[ubuntu-uk] OT CPU Advice

[Ian Pascoe]

Gents

An interesting diversion to the original topic.

I keep a watch on http://linuxdevices.com and there's quite a few mini form
factor Atom based stuff coming through that although primarily aimed at the
embedded market, could be easily used to become a fairly "green"
workstation; in fact some are so targetted.

Now with Ubuntu also being ported across to the ARM architect, that could
certainly open up even more interesting configurations for those with a
tinkering whim.

Ian

-----Original Message-----
From: ubuntu-uk-bounces at lists.ubuntu.com
[mailto:ubuntu-uk-bounces at lists.ubuntu.com]On Behalf Of Rob Beard
Sent: 02 December 2008 16:20
To: British Ubuntu Talk
Subject: Re: [ubuntu-uk] OT CPU Advice


gav wrote:
> On Mon, Dec 01, 2008 at 04:46:54PM +0000, Rob Beard wrote:
>> I'm considering an Atom Dual Core for my server (it's currently running
>> an Athlon 1400) although I'm not sure what to do after reading this....
>> http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/intel-atom-efficiency,2069.html
>
> The Atom seems to work fine for DVD playback, if that helps you judge on
> the video side of things, I use an external USB DVD on the machine.
>
> I've no interest in BluRay yet so I can't tell you how it handles that.
>

It's possible that a dual core Atom might be able to handle it, I doubt
without a HD compatible video card that it would be up to the job.

Sods law HD playback on the video card under Linux seems to be either
non-existent or in the very early stages.

Like everything though I don't doubt it'll happen eventually, not so
sure about FLOSS Bluray playback though.

> From that review, it looks like the chipset it holding the Atom back, 4W
> for the processor but 22W for the chipset seems backwards.  However that
> chipset is well supported under Linux, especially the hassle free, open
> driver 3D support.
>
>

Yeah it's a shame, I presume it takes a while to develop a chipset, I
guess Intel are probably working on addressing this.  What I'd like
though is to get hold of one of the new low power Athlons coupled with
the low power AMD chipset which is already available (AFAIK the CPU's
aren't readily available yet although the motherboards are in MicroATX
form factor).

Looks like these companies are finally starting to sit up and think
about developing more energy efficient solutions anyway which has to be
a good thing.

When I finally get around to building a MythTV box I'm hoping to put
some low power and low noise components in there (but possibly not an
Atom unless it's up to playing 720p video).

Rob

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