Horse Sense

Horse Sense #147

Better Power for Less Money

Learn how to make a conventional spinning hard drive as fast as a solid state drive using Intel Optane cache memory: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2KpmpFgnUI (14 minutes) The video shows a 4TB hard drive with Optane cache outperforming a solid state drive.

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Over the next few months, expect prices on most electronics to be stable or rise. There are a few reasons for this change. First, Intel is having problems delivering enough processor chips to meet demand, and systems dependent on those chips are backordered as well. Intel's latest 9th Generation Core i9, i7, i5, and i3 processors are trickling out into the market, but they need motherboard support which is not available from all the manufacturers yet. 7th Generation and even earlier processors are being used in new build, but we recommend waiting to get an 8th or 9th Generation processor. Second, tariffs on Chinese products are raising prices on many items. Some products went up in May, and many others have increases pending. Third, shortages on other components like solid state drives and USB connected devices are raising costs and/or lead times.

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Windows 7 end of support is January 14, 2020. Businesses *may* be able to pay for additional support, but most users will not get any more security patches. Now is the time to upgrade to Windows 10. Windows Server 2008 and 2008 revision 2 support ends the same day. Office 2010 support will end October 13, 2020. SQL Server 2008 service pack 3 support ended July 9, 2019.

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Better Power for Less Money

VRLA (valve-regulated lead-acid, also known as sealed lead-acid (SLA) or maintenance free) batteries are the standard for battery backup applications like those used in alarm systems, phone systems, and Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPSs). Because the price of Lithium-ion (Li-ion) technology has decreased over the years, older VRLA batteries are being replaced by Li-ion models like those used in electric cars, laptops, and cell phones. Despite the fact that they initially cost more, the 10 year total cost of ownership (TCO) comparison shows Li-ion UPSs are 53% less than VRLA models because the Li-ion batteries last much longer.

Li-ion batteries have a couple of drawbacks:

(1) They cost more for a similar capacity battery.
(2) They use more costly and sophisticated charge/discharge circuitry
(3) They are subject to stricter transportation regulations.

The benefits outweigh the drawbacks:

(1) Li-ion batteries require fewer replacements over the lifetime of the UPS, which amounts to less downtime.
(2) Battery warranties may be up to 10 years, versus 1-3 years for VRLA.
(3) Li-ion batteries can be charged and discharged 10 times more than VRLA batteries.
(4) Self discharge (discharge while not in use) is four times less.
(5) Li-ion batteries charge four times faster than VRLAs, which can be valuable if the wall power keeps going on and off.
(6) Li-ion batteries withstand heat better. High temperatures significantly degrade the lifetime of a VRLA battery but do not bother a Li-ion model.
(7) Li-ion batteries are a lot lighter. It makes handling them, or the UPSs that contain them, a lot easier on the back.
(8) Because they store more energy per volume, they can also be made smaller than VRLA batteries.
(9) Li-ion is more environmentally friendly technology. Spent Li-ion batteries are not hazardous waste and can be thrown in landfills. VRLA batteries contain toxic lead.
(10) Taking 1-9 above into account, over the life of the battery in a UPS, you save time and lots of money with Li-ion technology.

There are few UPS vendors using Li-ion technology at the moment, but as people learn more about Li-ion, the number will increase. American Power Conversion (APC) makes a few UPS models, and you can learn more about their offerings here: https://www.apc.com/us/en/campaign/lithium-ion-ups.jsp Then, of course, then you should call us!