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New cards = Lower Electricity Bill ?

WhipperSnapper

WhipperSnapper

Lifer

If the 8800 GT and 2950 Pro consume less power than previous cards, does that mean that buyers of those cards will end up saving some money on their electricity bill compared to the power consumption of the current cards?

 

I thought it was a pretty significant difference in power consumption? Isn't something like a difference of 50 Watts?

If you game for 100 hours per month, assuming that that's the only time you'll consume less power over the older cards, that would be a difference of 5000 W per month or 5 KW. I guess that comes out to a fifty cent per month difference. If you keep the card for two years, you'd see a $12 savings. Big whoopee I guess.

Can someone do a more accurate back-of-the-envelop calculation?

 
well the savings is like 100 watts on the 8800gt but thats at load.

unless you typically just leave your computer on running timedemo loops , the idle difference is probably much less (lets say 25 watts ) so you'd save 25 watts hours for every hours your machine is on.. which proably isnt that much money.
 

Let's see. Using Han's assumptions, if you game for 100 hours/month and if your computer is otherwise on for 200 other hours, that comes out to:

100 hours x 100 W = 10 kWh

200 hours x 25 W = 5 kWh

For a total savings of 15 kWh per month. At ten cents a kWh you'd save $1.50/month off your electricity bill, or $18/year. If you plan to use the card for two years, it would be a difference of $36 over two years. Thus, it might well be a better deal than whatever the 8800 GTS 320's end up on sale for (ignoring performance issues).

That's not earth shattering, but still, it's nice to know that the price of the new cards will be a little less than what they appear on paper relative to the price of previous cards.
 
I try to buy power efficient hardware, but not because it saves money on the electricity bill. With the current energy prices there aren't that much money saved (although where I live rates are going up quite significantly). My reasons are a little more practical. One is that circuit breakers are less likely to trip if your hardware is power efficient (ever tried vacuming when you have all lights on/all appliances on), and two, power efficient hardware makes less heat so it can be cooled quietly and as added benefit airconditioning doesn't have to work as hard in the summer.
 
If you game for 100 hours per month, assuming that that's the only time you'll consume less power over the older cards, that would be a difference of 5000 W per month or 5 KW. I guess that comes out to a fifty cent per month difference. If you keep the card for two years, you'd see a $12 savings. Big whoopee I guess.
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Yeah, the 10 cents was just a random estimate, but the added cost is basically insignificant. The cost can actually be much higher if the weather is hot where you live and you need to use the AC more frequently to cool down the room, although on the flip side you may end up saving a fair amount for the same reason if it's cold. I often take advantage of this in the winters; the computer room is usually nice and warm even if it's freezing everywhere else in the house. 😛
 
Originally posted by: bryanW1995
where do you guys live that you only pay 10cents/kwh???

@requiem: yes.
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I live in NC, I only pay 7cents/kwh 🙂
Live within 30 miles of a nuclear plant, but I'm not complaining.
 
Do us all a favor, turn your rig off when you are leaving the house. It will make a difference in your power bill.
 
Originally posted by: ayabe
Do us all a favor, turn your rig off when you are leaving the house. It will make a difference in your power bill.
Click to expand...

What if you like to run F@H? If not for that I would turn off my system when not in use, however because I like Folding I actually run two rigs 24/7.
 
Originally posted by: Denithor
Originally posted by: ayabe
Do us all a favor, turn your rig off when you are leaving the house. It will make a difference in your power bill.
Click to expand...

What if you like to run F@H? If not for that I would turn off my system when not in use, however because I like Folding I actually run two rigs 24/7.
Click to expand...

Well hey whatever floats your boat.

I'm not a big fan of folding, I think you ultimately are doing more for mankind by saving electricity.
 
Originally posted by: Sled
Efficiency of your PSU could save you some bucks
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Yes, getting an 80+% efficient PSU would be a much more long term and economical way to save money.


Originally posted by: bryanW1995
where do you guys live that you only pay 10cents/kwh???

@requiem: yes.
Click to expand...

Missouri (where I live) is less than $0.08/kwh I believe.
 
Originally posted by: ayabe
Do us all a favor, turn your rig off when you are leaving the house. It will make a difference in your power bill.
Click to expand...

I'm downloading stuff 20 hours out of 24 hours if not 24/7.
 
I'd say a ea430w can run 1 of those 2 cards, depending on the CPU and other peripherals. But I'd be more comfortable with a EA500w.
 
Here's my take. If you're worried about saving $.10 per month (or whatever it is). You shouldn't even be buying a gaming card because it's clear that you can't afford it.

I'm not saying that you're being cheap or something like that however, I think that people building custom PCs and gaming cards SHOULD BE ABLE TO afford their electric bill, whatever it may be. Otherwise, get your priorities straight.
 
Originally posted by: Azn
Originally posted by: ayabe
Do us all a favor, turn your rig off when you are leaving the house. It will make a difference in your power bill.
Click to expand...

I'm downloading stuff 20 hours out of 24 hours if not 24/7.
Click to expand...

Good thing you aren't on Comcast. Hopefully the stunt they pulled isn't a prelude of things to come.
 
Originally posted by: ayabe
Originally posted by: Azn
Originally posted by: ayabe
Do us all a favor, turn your rig off when you are leaving the house. It will make a difference in your power bill.
Click to expand...

I'm downloading stuff 20 hours out of 24 hours if not 24/7.
Click to expand...

Good thing you aren't on Comcast. Hopefully the stunt they pulled isn't a prelude of things to come.
Click to expand...

Yeah I heard that thing about comcast and bittorrent. There are 2 internet providers where I live I think. So comcast isn't the only broadband supplier although they are much faster than the dsl.

I don't bittorrent too often. Most of my downloads are legit tv shows from other countries anyways. I do it for my folks who get bored of watching fox 5 news. 🙂
 
Originally posted by: cmdrdredd
Here's my take. If you're worried about saving $.10 per month (or whatever it is). You shouldn't even be buying a gaming card because it's clear that you can't afford it.

I'm not saying that you're being cheap or something like that however, I think that people building custom PCs and gaming cards SHOULD BE ABLE TO afford their electric bill, whatever it may be. Otherwise, get your priorities straight.
Click to expand...

Oh believe me it all adds up. Not to mention you need a beefier power supply. It's really not $.10 per month. Try more like $5~10 if you have your computer ON on a daily basis. It's ridiculous to have a video card eating away 200 watts and generating non-healthy heat from your electronic equipment. I rather take the low power that performs. I'm so glad I waited this long to have performing part in couple of weeks than a video card generating nasty circuit board heat and consume high energy.

You actually save a whole lot of money by waiting for a refresh. Lower power consumption saves you electric bills, Half the price of vid cards, less beefier power supply needed to supply which also saves you money.

8800GT RV670 here I come. 😀
 
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