embedded x86 chips

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embedded x86 chips

they run hot hot hot! :)

2010-10-05, 09:19 #1

User title: Kitten Blaster
Member since Feb 2010 · 90 posts
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Subject: embedded x86 chips

this is a half rant and half technology topic. if you want out, there's still time to hit the back button.

i've noticed a disturbing trend happening on Linux Devices: using 1GHz+ x86 on fanless systems. The problem is that at 1GHz+ the x86 architecture uses plenty of power thus it runs hot, no matter the CPU vender or design. The result is that this makes every fanless device into a giant heatsink. there are all the pictures i could find of fanless Atom systems on Linux Devices.

[Image: http://adaptivetime.com/fanless_embedded_x86/ibase_csb100891.jpg]

[Image: http://adaptivetime.com/fanless_embedded_x86/ibase_csb100891.jpg]

[Image: http://adaptivetime.com/fanless_embedded_x86/advantech_ark3440_front.jpg]

[Image: http://adaptivetime.com/fanless_embedded_x86/ibase_csb200883.jpg]

[Image: http://adaptivetime.com/fanless_embedded_x86/axiomtek_rbox100.jpg]

[Image: http://adaptivetime.com/fanless_embedded_x86/norhtec_microclient_jrsx.jpg]

[Image: http://adaptivetime.com/fanless_embedded_x86/norhtec_flamingo.jpg]

[Image: http://adaptivetime.com/fanless_embedded_x86/ibase_csb200883_rear-sm.jpg]

[Image: http://adaptivetime.com/fanless_embedded_x86/sealevel_relior5200.jpg]

[Image: http://adaptivetime.com/fanless_embedded_x86/aeon_aec6841_front.jpg]

[Image: http://adaptivetime.com/fanless_embedded_x86/habey_bis6640.jpg]

[Image: http://adaptivetime.com/fanless_embedded_x86/norhtec_ultraclient.jpg]

[Image: http://adaptivetime.com/fanless_embedded_x86/lanner_fw7535.jpg]

[Image: http://adaptivetime.com/fanless_embedded_x86/avalue_epsat2702pci.jpg]

[Image: http://adaptivetime.com/fanless_embedded_x86/NISE3500.jpg]

[Image: http://adaptivetime.com/fanless_embedded_x86/al_milsystem735.jpg]

[Image: http://adaptivetime.com/fanless_embedded_x86/axiomtek_ipc914211fl.jpg]

[Image: http://adaptivetime.com/fanless_embedded_x86/ibase_asb200810.jpg]

now, there is a solution: stop using 1GHz+ x86 CPUs in embedded systems! this presents a bit of a problem because windows XP doesnt run so well on slower systems or so they say. if your embedded system is intended to replace a desktop PC, i can understand why you would want to use XP but for media centers and stuff like that, it makes no sense!

now, if one must absolutely insist on keeping the x86 architecture, there is AMD's Geode CPU line that have different speeds which can be used without giant heatsinks at 500MHz and i think if you really squeezed every bit out of XP and wrote good code, it could be a very zippy system. the alternative is Linux which runs fine which the Linutop 1 and Linutop 2 have proven.

why are they hellbent on keeping x86 for embedded systems? come on, ARM CPUs are smaller, cheaper, are available in a 1.2GHz flavor, use less energy and can run everything that a x86 linux system can. A couple embedded systems for media are available for ARM which can also run Windows CE. what i dont get is why you need windows for a media pc that you will never load more software on. what gives?

There are other alternatives to ARM as well, like the SuperH series (SH-2, SH-4 and the newer SH-5 CPUs), MIPS and plenty of others that wont threaten to catch fire when they are turned on. ARM of course is built into everything, there's a 75% chance that your camera phone has one in it.

so, why x86 on fanless embedded systems?

2010-10-08, 09:20 #2

User title: Kitten Blaster
Member since Feb 2010 · 90 posts
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ugh... it's like they cant put out these heat bricks fast enough.

[Image: http://adaptivetime.com/fanless_embedded_x86/1.jpg]

http://www.linuxfordevices.com/c/a/News/Axiomtek-eBOX53182…

2010-10-08, 09:33 #3

Member since Mar 2010 · 51 posts
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I kinda need something like that for my japan server. A fast dual-ethernet box with a SSD to do firewall detail. Are there any of these boxes you WOULD recommend?

Just like NFG, but x 9!

2010-11-18, 06:56 #4

User title: Kitten Blaster
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Subject: a smidgen on the late side buuuut...

i looked at all the options and found a good solution. here's what i found:

it's a routerboard, specifically, RB450G

it's a router, a firewall and more. a positive aspect is that you wont have to shell out so much money that you need to turn tricks on the corner because the entire setup will be less than $150 USD. it's FAST and has the capabilities of the expensive routers that are tens of thousands of dollars. this also has a Micro SD card slot for storage, so that's 16GB until the 32GB and 64GB cards come out in not too long. that will work if you just want to store some extra stuff or programs but if you want fast and high capacity storage, you wont find it in any commercial router/firewall/etc because that's a job for a server or a NAS. i think if you arent using an embedded system for networking systems then you are just wasting your money as it will be slow despite your best efforts.

it comes with an OS they wrote specifically for networking, not just an OS that can do network stuff, it's an OS specifically written for said network activities. the OS appears to work like a unix system, so it's not an alien system. i've only heard positive things about routerboard's stuff and i would bet the OS wont crap just because it's been on for a year and did something retarded.

in hardcore nerd action, there is a serial port so that you can login into the router without using a network connection, lest something be wrong/misconfigured and not letting you connect over the network.

a PC based solution wont give you the speed you want and will likely end up cosing your more and be a hassle to install/configure/whatever.

that is my advice.

on a side note, when i replace my own router, i'm getting one of these bad boys instead of the standard "routed too much data, now i have AIDS" consumer routers that you have to reboot monthly.