@ Everyone
I made this topic as a theoretical project to proportionately crank-out as much processing power as possible, with minimal energy consumption. ...Taking into consideration long-term operation costs (ie energy bill), and not necessarily building a disposable computer exclusive for mining. I guess it's easier to understand what I mean if you think of it like "because we can".
The reason I say theoretical is because I only have my one desktop to play with, and can't try some of the stuff mentioned in this thread.
@ deepceleron
Won't undervolting the GPU core proportionately reduce mhash output per watt? If true I don't see much point in it (assuming it needs to be underclocked).
Anyway, I found undervolting the CPU, RAM, NB & SB to be quite effective. I've gone from 145 watts to 53 watts (both measurements are when mining). I'm getting the same hash rate while consuming 273% less energy--or saving about $10 per month (theoretically >$20 because the AC has to spend more than that to remove waste heat from the room). And I've yet to disable on-board devices. ...though I'm not expecting to go much lower than 53 watts--heck the GPU alone is supposed to be 50 watts (says the manufacturer).
If you use appropriate components there's no reason you can't run on batteries, inverter-free. You didn't think I meant plugging the PSU or something directly into a battery did you?
Here's something pre-made if you don't believe me: http://www.short-circuit.com/product/M2-ATX-HV.html ...Not exactly best suited for this discussion but still proves it's possible.
...And the reason I want to squeeze every watt out of the computers is because it's part of what I desire from the project
Less energy consumed means smaller/cheaper solar panels and batteries.
Think of it this way... Say we've got a cluster of 10 computers. let's pretend my results are typical and all of those computers' consumption can be reduced by ~92 watts. That'd be cutting 920 watts. In a world where thermal dynamics loves us, we'd spend that again for the AC to remove the waste heat from the room. By cutting each PC by 92 watts, it'd essentially be cutting total consumption by 1 840 watts--or saving about $198 (at $0.15 per kwh) each month. Suddenly killing a watt here & there don't seem so bad does it? However that's assuming you're paying for power and have no panels set up.
I made this topic as a theoretical project to proportionately crank-out as much processing power as possible, with minimal energy consumption. ...Taking into consideration long-term operation costs (ie energy bill), and not necessarily building a disposable computer exclusive for mining. I guess it's easier to understand what I mean if you think of it like "because we can".
The reason I say theoretical is because I only have my one desktop to play with, and can't try some of the stuff mentioned in this thread.
Did you wander in from twitter?
No; what made you think that? @ deepceleron
Won't undervolting the GPU core proportionately reduce mhash output per watt? If true I don't see much point in it (assuming it needs to be underclocked).
Anyway, I found undervolting the CPU, RAM, NB & SB to be quite effective. I've gone from 145 watts to 53 watts (both measurements are when mining). I'm getting the same hash rate while consuming 273% less energy--or saving about $10 per month (theoretically >$20 because the AC has to spend more than that to remove waste heat from the room). And I've yet to disable on-board devices. ...though I'm not expecting to go much lower than 53 watts--heck the GPU alone is supposed to be 50 watts (says the manufacturer).
If you use appropriate components there's no reason you can't run on batteries, inverter-free. You didn't think I meant plugging the PSU or something directly into a battery did you?
Here's something pre-made if you don't believe me: http://www.short-circuit.com/product/M2-ATX-HV.html ...Not exactly best suited for this discussion but still proves it's possible.
...And the reason I want to squeeze every watt out of the computers is because it's part of what I desire from the project
Less energy consumed means smaller/cheaper solar panels and batteries. Think of it this way... Say we've got a cluster of 10 computers. let's pretend my results are typical and all of those computers' consumption can be reduced by ~92 watts. That'd be cutting 920 watts. In a world where thermal dynamics loves us, we'd spend that again for the AC to remove the waste heat from the room. By cutting each PC by 92 watts, it'd essentially be cutting total consumption by 1 840 watts--or saving about $198 (at $0.15 per kwh) each month. Suddenly killing a watt here & there don't seem so bad does it? However that's assuming you're paying for power and have no panels set up.