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Newbie
User of semicolons.


Registered: 07/18/04
Posts: 24,721
Loc: SoCal
Last seen: 20 hours, 57 minutes
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PC power consumption...can I have a hand?
#5143802 - 01/05/06 04:20 PM (18 years, 4 months ago) |
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Ok now I'm an avid torrent user so I frequently leave my computer on to finish huge downloads, and even seed until the ratio's good. This takes time and my dad doesn't realize that leaving the computer ON is normal and it's even recommended. I've tried to explain time and time again that it's OK to leave it on but he's bent on me turning it off when I'm done. I'm inquiring the power consumption when the pc's in hibernation mode, or even just left on for long periods of time. I want him to see how little it's affecting the electric bill but I really don't know where to start. Is there anyone who can point me to some info or possibly even give me an educated estimate on how much power I'm using by leaving my tower on, monitor and speakers off? Thanks guys! (and girls ;-))
Edited by Newbie (01/05/06 04:22 PM)
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daussaulit
Forgetful

Registered: 08/06/02
Posts: 2,894
Loc: Earth
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Re: PC power consumption...can I have a hand? [Re: Newbie]
#5144085 - 01/05/06 05:47 PM (18 years, 4 months ago) |
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I don't know much about this topic, but there are online calculators to help you figure out how big of a power supply you need.
http://www.jscustompcs.com/power_supply/
It will give a rough estimate on how much juice a computer component will use. As far as figuring out how much it affects the bill, can't help you there.
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Dragonaut

Registered: 06/24/04
Posts: 6,219
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Re: PC power consumption...can I have a hand? [Re: Newbie]
#5144090 - 01/05/06 05:49 PM (18 years, 4 months ago) |
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I'm not sure if leaving your computer on for extended periods of time is good or bad for it. Just make sure you don't overheat.
I'm not sure if you can download while in hibernation mode, but it does save power without turning your PC totally off.
Also, your monitor uses the most power. Turn off your monitor, speakers, and everything else you're not using when it's not in use, and that should eliminate the majority of the power your system consumes.
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Newbie
User of semicolons.


Registered: 07/18/04
Posts: 24,721
Loc: SoCal
Last seen: 20 hours, 57 minutes
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Re: PC power consumption...can I have a hand? [Re: Dragonaut]
#5144124 - 01/05/06 05:59 PM (18 years, 4 months ago) |
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Quote:
WI_Shroomer_Skater said: I'm not sure if leaving your computer on for extended periods of time is good or bad for it. Just make sure you don't overheat.
I'm not sure if you can download while in hibernation mode, but it does save power without turning your PC totally off.
Also, your monitor uses the most power. Turn off your monitor, speakers, and everything else you're not using when it's not in use, and that should eliminate the majority of the power your system consumes.
I know right?! I dunno...I gotta find some way to put it thru his thick skull.
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trendal
J♠


Registered: 04/17/01
Posts: 20,815
Loc: Ontario, Canada
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Re: PC power consumption...can I have a hand? [Re: Newbie]
#5144129 - 01/05/06 06:00 PM (18 years, 4 months ago) |
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Energy-Star is the organization that defines power-management abilities for most consumer appliances, including computers.
On this page: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=power_mgt.pr_power_management
They list the total annual savings for both a PC and monitor using power-save mode at about $100. Which is only just over $8/month.
Now even in power-save mode the system still uses some juice, so let's round it up and say that your computer probably costs around $10/month in electricity.
This assumes that you have a "standard" computer for this day and age, something with a 200-300 watt power supply.
I have a 480 watt PSU and probably use a fair bit of that with all the components I have running...so you could say that my computer is in the high end as far as energy use goes. That being said, I leave my computer on 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. It probably spends no more than 10 hours off in any given month.
I have worked it out, and I pay just under $20/month in electricity to keep this thing going 24/7.
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Once, men turned their thinking over to machines in the hope that this would set them free. But that only permitted other men with machines to enslave them.
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Newbie
User of semicolons.


Registered: 07/18/04
Posts: 24,721
Loc: SoCal
Last seen: 20 hours, 57 minutes
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Re: PC power consumption...can I have a hand? [Re: trendal]
#5145655 - 01/06/06 12:49 AM (18 years, 4 months ago) |
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Thank you very much trendal that's exactly what I was looking for! 5 shrooms to you :-D
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debianlinux
Myconerd - DBK



Registered: 12/09/02
Posts: 8,334
Loc: Over There
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Re: PC power consumption...can I have a hand? [Re: Newbie]
#5145963 - 01/06/06 06:35 AM (18 years, 4 months ago) |
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I never pass up the opportunity to buy a new tool. Buy yourself a kill-a-watt and get an accurate answer to your question.
http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/review/kill_a_watt_electric_usage_monitor_review
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