We can build powerful, economical, compact, or extravagant computers. However, if we set out to assemble an eco-friendly computer, the main parameters change, and a lot. Now, when I refer to 'eco-friendly' I don't expect you to hang from your ceiling to install solar panels. The goal is to reach a configuration that lets us do more with less, consume little power, and generate the least possible noise. Efficient, stable, and silent. Would you like to know more?
Let's set aside graphics cards with hundreds of watts of TDP. Let's ignore for a while processors with more than a dozen threads. Let's resist the temptation of overclocking and liquid cooling... at least for today. Your mission, if you decide to accept it, is to assemble an eco-friendly computer. One of the first things that comes to mind is to explore the second-hand market. That means reusing and extending the useful life of components that someone else considers obsolete. It's not a bad idea, but the keyword behind this mission is 'efficiency'. In that respect, new hardware is practically unbeatable, and today we'd like to share some components. Of course, nothing is final in this list, and I don't doubt that you can find even more efficient variants.
How to build an eco-friendly and efficient computer
Besides consuming little power, we've thought about these parts with the secondary goal of reducing or eliminating noise. Acoustic pollution is not a myth, and if you want a computer that is as silent as a grave at 4am, we can't blame you. The list will be divided into three general parts: one AMD-based, one Intel-based, and one with general components. Shall we begin?
AMD Athlon 200GE
One of the most recent members of the Zen/Ryzen/Raven Ridge family, the Athlon 200GE attacks Intel's low-end positions with two cores and four threads at 3.2 GHz. The lack of overclocking and the memory limit of 2666 MHz are offset by the integrated Vega 3 graphics and a TDP of only 35 watts. With less than 60 euros on its price tag, the Athlon 200GE is being devoured by enthusiasts. (Editor's note: Read the entry on the RX 550 below for more details).
A B450-chipset motherboard
Some of our readers might think that using a B450 with the Athlon 200GE is a waste. However, there are five reasons behind this decision: The B450 chipset is more efficient, it's better prepared in case of replacing the processor in the future, memory support is superior, it delivers more features at a reasonable price, and in most cases we save the BIOS update associated with the 200GE. This Gigabyte model is just a suggestion.
Optional: Arctic Alpine AM4 Passive
It's... a block of metal. The Arctic Alpine AM4 Passive will definitely need a bit of help from case fans, but if the idea of using the stock cooler from the Athlon 200GE doesn't work out, this heatsink supports a maximum of 47 watts versus the CPU's 35W, and its noise generation is zero.
Pentium Gold G5400
The Pentium Gold G5400 serves as a direct replacement for the incredibly popular Pentium G4560, on the Coffee Lake platform. Two cores, four threads and 3.7 GHz of maximum frequency under a 54-watt TDP make this chip very interesting. The price isn't the best and its graphics die at the feet of any integrated AMD solution, but unless you can find the 35-watt Pentium G5400T and G5500T (OEMs took them all), this is the Intel processor to use.
A B360-chipset motherboard
Once again, our readers will probably say that an H310 chipset is enough, and for a G5400 it is, but building an eco-friendly and efficient computer doesn't have to close doors. Any motherboard based on the B360 chipset will be able to accommodate superior Intel chips without a hitch (say, the solid Core i5-8400), and its cost is by no means disproportionate. Once again, Gigabyte doesn't sponsor this space; it's just one of many B360 models available.
Optional: Arctic Alpine 11 Passive
Yes... let's say I'm cheating here. The Arctic Alpine 11 Passive for Intel chips shares the same 47-watt limit as its AM4 sibling, but the Pentium G5400 is 54W. So... throttling? It all depends on usage conditions (it's not the same to open Chrome as to chew on Blender), and on how good the secondary cooling inside the case is. Personally, I'd run the experiment. The heatsink costs 8 euros, and if it doesn't work, we can always go back to the stock cooler.
8 or 16 GB of DDR4 (2 modules)
The price of DDR4 memory is still outrageous. Technically, numbers have dropped a couple of points, but they don't compare to their original values. Now, what makes DDR4 memory efficient? For starters, they are low power by definition. Their voltage is 1.2V, a significant reduction compared to the 1.5V nominal of DDR3 modules. Why two modules? Simple: we want dual channel, and the suggested motherboards have four expansion slots. A critical piece of data: make sure that the memory you choose is compatible with the motherboard. The HyperX kit shown here is on the QVL list of both models we mentioned.
Optional: NVIDIA GT 1030, 2 GB GDDR5
I understand it perfectly: you want to build an eco-friendly and efficient computer, but you feel the integrated graphics in both processors aren't up to the task. At first glance, adding a dedicated GPU could ruin our plan. However, there are very efficient cards on the market. The NVIDIA GT 1030 is one of them. It was designed to upgrade old Dell/HP systems with anemic power supplies, and with a TDP of 30 watts, it does just fine at 720p/768p/900p. If you're interested, then a warning: stay away from the DDR4 version like the plague. Let the memory be GDDR5.
Optional: AMD Radeon RX 550, 2 GB GDDR5
When exploring the RX 500 series of Radeon cards, we find that AMD doesn't have an offer as efficient as the GT 1030, but the Radeon RX 550 comes pretty close. With the mining apocalypse behind us, the price of this card is a bit more reasonable, and it beats the GT 1030 in a wide number of games, without exceeding its base TDP of 50 watts. Another strategy would be to ignore the RX 550 and replace the Athlon 200GE with a Ryzen 3 2200G, which we can configure at 45W and gives us access to its Vega 8 module. The problem is that it's expensive today...
A good SSD for storing data
We've already covered the best budget SSDs. We also saw that we can add a terabyte of solid-state storage for less than 200 euros. Despite their benefits in terms of density, traditional hard drives are noisy and consume more power. And that leads me to another proposal: get something like the Kingston A1000 with 480 gigabytes and take advantage of the M.2 slot on the motherboards. No cables, no obstructions to airflow.
A case
This point is very flexible. Big, small, tower, horizontal, no big problem here. Just remember that passive cooling requires airflow inside the case. As an example, we selected the Cooler Master MasterBox Q300L, which includes filters and a rear fan, but we recommend adding two more 120mm fans at the front. A good option are the Arctic F12 Silent. They work well, don't make a fuss, and don't cost a fortune. (Note: You may need a hub or Y-adapters to connect more than one fan.)
A quality ATX power supply with a superior 80 Plus rating
It makes no sense to go through the trouble of building an eco-friendly and efficient computer if the power supply is a disaster. Our priority is power supplies with 80 Plus Gold certification, and one of the most balanced out there is the Corsair TX550M. Its power is four or five times higher than needed for such a computer, but we're not going to speculate. Also, its semi-modular design lets us work more comfortably. If you have another favorite brand or want to consider 80 Plus Bronze models, go ahead. But never, ever skimp on the power supply.
So, how efficient can such a computer be? The final numbers will depend on the combination of components, but it won't be hard to stay below 80 or 90 watts under load. Idle values will be much lower, and if you decide to play with undervolting, honestly I can't visualize a floor. To close, one last warning: Nothing is final in this list. It's very likely you can achieve similar results with components from other manufacturers, and you're invited to experiment. Good luck!
