Low Power Desktop Computers

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vokus

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I posted a reply in this thread here:https://vanlivingforum.com/post/Low-power-puters...-5927386?trail=30<br /><br />But I wanted to make a dedicated thread for ppl to see this...<br /><br /><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>I build computers for ppl. This is my personal suggestion for van dwellers, and this is what I will be using in my van. <br /><br />This is a very powerful computer... <br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>The motherboard has external wifi connectors, so if you desire you can add an amp and an external antenna for long range wifi. LIKE VAN GIRL SUGGESTS....<br />https://vanlivingforum.com/post/Boost-your-WiFi-5921146<br /><br />The latest chipset and cpu from intel, most power efficient desktop cpu!<br /><br /><br /></strong></span><br /><br /><img src="http://images17.newegg.com/is/image/newegg/24-009-365-Z01?$S300$" alt="" /><br />Acer V213HLBJbd Black 21.5" 5ms Widescreen LED Monitor 250 cd/m2 ACM 100,000,000:1<br />http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009365<br />$129.99<br />Energystar On: 17.82W (typ.)<br /><br /><img src="http://images17.newegg.com/is/image/newegg/11-129-185-TS?$S300W$" alt="" /><span id="post_message_"></span><br />Antec ISK 110 VESA Black ABS plastic / 0.8 mm SECC Mini-ITX Desktop Computer Case 90W External Adapter, Up to 92% Efficiency Power Supply<br />http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129185<br />$84.99<br /><br /><img src="http://images17.newegg.com/is/image/newegg/13-157-312-TS?$S300W$" alt="" /><br />ASRock Z77E-ITX LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Mini ITX Intel Motherboard<br />http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157312<br />$149.99<br /><br /><img src="http://images17.newegg.com/is/image/newegg/19-116-504-TS?$S300W$" alt="" /><br />Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I53570K<br />http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116504<br />$229.99<br /><br /><img src="http://images17.newegg.com/is/image/newegg/20-231-558-TS?$S300W$" alt="" /><br />G.SKILL Ares Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-1600C10D-16GAO<br />http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231558<br />$99.99<br /><br /><br /><img src="http://images17.newegg.com/is/image/newegg/20-227-791-TS?$S300W$" alt="" /><br />OCZ Vertex 4 VTX4-25SAT3-128G 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)<br />http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227791<br />$114.99<br /><br /><br /><img src="http://images10.newegg.com/ProductImageCompressAll300/32-116-992-04.jpg" alt="" /><br />Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit - OEM<br />http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116992<br />$139.99<br /><br /><br /><img src="http://images17.newegg.com/is/image/newegg/23-201-043-TS?$S300W$" alt="" /><br />Rosewill RIKB-11001 X-Slim Keyboard with Low Profile Chiclet Keycap Design<br />http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823201043<br />$9.99<br /><img src="http://images17.newegg.com/is/image/newegg/26-193-058-TS?$S300W$" alt="" /><br />Rosewill RM-2400L 6 Buttons 1 x Wheel USB Wired Laser 2400 dpi Mouse<br />http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826193058<br />$9.99<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />$1,077.93 WITH TAX AND SHIPPING TO MY HOUSE...<br /><br /><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7219/7102287563_3c87c8d1fc.jpg" alt="" /><br /><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7256/7102288505_91caab6545.jpg" alt="" /><br /><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8025/6956219424_4a5b735f0e.jpg" alt="" /><br /><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8007/7102287913_bf72d973a7.jpg" alt="" /><br />Idle power consumption!<br /><br /><br /></p>
 
Just beautiful! This is what I have been looking for right here. I like the idea of the chromebox, but I'm just not ready to give up the&nbsp;functionality of an actual PC I don't think. I might end up buying a laptop, but I want to exhaust all other ave first. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br /><br />What's the power&nbsp;consumption of the PC sans the monitor when it's running a "normal" workload?&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;
 
Idle for the system seem to be at 17.3 watts.<br />(This includes the fan, a solid state drive, and a mechanical drive)<br />(Surfing the web, is basically system idle for this rig.)<br /><br />Under 100% load, 4 cores, 8 threads you will draw 77 watts. <br />That is range you can expect to work in. <br /><br />This is theoretical, but about 25 watts average for monitor, and 35 watts for computer, while watching full 1080p video... Or doing average computer work, like file compression, decompression, conversion... <br /><br />Because this is a desktop processors, and the latest gen cpu and chipset, the power management on these new cpus is amazing. The computer automatically under clocks the cpu when you dont need the power, this saves a bunch of energy... <br /><br />-For the price, you can not buy a laptop this powerful period. <br /><br />-If you want this lever of performance in a laptop, you can expect to pay double... <br /><br />
 
This is just one way to go about it...<br />You can actually use anything you want. <br />The above build is more of a productive and comfy setup for van dwellers. <br />An IPAD does not how much power and in general designed for mobile use on the go, not productivity... <br /><br />
 
<p>Guys I have nothing against laptops, and I my self own a very powerful laptop. <br /><br />This build is specifically about low power consumption desktop computers. Some one on the other thread ask about this so I posted. In this day and age, you can build a computer or a laptop to almost any spec you want.<br /><br /></p><p>That was just my personal suggestion, on that topic... <br /><br />Here is what im surfing the net on... Haha... It might be just a little over powered... <br /><img src="" alt="" /><br /><br /><img src="" alt="" /><br /><br /><img src="" alt="" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></p>
 
Vokus... I like your build.&nbsp; I'm putting together one of my own that is more oriented towards gamers that may have interest to you.<br /><br />AMD's trinity platform is already released in mobile form for laptops, and the desktop versions are coming (hopefully) this october.&nbsp; The 65w triple core has serious gaming advantages over sandy bridge with intel HD1000 graphics.&nbsp; For encoding and other cpu-dependent work, I would still go with intel though.<br /><br />One more thing you might like is the picoPSU... 160w DC only super small silent psu.&nbsp; http://www.short-circuit.com/product/picopsu-160-xt.html
 
For a quarter of the price and size just use a net-book...Acer has a fantastic line up and use one myself... A desk top and monitor are pieces that dont belong in a van... size, fragility, cards, and power is are all negatives, this is why laptops, net-books, and tablets are called mobile devices and why desk tops are called desk tops...
 
I'm putting a Mac Mini with an SSD and a cheap Acer monitor in my van. Very low power consumption, and a very powerful little computer.

 
Vokus... I friggin' love the cpu cooler, btw.&nbsp; That thing is seriously a monster.<br /><br />@soulRaven.. Netbooks really are wonderful on the road, and you can't beat the power consumption.&nbsp; Very true indeed. The trouble for a few of us (probably not many of us) is running more demanding tasks.&nbsp; If you are a mobile gamer, a desktop can still be the way to go (just takes a LOT more planning to get the most performance per watt!)
 
Buy an IPAD2.&nbsp; Charge it up once.&nbsp; use it all day on wifi.&nbsp;
 
If your need to game on the road is so great, buy a screaming laptop... Mine is Dell duel core, ATI vid w/2 gigs with 2 gig memory... Now if your an internet gamer, forget it, you will need to be hard wired to compete with out lag..<br /><br />
Bootsand said:
Vokus... I friggin' love the cpu cooler, btw.&nbsp; That thing is seriously a monster.<br /><br />@soulRaven.. Netbooks really are wonderful on the road, and you can't beat the power consumption.&nbsp; Very true indeed. The trouble for a few of us (probably not many of us) is running more demanding tasks.&nbsp; If you are a mobile gamer, a desktop can still be the way to go (just takes a LOT more planning to get the most performance per watt!)
 
This is not for me, but I sure admire guys like you that can build this stuff....I wouldn't have a clue. I am fine with what I have but this seems like the perfect thing for those who make a living with their computer, etc. especially if you can build something custom....very cool.<br /> Thanks for the thread Vokus.<br />Bri
 
Interesting.&nbsp; I can play any game out with decent frames on highest settings on my laptop, i think i paid 600 for it refurbished.&nbsp; It has a radeon graphics card that runs 2 different gpus, a slower one when not gaming then kicks up to the faster one when gaming/under load <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" />&nbsp; Ive no idea how much power it uses though...
 
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