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2012-07-27, 19:13
(This post was last modified: 2012-07-27, 19:15 by Dougie Fresh.)
The G530/G540/G620 (whatever your MicroCenter has in stock) will use less power and produce less heat than the A6-3500. For a 24/7 server, this is good. CPU benchmark-wise, they are both similar. These Sandy Bridge CPUs may be priced low but they are by no means bargain-basement chips -- they are still dual-core 2.4-2.6GHz with 1-2MB cache -- plenty for a server. With the LGA1155 (Intel) socket you'll find more available motherboards as well. The motherboards with FM1 socket (AMD) are getting harder to find.
My local MC (Cambridge, MA) has the G540 for $34.99 and the G630 for $49.99, both in stock
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I see the G530/G540/G620 are 65W - same as the A6. How will they use less power?
And if I were to go the Intel route, I still would need to spend at least $20 more on the MOBO to get one with 6 SATAs.
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Look at my killawatt thread over at avs.
Plenty of real world examples.
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How many hard drives do you need or want eventually?
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Initially 3-5. Eventually 8-10. Why do you ask?
I wouldn't be completely opposed to purchasing the G620 instead since I can get it for $50, but only if it would be considered necessary.
Also, since I want to setup a NAS + HTPC, I am thinking it would be best to separate the builds and eat the higher initial cost, based upon the idea that the power consumption of combining the builds would eventually outweigh the savings of building the unit as one. Do you have any input in regards to that kind of scenario? Would the difference in power consumption be minimal as compared to combined and separate builds?
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Well then I would very much like to do that. What do you suggest?
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By that comment, were you implying that I should go with the G630 or did you have something else in mind?