Low idle power ESXI server - i5-650 vs AMD N36L
Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 3:40 pm
Thought I would just share my results for a low power, silent, fully featured ESXI setup (my current home server).
Power consumption (DQ57TM with i5-650)
Full system running vmware esxi with disks in spindown: 39-40W
Minimal system running esxi: 19,5W
Minimal system running windows server 2008 r2 (disk in spindown): 17,6W
Power consumption (HP Microserver motherboard)
Minimal system running esxi: 18,2W
Thoughts
I only did the minimal test because I had the HP Microserver available for test, and wanted to compare it to my current server setup. I was amazed to see the low idle results with the i5 board. It could be possible to get even better results by using an SSD and/or if low power memory modules was used (I know G-SKILL makes an ECO series running at 1,35volt).
The HP Microserver is exiting because of the very low cost. I think it retails at about 250 euro here in Denmark, and have 4 bays for disks. But it doesn't really make sense when you see the low idle power consumption of the i5 system (plus waaaay more cpu power, and vt-d support with the i5).
My only problem at the moment is that I don't really have a business case for buying new hardware (would take way too long to "pay off" with the savings from the electricity bill) Will have to find another excuse to buy new hardware...
Future plans could be to look into an i5 mobile motherboard (sandy bridge). I have been checking out the the Kontron KTQM67/mATX, but it will most likely be quite expensive, and not available yet. It however has some very promising specs, 3 onboard intel NIC's, mSATA mini-pcie port (for intel 310 series) and vt-d support from the QM67 chipset. The NIC's and mSATA would eliminate my need for add-in cards, and the power consumption from the mobile class chipset/cpu should lower the power consumption quite a bit. I haven't been able to find power consumption tests with Kontron boards, anyone?
I'm quite happy with my current setup, but like so many others I'm also on the lookout for new exiting hardware
Details about the hardware for full system and minimal test below.
I hope this is usefull information, and that you have enjoyed reading about my findings
Hardware (the full system)
Intel DQ57TM
Intel i5-650
Zalman 9500 with fan removed (case fan is plenty)
4 x Kingston Valueram 4GB (KVR1333D3N9/4G)
Intel 510 SSD, 120GB (esxi datastore)
Adaptec 1220SA sata controller (separate controller for esxi datastore, onboard controller is mapped directly to a fileserver vm guest, using vt-d)
4 x WD Green 2TB (raidz array)
1 x WD Green 1TB
Intel Pro/1000 CT (for esxi and guest traffic, onboard 82578DM is mapped directly to a fileserver vm guest, using vt-d)
NoName 2GB pen drive (for booting esxi)
Pico PSU 120
110W power brick
Antec P183 case (running two of the supplied fans at 5 volt, with middle setting on fans, inaudible)
Minimal test setup (i5 system)
Intel DQ57TM
Intel i5-650
Zalman 9500 with fan removed (case fan is plenty)
1 x Kingston Valueram 4GB (KVR1333D3N9/4G)
Sandisk Cruzer Contour 16GB pen drive (for esxi test)
Segate 2,5" 250GB laptop disk (for windows server 2008 r2 test)
Pico PSU 120
40W power brick
Minimal test setup (hp microserver)
HP Microserver motherboard with onboard AMD N36L dual core cpu
1 x Kingston Valueram 4GB (KVR1333D3N9/4G)
Sandisk Cruzer Contour 16GB pen drive (for esxi test)
Fan from case (bios requires a working fan to be connected to the motherboard)
Pico PSU 120
40W power brick
Power consumption (DQ57TM with i5-650)
Full system running vmware esxi with disks in spindown: 39-40W
Minimal system running esxi: 19,5W
Minimal system running windows server 2008 r2 (disk in spindown): 17,6W
Power consumption (HP Microserver motherboard)
Minimal system running esxi: 18,2W
Thoughts
I only did the minimal test because I had the HP Microserver available for test, and wanted to compare it to my current server setup. I was amazed to see the low idle results with the i5 board. It could be possible to get even better results by using an SSD and/or if low power memory modules was used (I know G-SKILL makes an ECO series running at 1,35volt).
The HP Microserver is exiting because of the very low cost. I think it retails at about 250 euro here in Denmark, and have 4 bays for disks. But it doesn't really make sense when you see the low idle power consumption of the i5 system (plus waaaay more cpu power, and vt-d support with the i5).
My only problem at the moment is that I don't really have a business case for buying new hardware (would take way too long to "pay off" with the savings from the electricity bill) Will have to find another excuse to buy new hardware...
Future plans could be to look into an i5 mobile motherboard (sandy bridge). I have been checking out the the Kontron KTQM67/mATX, but it will most likely be quite expensive, and not available yet. It however has some very promising specs, 3 onboard intel NIC's, mSATA mini-pcie port (for intel 310 series) and vt-d support from the QM67 chipset. The NIC's and mSATA would eliminate my need for add-in cards, and the power consumption from the mobile class chipset/cpu should lower the power consumption quite a bit. I haven't been able to find power consumption tests with Kontron boards, anyone?
I'm quite happy with my current setup, but like so many others I'm also on the lookout for new exiting hardware
Details about the hardware for full system and minimal test below.
I hope this is usefull information, and that you have enjoyed reading about my findings
Hardware (the full system)
Intel DQ57TM
Intel i5-650
Zalman 9500 with fan removed (case fan is plenty)
4 x Kingston Valueram 4GB (KVR1333D3N9/4G)
Intel 510 SSD, 120GB (esxi datastore)
Adaptec 1220SA sata controller (separate controller for esxi datastore, onboard controller is mapped directly to a fileserver vm guest, using vt-d)
4 x WD Green 2TB (raidz array)
1 x WD Green 1TB
Intel Pro/1000 CT (for esxi and guest traffic, onboard 82578DM is mapped directly to a fileserver vm guest, using vt-d)
NoName 2GB pen drive (for booting esxi)
Pico PSU 120
110W power brick
Antec P183 case (running two of the supplied fans at 5 volt, with middle setting on fans, inaudible)
Minimal test setup (i5 system)
Intel DQ57TM
Intel i5-650
Zalman 9500 with fan removed (case fan is plenty)
1 x Kingston Valueram 4GB (KVR1333D3N9/4G)
Sandisk Cruzer Contour 16GB pen drive (for esxi test)
Segate 2,5" 250GB laptop disk (for windows server 2008 r2 test)
Pico PSU 120
40W power brick
Minimal test setup (hp microserver)
HP Microserver motherboard with onboard AMD N36L dual core cpu
1 x Kingston Valueram 4GB (KVR1333D3N9/4G)
Sandisk Cruzer Contour 16GB pen drive (for esxi test)
Fan from case (bios requires a working fan to be connected to the motherboard)
Pico PSU 120
40W power brick