[Beowulf] power usage, Intel 5160 vs. AMD 2216

[David Mathog]

"Mikhail Kuzminsky" <kus at free.net> wrote

>    
>    Sorry - the stupid question :-)
> 
> What *is* PSU efficiency: input_power/output_power (to server parts) ? 

Efficiency = (power delivered to system) / (power drawn from wall)

The "lost" power is normally emitted as heat.  A badly defective
supply could conceivably emit a measurable amount of power as
radio or sound waves.  However, the efficiency of such a
defective device is the least of your worries!

In terms of working out the AC requirements all you need is the
kill-a-watt measurements on the wall side of the supply, as all
the power taken from the power lines eventually turns into heat.

Regards,

David Mathog
mathog at caltech.edu
Manager, Sequence Analysis Facility, Biology Division, Caltech