[nzlug] Energy saving Linux

[Michael Field]

> Philosophical question: is it environmentally friendlier to reuse an
old
> PC, or to by a brand new itx box?
>
> Volker

Not so philosophical answer: You would have to balance energy used in
production, energy used over its expected life, waste generated in
manufacture and eventual recycling or disposal for each option to answer
that question with any authority.

But with the ITX system using 1,500KWhr vs 10,500KWr for the ML370 (60W
vs 400W over three years, that is about $2,000 worth of
fossil-fuel-fired energy saved, given how in NZ uses hydro as 'baseline'
load - if you switch something off, they burn less fuel not save water
or use less wind generation.

I wouldn't be surprised it the energy used in mining, processing and
manufacture exceeds what the ITX system could use over its useful life. 

In the newer RoHS compliant systems, it seems the only things that are
'bad' in landfills are the large electrolytic caps in the power
supplies, judging from disposal instructions I've seen for some systems
asking that they be removed.

Mike


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