Energy Efficient PC's

[badlad.biz]

I have a pc running 24/7. It is used to record security cctv's, and acts as a web server, so has to be on all the time. I just bought a power monitor, and am stunned at how much it costs to run. I want to build a new pc which costs much less to run. As windows 2000 requires a lower spec over XP and Vista, should I install it, or does Vista offer a better usage of power? Suse Linux offers a better low cost web server but dosn't cope well with cctv's (unless someone knows different) so I have ruled that out for now.
Any suggestions/pointers would be most welcome.

[hc4361]

The monitor uses the most power. Do you switch it off when your'e not actually looking at the screen?

[badlad.biz]

Hi hc4361,
I only switch it on for about 10 minutes per day. The pc spec is a bit over the top for its use, Graphics card is way over the top being a GTX8800, which may be where the power goes. My power monitor reckons i'm using about �1 per 24 hours which is gross.
I want to build a lower power unit, but want an efficient one.

[ACtheTROLL]

why not buy a dedicated cctv recorder?

[badlad.biz]

Hi ACtheTROLL,
Ok, but it won't act as a web server, and I don't know for sure if it will be any cheaper to run.

[fo3nix]

There are some great Linux packages that work very well, for CCTV systems. I don't know much more about this though, but you could ask at somewhere like ubuntuforums.org.

Ubuntu Server (or more ideally Debian perhaps, if you're more familiar with Linux) will be able to manage all of what you require very well, with good power usage.

As for a low-power computer, I can recommend the Mac mini. It works with Linux perfectly well, and consumes little power.

If you don't need that much processing capability (perhaps not, but I'm not sure exactly what you're doing with the CCTV data), a little machine with an Atom processor (running headless mostly) would be ideal.

[ACtheTROLL]

this is probably overkill - but web accessable


http://www.overclock.co.uk/product/Avtech-CCTV -16-Channel-MPEG-4-NetworkUSB-Digital-Video-Re corder-with-DVD-Writer-&-Remote-Event-Trigger- Recording-without-Hard-Disk-Drive_5882.html

http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?TabID=1&cr iteria=usb&ModuleNo=224962&C=SO&U=Strat15#spec ifi

[badlad.biz]

I dont seem to be able to find many linux programs to suit, but did find Zone Minder. I'm just a bit unsure from their website how to obtain it.
After playing around with an Asus EEPC1000 over the weekend I think its going to be building a new pc using a Gigabyte GA-GC230 motherboard on the grounds of cost.
For info. I reduced my server running costs from 230watts to 160watts by using a different graphics card, but the EEPC only used 50watts, albeit a crap server, Linux or Windows. I guess a purpose built unit will perform better.