Advice: G530 vs. G555

[wurmy]

I'm looking at building a dual-GPU rig just for folding and testing. Basically, I'm going to disable any integrated graphics and run 1-2 nVidia Kepler-based GPUs on a 24/7 basis. For the most part, the CPU will only go off idle in order to feed data to the GPUs, and even a single-core processor is capable of doing this.

I'm looking for opinions on whether the G530 w/integrated graphics will pull less watts than the G555 under similar circumstances. Both are rated for 65w TDP, but I'm wondering if the G530 with IGFX will still need more watts than the G555 just because of architectural differences even with the IGFX disabled.

The cost between the two is negligible. I'm leaning towards the G555 under the assumption that it'll save me a few watts running 24/7, but am tempted by the lower clock-speed and existence of IGFX of the G530. I'm actually hoping to under-clock and under-volt (if easily done) either processor.

 

[Tsumi]

Both will probably be so close in terms of wattage used, it'll be virtually indistinguishable except at 100% CPU loads.

The power gating on Intel CPUs is excellent, the iGPU will consume very little, if any, power when disabled.

Architecturally, both are the exact same. The G555 does still have the iGPU inside it, but it is permanently disabled.

 

[CaptNumbNutz]

Both will probably be so close in terms of wattage used, it'll be virtually indistinguishable except at 100% CPU loads.

The power gating on Intel CPUs is excellent, the iGPU will consume very little, if any, power when disabled.

Architecturally, both are the exact same. The G555 does still have the iGPU inside it, but it is permanently disabled.

This.

The G530 will use slightly less power with iGFX disabled since the G555 is higher clocked since they will be architecturally identical and running the same amount of transistors. As Tsumi said though, the power difference will be negligible. If you don't need the extra 300mhz, then get the G530. You will at least have iGFX to use if you need to troubleshoot the PC when a video card dies.

 

[helloha1]

The G540 is about the same price as the G530 basically everywhere and clocked .1 GHz higher, I'd go for that. Otherwise, the 530, like everyone else said iGPU is nice to have.