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Consider a Dell Optiplex FX160 Instead of a Raspberry Pi

thesizzle.com.au

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Re: Consider a Dell Optiplex FX160 Instead of a Raspberry Pi

#121

Post by decryption »

mdip wrote: post #46
decryption wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm definitely not selling them! I just think they're cool. I picked one up out of curiosity and thought I'd let people know. I did chuck my affiliate code on the eBay link though.

I'll back you up on that one, even though a few of my posts pointed out some things that I think you should have also considered in your analysis. The reality is that this little PC is a solid choice to consider for a low-end home server -- especially if you have a particular need/desire for x86[0]. They're different platforms that serve different purposes and a micro-desktop like this has a lot of good uses. I used…

Nothing with an Atom CPU will do H265 playback. It'll stream fine with Plex to a playback device that supports it, but I'm not sure what's out there that supports H265. Maybe some sort of Chinese Android TV box?

Glad you enjoyed the post :)

Re: Consider a Dell Optiplex FX160 Instead of a Raspberry Pi

#122

Post by martinml »

What a coincidence. Just this week I got a used FX160 for 15 € and right now it's working as a home file server, router, wireless AP and general P2P downloader.

It seems to be running fine even inside of a closed cupboard, the CPU is at 31ºC and using about 16-17 watts on average. It's warm to the touch but it might be the apparently good thermal design of the case which allows for fully passive cooling.

What I don't like is that (at least judging by the heat it generates) most of the power consumption seems to be originated in the video chip, which in a headless server is useless. I tried to disable but didn't have any luck (it's a SiS 771/671 chip).

Re: Consider a Dell Optiplex FX160 Instead of a Raspberry Pi

#123

Post by kingosticks »

voltagex_ wrote: post #33
nerdwaller wrote: post #14

If you're in a bigger company, the IT department may have some smaller PCs like this to get rid of. Mine gave a bunch out, I have a Dell optiplex - but instead of the thin client it's a small i3, with a 320gb hdd and 6gb ram. It's dead silent and runs all the home server things like a champ, oh - and it was free. But I'd still own a number of raspberry pis since they're great for hacking or just to support a cool mis…

Do the Foundation make money when you purchase a Pi?

Yes, money they invest in their mission:

> we provide outreach and education to help more people access computing and digital making. We develop free resources to help people learn about computing and how to make things with computers, and train educators who can guide other people to learn

Re: Consider a Dell Optiplex FX160 Instead of a Raspberry Pi

#124

Post by [deleted] »

kogepathic wrote: post #105
elchief wrote: post #47

No thanks. I'll take new over used. Just just got a W zero for $24 CAD shipped (Vancouver)

> I'll take new over used. The irony is that most corporate class hardware will last until well beyond obsolescence before breaking. I've heard people say they don't want to buy a refurbished ThinkPad because they're worried about longevity. Those things will outlast any consumer grade laptop you buy today.

[deleted]

Re: Consider a Dell Optiplex FX160 Instead of a Raspberry Pi

#125

Post by tjoff »

rocky1138 wrote: post #45

Another option is just to use an old laptop. This is what I tend to do for media servers, TV computers, and the like. People give away or throw away perfectly usable machines all the time.

I'd imagine it be prudent to remove the battery if that is the case (which you can't on many newish laptops). I know it's tempting to utilize that free UPS but I wouldn't trust a laptop battery that's pushed way passed the intended use.

Re: Consider a Dell Optiplex FX160 Instead of a Raspberry Pi

#127

Post by DamonHD »

ezzaf wrote: post #78

A raspberry pi with external HDD running is about 5W. That's 130 kWh less than a FX160 over an always on year, or $27 at average Australian energy prices. Sure these servers might be handy for some things, but the Pi still has a lot of advantages. For me it's small form factor, low power consumption and GPIO.

> ... but unless I need the GPIO ports or the ability to run off a battery ...

And I indeed do run mine (off-grid) from a battery where every W counts, and I do use GPIOs and ADCs!

http://www.earth.org.uk/note-on-Raspberry-Pi-2-setup.html

And (along with my pony) I want a system so widely used that most questions/issues can be solved with a cut-n-paste into Google!

Re: Consider a Dell Optiplex FX160 Instead of a Raspberry Pi

#128

Post by DamonHD »

tjoff wrote: post #125
rocky1138 wrote: post #45

Another option is just to use an old laptop. This is what I tend to do for media servers, TV computers, and the like. People give away or throw away perfectly usable machines all the time.

I'd imagine it be prudent to remove the battery if that is the case (which you can't on many newish laptops). I know it's tempting to utilize that free UPS but I wouldn't trust a laptop battery that's pushed way passed the intended use.

I did use a laptop that way, and I think that I did knacker its battery prematurely, though I'd simply these days be more gentle about switching between it and external power, like I do with my network gear switching between mains and off-grid.

http://www.earth.org.uk/low-power-laptop.html

Re: Consider a Dell Optiplex FX160 Instead of a Raspberry Pi

#129

Post by simonbyrne »

One nice thing about Raspberry Pis for this sort of thing is that they support the full cec protocol, so can control other devices. I use hooked up mine to switch my TV on and off via an Amazon Echo: https://github.com/simonbyrne/fauxmo

The only annoying thing is that my TV doesn't provide USB power while on standby, so I needed a separate power supply.

Re: Consider a Dell Optiplex FX160 Instead of a Raspberry Pi

#130

Post by DamonHD »

kayoone wrote: post #89
jMyles wrote: post #40

A giant difference between the two, which goes unmentioned here, is that the FX160 runs on AC power at 120 volts. If you have a deployment scenario where you already have 5 volts DC but not 120 volts AC, the pi obviously makes way more sense.

This usecase is more about running it as a homeserver, where i guess that limitation is not that important. Of course there are a lot of usecases where the Pi is the better choice.

In my case I run my RPi2 as my home server, but off-grid from my non-grid-tie solar PV section, which is a nominal 12V, so a single part (switching 7805 2A, well plus cap) gets my power sorted nicely...
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