Challenging light gaming build for my off grid homestead...

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veivois

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Aug 28, 2013
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My wife and me will move to our off grid homestead in a few months to live there. We have a solar system for power and I can use up to 400 Watt / hour for about 8 hours a day and we will still have lights at night and the freezer working.

What kind of system can I get with this sort of (or even lower) power consumption?

The 400 Watt are for all components of the computer and the monitor(s).

I sometimes do a bit of video editing but nothing fancy. So if Adobe Premiere needs 30 minutes instead of 10 minutes to render that's fine.

I would also love to at least play the upcoming games in a decent resolution (full hd) and have dual monitors... its just great for productivity. Maybe one monitor with a higher resolution of 2560 x 1440 could cut it too. Im willing to compromise here if the computer could get a bit better.

I also thought about a micro atx or mini itx build because besides my current desktop PC I have a 4 year old laptop that is pretty slow. When I travel I usually travel to other countries for several weeks and would love to take my new PC along.

Is there any chance for me to go the PC route? I really would like to avoid getting a laptop. Opinions and advice would be much appreciated!
 
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nukemaster
The new cpus from Intel have lower power consumption than my old i5 750 too. It can only be better.

The MSI 650 ti seems to be very good on power(making it a good fit for my media centers 300 watt power supply[combined with my undervolted cpu].), I am sure other cards are as good.

Please note that even a 7850 is still much faster(for about 25 watts more at load).
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haynesr07

haynesr07

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Jul 14, 2013
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I usually don't get too personal on here, but why in the world would you want to move to a place off-grid?

And you want to lug this thing around? I'm so confused.
 
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GeekThief-1354135

GeekThief-1354135

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Jul 4, 2013
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Just a idea i thought i would through in here BUT have you looked at gaming notebooks ???

I have an i5 the a gt650m it's rated at 19V @ 6.5amp (123.5 watts).
(it's mostly used for work but does play most games on med to high settings).

Think i have even seen some 14" to 16" i7 haswell gaming notebook with a gtx 765m or gtx 770m graphics that are rated at 150w.
 
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veivois

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Aug 28, 2013
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I have an online business that doesnt need much time to maintain and enjoy being out in the wilderness when Im not in front of the PC. My wife loves gardening so we have build our place in the wilderness, with a great view, lots of space, a climbing wall for me, a big garden and pond for her and because I do love games from time to time I would like to have a PC for that.
 
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nukemaster

nukemaster

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Nov 23, 2004
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If power is an issue, It may be a good idea to look at a DC - DC converter system to run your system. This will allow you to use 12 volt batteries charged by a solar panel or wind power much more efficiency.

Devices like the PICOPSU are DC - DC converters.

Now you want a bit more power for your video card and such(they run on 12 volts any way).

Sorry to say you will have to read up a bit on this idea, but it could save you lots of wasted power. With a normal system you charge a battery or battery bank, covert that to 120/240 volts AC(waste) then the power supply converts that back down to 12volts DC(more waste. the 5 and 3.3 tend to come from the 12 volt rail anyway).

Some computer screens do run on 12 volts as well(external power supply to make 120 volts into 12 volts dc.). Just another thing you an bypass to save power.

Please note higher current devices need larger wires at 12 volts.

If you do not wish to go this route. You should look at all middle end hardware as that tends to have the best power/performance rating. I know my i5 750 + GTX 650 ti mitx combo games under 150 watts[idle under 40] most of the time(this is not a hardcore gaming system by any means.).
 
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veivois

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Aug 28, 2013
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Yep Geekthief, this seems to be the most sensible solution. I just dont like that I cant upgrade them step by step... but yes right now it looks like its the way to go. Most Alienware Notebooks use max 150 Watt as well.
 
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nukemaster

nukemaster

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Nov 23, 2004
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The new cpus from Intel have lower power consumption than my old i5 750 too. It can only be better.

The MSI 650 ti seems to be very good on power(making it a good fit for my media centers 300 watt power supply[combined with my undervolted cpu].), I am sure other cards are as good.

Please note that even a 7850 is still much faster(for about 25 watts more at load).
 
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