2012 Budget Mini-ITX Desktop PC System Build Guide

[Apoptosis]

nope, you don't have it all wrong.

Just keep in mind that any processor you are buying has been screened to run at the advertised specs... We all know that Intel makes only a couple different wafers and then bins the chips and assigns part numbers after that. The 3220T and the 3220 are cut from the same wafers, but the 3220T was binned to be low leakage. No two processors are identical as you know, but I feel that there is a difference between the 3220 and 3220T if you plug them in the same board. Sure you might be able to downclock and undervolt the 3220 for less money, but the 3220T already does that by default. That is why you pay extra for it.

That said... Back to your question about a myth and all... You'd have to get a tray of each SKU and get averages of both trays and compare to really find things out. You can't just take two CPUs off the shelf and see what it going on, which is one no one has done such an article.

[Ibrihim]

nope, you don't have it all wrong.

Just keep in mind that any processor you are buying has been screened to run at the advertised specs... We all know that Intel makes only a couple different wafers and then bins the chips and assigns part numbers after that. The 3220T and the 3220 are cut from the same wafers, but the 3220T was binned to be low leakage. No two processors are identical as you know, but I feel that there is a difference between the 3220 and 3220T if you plug them in the same board. Sure you might be able to downclock and undervolt the 3220 for less money, but the 3220T already does that by default. That is why you pay extra for it.

That said... Back to your question about a myth and all... You'd have to get a tray of each SKU and get averages of both trays and compare to really find things out. You can't just take two CPUs off the shelf and see what it going on, which is one no one has done such an article.

Right oh and again thanks for your time and courtesy.

[ravennevar]

Hi Apoptosis. I know it has been a while since someone posted in this thread, but do you have data on this setup running without the GTX 650? I sure would like to know how much additional power can be saved from using the integrated graphics. I am looking into this setup for a NAS, and thus would not need a graphics card. Thank you!

[Apoptosis]

What numbers would you like to see?

I did that in a similar build guide here - http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1922/1/


The processor was an Intel Core i7-3770K on an ASUS Z77 Mini-ITX board... With and without a GeForce GTX 670 Video Card:



As you can see there was a 16W difference at idle

[ravennevar]

Thanks for your reply. So this would suggest, if extrapolating to the ASUS P8H77-I Motherboard & Intel Core i3-3220T CPU build without a discrete graphics card, that such system would run 10-15w less at idle. Is this correct?

[Apoptosis]

Thanks for your reply. So this would suggest, if extrapolating to the ASUS P8H77-I Motherboard & Intel Core i3-3220T CPU build without a discrete graphics card, that such system would run 10-15w less at idle. Is this correct?

yup... I still have the 2012 Budget Mini-ITX system here if you'd like me to pull the card and do an idle power test for you.

[ravennevar]

I would really appreciate that if it is not too much trouble. This would help me a lot in my decision regarding the parts required for my NAS.

[ravennevar]

yup... I still have the 2012 Budget Mini-ITX system here if you'd like me to pull the card and do an idle power test for you.

Hi Apoptosis. Where you able to test the idle power consumption without the card? I need to order parts soon and would like to get that input if possible. Thanks!

[ravennevar]

yup... I still have the 2012 Budget Mini-ITX system here if you'd like me to pull the card and do an idle power test for you.

Hi Apoptosis. Where you able to test the idle power consumption without the card? I need to order parts soon and would like to get that input if possible. Thanks!

Any updates about this? Thanks!

[Apoptosis]

With the video card removed and the integrated graphics running v15.31 drivers I am getting 23.9W to 25.5W. It bounces around there, so that is what you are looking like for just the CPU. Under light use, like writing this forum post online with some stuff open I am getting around 25-28W. Not bad for an entire system. The Intel Core i3-3220T Ivy Bridge Processor is very power savvy!

If I unplug the front case fan in the BitFenix Prodigy case I can get it down to 21.8W at idle and I can't hear the CPU cooler or the rear 120mm case fan, so the PC is virtually silent. The front fan that I am using the Noctua NF-P14 and it's rated at 1.2W, but it pulls more than that.