Server Power Consumption

DexterSmythe · February 5, 2017

I am thinking about building a server for Minecraft, Terraria, and maybe VPN hosting. Any input on the components is appreciated. I have a PSU from another build that is 500W and 80+ Thermaltake which I am going to use.

Here is what I have so far:

PCPartPicker part list: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/WWkgpb
Price breakdown by merchant: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/WWkgpb/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($239.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($86.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($58.88 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Toshiba P300 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.99 @ Best Buy)
Case: Cooler Master CM 590 III (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($61.46 @ Newegg Marketplace)
Total: $496.31
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-02-04 22:24 EST-0500

The page says that the power consumption will be 179Watts under max load (which I know I will never really be reached). I was wondering what you think the wattage drawn from the wall would be with a Linux OS and a Terraria and Minecraft server without anyone online? Also, what would it be when they were both under load? Note: These would be private servers with no more than 5 people on at once to start. I am trying to figure out how much power this system would use overall. Finally, I know that this Xeon is very powerful. Do you think I could host a Terraria and Minecraft server off of a 2-core 4-thread Pentium? It would be only 51 Watts which would be nice. Ex: http://ark.intel.com/products/97453/Intel-Pentium-Processor-G4600-3M-Cache-3_60-GHz

Electronics Wizardy · February 5, 2017

normal idle power is around 60w.

You need a gpu, so id get a 1246 so you have a igpu.

Id get a pentium or i3 personally with that few users, or a j1900 like system to save power.

TDP != power consumption. My e3 1231 v3 Don't user more than 55w and has a 80w tdp

DexterSmythe · February 5, 2017

10 minutes ago, Electronics Wizardy said:

normal idle power is around 60w.

You need a gpu, so id get a 1246 so you have a igpu.

Id get a pentium or i3 personally with that few users, or a j1900 like system to save power.

TDP != power consumption. My e3 1231 v3 Don't user more than 55w and has a 80w tdp

Thank you

ARikozuM · February 5, 2017

TDP is not an indication of wattage used. It indicates wattage dissipated.

I would suggest buying a server board. They'll use less energy since the modules on the Z97 that aren't used still have to draw energy. But if you have the parts, never mind.