Guess How Many Watts

Kornowski

Kornowski

VIP Member
Here's a little "game" for people to play! :P

Ok, So I just got a new Zalman Fan Controller, this one;

1-ZM-MFC2.jpg


It tells me how many watts my computer is using, it has a live update, so it varies with that I'm doing.

I know there's a lot of people that over-estimate power supplies with computers these days... So, I've just taken a picture and I want people to guess how many watts my PC is using right now, as I type this new thread.

Also, How many watts do you think I was using when I played CoD4?

It'll be interesting to see what people think, I'll upload pictures when I get back later today ;)
 
Cod4 + The system in your specs?

calculation time.....

okay an 8800 gets 75 from the PCI slot and has one or two 6 pin pci-express power connectors providing the same.

so thats 75*3 = 225w maximum

225w at 12v is about 19a which sounds right..

your CPU should use under under 200w for sure, but then theres the ram, drives, fans etc.. and the 3 and 5 v etc...

as a rough estimate i would say 350-425 maximum
most likely less

close?
 
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197w.

Haha I measured my actual powerpoint, and with my computer gaming plus the monitor and speakers it was around 175 watts.
 
StrangleHold said:
Watts isnt the name of the game, its Amps. and efficience.
Click to expand...
Actually watts is the best metric as it is the power consumption. There are several efficiencies within the computer. This device only takes the overall power usage of the computer, so it includes all inefficiencies.
 
Does this controller sense the wattage at the PSU plug or some other way? I would like to get something to measure power consumption at the wall since then I could also measure total consumption by PC, montior, printer, etc....
Could you recommend a cheap one (under $100)
 
gamerman4 said:
Does this controller sense the wattage at the PSU plug or some other way? I would like to get something to measure power consumption at the wall since then I could also measure total consumption by PC, montior, printer, etc....
Could you recommend a cheap one (under $100)
Click to expand...

zm-mfc2-diagram_big.gif


There's a diagram of how mine works, It's between the wall and the PSU...

It was only £30 too, which is like $60. It'll probably be cheaper in the US too :(
 
Yeti said:
Actually watts is the best metric as it is the power consumption. There are several efficiencies within the computer. This device only takes the overall power usage of the computer, so it includes all inefficiencies.
Click to expand...

You completely missed my point.
 
StrangleHold said:
You completely missed my point.
Click to expand...
I don't think so, but please explain how amps are more important or a more useful metric than watts. Or am I misunderstanding the phrase "name of the game"?
 
Well, 3D Mark pulled 250watts at the most. I'm going to run 3D Mark & Prime95 together when I get the chance, I think that'll test it pretty good, lol.

Will get round to OC'ing too, as I'm only getting a load temp of 35c at the moment.

EDIT:

Ok, Prime95 and Furmark got my system pulling 308Watts. Which isn't that bad I don't think.

FurMark is more GPU intense than 3D Mark in case anybody was wondering, I also ran Prime95 at the same time to put all cores @ 100%. So, 308watts is the most my system would pull at the moment.
 
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