Where to get information for CPU (and motherboard, PSU, ecc) IDLE power consumption?

[olimexsmart]

I think that most Home Labs are doing almost nothing like 90% of the times, thus this is a very important decision factor

 

Moreover, how much other components, such as the motherboard and the PSU, can impact this measure?

[WereCat]

PSU effects it a lot because most PSUs have quite bad efficiency under 10% load.

[SimplyChunk]

something like this will help

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Electricity-Monitor-Backlight-Monitors-Consumption/dp/B0CCRG6SF9/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=3SX3BDPNTD4DP&keywords=watt+meter&qid=1695635799&sprefix=watt+%2Caps%2C64&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

[venomtail]

Use something like HWInfo to get the reading from the computer and then a wall plug with a reading. That's how you can also calculate efficinecy as well as how off PC's own reading on power cuntsumtion are.

[olimexsmart]

Maybe I was unclear, the question was from the point of view of a buyer (like many people here looking for suggestions) that has to choose between different options

 

Not talking here about measuring an existing system

[Needfuldoer]

3 hours ago, WereCat said:

PSU effects it a lot because most PSUs have quite bad efficiency under 10% load.

It's true, to a surprising degree. My PowerEdge R730XD dropped its idle power consumption by about 30 watts when I swapped the 1100w power supply for a 750w. (It idles a little under 200 watts on average.) I might even be able to get away with a 495w in the thing.