Power usage over long term...

[stinger25]

Hey guys,
I was just wondering on the effects of power usage if I leave my system on (w/o monitor). I have a AMD 2500+ cpu, A7N8X-delux mobo, dvd/cdrw combo, and ati 9800 pro saphire.

 

[Overkiller]

There has been a ton of discussion over this b/cthis is a real issue for those that do leave their pcs on 24/7/365.


Well for starters, with your monitor OFF you are saving probably half the electricity a normal system consumes (dont quote me on that!)

Also b/c your monitor is off & no game is loaded the video card is doing almost no work as well.

So in essence you have the main cpu subsystem working which i believe in the long run(i.e. on/off sytem vs. always on) is the equivalent of a 35-40 watt light bulb being used x amount of hrs. per month.

I.E. the power drain is quite negligible, probably on the order of a few dollars.

once you beging adding 10 systems however

I am sure some of our more esteemed forum members can provide exact information shortly

 

[Coolkid]

I measured my main box (2500+ @ 2.2ghz, A7N8X Del, 1gb dual channel pc3200, dvd-rom, cd-rw, IBM 40gb and 80GB 7200rpm hd's, GF4 MX460), the power usage of that when crunching w/o the screen is about 200watts (slightly less when the hd's power down) :Q
But the difference between it being idle, and crunching, is only about 15-30watts

 

[Doomer]

I don't notice any difference in my electric bill when I'm crunching 24/7 or not. I figure either they don't really read the meter and just guesstimate or the margine for error is greater than the power consumed.

 

[Assimilator1]

Originally posted by: Coolkid
I measured my main box (2500+ @ 2.2ghz, A7N8X Del, 1gb dual channel pc3200, dvd-rom, cd-rw, IBM 40gb and 80GB 7200rpm hd's, GF4 MX460), the power usage of that when crunching w/o the screen is about 200watts (slightly less when the hd's power down) :Q
But the difference between it being idle, and crunching, is only about 15-30watts

Yikes that's quite a bit more than I thought it I'd be!:Q ,in the days of the high end PIIIs & the 1GHz+ Tbirds power usage was around 100-120w.
I have my 2nd HDD set to spin down after a little while ,I wonder how much that uses?
I'll have to look into getting a meter to measure it ,what did you use?

 

[Ionizer86]

Power bills haven't changed. The house here has 3 PCs crunching now.

As for CPU temps....don't mention my 62ºC I still attempt to run a quiet PC even though the load is 100%, I live in S. Fla, and I also have my tower in the desk....

<--gonna apply the AS5 that just came in today.

 

[Coolkid]

Originally posted by: Assimilator1

Originally posted by: Coolkid
I measured my main box (2500+ @ 2.2ghz, A7N8X Del, 1gb dual channel pc3200, dvd-rom, cd-rw, IBM 40gb and 80GB 7200rpm hd's, GF4 MX460), the power usage of that when crunching w/o the screen is about 200watts (slightly less when the hd's power down) :Q
But the difference between it being idle, and crunching, is only about 15-30watts

Yikes that's quite a bit more than I thought it I'd be!:Q ,in the days of the high end PIIIs & the 1GHz+ Tbirds power usage was around 100-120w.
I have my 2nd HDD set to spin down after a little while ,I wonder how much that uses?
I'll have to look into getting a meter to measure it ,what did you use?

I jus rigged up a plug and socket thru a 10A digital multimeter, works well