A quick update on my Linux_’ server. Given that noise and power reduction whilst also increasing storage space was the goal of the recent updates, here are my wholly unscientific findings based on my Watt checker over a couple of hours.

Functional rest at the desktop:  was ~80 Watts, down to ~ 60W (-25%)

Being used normally  on desktop: was ~90-100 Watts, down to ~ 68W (-32%)

Peaks during high CPU/HDD use: was ~115 Watts, down to ~ 75W(-35%)

I think that’s a pretty successful outcome to say it is quieter and such. It’s still much, much lower powered than I thought, and I’m sure the ’new’ HDD and the ATI card are mainly responsible for that power drop.