I'm currently using an AMD B550 with a 3700x processor and an RTX 2070, which draws over 80 watts when it's idle. In California, that adds up to nearly $300 a year if I leave it on all the time, and I tend to do just that. I've heard that Intel processors might perform better in terms of power consumption at idle, but I'm unsure of the specifics. Has anyone measured their Intel desktops' power draw at idle? I'm trying to figure out if I should switch to a more energy-efficient setup like a laptop or mini PC, or if there's a way to improve my current desktop's efficiency.
2 Answers
One option you can consider is eco mode, which reduces power consumption, and setting your system to automatically sleep when not in use. You might also look into undervolting your GPU and CPU to help with power draw.
From my experience, Intel CPUs are definitely better at idle. My Intel 13900k used to pull about 100-130 watts at idle, with around 10-15 watts from the CPU alone. After switching to an AMD 7950x3d, my idle consumption is down to about 115-130 watts. So, you could expect a small improvement, roughly 10 watts less at idle, but keep in mind they get pretty power-hungry under load.
It seems like desktops are just naturally more power-hungry. I didn’t realize the other components contributed so much! I might have to think about a mini PC or laptop to cut down on my electricity bill.