How to track power usage on a desktop?

[Zelenia]

Hi,

 

sorry about a noob question but how to track/calculate how many watts my desktop is using per hour? I had installed "Dragon Center" from MSI but it was just showing avg. voltages. There was other issues with that software like it was accelerating the processor (and using more power...) all the time so I did decide to uninstall it. 

 

thanks in advance!

[LukeSavenije]

if you want to do it in real time, you need a psu that has current monitoring (nzxt e, rmi, hxi, axi, rog thod and irgb plus for example). if you just want to know maximum usage, look at reviews

[Arttu89]

The easiest way would be buying a watt meter that plugs into the socket and then plug your computer into it.

[Master Disaster]

Ohms law...

 

 

Volts x Amps = Watts. Just cover the one you want to find with your finger on the triangle and it tells you how to calculate it.

 

2 minutes ago, Arttu89 said:

The easiest way would be buying a watt meter that plugs into the socket and then plug your computer into it.

This is the best way.

[Zelenia]

Okay thanks. I assume the best way for me would just to see the electricity bill when it comes.

 

[Master Disaster]

1 minute ago, Zelenia said:

Okay thanks. I assume the best way for me would just to see the electricity bill when it comes.

 

Nah, get something like this...

 

https://www.amazon.com/Electricity-Monitor-Voltage-Overload-Protection/dp/B07DPJ3RGB/ref=sr_1_4?crid=M8ZR01EJ3CYI&keywords=watt+meter&qid=1578738723&sprefix=watt+%2Caps%2C232&sr=8-4

[LukeSavenije]

5 minutes ago, Master Disaster said:

Nah, get something like this...

unfortunately they're not always accurate

 

but for a rough estimation, it works

[Master Disaster]

4 hours ago, LukeSavenije said:

unfortunately they're not always accurate

 

but for a rough estimation, it works

Yeah plus the device itself has a little bit of overhead but it works for a rough estimate.