How to check how much power you are using

[jfyeh]

I have a 350 watt enemax power supply. I'm running 1800+, 2 scsi cd drives, 2 hard drives, 1 floopy, 1 zip, 1 agp video, 3 pci card. I was wondering if there was any program that could check how much power i'm using to make sure i have enough power.

 

[DaiShan]

not sure about a program, but 350 is plenty for that system.

 

[asiagian]

One software I know is by using UPS such as from APC, TrippLite or others that provides software monitoring. This software monitoring provides you with the "load" percentage. That is, if your UPS is 650VA/410W and the load percentage is 50%, then you know your machine is currently using 300VA/205W.

 

[4824guy]

<< How to check how much power you are using >>



The only accurate way that I know of is to measure and read the current that is being used by the PC with an AC amp meter. Then multiply that by the line voltage (117 for the US) . That will give you the wattage (power) that your PC uses, and how much the PS needs. Voltage time current = power

But that said, your 350w PS is more than enough to supply all those components.

 

[Jerboy]

<<

<< How to check how much power you are using >>



The only accurate way that I know of is to measure and read the current that is being used by the PC with an AC amp meter. Then multiply that by the line voltage (117 for the US) . That will give you the wattage (power) that your PC uses, and how much the PS needs. Voltage time current = power

But that said, your 350w PS is more than enough to supply all those components. >>




V * I does not equal watt in AC circuit but heaters and lightbulbs. Secondly, your average Radio Shack meter can't measure current to PC power supply accurately due to current pattern drawn by computer power supplies.


Original poster:

You need a commercial grade wattometer, which can cost close to a grand.

 

[Bglad]

Plus measuring the AC draw at the power plug is not a good indicator of what the DC draw is inside the box. There are many factors including power supply inefficiency that will make the PSU draw more from the wall than is actually required by the computer. The PSU ratings you are looking at are DC output ratings and they have little real relation to draw as well.