PC Watts: How Many Watts Is My Computer Using Daily?

PC watts represent the amount of power consumed by your system and make it easier for you to justify the huge electricity bill. So, if you are currently wondering about the power that is used by your PC alone, then this article is for you.

Here, you’ll read about various software and devices that’ll examine the hardware performance to tell you about the PC’s power consumption.

Keep reading to see how you can keep a check on your system’s energy consumption.

How Many PC Watts Is Computer Using Daily?

You can calculate the watts used by your PC using different software and devices. The list includes OuterVision, Open Hardware Monitor, Sidebar Diagnostics, Kill A Watt – Electricity Usage Monitor, HWMonitor, Power Supply Calculator, LocalCooling, Watt Meter, and HOBO Plug Load Data Logger.

– Let OuterVision Help You

Are you excited to explore more about the tools and programs stated above? Then go through them by starting with OuterVision as they explain the various tools in detail to make your life easier.

OuterVision is an online detail-oriented tool that’ll help you calculate the power consumed by your PC. You’ll only need to provide some information about your PC components and the PC utilization time. However, if you play games, edit videos, or perform 3D rendering, then you can select the suitable option to let the tool know about it. Mark that the tool is available in two versions: Basic and Expert.

The Basic version asks users to select some PC parts and returns the estimated computer power consumption. Contrary to this, the Expert version is what its name represents. You’ll be given a free hand to select different computer components and add Graphics card and CPU overclocking before you tap to calculate the power consumed by your PC. The advanced version even allows you to compare the efficiencies of the PSUs resulting in comparing the power costs of the PCs.

A top fact that confirms the authenticity of OuterVision is that it is used by many PC hardware manufacturers and computer enthusiasts around the world.

– Choose the Open Hardware Monitor

The Open Hardware Monitor is an open-source utility that doesn’t require installation. It will check the fan speeds, load and clock speeds, voltages, and temperature sensors of your system. Consequently, it will inform you about the power that your computer is consuming.

Furthermore, it would be safe to say that the said software is safe to use. So, you can use it without worrying about the PC’s security. Note that the values recorded by the same Open Hardware Monitor will be displayed either in the customizable gadget, in the main window, or in the system tray.

– Watch the Sidebar Diagnostics

Sidebar Diagnostics is a highly configurable, professional, and stylish open-source software. Moreover, the tool is lightweight and easy to use. It will display real-time information about your computer hardware and let you know about the power consumed by your system.

So, do you want to get started with the Sidebar Diagnostics? If yes, then you’ll need to download the tool from a trusted website and follow the installation steps to install it on your PC. Secondly, you’ll have to click on its icon in the system tray to open the settings. Here, under the Monitor tab, you’ll be given a choice to uncheck the components whose information you don’t require and check the ones that are important to you.

– Kill A Watt – Electricity Usage Monitor Works

Kill A Watt – Electricity Usage Monitor is a device that calculates the amount of power that electrical appliances use. Thus, the same device will work well when you want to check the power consumption of your computer. Read below to find out how you can use Kill A Watt:

1. Connect your PC to the device.
2. Plug the device into the wall outlet to make it read the power used by the computer.

Although the device calculates the consumed energy in watts, it converts and returns the same in Kilowatt hours (kWh). The stated measurement unit ensures that you get the power consumption calculated in a way that is preferred by the electrical companies.

– Automate the Calculation With HWMonitor

HWMonitor is software that’ll calculate the electricity consumed by your system automatically. All that you’ll need to do is to download and install the given program on your system. Once the installation is completed, the software will begin working automatically and provide you with the result. You’ll even get information about the clock speed, temperature, etc.

– Opt for the “Power Supply” Calculator

The given tool is available online for calculating the amount of energy consumed by a PC with the selected components. It is somehow similar to OuterVision. All that you’ll need to do is to select the component models added into your system or system-to-be to get the amount of power used by the same.

– Give LocalCooling a Chance

LocalCooling is free software that can be used for checking your PC’s energy consumption along with optimizing the same. It uses an efficient power-saving mode to reduce watt consumption. The most inspiring feature of the given utility is that it delivers the saved amount of power in environmental terms. So, if you follow some power-saving tips, then you can expect the tool to say that you have saved x gallons of oil.

Here is what more the said tool can provide you with:

• A reduction in the electricity bills.
• A reduction in CO2 emissions.
• Enhanced computing experience.
• Zero disturbance while performing daily tasks.

Note that LocalCooling allows you to set the power mode settings as per your preference.

– WattMeter Makes It Easier

A Wattmeter is equipment that measures and displays the power of electrical devices such as computers. Hence, you can use the given equipment to check the PC power. It will display the power in watts on an LCD. However, you should not forget that the Wattmeter is a sensitive device.

If excessive current is passed to the given instrument, then it might get damaged. Mostly, the maximum current that is allowed for the Wattmeter stands no higher than 16 A.

– Get the HOBO Plug Load Data Logger

You should get the HOBO Plug Load Data Logger to calculate and record the energy consumed by the computers. It is super easy to get started with the given logger. Plus, you’ll be happy to note that the results provided by the same are highly accurate. Thus, if you are looking for a device that can return detailed information about the power that has been utilized, then the above device can be the perfect option for you.

Furthermore, note that the device comes with a rugged housing that protects it from getting damaged.

– Ask the Activity Monitor on Mac

The Activity Monitor on macOS calculates and shows the total amount of energy consumed by each application on your PC. Consequently, you’ll be able to figure out the application that takes up a lot of power. You can then choose to either replace it with another app or increase your electricity budget.

Here are the steps that’ll help you in using the Activity Monitor for the given purpose:

1. Type “Activity Monitor” in the search bar.
2. Click the result that says “Activity Monitor” with a black logo.
3. At the top of the Activity Monitor, look for the Energy tab and select it.
4. Choose “View”.
5. Opt for “Columns” to gain access to more columns.
6. Select the columns as per your preference.

Once you implement the above actions, you’ll get to see the power consumed by various processes and applications. In the results, the “Energy Impact” will represent the current energy consumption of an application. It means that the applications with the lowest energy impact consume the least energy.

Moreover, if you use a Mac notebook, then you’ll be able to check the power consumed by an application since you powered on your device or in the last 12 hours. You can identify the same through the heading that says “12 hours.”

FAQ

1. What Is Gaming PC Energy Consumption?

A gaming PC uses 10 times more energy than six regular PCs or 10 gaming consoles. However, the amount of power that is being consumed depends on the heaviness of the software, PC usage time, and the quality of the hardware components. So, you can expect the said PC to consume 400 to 700 watts of energy. It means that you’ll need to pay around $8 once the 30 days cycle gets completed.

The above calculation has been done by assuming a heavy PC with daily usage of five hours and considering an average pay rate of $0.15 per Kilowatt hour.

2. How Much Is the Energy Consumed by Various Components?

Each component of your computer consumes a different amount of energy. Here is the list that states each component name followed by the estimated power usage by the same. Please read it out to get a better idea regarding hardware energy consumption:

• Power Supply (PSU): 130 to 600+ watts
• CPU: 55 to 150 watts
• Optical Drive: 15 to 27 watts
• GPU: 25 to 350 watts
• Hard Drive: 0.7 to 9 watts
• Case fans: 0.6 to 6 watts
• SSD: 0.6 to 3 watts
• RAM: 2 to 5.5 watts
• Motherboard: 25 to 100 watts
• PCI Express Video Card: 50 to 150 watts
• Regular PCI Cards: 5 to 10 watts

3. Does a High Wattage PSU Draw More Power?

No, a high wattage power supply doesn’t draw more power. It is because the PSU wattage doesn’t determine the amount of electricity that’ll be used. The electricity consumption or the power drawn by the power supply through the outlet equals the amount of power required by your computer. So, a high wattage power supply won’t take up more energy than the one with low wattage.

You can go through the following example to understand the concept in a better way:

Let’s check Power Drawn By a PSU Example. Let’s, you have a 1000W power supply, but your computer requires only 350W to function. Here, the amount of electricity consumed will be 350W instead of 1000W.

Conclusion

Now, you have learned about a lot of ways to check the PC watts. Whether you choose to install software, use an online tool, or purchase a device, you’ll get the best results.

Here is the list to help you wind up the article with ease:

• You can determine the PC watts by using OuterVision, HWMonitor, LocalCooling, or Open Hardware Monitor software.
• The Sidebar Diagnostics can help retrieve the PC’s energy consumption.
• Kill A Watt, Watt Meter, and HOBO Plug Load Data Logger are some great devices to check the PC watts.
• You can use the online “Power” Supply Calculator to check the power consumed by your system.

So, which equipment or software would you like to try to keep a check on the electricity consumption and, ultimately, electricity bill.