Somewhere on teh intarweb "kony" typed:


<big snip>

> The problem is based around the Via CPU and chipset. I am
> not opposed to lower power usage, but Via should be
> completely avoided. Intel and AMD both have better
> tradeoffs for low power, and Via's legacy (reuse) of
> chipsets for their processors degrades performance even
> lower that it would've otherwise been.

I have an Intel Celeron 420 (Core 2 Solo Conroe, 1.6GHz) system here with a
basic mATX Asus mobo. I did a Q&D benchmark of the CPU and it came out as
being slightly more powerful than an AMD XP3200+ that I was running.

The great thing about the 420 is that it supports Enhanced HALT State (The
430 and 440 do not) so that, when idling it only consumes 8W. Yeah, that's
right, 8W. Under full power it has a TDP of 35W.

This CPU beat an XP3200+ that needed an all copper HS/F to cool and probably
consumed 80+W. It is a *very* usable system.

With consumption figures like those VIA aren't even a consideration for
low-end PCs IMO. Only for embedded applications.
--
Shaun.