Any easy way to check how many Watts my PC is using?

[hk10Mbps]

 

[Adul]

look up all the white sheets on yor parts and see what the nomail power usage is

 

[joey2k]

$50 at radioshack. It's called 'kill-o-watt'. Plug it in between your wall and computer (or surge protector) and check. I tested a few things but ended up returning it a week later.

 

[TheCorm]

Some multiplugs have this too, my 8 way surge protector has a meter to let you know how much power is being drawn from the mains....it only cost £20.

Corm

 

[Tab]

Really? Do you know where I could find this in the US?

 

[RalfHutter]

How about a $5 power meter. Here's an article from SilentPCReveiw.com that shows how to make a DIY power meter for less than $5 using a regular AC cord and a 1-ohm resistor.

 

[The Sauce]

Bear in mind that knowing the power-draw for your entire system really does not tell you much about the adequacy of your PS since it supplies different amounts of juice to different rails and one could be underpowered while another overpowered. There have been many reports of people with 500W pS's not getting enough juice to their 5V rails and having all sorts of CPU related problems as a result.