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CPU for low power SFF box?

J

jebo_4jc

[H]ard|DCer of the Month - April 2011
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So there's a distinct possibility I'll end up with a bedroom HTPC soon. It will use a smallish case and will fit underneath my dresser. The big question is: what platform?

I've been all over the board....considered Pentium E3200s, Athlon X2 e4850, Wolfdale E7200s, E8000s, and even Q6600, 9300, or 9450.

Problem is, I'm going to want to keep this thing quiet (since it's in the bedroom) but also going to keep it folding (duh).

The 45nm Intels are really appealing, especially the quads. I'm wondering if a Q9300 @ stock would be nice and cool, using the stock Intel cooler (or maybe a mini Ninja if it will fit in whatever case I decide upon).
However, if my case isn't that big, a much cooler dual core like a E7200 or 8200, or one of the 45W AMD CPUs might be a better option.
 
You have to be careful picking components in a SFF case, as most SFF cases use their own PSU's that may not be able to handle folding 24/7. Also, you have to take into account the amount of heat generated by the CPU/GPU. A Quad might not be able to handle 24/7 duties in a SFF case.
 
Crazy Larry said:
You have to be careful picking components in a SFF case, as most SFF cases use their own PSU's that may not be able to handle folding 24/7. Also, you have to take into account the amount of heat generated by the CPU/GPU. A Quad might not be able to handle 24/7 duties in a SFF case.
Click to expand...

Nothing a litte bit of modification can't fix. Either water cool the setup or you can modify the case to allow a large influx of air straight onto the CPU HSF and create a way for the air to easily flow out of the case, it can be done.

Without going through that much work, a CPU with smaller caches and lower frequencies will always generate less heat. The cache on a chip usually produces the most heat.
 
right. lets assume I can deal with the heat by direct ventilation and etc.
I will also obviously have to find an appropriate psu. I plan to be as efficient as possible. maybe a g43 or g45 based mobo since they presumably are the best given their 65nm manufacturing.
does anybody have a good resource for comparing the heat and power of these cpus?
 
Most Shuttle Systems .. have decent power supplies.

I would be careful of the new Shuttle KPC barebones ...
They have 100 Watt power Supplies and can't power certain CPU's ...

I built a shuttle boxen for my Dad with a E2140 and P35 Chipset ..
It is 100% stable and had 0 problems .

 
Imitation said:
If that case is small enough for him that would be a good one. I don't think a 45nm quad would have an issue in that case due to its dual 120mm fans dumping air out the side right next to the cpu. Might be able to ramp the quad up to 3ghz or so considering most don't need more vcore to do that.

Click to expand...

This case include a Antec Earthwatts 380W so you can technically put any cpu in it without issues. I have 2 Q6600 boxens with that psu (Antec NSK4480) and it run fine.

For the GPU, you can get up to a middle-range one like a 8800GT or 9600GT without issues since that psu include a single PCI-E connector.

 
My HTPC is in a Fusion, and I like the case a lot, so the NSK case would be a good option, if it will fit. I need to measure.
 
EvilAlchemist said:
Most Shuttle Systems .. have decent power supplies.

I would be careful of the new Shuttle KPC barebones ...
They have 100 Watt power Supplies and can't power certain CPU's ...

I built a shuttle boxen for my Dad with a E2140 and P35 Chipset ..
It is 100% stable and had 0 problems .

Click to expand...

Shuttle for sure for the big win. They even make a few HTPC models what work like a dream both folding and running a BR Drive.

Keep in eye on the Egg, of late they have been getting in quite a few closeouts which they list in their open box section. As a rule if you see “Limit 2 per customer” you will be getting a new unit, at least that’s been my experience over the years.

For the past few weeks I’ve been running a Q9300 in a Shuttle SHUTTLE SG33G5M G33 775 RETAIL complete with remote and save about $100.00 buying the open box.

At any rate, it runs the quad an HD video card (no external power required on the card) and folds one SMP unit very nicely in the Mid 50s c with no effort as well as two 500 GB drives.

Aside from all that, it’s so damn cute. Let me add it knocks out a 2665 in about 24 hours as well.;)


 
I have the NSK3850 or something like that its a MicroATX Case and qaud with a TRUE on it and running Vista 64 ultimate for the media center with 2TB online. Folds 24/7

Still is very quiet!

 
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