pentium G5400 and DDR4 Ram. That way the system will hopefully consume way less power and even be faster.

[lal12]

I saw a thread about someone reporting that his Ryzen 3 3400G used 6.8 W on idle (including Mainboard and PSU). This is a pretty awesome value.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Amd/comments/ccoxtz/68_w_on_idle_3400g_on_asrock_a300_with_the_strong/

[sese317j]

Oh wow, 6.8W sounds amazing. I went with the Pentium G5400 because im running a CS:GO Server, which greatly benefits from the higher clock speeds, compared to the Athlon 3000G for example. Im really disappointed that there are no other mainboards for the newer AMD / Intel Platforms that use an external 19V PSU except from the ASRock DeskMini Series. With a "normal" ATX PSU such a low power consumption is difficult, because of the inefficency of those PSU's at low power levels.

[Alex Atkin UK]

Its kinda hard to build low-power as motherboard choice is a huge factor in the idle power consumption.