[svlug] HTPC: Asus P5E-VM HDMI G35, GeForce 8200 mGPU or other?

[Alan DuBoff]

On Wed, 17 Sep 2008, Marc MERLIN wrote:

> Are intels and AMDs more or less on par for low power consumption and quiet
> systems nowadays?

Marc,

You probably won't consider my advice worth anything, but I'll 
offer it to you anyway.

IMO, most all AMD system run hotter, which in the end chews up 
some power. The newer Intel Core2 quad chips scream in my 
experience, and Intel is much better with low power. In 
addition, Intel is a much friendlier player in open source, and 
more willing to work with folks. One of my build machines is an 
Abit mobo with an Intel Core2 Quad, 4gig of memory, it's faster 
than a 2-way dual core opteron system with 6gig of memory, and 
is about $600 of parts for the entire system. I normally don't 
like Abit and have fried a mobo in the past overclocking one, 
but this one has been good, and I didn't buy it, one of my 
colleagues did.

Also, per the graphics, neither nvidia or ati are friendly to 
open source, and Intel has done a good job at improving their 
graphics by hiring a lot of expertise in X, and has been good 
about driver support for open source.

I would give consideration to an Intel based system with Intel 
graphics if your looking for decent support today, as well as in 
the future on open source. My free $0.02.

Others might have a different opinion.

--

Alan DuBoff - Software Orchestration