I'm looking to build a new desktop since my last one was a good 15 years ago. I built them myself before, so I feel confident about choosing the parts. However, energy efficiency is super important to me. I want to keep the power consumption under 200W, whether it's under load or idling during typical office tasks.
1. I'm searching for a CPU that offers top-notch energy efficiency but is still more powerful than my mobile 13450HX. I would like to tweak the DTP, undervolt it, and possibly adjust the clock speed. I'm considering if I need a K-series CPU for voltage adjustments. Intel T-series are ideal, but they're hard to find in my area, and the used ones are priced too high. I've heard AMD uses more power on idle, so I'm unsure there. My budget is around $200-250.
2. For the motherboard, it likely needs a chipset that can support the new Intel CPUs, probably a Z890, and I'm looking for MicroATX options within that same budget.
3. I'll need a graphics card since I like to play a couple of games each year. I'm thinking about the RTX 5060TI 16GB, and undervolting will be crucial. My laptop has Optimus, allowing it to switch between integrated and dedicated graphics, but I haven't seen anything similar on desktops. I'm considering using two different graphics cards and connecting them to the monitor with two HDMI cables. Would that work? Is it wise to let the RTX sleep since I only use it 5-10% of the time? Or is there a better approach?
6 Answers
You might want to look at the 9700X if you can find it. Check the settings with 4800MT RAM and power limits between 35 to 65W. I had a 2600X setup that stayed silent and I managed to keep it around 80W at peak and 40W idling, which worked perfectly as a home server.
You can adjust these settings in the BIOS for most CPUs. Set an undervolt and power limit to manage consumption. Generally, higher core-count CPUs are more efficient than their lower-count counterparts at the same wattage, so that's something to keep in mind.
Why is the low power draw such a priority for you? If you're intent on keeping it under 200W, it's doable, but you might want to consider streaming services like GeForce Now. That way, you could maximize your current laptop without the need for a full build.
Yes, you can control power limits for your components, including the GPU. The Ryzen 9000 series is among the most efficient right out of the box, and you can set power limits as low as around 30W. For a GPU, either the 5060TI or 9060XT should serve well, but you can lower those limits and undervolt to keep power draw manageable. You're right to seek out X-series (for AMD) or K-series (for Intel) CPUs, as they usually come with better quality silicon, which is great for overclocking or running at lower voltages.
For what you're aiming for, I'd recommend something like the Ryzen 5 7600, which has a max of 65W with PBO off, paired with a 4060 8GB that pulls around 115W. The 5060TI can go beyond 180W, so you'd definitely hit that 200W mark with it, especially under gaming conditions. You may need to balance your entire system's wattage carefully to stay under your target.
Thanks for the insights! So it seems that AMD might be the way to go for me? I've noticed that the Ultra 5 245K and 9600X are priced similarly here. Also, just to clarify, I can indeed adjust the GPU power limit on a desktop? I can only tweak voltage and clock speeds on my laptop.
I currently manage around 185W with my 275HX and RTX 5070TI setup. Can I set up the two graphics cards with the cables as planned? I will mostly rely on the integrated graphics, about 90-95% of the time.
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