Author Topic: So how many watts does my computer use....  (Read 394 times)

Offline Fulmar

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So how many watts does my computer use....
« on: July 01, 2008, 08:47:31 PM »
Well thanks to this little guy I bought, I now know.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882715001

Computer specs:
E6400 2.13ghz stock
4gb 667mhz ddr2
2x250gb Maxtor's in RAID 0
1x500gb Seagate
Plextor DVD-RW
SB X-FI Fatality
EVGA Geforce 8800 GTS 640mb
1 USB expansion card
3.5" Memory card reader
600W Xclio Great Power PSU
2 x 120mm | 2 x 80mm fans

Idle: 200-205 Watts
Gaming Load* (50-70% CPU load, 70% RAM load): 260 Watts max
Prime 95: 230 watts

*Two readings were taken.  1 x AH 1600x1050, 1024mb textures, 4x AA.  1 x COH performance text, 1600x1050, 4x AA, almost all settings on high.
Overall, I was surprised at how low my numbers were.  I was figuring 250 idle and 350+ on load.  Now for the whole setup...I plan on testing that as well.  This will include my 20" and 17" LCD's, Laser printer, scanner, 4.1 speakers.  1 APC 1400 UPS, 2 Belkin 700 UPS's.  1 IBM 500mhz Aptiva, DSL modem and router.

I'm interested to see what my whole setup is running in electricity.  For the last couple months I've been shutting down my computer while I'm not home or I'm sleeping.  I used to be a guy that left it on 24/7.  The Aptiva computer I have runs 24/7 as it is serving as a linux firewall (IPCop).

Other things I've used my Kill A Watt on:
Wife's $90 hair dryer (yeah... I know :furious): 1600 watts on high
27" TV, Wii, DVD player, stereo (TV on, others standby/off): 80 watts.
Lamp with 13 watt CFL bulb: 22 watts  :huh
In game callsign: not currently flying
Flying off and on since Warbirds
Aces High Movies available at www.derstuhl.net/ahmd2 - no longer aceshighmovies.com - not updated either

Offline humble

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Re: So how many watts does my computer use....
« Reply #1 on: July 01, 2008, 08:59:39 PM »
Most people are very suprised on how little power a PC draws. As a general rule its the distribution of amps that counts on a PS not the total watts available.

"The beauty of the second amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it."-Pres. Thomas Jefferson

Offline Charge

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Re: So how many watts does my computer use....
« Reply #2 on: July 10, 2008, 10:25:54 AM »
Q9300 2.5GHz
GF 8800GT
2x2Gb 800MH DDR2
3 HDDs (one active during test)
1 DVD-RW
X-Fi Soundblaster Extreme Music
120mm case fan

430W Antec NeoPower HE

"Balanced" Vista64 power scheme

Idle 117W, 150-180W during game, peak consumption during 3DMark06 (result 10450) 200W
This does not take into account TFT display and Creative speaker system.

Quite surprising, eh?

-C+
"When you wish upon a falling star, your dreams can come true. Unless it's really a giant meteor hurtling to the earth which will destroy all life. Then you're pretty much screwed no matter what you wish for. Unless of course, it's death by meteorite."

Offline Fulmar

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Re: So how many watts does my computer use....
« Reply #3 on: July 10, 2008, 10:39:28 AM »
Yes, surprising.
In game callsign: not currently flying
Flying off and on since Warbirds
Aces High Movies available at www.derstuhl.net/ahmd2 - no longer aceshighmovies.com - not updated either