What is the cost of running a computer PC or leaving it on all the time?

itchytrig

OK,

We are all reading this on the web, so you either have a PC/MAC or Laptop or pocket web device.

Soooo, calling all PC and MAC users, just how much does it cost to leave this darned PC on during the day, perhaps 8-10 hours a day 7days a week, or perhaps just 5 days a week for the office?

My own PC has a 400w PSU, 20" LCD, Speakers, Mouse Charger and Router/Modem.

I do switch this off each night and power it off with an intelligent plug, but if I left it all on, just what would it cost?

Any ideas out there, what with my home bills going up, it seems every secound of every day???

Can I afford to use it and leave it on at all at present???

andy_hunk

itchytrig wrote: »

OK,

We are all reading this on the web, so you either have a PC/MAC or Laptop or pocket web device.

Soooo, calling all PC and MAC users, just how much does it cost to leave this darned PC on during the day, perhaps 8-10 hours a day 7days a week, or perhaps just 5 days a week for the office?

My own PC has a 400w PSU, 20" LCD, Speakers, Mouse Charger and Router/Modem.

I do switch this off each night and power it off with an intelligent plug, but if I left it all on, just what would it cost?

Any ideas out there, what with my home bills going up, it seems every secound of every day???

Can I afford to use it and leave it on at all at present???

TBH I don't know but I'm quite interested!

Plushchris

I would say it depends on if you leaving it on doing stuff (downloading etc)

Its obviously going to cost more to leave it on but you have to weigh up if this cost is worth it being left on.

I personally leave mine on as I'm usually downloading something or other. The cost of the electricity is nothing compared to what I'm saving by downloading stuff (IYKWIM )

Phlik

Depends on a number of factors, including machine spec and usage.

I use a Media centre PC comprising of the following

NF7-S m/board
XP2500 cpu
1gb ram
4 hdrives (might be 5, I forget )
2 digital freeview tuner cards
DVD writer
Nvidia 5 series gfx card

The PC uses a consistent 125-130w of power whilst on, 7w whilst off/standby. Doesn't seem to matter whether we are watching tv/DVD and recording at the same time, power usage is the same. Also have an Xbox 360 as an extender and even when streaming live tv to that whilst using the pc the usage stays the same.

Phlik

mardatha

Phlik, can you enlarge on that and tell me if thats per hour or minute or week, and does anybody know how many units that eq....uates to ? gulp.

Phlik

Hi the readings are in watts so just a snapshot of what the PC is using that very moment. The PC is on most of the day, our average daily usage is 1.2 kwh or 1.2 units of elastictrickery (about £0.12p). Of course this doesn't take into account the TV, surround sound, aeiral booster, router etc.

On the flip side my laptop uses 55w or 0.055kwh when running off the mains, much more efficient. Can't watch telly on it though


Phlik

mardatha

ok ta. So use the laptop more then . Thanks !

[Deleted User]

As others have said, it varies a lot between computers, and depends on power consumption of the individual components in any given computer - and what you're using it for at the time. My MacBook uses in the region of 20W when idle; my media centre PC, on the other hand, uses between 100W and 120W when idle (and that's likely to go up when I install the new graphics card). When doing heavy lifting - such as high-end gaming - some PCs can use more than 400W.

EDIT: Sorry, it appears I was a bit late with that info - slow typing today!

weegie.geek

I did some testing the other day actually.

I'm running:

Intel Dual core E2160, overclocked fairly heavily.
2GB DDR2-800
One optical drive
5 hard drives
various USB bits and bobs
8800GT
a few fans

Uses ~125W when idling, and ~180w when the cpu's going full pelt. Haven't checked what kind of difference the video card working hard makes.

slewis1972

HI

I have been thinking the same thing over the last few weeks as I flip between a desktop and laptop.

As I dont have a electricity power gauge at the moment, anyone fanncy doing a test say

Week 1: Leave PC on 2/7 with just reboots when needed
Week 2: Turn pc on/off like normal

Or even do it over 2/3 day.

The thing is, a pc consumes more power when it starts up, so I personally would be interested to know if both amounts are close or way out.

Any takers?

Scott

itchytrig

Wow,

Looks like I started something here. :j I do have an energy plug type monitor so will give it a go and see what it reads, say over a period on/off.

Scott, will update with my findings! I was thinking others may have done this already. Will test the main socket with all the extras on, ie the items needed when the PC is on as they all use power too!

update to follow...