Optimal Haswell CPU for low idle power HTPC/Server

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MrStrumpan
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Optimal Haswell CPU for low idle power HTPC/Server

Post by MrStrumpan » Sat Oct 19, 2013 4:08 pm

What is the most optimal Haswell CPU for a low idle power HTPC/Server (no game)?

CPU......................: (TDP, Graphics, Graphics Base Frequency)

Intel Core i3 4130 ....: (54, 4400, 350)
Intel Core i3 4130T ..: (35, 4400, 200)

Intel Core i3 4330 ....: (54, 4600, 350)
Intel Core i3 4330T ..: (35, 4600, 200)

Intel Core i3 4340 ....: (54, 4600, 350)



I know the TDP doesn't matter for the idle power, but how about the Graphics and Graphics Base Frequency.
Is there any advantage for the 4600 vs 4400 graphics for HTPC use?


Note: For the build I will use a picoPSU and the ASUS Gryphon Z87 motherboard after reading this review on idle energy consumption:
http://us.hardware.info/reviews/4444/49 ... -5-minutes

HFat
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Re: Optimal Haswell CPU for low idle power HTPC/Server

Post by HFat » Sat Oct 19, 2013 6:25 pm

None of these.
A Pentium or a Celeron instead.

"HTPC use" is quite abstract. That doesn't tell me what you actually need (some tinkerers obsess about decoding software and whatnot, causing their requirements to skyrocket). But absent more information, my guess is that the CPU with the least features would most likely be fine.

Technically, the optimal choice would be a T model. I haven't seen data about Haswell but since at least Sandy Bridge there has been to my knowledge so little difference between regular dual-cores and T dual-cores the regular ones were clearly better buys. So the general recommendation would be a regular model even though you the T models might be a tiny bit more efficient.

I wouldn't give much weight to your link by the way. Their numbers are high for an unknown reason and methodology is most likely dubious given the amount of data they collect.
I bet this is nowhere near the most efficient board (mainly because of its features).

Abula
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Re: Optimal Haswell CPU for low idle power HTPC/Server

Post by Abula » Sat Oct 19, 2013 6:53 pm

I would check the Intel Pentium G3220 Haswell 3.0GHz LGA 1150 54W Dual-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics BX80646G3220 (no celerons out till 2014), in the past many have build a HTPC on it, out of bieng so cheap and perform decently for pure movie playback, cost half of what i3 does, but it really comes down to what software you will use and if it will benefit from the extra things that come with i3. All haswell cpu dual cores should idle similarly, all downclock to 800mhz, even my i7 4770k.

My suggestion is to post in AVS forums HTPC section, there you will find more about what CPU might be more worth for your situation if you detailed them more what you plan to use.

And btw i would go with that MSI B85 mobo, if you priority is consumption looks better than the Asus, or intel also has been very solid in low consumption motherboards, and since you are looking into micro atx check Intel BOXDB85FL and Intel BOXDH87RL.

boost
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Re: Optimal Haswell CPU for low idle power HTPC/Server

Post by boost » Sun Oct 20, 2013 12:43 am

From a HTPC and power concious perspective Intel's Haswell based NUC might be interesting.
The use as a server is severly limited, there will be a model with room for a single 2.5" drive in December.
Does the server have to be the same as the HTPC?
A HP Microserver is pretty cheap.

MrStrumpan
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Re: Optimal Haswell CPU for low idle power HTPC/Server

Post by MrStrumpan » Sun Oct 20, 2013 7:33 am

Thanks!

G3220 vs Core i3: If the idle power consumption is very very close, I rater go for the i3.
The cost is not so much more if I see to the total build cost for everything, and there is more power if one day needed, the aim is a low idle power.

Having one HTPC and one Server is not what I want, just one unit for everything, but thanks for the info.

I´m going to take a look at the Mobo from MSI and INTEL.

Abula
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Re: Optimal Haswell CPU for low idle power HTPC/Server

Post by Abula » Sun Oct 20, 2013 10:11 am

MrStrumpan wrote:G3220 vs Core i3: If the idle power consumption is very very close, I rater go for the i3.
The cost is not so much more if I see to the total build cost for everything, and there is more power if one day needed, the aim is a low idle power.

I´m going to take a look at the Mobo from MSI and INTEL.
Personally i think the Pentium is enough for HTPC and server, its 3.0ghz dual core, its very capable, its missing some cache, hyperthreading, lower iGPU (still enough for standard 1080p playback) and some other small things. Now if you want to go for i3 its fine, i just feel unless you need it its not worth the extra $50 (i would spend this on a better PSU, cpu cooler, case or even better fans). Now in line with your thinking, you could even go with Quad, and have more cpu power for the future, specially if you might use in the future for encoding or transcoding to multiple mobile devices, etc (im still recommending the Pentium though).

Check this thread, DH77DF vs DH77EB - power consumption, from Kappa7 post,
I've build the mini pc with these components:
Motherboard: DH77DF
Processor: I5-3470S
Ram: 2x4GB Corsair Vengeance Low Profile White, 1.35V @1600Mhz 9-9-9-24
SSD: Plextor M3 128GB
Power supply: MeanWell GS90A12-P1M + pico psu 90-XLP
Fan: Intel stock fan + Arctic Cooling F8-PWM on the case.
OS: windows 7 ultimate x64

I've disabled the Turbo mode of the core I5 to limit the maximum power consumption under load and I've activated all the C-states. I've also set the power policy in the bios on low power and I've checked in windows device manager the box that says "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power" on the firewire controller.
I've measured a power consumption under load (with prime95 + furmark) of 72W (about 80W with the turbo activated).
The idle power consumption, when the fans are connected, is measured with the minimum allowed rotation speed (it's more than enough keep cool the system @idle). The minimum rotation speed of the stock intel fan is 1000rpm and the artic cooling fan is 350rpm. No keyboard nor mouse are connected during the tests.
Here the results:

With gigabit connected, video output enabled, fan processor connected, fan case connected: 11W
With gigabit connected, no video output, fan processor connected, fan case connected: 9.8W
With gigabit connected, no video output, fan processor connected, fan case disconnected: 9.6W
With gigabit connected, no video output, fan processor disconnected, fan case disconnected:8.8W
Pretty impressive if you ask me, below 10W idle on a Ivy Bridge i5 quad, given that its headless and with very little enabled, and with picoPSU, but still impressive none the less. Most of us that have look into building a very efficient PC, have found the best results on Intel mobos, you lose all the tweakability of what aftermarket boards have, but they are very nice on their own.

As final suggestion, try to get an efficient PSU, if you can platinum or gold, Corsair RM are looking nice with a huge offering on Watts and not so expensive.

MrStrumpan
Posts: 8
Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2010 12:32 pm

Re: Optimal Haswell CPU for low idle power HTPC/Server

Post by MrStrumpan » Tue Oct 22, 2013 12:04 pm

Ok, Intel DH87RL seams very promising, right now out of stock everywhere here.

Dose the G3220 support Deep Sleep S4/S5 or C6/C7 power states as the i3 do?


Article: 10w idle, Core i5-4570, Intel DH87RL
Link: http://www.heise.de/ct/projekte/PC-Bauv ... 75124.html
Link w Google Translator: http://translate.google.com/translate?h ... &sandbox=1
Discussion forum, but I cant get the Google translator to work properly, I only see
the first post, not the answers :-)
http://www.heise.de/forum/c-t/Kommentar ... rum-31487/

7.5w idle, Intel Pentium G3220, Asrock H87M-ITX post 1968:
http://translate.google.com/translate?s ... 83-79.html

Abula
Posts: 3662
Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 12:22 pm
Location: Guatemala

Re: Optimal Haswell CPU for low idle power HTPC/Server

Post by Abula » Tue Oct 22, 2013 2:29 pm

MrStrumpan wrote:Ok, Intel DH87RL seams very promising, right now out of stock everywhere here.

Dose the G3220 support Deep Sleep S4/S5 or C6/C7 power states as the i3 do?


Article: 10w idle, Core i5-4570, Intel DH87RL
Link: http://www.heise.de/ct/projekte/PC-Bauv ... 75124.html
Link w Google Translator: http://translate.google.com/translate?h ... &sandbox=1
Discussion forum, but I cant get the Google translator to work properly, I only see
the first post, not the answers :-)
http://www.heise.de/forum/c-t/Kommentar ... rum-31487/

7.5w idle, Intel Pentium G3220, Asrock H87M-ITX post 1968:
http://translate.google.com/translate?s ... 83-79.html
Interesting that AsRock is having good consumption, and since they have very good fan control for pwm fans on pure bios..... maybe will become my goto mobos in the future, ill be rebuilding most of my pcs on Skylake.

Btw how many hdds are you using? what PSU?

MrStrumpan
Posts: 8
Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2010 12:32 pm

Re: Optimal Haswell CPU for low idle power HTPC/Server

Post by MrStrumpan » Wed Oct 23, 2013 7:09 am

I´m going to build a new one so was just referring to the post.
Asrock H87M-ITX has 4xSATA.

I need 6xSATA, for SSD, 2TB+4TB HDD, BluRay and one or more free for future use.
Will also have 2TB+4TB in another computer for back-up.

PSU: picoPSU-150-XT, http://www.mini-box.com/picoPSU-150-XT

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