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Modular Computers for future Rendering?

nDelphinDelphi Posts: 1,861
edited February 2013 in The Commons

I just bought a notebook computer, it has an A6-4400M processor with the 7520G integrated graphics chip. I bought the notebook out of necessity, but I thought I look into using it for rendering with DAZ Studio/LuxRender. As far as I read here and some other places I am cautioned not to for heat reasons and living on an island where the ambient heat is anywhere from 80F to 100F most of the year, it is a bad, bad problem for me.

Anyway, because I want to get rid of my heat bricks (my desktop computers) and maybe use something that generates less heat I recently learned about XI3 and their modular computers. Some of their less powerful computers work with 40 watts and the others with less watts than a 60 watt light bulb. They use AMD's APUs (the same as my A6-4400M processor).

I am interested to know what some of you think of these future, somewhat less-than-brick size, computers. If you do use your laptop/notebook for rendering, do you think these could be an alternative and powerful enough for decent render times and given their low wattage and design, heat might be less an issue?

They will also be easily upgradable, just like a desktop.

Here are some videos: http://xi3.com/product_videos.php

Post edited by nDelphi on

Comments

  • MattymanxMattymanx Posts: 6,902
    edited December 1969

    If that is all you feel you need then go for it but that would never, imho, replace a full sized desktop computer as a power house for rendeing or gamming.

  • FSMCDesignsFSMCDesigns Posts: 12,754
    edited December 1969

    They look great and do use less power, but none that i see there have any CPU power over 2 GHz which is pretty limiting IMO. I would keep the desktop and just get a better cooling solution. i run 2 water cooled gaming towers both with i7's one overclocked to 5 GHz and can't imagine "downsizing". It's really sad that CPUs really haven't increased in speed much in the past few years. I was hoping that desktop stock CPU tech would be at 6-8+ GHz by now.

  • nDelphinDelphi Posts: 1,861
    edited February 2013

    Mattymanx said:
    If that is all you feel you need then go for it but that would never, imho, replace a full sized desktop computer as a power house for rendeing or gamming.

    Yes, I am sure, I was just thinking in terms of reasonable rendering times. I was just looking closely at these since they are marketing for gaming, also. They are also expensive at this time, I am sure that will come down in time and I am sure other companies will come in with their own versions.

    They look great and do use less power, but none that i see there have any CPU power over 2 GHz which is pretty limiting IMO. I would keep the desktop and just get a better cooling solution. i run 2 water cooled gaming towers both with i7's one overclocked to 5 GHz and can't imagine "downsizing". It's really sad that CPUs really haven't increased in speed much in the past few years. I was hoping that desktop stock CPU tech would be at 6-8+ GHz by now.

    What water cooling product do you use? I would imagine that they also lower the heat coming out of the CPU into the ambient air? Just imagine the regular fan cooling system blowing out the heat into a room that is already at 90F.

    I used to have AC in the room, I had to stop that because it is expensive, we pay about 3 times for electricity than you would in the states.

    Post edited by nDelphi on
  • kyoto kidkyoto kid Posts: 41,036
    edited December 1969

    ...I just have a very big case with lots of interior space, a half dozen fans (with provisions for several more), and an aftermarket CPU cooler that looks like a V8 engine exhaust manifold. I also don't overclock as I don't do any gaming.

    For my old notebook I've been using an external cooling pad which actually has a significant effect. One trick I did to improve airflow was design a base that provides a extra 1/8" open airspace underneath the cooling pad. Rarely does it break 50° C even when rendering.

  • nDelphinDelphi Posts: 1,861
    edited December 1969

    Kyoto Kid said:
    ...I just have a very big case with lots of interior space, a half dozen fans (with provisions for several more), and an aftermarket CPU cooler that looks like a V8 engine exhaust manifold. I also don't overclock as I don't do any gaming.

    For my old notebook I've been using an external cooling pad which actually has a significant effect. One trick I did to improve airflow was design a base that provides a extra 1/8" open airspace underneath the cooling pad. Rarely does it break 50° C even when rendering.

    Well, I learn something new every day. I am researching these external cooling pads now. Thanks for the heads-up.

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