calculating the cost of running a computer 24/7

k3v

k3v

k3v

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Having read the "how many computers do you have running 24/7" thread, its got me thinking about the costs of running my computer 24/7. Is there an easy way of calculating it? Im not too bothered about calculating it exactly, i'd just like an idea. My computer is pretty average i'd say with a 500 watt power supply and a typical amd opteron setup

kev
 
What are the precise specs?

How long will it be actually in use for anything other than downloading or transfering files?
 
I know from using a digital readout on a plug that you're looking something in the region of:

Full load: ~350W (gaming using an 8800GTX)
Windows: ~220W
Low-Power: ~150W

Note, these readings include a 19" CRT monitor.

So, say for sake of argument 250W average (will likely be less than this).

That's 6KWh per day (=0.25*24), which is around 70p per day depending on the price of your electricity (calculated assuming 12p per KWh). So, that's around £64 per quarter, or £21 per month.
 
Duff-Man said:
I know from using a digital readout on a plug that you're looking something in the region of:

Full load: ~350W (gaming using an 8800GTX)
Windows: ~220W
Low-Power: ~150W

So, say for sake of argument 250W average (will likely be less than this).

That's 6KWh per day (=0.25*24), which is around 70p per day depending on the price of your electricity (calculated assuming 12p per KWh). So, that's around £64 per quarter, or £21 per month.
Click to expand...

Seems pretty accurate to me. :)
 
that is actually quite a lot, i think im gonna have to switch it off more considering ive just cancelled my sky subscription of £20 a month to save money ... and to get me off my arse and do something other than watch tv all weekend!!
 
Duff-Man said:
I know from using a digital readout on a plug that you're looking something in the region of:

Full load: ~350W (gaming using an 8800GTX)
Windows: ~220W
Low-Power: ~150W

Note, these readings include a 19" CRT monitor.

So, say for sake of argument 250W average (will likely be less than this).

That's 6KWh per day (=0.25*24), which is around 70p per day depending on the price of your electricity (calculated assuming 12p per KWh). So, that's around £64 per quarter, or £21 per month.
Click to expand...

I run my PC 24/7 and my whole electric bill isn't that much per quarter... never mind just for the PC.
 
ive just dug out my bills, and i pay £30 a month for gas and electric (i think im right on this... my ex sorted it all out), if this is the case then the £21 a month quoted seems a bit high either that or i dont use much electricity on anything else
 
Indeed, that nowhere near approaches our leccy bill (making appropriate calculations for currency rates and price per unit etc.)

Also, what about monitors? Mine runs without a monitor and the laptop turns off its display after 1min if its on the power adaptor (I'm usually not using it when it's plugged in, when it's on battery power the screen stays on for 5 mins).
 
Its not much I'll have to pull out some bills but I think £30-£40 a month is the damage its definitely not £100 a month or else I would have noticed.

I run low power machines without gfx cards and I recogn it looks like they cost me the price of running a lightbulb between 60 - 120W each.

I'm probably burning at a rate of 1.2kW per hour.

Gaming machine never runs 24/7. :D
 
k3v said:
ive just dug out my bills, and i pay £30 a month for gas and electric (i think im right on this... my ex sorted it all out), if this is the case then the £21 a month quoted seems a bit high either that or i dont use much electricity on anything else
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I'm pretty sure this is incorrect. I'm £50 a month for electricity in a small flat with cooking and one PC 24/7.
 
masslac said:
I'm pretty sure this is incorrect. I'm £50 a month for electricity in a small flat with cooking and one PC 24/7.
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£50 a month, that seems a bit steep to say the least :) Do you leave your immersion heater on 24/7 or something.
 
dirtydog said:
£50 a month, that seems a bit steep to say the least :) Do you leave your immersion heater on 24/7 or something.
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Storage heating is not the most efficient, but that's about it.
 
dirtydog said:
I run my PC 24/7 and my whole electric bill isn't that much per quarter... never mind just for the PC.
Click to expand...

Well, like I pointed out I'm running a fairly high-power PC, and I took a liberal estimate of the average power usage (250W) in the calculation. That includes a fairly large CRT monitor, and an above-average electricity cost (12p/KWh).

Those of you running laptops, or even mid-range PCs with TFT monitors will see significant reductions.

All you need to calculate the cost of running a PC 24/7 is the average power output, and the cost of your electricity. From there you can do:

Daily cost = (cost of electricity in £)*(PC_Power in Watts)*24/1000

Quite a simple formula.
 
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masslac said:
I'm pretty sure this is incorrect. I'm £50 a month for electricity in a small flat with cooking and one PC 24/7.
Click to expand...

I assume you don't have gas? £50 is about average for all electricity.
 
Duff-Man said:
Well, like I pointed out I'm running a fairly high-power PC, and I took a liberal estimate of the average power usage (250W) in the calculation. That includes a fairly large CRT monitor, and an above-average electricity cost (12p/KWh).

Those of you running laptops, or even mid-range PCs with TFT monitors will see significant reductions.

All you need to calculate the cost of running a PC 24/7 is the average power output, and the cost of your electricity. From there you can do:

Daily cost = (cost of electricity in £)*(PC_Power in Watts)*24/1000

Quite a simple formula.
Click to expand...
It depends on the tariff people are on. For example, I am on an Economy 7 tariff. The first 250 daytime units a quarter are about 15p/kWh. The rest are about 8p/unit. Overnight it's about 4p a unit.
 
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