Power requirements

[amgine]

I prepared my lab for a garage sale, had 36 computers for sale and only sold 2. I have long thought about joining SETI@home with Team Anandtech, but wasn't sure I could aford the electric bill. All told I have almost 50 fully functional computers that I could bring on line. Does anyone have any thoughts on a WU to energy unit comparison so I can figure out how much it would cost me to have 50 machines running SETI? I also have to make sure my network connection could handle it at 3MB/384k. Would love to hear thoughts. Also, what would using Virtual PC do for work load on a dual proc machine? Just a waste?
Thanks!

 

[Silverthorne]

Well I have 14 machines running 24/7 in northern Minnesota and my electric bill has been hitting around $155. :frown:

 

[lane42]

50 machines running 24/7 is gona cost ya Big time.

 

[Baldy18]

SETIDriver is a much better option than virtual pc.

In my oppinion I say start with a few machines and see how that goes and then work your way up if you can afford it.

 

[GLeeM]

Yeah, start with a few machines - the fastest ones. Read somewhere that it would be more economical to buy a new fast computer than to run 3 or 4 slower computers - new computer would give more production and the money saved on electricity would pay for fast computer in how ever many months.

 

[lobadobadingdong]

I agree, e-bay what you have and build a couple of machines that you will actually get use other than just seti out of.

 

[Pokey]

Each is about like running a 100 to 150Watt light bulb.

If you have a minute or two, you might check out this thread: It contains some actual info and some tongue in cheek stuff. You sound like you can tell the difference.................

Electrical Loads

 

[Zzessy]

Originally posted by: Silverthorne
Well I have 14 machines running 24/7 in northern Minnesota and my electric bill has been hitting around $155. :frown:

Is your heating bill any less?

We run two computers here 24/7. And the room in the basement is alwasy warmer than the rest.

Z.

 

[JWMiddleton]

Sound like a neat opportunity!

First the monitor uses more energy than the computer. So, I use KVM switches on mine. Over the winter my electric bill was running just over $100 bucks with 12 computers. That is a 3,150 SF house with the normal stuff going on. My wife is horrible about leaving TV and lights on. So, I don't feel like the computers made much diff.

But, in the summer they produce a LOT of heat. So, don't have them anywhere near the thermostat.

I agree that is it better to have a few high-end boxes, instead of a bunch of mediocre ones. Many of the parts can be used such as video, HD, etc.

Good luck with it!

 

[Marsumane]

Originally posted by: Zzessy

Originally posted by: Silverthorne
Well I have 14 machines running 24/7 in northern Minnesota and my electric bill has been hitting around $155. :frown:

Is your heating bill any less?

We run two computers here 24/7. And the room in the basement is alwasy warmer than the rest.

Z.

My one computer in this room keeps my room about 10 degrees warmer then the rest of the house!