The Intel N5105 processor, when integrated into a mini PC system, typically demonstrates a power consumption ranging from 14W at idle to 25-30W under full load.
Understanding N5105 Power Consumption
The power consumption of an Intel N5105 processor is generally low, making it a popular choice for compact, energy-efficient systems such as mini PCs, NAS devices, and home lab servers. While the processor itself has a low Thermal Design Power (TDP), the overall power usage is for the entire system it's part of, including RAM, storage, network adapters, and other components.
Based on observations from a mini PC featuring an Intel N5105, 16GB RAM, and multiple network interfaces (such as 4x i226 NICs) running a virtualization platform like XCP-ng, the power consumption profile can be broken down as follows:
| Load Scenario | Approximate Power Consumption | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|
| Idle | Around 14W | System running with minimal activity, e.g., with XCP-ng 8.3-beta installed. |
| Moderate Load | Up to 20W | During activities like a VM copy operation or running 3 VMs with moderate I/O. |
| Full Load | 25 to 30W | When the CPU is under heavy utilization, such as intensive computations. |
Under full load, the CPU temperature on such a system has been observed to reach a maximum of approximately 70 °C, indicating efficient thermal management within its power envelope.
Factors Influencing System Power Usage
The exact power draw can vary depending on several factors beyond just the N5105 CPU:
- System Components: The type and number of additional components like RAM modules, SSDs/HDDs, Wi-Fi modules, and network interface cards significantly impact total power consumption.
- Operating System & Software: The OS and applications running can influence CPU utilization and power management states.
- Peripheral Devices: USB devices, external displays, and other connected peripherals contribute to the overall power draw.
- BIOS/UEFI Settings: Power-saving features enabled or disabled in the system's firmware can affect consumption.
- Workload: As detailed above, the intensity and type of tasks being performed are the primary determinants of real-time power usage.
For users seeking to minimize energy consumption, the N5105 platform offers an excellent balance of performance and efficiency for a wide range of low-power computing applications.
