PC Processors

[f33dm3bits]

Hello,

I am about to purchase new parts for a new nas setup for a system that will be on 247. Besides functioning as a nas the system will be running some simple python and a php application only used by me, and used for converting video files to mp4. This is the first time I am putting together an AMD system, the system I am going to replace is running an i3-2120. I came across these 3 CPU's that have my interest:  Athlon 3000G, Ryzen 3 3200G, and Ryzen 5 3400G.

1.  How much power consumption am I going to notice between these 3 CPU's when it comes to my electricity bill?

2.  Would there be a noticeable difference between the three CPU's as in performance for the tasks that my system is going to be performing?

[black_zion]

Easiest way to show it is to compare it against your existing CPU. I wouldn't consider the 3400G as the main difference between it and the 3200G is the GPU capability, and that's not something that comes into play here. With the 3000G you're getting quite a bit more performance than your current system while drawing half the power.

[f33dm3bits]

@black_zion Thanks for the reply! So basically it comes near to saving about $6 per year if I went for the atlon 3000G. Then the pick is pretty easy if the amount I save is peanuts.  What website did you use to compare the CPU's you show in the screenshot?

One last question, I heard somewhere that the Athlon 3000G doesn't have enough lanes to have my M.2 (PCI-e 3.0 x4) slot run full speed. That with the Athlon it would run at PCI-e 3.0 x2, I think that would cut my read/write speed in half for the ssd that I put in there.  I don't think those speeds would be even noticeable with small files, maybe big files but since the machine will be on 247 that wouldn't really be noticeable or am I seeing it wrong?

[black_zion]

I used Passmark, it's a pretty reliable way to tell at a glance the differences between CPUs as far as performance goes.

https://www.cpubenchmark.net

As for the M.2 speed, yes you will lose performance, but it depends on the motherboard and chipset you use, as some motherboards only have an M.2 slot connected to the CPU, and others also have an M.2 slot connected to the chipset. Then you have to weigh against it possible file transfers at 200-400MB/s, which is higher than gigabit LAN or AC1200 throughput provides for, and the low cost of operation. Then you have boards like the MSI PERFORMANCE GAMING B450I GAMING PLUS AC where the M.2 slot is used for the WiFi module and you can use a low cost PCIe adapter card for your NVMe drive and run it at 4x in the PCIe slot.

[black_zion]

For reference, this is my Intel 660P running at PCIe x1. Yes it's slow (this Intel drive is used for bulk storage of my music and such, doesn't need to be fast), and it doesn't hold a candle to my Samsung 960 Pro 1TB at x4 (which is what my games are on), but it's 2.5x as fast as AC1300 (1300mbps, 162.5MB/s).

[f33dm3bits]

black_zion‌ Thanks! Interesting to see. Will bookmark that website it is quite useful!

[hardcoregames_]

The R5 3600 is more energy efficient. While no integrated graphics, a basic video card can help with media decoding and encoding

[f33dm3bits]

hardcoregames™‌ Thanks for your reply. This is going to be a headless system without GUI, so the only time I am going to be needing some graphics is during the installation. So I thought an integrated graphics in the CPU would be sufficient, will an integrated graphics chip also help me some with media encoding and decoding? I am actually thinking of going for the R3 3200G since the estimated energy costs doesn't seem to bad and it being a bit more powerful than the Athlon from what I can see in the comparison black_zion‌ posted.

[hardcoregames_]

The R5 3400G  is more energy efficient at 7nm

if the box is headless a pure CPU can handle it better, a discrete card can be removed after the OS is installed

[f33dm3bits]

Which CPU would you recommend then or are you recommending the R5 3400G? I kind of find it waste to order a separate graphical card and to then never be used again. Only time I may need my system hooked up to a screen if I were in need to trouble shoot if if I have boot problems or no no network access to the machine.

[f33dm3bits]

One more question How will the tasks that my system will be performing be effected by whether the CPU I choose supports Hyperthreading / SMT or not?

[black_zion]

The Athlon 3000G has SMT, it's a 2 core/4 thread processor. I doubt it will make that much of a difference if it you were to choose one without HT.

[f33dm3bits]

Thanks! I think I am almost decided that I willl probably go for the Ryzen 3 3200G then.

[black_zion]

It may cost 50¢ a month more to use, but I'd say it's worth it, especially since it may save you money depending on how many encoding tasks you run with it as it will complete the task faster then drop down to a lower power state while the Athlon 3000 will continue to run.

[hardcoregames_]

black_zion wrote:

It may cost 50¢ a month more to use, but I'd say it's worth it, especially since it may save you money depending on how many encoding tasks you run with it as it will complete the task faster then drop down to a lower power state while the Athlon 3000 will continue to run.

you can save more with the power saver option in windows so when the work is done the machine will spend less cash idling