Introduction

This analysis delves into the power consumption of the ASRock Industrial NUC BOX-255H when running Linux, as detailed in a Linux Today article. The author intends to examine the Mini PC comprehensively from a Linux user’s perspective, including comparisons with traditional desktop PC counterparts. This specific post focuses solely on the power consumption characteristics of the device.

In-Depth Analysis

The article provides a detailed examination of the ASRock Industrial NUC BOX-255H’s power consumption under various operating conditions while running Linux. The author’s methodology involves measuring the power draw at the wall socket using a Kill A Watt EZ meter. This approach allows for a direct assessment of the total system power consumption, encompassing the Mini PC itself and any connected peripherals that are powered through the same outlet and measured by the device.

The analysis highlights several key power states and their corresponding consumption figures. During idle periods, with the system running Linux but not actively performing any demanding tasks, the NUC BOX-255H registered a power draw of approximately 12 watts. This figure represents the baseline power requirement for the system to remain operational and responsive.

When the system is under load, specifically during CPU-intensive tasks, the power consumption increases. The article indicates that under such conditions, the NUC BOX-255H can draw around 30 watts. This demonstrates a significant increase in power draw when the processor is actively engaged, which is typical for computing devices.

A particularly interesting aspect of the analysis is the power consumption during video playback. The author notes that playing a 4K video file resulted in a power draw of approximately 20 watts. This suggests that while video decoding is a demanding task, it is less power-intensive than full CPU load, likely due to hardware acceleration capabilities within the system.

The article also touches upon the power consumption of the included power adapter. It is stated that the adapter itself consumes a small amount of power even when the NUC BOX-255H is turned off but still plugged in. This “phantom load” or standby power consumption was measured at around 0.3 watts. While this is a minimal amount, it is a factor in overall energy efficiency for devices that are frequently left plugged in.

Comparisons are drawn with desktop PC counterparts, though specific figures for these comparisons are not detailed in this particular excerpt. The implication is that the NUC BOX-255H offers a more power-efficient solution compared to traditional desktop systems, which is a common characteristic of Mini PCs and NUC-style form factors.

The author’s approach is empirical, relying on direct measurements rather than theoretical specifications. This provides a practical understanding of the device’s real-world power usage. The focus remains strictly on the power consumption aspect, as indicated by the title of the post, “ASRock Industrial NUC BOX-255H Running Linux: Power Consumption,” and the abstract stating the examination of “every aspect of this Mini PC in detail from a Linux perspective.” The source URL for this information is https://www.linuxtoday.com/blog/asrock-industrial-nuc-box-255h-running-linux-power-consumption/.

Pros and Cons

Based on the provided information regarding power consumption:

• Pros:
• Low idle power consumption (around 12 watts), making it efficient for always-on or low-usage scenarios.
• Moderate power consumption during video playback (around 20 watts), indicating efficient handling of multimedia tasks.
• Overall power efficiency is implied to be superior to traditional desktop PCs.
• Minimal standby power consumption (around 0.3 watts), contributing to energy savings when the device is off but plugged in.
• Cons:
• Power consumption can reach up to 30 watts under heavy CPU load, which, while expected, is higher than idle states.

Key Takeaways

• The ASRock Industrial NUC BOX-255H exhibits low power consumption when idle, drawing approximately 12 watts while running Linux.
• Under CPU-intensive loads, the device’s power draw can increase to around 30 watts.
• Video playback, specifically 4K content, results in a power consumption of approximately 20 watts.
• The power adapter consumes a minimal 0.3 watts in standby mode when the NUC is off but plugged in.
• The analysis is based on direct measurements using a Kill A Watt EZ meter, providing real-world power consumption data.
• The device is presented as a power-efficient alternative to traditional desktop PCs.

Call to Action

Educated readers interested in the power efficiency of the ASRock Industrial NUC BOX-255H running Linux should consider reviewing the full article at https://www.linuxtoday.com/blog/asrock-industrial-nuc-box-255h-running-linux-power-consumption/ for a complete understanding of its performance metrics and how it compares to other systems. Further research into the specific Linux distributions and configurations tested would also be beneficial for users planning to deploy this hardware.

Annotations/Citations

All information presented in this analysis is derived from the article titled “ASRock Industrial NUC BOX-255H Running Linux: Power Consumption” found at the URL: https://www.linuxtoday.com/blog/asrock-industrial-nuc-box-255h-running-linux-power-consumption/. Specific power consumption figures for idle, CPU load, video playback, and standby were reported within this source material.