Energy efficient CPU for use in NAS with hardware RAID controller

Hi guys,

I want to built-up a NAS-system from scratch using a Adaptec SATA RAID-controller with 8 Channels. As the NAS will be running 24h a day it should consume less energy as possible. Usually I would tend to use an Intel Atom which is quite cheap and energy efficient, at least for things I want to do with it.

Unfortunately there's no Atom or respectively related chipsets providing the needed number of PCIe Lanes. The question is, do I have to use ordinary desktop prcocesors or are there alternatives? And if I have to take desktop CPUs - which one should I take to have minimum power consumption? (At best there's a Mini-ITX/DTX mainboard available)

I hope there's a practical solution. Thanks in advance for your help.


Cheers,
Marcel

AMD Brazos E-350 2x1.6Ghz mini ITX.

http://www.guru3d.com/article/amd- [...] pu-review/

Would a Core i3-2100T and a DH67CF Mini-ITX motherboard meet your requirements? I don't know if the 16x PCI Express slot will work with your RAID controller, but Intel or a reseller should be able to answer that question. Would you consider a mATX motherboard? Will the motherbaord and hard disks all be installed in the same enclosure?

Unfortunately there are few ITX motherboards. Have you considered an AMD solution? The ASUS M4A88T-I Deluxe motherboard with an inexpensive AMD processor might be a good solution.

Since you were interested in an Atom solution, but none meets your requirements, have you considered the Foxconn AHD1S-K AMD E-350?