Power usage

[Emperor_nero]

Hi I have a question, If I have a 430W PSU does my computers use 430W or just enough to power all my components\parts?



Thanks!

 

[The_Other_One]

I'm pretty sure just enough to power everything. I know my old PSU had a wattage meter on it.

 

[Emperor_nero]

ok that's great, so my computer:

1GB RAM
Nvidia 6800XT AGP
Intel Celeron 2400Mhz CPU
DVD-RW
7200RPM
3 80MM fans
1 120MM fan
and a few PCI cards

won't take up the whole 430W right? is the amount of power it takes up (for exemple 300W) is that per hour, per day, ect... because my mother is concerned about the power bill going up a lot if i have two computers folding 24/7

 

[The_Other_One]

Just google around and there should be a PSU calculator out there.

 

[Emperor_nero]

Thanks The_Other_One!

 

[ceewi1]

ok that's great, so my computer:

1GB RAM
Nvidia 6800XT AGP
Intel Celeron 2400Mhz CPU
DVD-RW
7200RPM
3 80MM fans
1 120MM fan
and a few PCI cards

won't take up the whole 430W right?

Definitely not. Remember that the monitor (if on) will draw power from the wall separately from the PC, and must be factored into the power costs

is the amount of power it takes up (for exemple 300W) is that per hour, per day, ect... because my mother is concerned about the power bill going up a lot if i have two computers folding 24/7

Watts = Joules per second. There's really no such concept as a Watt per day. Typically, you'll be billed in kWh (Kilowatt hours). If you're paying 12 cents per kWh, that's means paying 12 cents to run a 1KW device for 1 hour, or a 250W device for 4 hours.

Keep in mind that numbers drawn from the PSU Calculator are Peak draws, folding will not cause peak draw. Also keep in mind that those numbers are output from the PSU, not power draw from the wall. Due to inefficiencies in the PSU, you'll be drawing about 20% more than is used to power your system.

Rough guess? I'd say your PC would draw around 100W or so (without monitor).

 

[The_Other_One]

Ah, sorry, didn't catch the last part about cost and what not. I was just reading the part where the PSU would actually power the computer It's 5:30am here...I really should shut up and go to sleep...

 

[Emperor_nero]

Thank you so much ceewi1!

PS like my sig.

 

[ceewi1]

No problems, glad to help. Nice touch with the sig .

 

[Jet]

http://www.extreme.outervision.com/psucalculator.jsp

With your current setup, you will only be using 244 watts at max load, so not quite as much under partial load. Using the CPU @ 100% still does use extra power, but it isn't as much as full load cause the video card is not at max while folding.

 

[Emperor_nero]

thanks jet.