How much does it cost to run a pc 24/7?

psd99

psd99

psd99

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The question is how can I work out how much it would cost to keep my PC turned on 24/7 365 days a year?

Running Quad Core 6600
with 4GB memory on Asus P5E3 and a 650 W PSU.
 
Assuming the system draws an actual 250W (which is probably full load for that PC), and the electricity costs 12p per unit at all times, £21.60 a month.
 
eep that's a lot more than i had thought.

My machine (quad core 6600, ati 3870, 4 hard drives and 20" dell monitor) uses about 120 watts with just the base unit running, about 180 peak with the base unit at full pelt (gaming), and about another 60 for the monitor.

So an average of about 180 watts, as it tends to sit relatively idel most of the time, with me just using it for internet access.
 
Werewolf said:
eep that's a lot more than i had thought.

My machine (quad core 6600, ati 3870, 4 hard drives and 20" dell monitor) uses about 120 watts with just the base unit running, about 180 peak with the base unit at full pelt (gaming), and about another 60 for the monitor.

So an average of about 180 watts, as it tends to sit relatively idel most of the time, with me just using it for internet access.
Click to expand...

Well, he hasn't said what graphics card he has so I assumed worst case scenario (ie a power-hungry one).
 
you cant do 0.72 x 30 as theres not always 30 days in a month, you need to do 0.72 x 365 / 12 = £21.90
and even that doesnt include leap years
 
Jimmay said:
you cant do 0.72 x 30 as theres not always 30 days in a month, you need to do 0.72 x 365 / 12 = £21.90
and even that doesnt include leap years
Click to expand...

Minor difference though isn't it? Besides he hasn't given his full system spec or the usage level so I had to partially estimate it anyway.
 
Smeg, and there's me leaving my spec in sig on 24/7! Although I bet thats only about 250W though, but still :eek: I do turn off my monitors when I go to bed/work though :/
 
Werewolf said:
My machine (quad core 6600, ati 3870, 4 hard drives and 20" dell monitor) uses about 120 watts with just the base unit running, about 180 peak with the base unit at full pelt (gaming), and about another 60 for the monitor
Click to expand...
Whilst you might leave the computer on 24/7 you're not going to do the same with the monitor though are you so that can be removed from your maths (or rather toned down based on the number of hours it's actually on).
 
sr4470 said:
Minor difference though isn't it? Besides he hasn't given his full system spec or the usage level so I had to partially estimate it anyway.
Click to expand...

Hi thanks for all your replies

okay I got a 9800 GT

It is always turned on I am new to Vista, after a while Vista seems to turn the whole PC off. Something I could keep.

I use it for around 3-4 hours a day at most, for the rest of the hours it is IDLE.

when I use it for 3-4 hours usually browsing the net, listening to music nothing too taxing. Sometimes I would play a game.

So it looks like it could cost £30 a month.

I wonder how much money we could all save if we turned off all of our electrical items off instead of using standby the savings could be hundreds per year.

It really has got me thinking.
 
sr4470 said:
Assuming the system draws an actual 250W (which is probably full load for that PC), and the electricity costs 12p per unit at all times, £21.60 a month.
Click to expand...

That may be a bit high.
Last night I had two Q6600 8GB & 4GB) systems with 10 drives between them - 1 @100%, 1x22" monitor, 4 external HDs and other assorted stuff, and all that was pulling about 450W through a mains socket power meter.
 
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