Adrian (a.delete@this.acm.org) on August 21, 2022 4:45 am wrote:

> In my opinion, as a personal computer for a non-gamer, there is no need for a computer with a maximum
> power consumption for CPU+GPU higher than 45 W, i.e. for something more powerful than the latest Intel/AMD
> H/P CPUs or the similar Apple CPUs, with integrated GPUs.

[...]

> For more demanding applications, from time to time a SFF computer is either
> not fast enough or it may not support appropriate peripherals.
>
> At such times, I start a server, from the SFF, through Wake-on-LAN, and I pass the job to it, e.g. to benefit
> from a CPU with many cores for the complete compilation of a large software project, or to run a CUDA program
> on a 300 W GPU, or to use a magnetic tape unit connected to a PCIe HBA SAS adapter, or to use my last remaining
> PCI (parallel) card, a video capture card, on an ATX MB that still has a PCI connector.

[...]

> When I wake up the server directly connected to my desktop, I boot it through Ethernet, using
> a RAM disk. From that server, I can wake up and also boot through Ethernet the other servers,
> using RAM disks too. I send the job and I retrieve the results through Ethernet.

Unfortunately, at work I have no-one who could cost effectively provide such setups (including me). At home, I don't have space for extra servers, especially not noisy ones anyway. Having a single computer to do everything, or at least as much as possible is a benefit. Or if that's not possible, then having N instead of N+1.

-JLarja