On 2014-06-17 17:42 (GMT+0200) lynn composed:
We often overlook the power consumption aspects of reusing old computers. '...old desktop from a decade [...] ago...' Maybe should be written, 'inefficient, hot and expensive to run'.
I don't think there's any rule of thumb about the current crop of desktops being any more or less efficient than those of 10 or 12 years ago. Power supplies and power supply recommendations had generally topped 275W by then, and they're rarely any lower than that now, often 400W or 450W or more. CPU power consumption has generally averaged somewhere near the middle ground between 45W and 95W throughout the period (for Intel at least-last AMD I bought was a 32 bit Sempron Socket 462/A). Maybe the CPUs are less demanding, maybe the RAM less demanding (but average installed amount has risen, so maybe worse instead of better), but what about video cards? Many need to consume the space of two PCIe slots to fit enough heat sink and multiple fans to adequately dissipate the heat they generate!
The amount you'd spend by replacing it with something environmentally friendly is soon recovered.
Only if actually using less energy could one _ever_ recoup the cost. -- "The wise are known for their understanding, and pleasant words are persuasive." Proverbs 16:21 (New Living Translation) Team OS/2 ** Reg. Linux User #211409 ** a11y rocks! Felix Miata *** http://fm.no-ip.com/ -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org To contact the owner, e-mail: opensuse+owner@opensuse.org