1. What is PC Power Consumption?

PC power consumption refers to the total electrical energy used by all components of a computer system. It's typically measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh) and is important for estimating electricity costs and environmental impact.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the power consumption formula:

Where:

• \( \Sigma P_{components} \) — Sum of power from all components (CPU, GPU, RAM, etc.) in watts
• \( h \) — Usage time in hours
• 1000 — Conversion factor from watts to kilowatts

Explanation: The equation calculates total energy consumption by multiplying total power by time and converting to kilowatt-hours.

3. Importance of Power Calculation

Details: Calculating PC power consumption helps estimate electricity costs, size appropriate power supplies, and understand environmental impact. It's also useful for comparing energy efficiency between systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter power values for each component in watts and usage time in hours. Typical values: CPU (65-150W), GPU (75-350W), RAM (2-5W per module), Storage (5-10W per drive).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How accurate are these calculations?
A: They provide estimates. Actual consumption varies based on workload, efficiency, and component utilization.

Q2: Should I include monitor power?
A: For complete system consumption, yes. Monitors typically add 20-100W depending on size and technology.

Q3: How can I measure actual power use?
A: Use a wattmeter at the wall outlet for most accurate measurements of the entire system.

Q4: Does idle vs load power matter?
A: Yes. Components use less power at idle. For accurate estimates, use typical or maximum load values.

Q5: How does this translate to electricity cost?
A: Multiply kWh by your local electricity rate (e.g., $0.12/kWh × 10kWh = $1.20).