powermac G4 consumption

[powermi]

Hi, I'm setting up a file server on a G4 and as the requerimients are low I could choose what machine to use for that.
I have here a dual 1ghz QS and a dual 500mhz GE.
Just boot worried to know if the power consumption will be noticias from one machine to another, as I don't have told here to meseaure the power draw from the wall.
Any suggestions? Both machines will run headless with no GPU.

 

[eyoungren]

They are probably about the same wattage, but in comparison to a late model G5 it's nothing. I've got 3 G5s and when they are all on my bill increased around $20 a month. That's full power, no sleep, 24/7 draw.

When I was just using my Quicksilver I never paid attention.

Honestly, if the amount of power that this is going to draw is something that you're concerned about because you cannot take the hit in the electric bill, then I'd be looking for a different Mac altogether - or just not doing that. The financial hit is negligible.

Mac Minis are perfect for this, and you could even run filesharing off an old iBook G3 (I used to do that). Attach an external drive and stick either in a corner somewhere.

EDIT: I should mention that I have a G3 B&W being used as a file server and a 500mhz G4 being used as a NAS. Both are on 24/7, no sleep. The hit in my electric bill is unnoticeable.

 

[powermi]

Thanks, Ive running the GE for years sharing files and as torrent machine. but now that I oved to another location is when I starting to pay attention, sadly my 1Ghz dual QS is not my main machine anymore.. or at least I dont use it as much as before, so was thinking of reprouposing it as file server instead of the GE.

 

[eyoungren]

Thanks, Ive running the GE for years sharing files and as torrent machine. but now that I oved to another location is when I starting to pay attention, sadly my 1Ghz dual QS is not my main machine anymore.. or at least I dont use it as much as before, so was thinking of reprouposing it as file server instead of the GE.

You shouldn't have a problem. Are you planning on installing OS X server or just sharing drives under the normal OS?

 

[powermi]

plain Leopard install, and two disk on it for the moment. The GE breaks my vnc connection when Im transfering files to it, ill give the QS a try.

 

[eyoungren]

plain Leopard install, and two disk on it for the moment. The GE breaks my vnc connection when Im transfering files to it, ill give the QS a try.

You may wish to try OSXvnc. I've used this for years, even on OS9 where it's OS9vnc. The app allows you to install VNC as an actual SERVICE, rather than just relying on Apple's version of VNC. That means you can actually see the login screen (because the service loads during boot and not after login) in case you need to restart and login again.

It's been very reliable for me.
[automerge]1603307524[/automerge]

 

[powermi]

Thanks for the suggestion.. you could save my day with it.

 

[ervus]

The dual 1GHz will use significantly more power.

 

[powermi]

Been playing with the power meter today... and some interesting findings.

Dual 500MHz GE. on desktop idle: 120 watts, off: 16 watts.
Dual 1GHz QA. on desktop idle: 150 watts, off 9 watts.
That means that as a server the 500 MHz makes a bit more sense being both power hungry machines, I'll try to test a single 733 MHz QS to report power draw.
The PSU of the QS is way more efficient, even more than my 650w gold rated from the PC, at least will being just connected to the socket but without being the MAC on.
Both systems were running two SATA disk + SATA PCI Card + USB PCI card + single 120mm fan (No video AGP card). Both on OSx 10.5 only with transmission torrent ON.

 

[Amethyst1]

The PSU of the QS is way more efficient, even more than my 650w gold rated from the PC, at least will being just connected to the socket but without being the MAC on.

This is why I have my computers on powerstrips with an on/off switch.

 

[eyoungren]

This is why I have my computers on powerstrips with an on/off switch.

I could never hang with the whole turn it on when you need to use it, turn it off when done thing. I'm like a bee when it comes to computers, moving from one to the other all day. I'd be powering up and shutting down all the time - some times to use the computer for less than a couple minutes at a time.

Easier to just leave them on. Especially when I have a lot of them set to do background task as certain times of day.

 

[ervus]

Been playing with the power meter today... and some interesting findings.

Thanks for reporting back! The dual CPUs with backside cache usually will not 'nap' so they always use near full power. I suspect your single 733, if you enable nap mode, will use much less power at idle. For example, a 7455 at 1.6GHz can use around 50w under load, and around 1w while in nap mode. Also, the 'flurry' screensaver seems to be the default. Just changing that can save a lot of power.