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High powered GPU = high energy bill?

neo2210

neo2210

neo2210

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Joined
23 May 2010
Posts
123
So, it's my understanding that something like the ati 5870 has a power consumption of about 200 watts or so under load, and around 80 at idle.

Couple that with the overall power draw of the CPU (150w?) and fans etc and you're looking at your computer drawing over 500w when playing a game, around 200w while general web browsing.

Add in 3 flatscreens at 80 watts each and you're tipping out at around 1KWH for a full eyefinity setup.

At idle, say 400w including monitors.

Is my maths or reasoning wrong, or should I be worried about my energy bill?
Typically I'm running my computer, as I think most people do, 7 or 8 hours a day.
 
CPU (eg i7) and 5870 combined while in idle will use less than 100W.
Id say most screens, esp with the brightness turned down a bit use about 40W.
 
Say about 10p per KW/h

Half a KW would be a more reasonable estimate of a high end non SLI gaming rig and probably half to 2/3 that when not gaming. So say on average 4p per hour to run a high end rig.

I run mine for about 10 hours a day on average so costs me £146 a year
 
My setup with overclocked i7 and crossfire 5850 pulls 430w from the mains full load and 490w with the monitor included, again at full load ~ (Prime & 3d winmark 2006).

Above gives a rough idea.
 
I wouldn't worry about it, electricity is stupidly cheap when you think about it.

4p an hour in leccy. xD It costs more than that in depreciation and just general wear...
 
If it's something you enjoy then surely the running costs are irrelevant. Nothing is a waste of money providing you get the best use of it and enjoy it. It's only a waste when you don't.

It's a bit like buying the fishing equipment then not wishing to fork out for the bait.
 
Most GPUs and CPUs have some sort of power saving mode now days, if you are running at full load 24/7 i suppose it pulls quite a bit.
If your that bothered turn off when not using it or get some "green" components.
 
Your estimates are waaaay over.

My rig uses about 110-140 watts when idle (depending on if I undervolt my 4870 :P), and draws about 270 watts or so when gaming. I think my 19" screen is around 20 watts or so (and it's not a great one, so probably not very efficient)

An i7 and 5870 probably wouldn't push it too far over 300 watts if I haven't overclocked much.

Rig in sig :)
 
500w load figures are what you'd expect in a system with dual high end gpus. A system with only one 5870 and an i7 will likely only draw about 350w under load.
 
You need one of those wattage meter devices that fit in a power socket.

q6600+5850 x38 mobo = 115-120 idle. 250 - 275 gaming. Would be more if overclocked to the hilt, but not 400. A more modern system would reduce those figures.
 
My system pulls 200W idle and around 750W in games like BC2. Less demanding games pull around 550W. Haven't tested total power consumption with monitor/keyboard/speakers/external HDD/modem/router connected but I should think it will easily be over 1KW :\

It costs me about £1 a day to run this.
 
well according to my energy saveing thing, the toaster and kettle uses more power in the morning than my pc does in a week. So if i wanna save money, stop useing the kettle and toaster every morning.
 
marc512 said:
well according to my energy saveing thing, the toaster and kettle uses more power in the morning than my pc does in a week. So if i wanna save money, stop useing the kettle and toaster every morning.
Click to expand...
If you put the kettle on top of the toaster you can catch the wasted heat to boil your water!

And as we all know, water and toasters go well together!
 
Yamahahahahaha said:
If you put the kettle on top of the toaster you can catch the wasted heat to boil your water!

And as we all know, water and toasters go well together!
Click to expand...

then how would you get the toast??? ORR you wrap the bread around the kettle so when your hot water is read your toast is ready :) :)
 
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