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Beebox n3150 actual power usage

Printed From: ASRock.com
Category: Technical Support
Forum Name: HTPC&Gaming Barebone&Others
Forum Description: Question about HTPC&Gaming Barebone&Others
URL: https://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2429
Printed Date: 29 Mar 2024 at 9:59am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.04 - http://www.webwizforums.com


Topic: Beebox n3150 actual power usage
Posted By: Bluesmanuk
Subject: Beebox n3150 actual power usage
Date Posted: 12 Apr 2016 at 5:57am
Whilst I can see that the ac adapter is rated at 12v/36w, it seems not uncommon for such devices to be supplied with aca adapters that are essentially more than is needed.

In contrast to another box that I have, the Tronsmart ARA X5 with Cherry Trail Z8300, where the ac adapter is 5v/3a, a very small amount of power required to operate.

I quite understand that under very heavy load usage that more power will be required but it made me wonder, when used simply as a media player attached to a TV, what real world power usage the N3150 would have.



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Beebox N3150



Replies:
Posted By: Xaltar
Date Posted: 12 Apr 2016 at 6:29am
That is an interesting question. I don't have a beebox to test with but I do have an N3150M motherboad paired with an SSD, 400w 80plus bronze PSU and an 8gb dual channel DDR3 1600 RAM kit.

My system uses about 36w at the wall under full load (prime 95 + furmark). Now given that my PSU is only at about 10% utilization that means the 400w bronze rated PSU is only operating at about 55-60% efficiency under such a light load. Add to that 2 120mm fans, one intake and one exhaust (exhaust built in to the PSU) and we see a figure of about maybe 25w under full load if the PSU was 100% efficient.

My guess is that standard configuration Beebox would use about 20w under full load given the power brick is much more efficient at that load. Obviously mileage will vary somewhat depending on configuration, adding a mechanical HDD for example could increase that figure significantly. 

The power brick will be designed to accommodate the unit's maximum configuration power draw so 2 RAM modules, an mSATA SSD, mechanical hard disk, wifi card and any additional USB devices you may choose to connect. I would hazard a guess that there would be maybe a 6 - 10w buffer over and above the maximum predicted draw.

I hope this helps.


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Posted By: Bluesmanuk
Date Posted: 12 Apr 2016 at 12:34pm
Originally posted by Xaltar Xaltar wrote:

That is an interesting question. I don't have a beebox to test with but I do have an N3150M motherboad paired with an SSD, 400w 80plus bronze PSU and an 8gb dual channel DDR3 1600 RAM kit.

My system uses about 36w at the wall under full load (prime 95 + furmark). Now given that my PSU is only at about 10% utilization that means the 400w bronze rated PSU is only operating at about 55-60% efficiency under such a light load. Add to that 2 120mm fans, one intake and one exhaust (exhaust built in to the PSU) and we see a figure of about maybe 25w under full load if the PSU was 100% efficient.

My guess is that standard configuration Beebox would use about 20w under full load given the power brick is much more efficient at that load. Obviously mileage will vary somewhat depending on configuration, adding a mechanical HDD for example could increase that figure significantly. 

The power brick will be designed to accommodate the unit's maximum configuration power draw so 2 RAM modules, an mSATA SSD, mechanical hard disk, wifi card and any additional USB devices you may choose to connect. I would hazard a guess that there would be maybe a 6 - 10w buffer over and above the maximum predicted draw.

I hope this helps.

Thank you for the reply and information, which will always be useful Smile


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Beebox N3150



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