[Cube] How to make the Cube a multimedia server

[Stefan]

Hello Don,

I bought such an instrument to measure the power 
consumption (sorry, I didn't find the correct 
english expression). That was not to expensice 
(about 20 $ in germany, over here there are even 
special local offices with energy advisers and 
there one can lend such an instrument for free)

So I compared my machines.
The cube I used before my Mac mini spent a lot 
(as I remember). Finally I used a TFT with 
DVI-Port and shut down that monitor.

If you are interested I could repeat that (I've a 
Cube with Gigadesigns 1.5 GHz, max RAM, max HD, 
9200 Radeon, as far as I remember. Tell me if I 
should measure.

But I believe, there is no power lead to the 
ADC-Monitor when the cube is sleeping.

My Mac mini on the other hand only needs 2 Watt 
sleeping and about 50 Watt idle.
The TFT is another story.

TFTs need much less power, when dimmed.
And modern TFTs are normaly dimmed nearly to 0% 
of their brightness. My Dell is bright enough 
with 0% brightness. Energy comsumption is up to 
180 Watt with full brightness, but only about 70 
Watt at minimal brightness. There's a huge 
difference. (I didn't measure that in this case, 
I read it about my model in a review. Maybe I 
should proof it my ownŠ)

Unfortunately the CRTs need nearly full power all the time.

Hope I could give some hints (?)
Best regards
Stefan


>Would there be significant energy savings by 
>swapping the VGA display to the Cube instead of 
>the Studio Display, and turning the VGA monitor 
>off when not in use (keeping in mind probable 
>'vampire' power consumption of a monitor that is 
>'off' but still drawing some power to allow for 
>fast start-up)?
>
>I am also considering the reduced wear and tear 
>on my Cube's power supply that would entail from 
>not using an ADC monitor...
>
>Thanks!
>
>  - Don
>
>--
>Don Zahniser