OutspokenGeek.Net

NOTE: This is the master list, updated as time goes by and the idea improves. For specific new ideas, see newer entries.

So I have plans to build a low-power, no moving parts (for everyday use; optical available) PC.

Use a knoppix-style TORAM option; loading up the OS from a solid state drive (probably compact flash) Slow boot time, but once its up it is running VERY fast. Then on shutdown (also triggered by the attached UPS losing power) it writes it all out as if it were “remastering” the system. This reduces write-hits to the drive, thus taking that “10 year life” on the compact flash and making it probably outlast me.

CPU: 64-bit CPU; probably a 35W dual-core chip; I know AMD makes at least one. Then underclock it by say 50% - take a 2GHz chip and make it 1GHz. (Unless the automated CPU stepping can be tuned down; I’d have to do testing to see if underclocking actually makes it pull more power) If I need more power for awhile, I get into the BIOS and bump it back up. (Compiling a bunch of stuff that needs to be done soon; otherwise let it crank on one core at slower speed)

RAM: 4-8GB, with a capability for more (16-32GB?). This is going to be the single biggest cost, next to the solid-state drive. Since we’re doing a TORAM-style option, we need to be able to pull the whole OS up. Assuming a Knoppix DVD or Ubuntu install, we can assume 3-5GB for the OS. Plus “normal” RAM; say 1-2GB. Should I need more, I could probably add in RAM-drive cards (Example: Gigabyte’s i-RAM)

Storage: OS itself gets copied into RAM; /home could be mounted on a secondary device - say, another solid state drive; probably either another compact flash card (perhaps in a removable slot, allowing for easy swap out in case of failure or upgrades)

Media storage: Where I’m at now we already have a 1.5TB RAID’d NAS box on the network, so I can easily run all of my media off that. I would first see to an upgrade to a gigabit switch, as there’s up to 8 of us using that NAS at any given time. With time as SSD come down in price and go up in capacity, this could become the long-term option. That, or maintain a low-power NAS for a cluster of people/PCs.

Power loss/data loss concern: Hook the system up to a OS-managable UPS; script it that if power is lost and doesn’t return, at a certain point start a shutdown, thus beginning a “remaster” of the OS. Being that there are no spinning parts (aside from perhaps a fan, but the design intentions would make this unneeded) the UPS would provide a great deal of power for this, but I have no idea how long a remaster takes. Would have to take this into account, and have a UPS with sufficient time.

Why: Because I’m really interested in a low-power (long-term environmentally friendly, also easy to power off-the-grid) PC with no moving parts. Moving parts make for extra points of failure, they also generate extra heat. It will in the meantime make for a great always-on PC I can remote into.

I also want to learn more about Linux itself; I’ve been playing with it off and on since 2000, and with the recent release of Windows Vista am even more encouraged to make the switch to Linux.

This entry was posted on Sunday, April 15th, 2007 at 12:16 am and is filed under IT, OSS. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.