CPU for Hybrid Unraid Server Windows PC
CPU for Hybrid Unraid Server Windows PC
Hello, I need to improve my Unraid setup so I can run a Windows VM for gaming. I’m having trouble finding enough details about the power use of the newest Intel and AMD chips. On one side, Intel is said to be very efficient when idle and sometimes uses almost no power—like under 10 watts. On the other, their CPUs use much more energy than AMD’s under heavy use. Can anyone help me decide which would work best for my needs? The server should run all day and the VM should run gaming for 2 to 3 hours each day. Thank you! P.S. Sorry if I made any mistakes with the language.
Recommend using Windows on the PC for server use as well. This avoids problems with PCI passthrough and anti-cheat issues. You can set up storage volumes with dedicated spaces and create network shares within Windows. Hyper-V works well for virtual machines too. Power usage stays fairly similar whether idle or running games. I think an AMD processor would be better here, avoiding the big differences between high and low power modes. Unless you restrict them to a limited power budget, it shouldn't make much of a difference.
It seems you're considering switching to new hardware while already using Unraid. Intel's Big Little architecture could pose compatibility challenges, so it's worth clarifying. Power usage varies significantly depending on the specific setup and workload, which is why articles often highlight differences. For your exact needs, providing details about your intended use case would help tailor the advice.
Big little can be bothersome for things like virtual machines since it's unclear how the host decides which cores to use. You can make all VMs run on big cores, but then you lose many cores. Setting a low power cap helps 13th generation chips stay efficient. Check out the 13400f here https://www.techpowerup.com/review/intel...0f/21.html – it’s the K-series that avoids power limits while delivering strong performance.
I wasn't able to locate a matching article for the 13700f. To compare its efficiency to the 13400f, you'd need to check performance metrics like efficiency and power consumption during idle and operation. Performance per watt can vary based on usage conditions.