Power consumption- does it increase just plugging a monitor in?

[Comdrpopnfresh]

If one were to keep two monitors connected to a gfx card, say, dvi, but you don't often use both at the same time, does just having one plugged in, even if it is off increase power consumption for signaling or something?

 

[96Firebird]

Are the resolutions and refresh rates of the monitors the same? If not, the video card won't clock down to idle clocks, and will use more power than a single monitor. You can, of course, disable the secondary monitor when it is not in use (Win + P is a shortcut). This will allow the video card to clock down to full idle when necessary.

 

[tweakboy]

ditto, fastest way is WIN P which I didn't know about nice one firebird...

or Turn it off ,,, as long as there is a orange light its taking up some time of power consumption,, not a lot tho,,, or monitors with USB connections on them,,, u gotta turn it off or its taking up power.. anyhow.. gl

 

[blastingcap]

I know you didn't ask this, but in case you find it useful: even if you disable per fire's recommendation, if the monitor is like most consumer electronics, it will still sip power as long as it is plugged in. Depending on the age and type of monitor it can be surprisingly high, but modern monitors usually sip only 0.5 watts. If your monitor was made within the last few years, it probably has a 1W or less vampiric load, which isn't anything to worry about, usually.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standby_power

 

[Comdrpopnfresh]

I know you didn't ask this, but in case you find it useful: even if you disable per fire's recommendation, if the monitor is like most consumer electronics, it will still sip power as long as it is plugged in. Depending on the age and type of monitor it can be surprisingly high, but modern monitors usually sip only 0.5 watts. If your monitor was made within the last few years, it probably has a 1W or less vampiric load, which isn't anything to worry about, usually.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standby_power

was thinking more along the lines of my up to 200W gfx card not running at idle clocks and like running @ powertune ones