PC power draw/consumption calculator

[jamgyu]

Found this great FREE utility on the web today...

has very detailed options on how much power each component in your computer is using... it even factors in overclocking

also it has a list of components that is updated with all the current hardware that's available

great for figuring out what power supply you should buy when building a new rig or adding new parts to your computer



http://www.extreme.outervision.com/p...ulatorlite.jsp

[tridium]

As with just about anything these days, you should take the number it spits out at you with a grain of salt. Read this article for an eye-opening discovery of how much power does an overclocked power system use (hint: he ran it off an Antec 380W PSU).

[dmdsoftware2]

Linux tells you exactly how much power you are consuming. My X60 has clocked as little as 11Ws while in use. A breadth of relief compared to some desktops that consume > 800Ws just on idle.

[board123]

No desktop will consume 800W on idle. Don't know where you got that from.

[matkun]

It overcalculates.

It reccomended a 562 Watt PSU for my system, which I ran fine on a 400W and am currently running on a 500W one.

[dmdsoftware2]

No desktop will consume 800W on idle. Don't know where you got that from.

My friend has an Octane computer on his desk. Looks something like ... http://hal.chem.uwm.edu/nmr/pictures/octane.jpg or these http://www3.shopping.com/xPP-pc_desk...sgi___monitors . It is considered a workstation - not a server.

And yes, he confirms that it draws over 800Ws while idle, so he tries to get into the habit of leaving it turned off when he isn't using it.

[tridium]

My friend has an Octane computer on his desk. Looks something like ... http://hal.chem.uwm.edu/nmr/pictures/octane.jpg or these http://www3.shopping.com/xPP-pc_desk...sgi___monitors . It is considered a workstation - not a server.

And yes, he confirms that it draws over 800Ws while idle, so he tries to get into the habit of leaving it turned off when he isn't using it.

What's in that machine?! I'm still very skeptical about this 800W idle power consumption...

[matkun]

Except Octanes are built as Render workstations for specialized video/audio work.

What you said is exactly like saying:

"I'm glad my Prius gets ~45 MPG. Some cars get 3 MPG!"

While neglecting to mention the 'cars' that you are referring to is a Formula 1 race car.

[matkun]

What's in that machine?! I'm still very skeptical about this 800W idle power consumption...

As far as I know, a proprietary CPU and GPU rendering units.

http://sgistuff.g-lenerz.de/hardware...nes/octane.php

[edgedamage]

Get a kill a watt.
http://www.powermeterstore.com/index...FQKuQAodYDGwug

[board123]

My friend has an Octane computer on his desk. Looks something like ... http://hal.chem.uwm.edu/nmr/pictures/octane.jpg or these http://www3.shopping.com/xPP-pc_desk...sgi___monitors . It is considered a workstation - not a server.

And yes, he confirms that it draws over 800Ws while idle, so he tries to get into the habit of leaving it turned off when he isn't using it.

I wouldn't consider that a "desktop".

[CoinSaver]

Go to your local library (yea, the place with the books) and borrow a "Kill a Watt". It's a device you plug into the wall, then plug your device into it. It will tell you how much you really use. Many (maybe not all) library systems have this.

[SKYMTL]

I have found that Kill A Watts are not as accurate as the UPM power meters you can get at Canadian Tire for about $30.

[dmdsoftware2]

Go to your local library (yea, the place with the books) and borrow a "Kill a Watt". It's a device you plug into the wall, then plug your device into it. It will tell you how much you really use. Many (maybe not all) library systems have this.

Might help if you note your location so people also in your city can borrow one. Mississauga library system DOES NOT carry these.

Good hunting for one.

[edgedamage]

I have found that Kill A Watts are not as accurate as the UPM power meters you can get at Canadian Tire for about $30.

for $24.99 looks like I might get my own.
http://www.canadiantire.ca/browse/pr...=1184810161065