Author Topic: Low Power PC  (Read 1563 times)

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Offline 92merc

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Low Power PC
« on: August 18, 2011, 03:49:09 PM »
I remember quite a few discussions on using low power PC's.  You think I can find that thread now?  Of course not!  I remember someone having a link to some "build it yourself" PC's with external power supplies.

What I want to do is make my own Smoothwall firewall PC instead of the old Linksys box.  So I'll need at least one PCI slot for a second NIC.  With built in NIC, all I need then is a hard drive slot.

Thanks guys...
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Offline Cynjut

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Re: Low Power PC
« Reply #1 on: August 18, 2011, 06:44:07 PM »
I've starting investigating low-voltage, low-power ITX computers.

I have one here on my desk that's working as a dual-GB/sec Network Attached Storage device with 2Terabytes of storage and 8Gig of RAM.  It's six inches on a side and maybe a foot deep - runs off of a 12v "wall wart" power supply.

I've using NetBSD as the operating system (with NFS and SAMBA) as well as a couple other programs to make it accessible from the network.

Seems to me the whole thing was under $500 (I think the CPU was probably the most expensive part).

Offline ed2kayak

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Re: Low Power PC
« Reply #2 on: August 18, 2011, 09:18:25 PM »
Ed
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Offline 92merc

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Re: Low Power PC
« Reply #3 on: August 19, 2011, 09:39:23 AM »
I did finally find what I was looking for.  http://www.mini-box.com/site/index.html

Problem is, those boxes are more expensive than I thought and don't have enough PCI slots. I'm just as good off going to Dell's outlet store and buying a basement bargain mini tower.  Power would be more.  But the money I save over a low power machine would pay for the electricity I'm using.  Plus I'd have more versatility.
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