Power-hungry PC? Here’s how to calculate how much electricity your computer consumes

Are you worried about the impact of your power-hungry PC on your electricity bill? You are not alone, and in our world with unpredictable weather patterns, it doesn’t hurt to know the power consumption of every appliance you own. So, how much electricity does your computer consume and does leaving it on all day long have any adverse effect? While there is no one-size-fits-all answer, you can do some maths to figure that out.

PC electricity consumption: Key contributing factors

It is important to know that there are various factors at play that decide how much power your computer consumes. From the PC components and hours of usage to the time when you use the device, these factors will vary widely from person to person and thus the cost of running your computer will also vary.

1. PC components

This is one of the key factors to consider since it will change how much electricity your computer consumes. A powerful gaming PC with the latest processor and graphics card will consume more electricity than a lightweight laptop meant to deliver all-day battery life.

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It is important to note that PC components have suddenly moved towards delivering more performance while also being efficient so a newer machine might be powerful but also power efficient compared to machines from a few years ago.

2. Usage

Once you take your PC components into account, the next thing to consider is your usage. People generally assume that a PC fitted with a 750-watt power supply will consume 750 watts of power. However, most PCs have power-saving features that lower energy consumption when the computer is idle. So, even a powerful computer will consume less power for typing documents than playing high-end games.

3. Location and time

Your PC’s electricity consumption also depends on the time of the day as well as the time of the year. Depending on your location, electric companies may charge you based on demand with rates higher during peak demand and lower during off-peak hours. It is also a common practice to charge higher tariffs during summer when power consumption is higher and the prices either drop or become normal during other seasons.

Calculate computer power usage: How to measure your PC's electricity consumption

Now that you know the key factors that decide how much electricity is consumed by your PC, here’s how to measure electricity usage. It is important to know that this is a generalised method and the result might vary not only from PC to PC but also from person to person. The easiest way to do this is by using an electricity usage monitor.

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To measure the electricity consumed by your PC, you need to first turn off every other appliance. Now, plug your PC into the electricity usage monitor and plug this device into the wall. Press the button to start measuring electricity usage and turn the PC back on. Now, use the device as you would use it normally and check the consumption on the electricity usage monitor.

If you are looking for the electricity cost, simply multiply the electricity units consumed by your PC by the cost per unit in your location. If you use your computer only for a few hours a day then instead of letting it idle, it would be better to put it to sleep. This will save not only electrical consumption but also the cost associated with using all that energy from the grid.