Hardware Talk :: Low Power Consumption Mini-ITX

I had a similar question, but about the barebones model (http://damnsmalllinux.org/store/Mini_ITX_Systems/Mini_ITX_BareBones_Computer). Can anyone fill me in on its power needs? Also, will the LCD screens in the store all work with 12V (thinking they are, given car batteries...)?

With my handy little watt meter I can answer some of the questions. I bought the EPIA 5000 from John's store and loved it so much I now have a second one. It works fine as a desktop computer once you accept that it is a little slow, but not so slow as you think. ( I also broke down recently and bought a 64bit Sempron 2800+ with a Biostar AM2 motherboard.)

A few minutes ago I tested the a Samsung SyncMaster 151x LCD monitor booted into KDE. I am running FreeBSD 6.1. The monitor draws 17 watts in KDE and less when I am on the command line. It draws about 2 watts in the standby mode.

My EPIA 5000 has 512 MB RAM, a Seagate (Barracuda 7200.9) 120MB hard disk, and an LG DVD reader/writer that is mostly idle, not drawing much power. As I am typing the the watt meter shows 18/19 watts. When the hard drive is working the wattage goes up to 23/24 watts. Typical power consumption for my desktop is between 35 and 41 watts and slightly more when I am using the DVD reader/writer.

I bought the nano last winter so I know it draws about 20 watts. If the nano fits your needs exactly go ahead and buy. I regret buying it because its form is not so flexible as the EPIA 5000. The lesson is to learn as much as possible about the computer before buying, find out if it will boot with usb, some don't. If it does boot with usb, what format does it use.

To add to you fund of knowledge I will tell you that the Sempron 2800+, Biostar AM2 motherboard with 1 GB of 533 MHz RAM, 15 inch LCD monitor, and HP laserjet 1320 draws 97 watts.

original here.