I'm trying to figure out the cost of running my computer setup, which includes a high wattage of 556 watts as per pcpartpicker, though that seems a bit high to me. I also have two RGB Razer mice and a keyboard, plus four Sceptre monitors. My electricity cost is around 32 cents per kWh, and I calculated it might be around $790 per year, but that seems excessive. Can someone help me break down the costs for just the PC, the RGB setup, and the additional monitors?
5 Answers
Keep in mind, the wattage can fluctuate quite a bit depending on what you're running, so exact numbers can vary. Plus, each component might have different energy efficiencies.
A smart move would be to get a wattage meter; it’ll show you exactly how much power you're using. This way, you can calculate your costs directly based on your usage.
True, 500W is the max, so you’re unlikely to be consuming that much consistently.
Definitely! It's also good practice to have a UPS. It can help during brownouts and gives you a read on your watt usage.
It's tricky to say for sure. I have a big setup with multiple computers and monitors, and I noticed my electric bill went up about a dollar a day after adding a server. My rate is much lower at 10 cents per kWh, though.
RGB power consumption is pretty minimal, so don’t think that’ll impact your bill much. And regarding monitors, while they do draw power, they won’t affect your PC's power supply requirements directly. PC Partpicker gives you a maximum wattage, but your day-to-day usage is likely much less. I have an 850W PSU and usually only use about 200-300W unless I'm gaming hard.
I'd roughly estimate 20 to 30 watts per hour for your setup, but yeah, it really does depend on your energy provider's rates.
Exactly! Plus, factors like undervolting can save power too!