Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

First Actual CPU Energy Use Statistics Published

Posted by Zonk on from the stats-for-science dept.

BBCWatcher writes "CNN is reporting that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in August asked server manufacturers to develop 'miles per gallon' ratings for their equipment that would provide accurate assessments of energy efficiency. IBM says it is now providing 'typical usage ratings' for its line of z9 mainframe computers, in addition to previously available maximum power ratings. More than 1,000 z9s around the world started reporting (with the owners' permission) on May 11th their actual installed power and cooling demands, so IBM can publish statistics such as how much energy is required to turn on an additional processor to run multiple Linux virtual servers. The answer? About 20 total watts. 'Over time every vendor is going to be asked to provide typical energy use numbers for their equipment. It's what the EPA wants, and this allows us to move beyond simple performance benchmarking to energy benchmarking.'"

3 of 103 comments (clear)

  1. The first one though... by pigiron · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I'm sure it's true that adding additional virtual servers is only 20 watts. But that first one is a real whopper!

  2. Re:damn lies by Colin+Smith · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Oh, but there are so many ways to play with statistics All the more reason to understand how they work.
    --
    Deleted
  3. Re:Tax benefit by Yartrebo · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Not having a computer is better in terms of energy demand than even having a very efficient computer. Same for the hybrid car. For this reason I find these tax breaks perverse.

    Giving tax breaks for efficient items penalizes those who conserve the most by not even having the item or by using less. A business that invests money into writing more efficient software and using less servers should not be penalized vis-a-vis a business that invests the money into more efficient servers.