Long time lurker, first post!

For a new robotic project I'm looking for combo that will support around ~10 watts total system, idle. I'd prefer the performance of Ivy/Sandy bridge but I fear the DN2800MT might be the only MB/CPU capable of delivering it.

Does any other combination deliver an idle consumption around this level? System will consist of an ITX board, 64g SSD, 4g headless Linux box. System will be powered by either the onboard 8-18v power supply of the 2800MT or a DC supply from mini-box, via a 12v deep cycle battery.

I wish I could buy 4-core ARM A15 MB, but those don't yet exist!

73

I was able to get a i3 2100T setup to 13W (without keyboard n mouse attached), maybe the ivy bridge variant should idle a little lower (but i also read somewhere that doesnt downclock that low so take my comments with a grain of salt, research)... but its going to be hard to reach 10W, go with an Intel mobo (not as tweakable but very efficient mobos) and a very efficient PSU on low loads like PicoPSU-90-XLP and search for very efficient bricks (on DC setups i dont have a clue). SSD be careful some are not that efficient, research some, specially on notebook forums, as some look into this more as they want to get more battery life, from what i remember i think crucial m4 was a not the best but not the worst either. Go with only 1 fan, the cpu fan, as my fans take 0.5 to 1 watt... so the less the more you will be close to your goal.

Another option is going with mobile CPU, there are CULV sandy bridge, i guess there are some ivy bridge as well, there are very few options from what i recall, JetWay JNC9B-HM67 , not sure how efficient they were, as i steer away from them as there were very few cpu coolers.

Be sure to post your finding once you finish, im interested on seeing how low you go.

I don't understand. Do you have a requirement for CPU performance or don't you know (yet)?
I would find out first before deciding which hardware.

There are quite a few options available for mobile intel CPUs, the Jetway board is by far the cheapest.
From iBase, DFI, MSI and Wade, kontron.
The Emerson MITX-CORE-820 has a 12V input and is the most likely candidate for the low power requirement.
All of them are 2-3 times more expensive than the Jetway.

While on battery power the 2800MT will have the necessary performance. Just while on charge it would be nice to have the extra boost for compiling kernels etc.

Sounds like Haswell has some good low power stuff coming, but I can't wait that long!

Supermicro X9SPV-F, server grade board with mobile chipset and a CPU with 25W TDP. If you have to ask about the price you can't afford it.

All, thanks for the help. The 2800 is on the way, hard to beat the mSATA and mini PCIe wireless with DC input. Makes for a really clean installation without cables etc.

I'll be sure and post all of the details and power consumption.

73

Everything has just arrived, basic Fedora 18 install, Kernel 3.7rc1, no tweaking yet, ~7.4 watts.

This pict is 2G Ram, 64G M4 mSATA, no keyboard/mouse or LAN. All BIOS low power options enabled.

More to come.

nice