The power consumption of’a desktop computer: what is it and how to reduce it ?

In order to save money, it is important to know the power consumption of the devices in your home. You will be able to avoid waste and limit the impact of the electricity bill on your budget. In this context, you need to evaluate the energy performance of your desktop computer.

You will then know the measures to take to reduce its consumption.

What is the power consumption of a desktop computer? ?

The consumption of a desktop computer depends above all on its configuration (processor, graphics card, hard disk…). Therefore, you must consider this aspect as soon as you buy your machine. You can nevertheless benefit from recommendations in this matter by choosing a fixed computer at inmac wstore.

The advice will be based on your technical, financial, energy concerns, etc.

As a general rule, the more powerful a computer is, the more energy it consumes. A gamer PC consumes more electricity than a computer with a more modest configuration. Consumption will also increase with powerful components such as a latest generation 3D graphics card.

In other words, performance necessarily implies an increase in.

As an indication, a standard desktop computer consumes on average 200 W per hour (200 Wh). This estimate is based on an entry-level PC equipped with an internet box, a speaker and a printer. If you use this machine 8 hours a day, your annual consumption will reach 600 kWh (600,000 Wh).

This figure can exceed 900 kWh with a gamer configuration.

What affects the consumption ?

The consumption of a desktop computer varies according to different factors such as usage, age and connected peripherals. If you turn it on only 2 hours a day, a standard PC will cost you about 15 euros of electricity per year. This time of use corresponds to basic practices such as surfing the Internet, online shopping, watching movies… In case of intensive use, the consumption will be at least tenfold from 8 hours per day.

The software used also increases the costs of the project energy needs of a computer. This factor is often underestimated, as heavy tools usually require a large configuration. That said, 3D modeling applications will put more strain on the PC than an audio player. The power consumption will then increase in the CPU, GPU, cooling system..

On the other hand, a computer’s consumption tends to increase with time, as for any other electrical appliance. This increase can vary significantly depending on the make, model, power and age of the PC. Therefore, it is not enough to calculate its environmental impact. You should also eliminate power-hungry equipment.

In addition, manufacturers are working to reduce the power consumption of their latest products.

Choosing the right equipment

Long before the effects of time, the choice of hardware is decisive for the consumption of a desktop computer. You need to consider the following energy requirements of the machine and each device. The average power consumption of a standard PC includes the CPU (170 W per hour), speakers (20 W), modem (10 W) and printer (5 W).

These are median figures for evaluating your purchases.

In principle, an all-in-one computer helps to save energy by eliminating peripherals. However, you should check the technical specifications of the device in question. The energy consumption of an iMac can actually reach 295 W per hour on the 27-inch version with a 5K screen. That said, this figure would be even higher with a custom PC with a similar configuration.

It is important to compare only devices with identical characteristics.

How to reduce your electricity consumption ?

You must first think of replacing any old equipment, if you want to Reducing desktop power consumption. Indeed, electrical appliances tend to consume more power as they age. This rule applies to the PC and its various peripherals.

You will then have to pay attention to the energy requirements displayed by the manufacturer when buying a new equipment.

You must also choose a computer that corresponds to the intended use. This approach will reduce both the purchase price and the electricity bill. It is a matter of common sense, but you may be tempted to anticipate future use of the PC. If, for example, you are planning to start a graphic design business in the medium term.

So, you opt for a powerful model from the start. However, this machine risks becoming obsolete and energy consuming before the realization of this project.

Finally, there are some simple things you can do to Reduce the power consumption of your computer on a daily basis. In detail :