Intel Atom: Eco-Friendly Home Server Platform
I want to take a couple of minutes and talk about how compelling the Intel Atom platform is for home servers. There has been lots of buzz around the Atom for the past few months since it’s a very low-cost, uber-power-efficient processor. The Atom can be likened to a vintage Volkswagen Beetle: low-cost and low-power and it will still get you to 65MPH on the freeway, but you wouldn’t really want to use it for anything other than to “get from point A to point B”.
Similarly, the Atom meets the basic computing requirements of average users but not much more. This means you can check email, browse the web, use Office but can’t utilize advanced HD video, 3D games, and so forth.
An exceptional use for the Atom platform is a home server due to fantastic performance per watt. It uses around 2 watts of power under load, whereas a common processor such as the Core 2 Duo uses 60W+. As energy costs go up, the total cost of ownership of a server is skyrocketing. So while the intial cost of a server or desktop suitable for running as a server may be low ($500 on a budget), at 24/7 the energy cost will be $100-$400/yr. In contrast, a 24/7 Atom-based server would cost approximately $10-20/yr. Substantial savings.
There are some great uses for Atom home servers:
1. BitTorrent. Dedicated 24/7 upload and download without worrying about utility bills.
2. Home automation. You can leave a home-automation management server running 24/7/365 for probably under $7/yr in energy.
3. Centralized storage. You can make your own NAS – most efficient in conjunction with the above services.
4. Music server. Always-on access to locally-stored and Internet music.
Using the Atom platform for a home media server is possible, but only with streaming lower quality video. HD quality isn’t going to work.
TranquilPC offers an Atom-based D945GCLF motherboard for about $100US. Throw RAM, flash-based storage, power supply, and a case on top of that and you’re looking at about $200-$300 total. TranquilPC and other vendors are starting to offer pre-built systems as well, but generally run $500 and up.
Anyone have other ideas for the Atom platform? Inexpensive solar-powered server or desktop, maybe?
These aren’t as eco friendly as you seem to think.
Load one up with 1 drive and a CDrom and take a look ate the power consumption at idle.
The chipset alone eats 20w.
i wonder if i could host a small Wolf ET server(console no 3d) for 5-10 people + 5-10 bots if i used an atom based server it would indeed be cheaper and less noisy if it is able to run an ET server
I built a ubuntu linux home server that based on the Via C7 1ghz cpu. It runs 24×7, with uTorrent and iTunes 7.2 both running full time through wine. Plus it has samba shares for media folders on the drive, so other client devices in the house, like my popcorn hour, can stream video or whatever.
And the best news- 24 watts and not a bit more for everything running full steam!
Considering I built this thing about three years ago, I’m not as impressed by most at the newer low power cpu offerings from the “bigger” cpu makers.. I think Via has since followed up with a newer ultra low power cpu, but I haven’t payed attention since my box has been doing all I need..
@cruiserandmax
btw- this was the barebones system I started with: http://reviews.cnet.com/barebones-pcs/msi-axis-700-lite/4505-11485_7-32212994.html