How much does a gaming computer cost to run?

[RavingSmurfGB]

Hi, i Have a fx 6100 and a gtx 560 ti and was wondering how much it would actually cost to run (in the uk). I also have a corsair 60+ bronze power supply. 

[LancerBG]

lots more to that formula that is missing. 

[Coombzy]

depends how long you use it and what kind of load you put on it if you mean electricity wise.

[jonasa97]

1 where do you live :>. No seriously. prices differ by so much in different countries. 2 how long do you use it on average per day? 3 do you have your components overclocked.

[Vitalius]

depends how long you use it and what kind of load you put on it if you mean electricity wise.

It also depends on how much you pay for electricity. Even in the UK it is still regional. 

Assuming $0.10 (since I am from the US) per KwH, which is the US average (again, very big approximation just to give you an idea), and that you will be using it at 100% load around 40% of the time and that 100% load means pulling 400w from the wall, here is my calculation:

0.10 (cost per KwH) * 0.4 (400w = 0.4 Kw) * 0.7 (40/60, approximated, ratio of heavy load to idling time) =   $0.028 per hour

Assuming it is on 100% of the time, over a year, that would be 365 * 24 * $0.028 = $245.28 per year to run. 

Again, approximation. General idea. Do note that this approximation is very liberal in that your PC will not pull 400w, you will not be using it at 100% load 40% of the time, etc etc.

You probably pay anywhere from $100-$200 (but $200 is stretching it) a year to power it, assuming it is on ALL the time.

Sleeping/Hibernate would basically make it "off".

[Hoppa]

Talking about power usage?

Unless you are using it at 100% all the time (having it stress tested 24/7 or folding (not as harsh)) you won't have to worry about how much power it will use up.

 

So doing general web browsing and just random stuff.... your CPU will basically be at idle, and according to a review it uses up about 43W at idle speeds.

Your GPU uses up a max of 110W (not sure about idle).... 

 

Overall coming from the wall could be about minimum 100w from your pc at idle (including HDD, fans etc)

 

So depending on the amount you pay per kWh is how much you pay per month.

 

links: http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/amd-fx-8120-6100-4100_8.html

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/graphics/2011/01/25/nvidia-geforce-gtx-560-ti-1gb-review/8

[RavingSmurfGB]

1 i said i lives in the uk 1. i would use it 24/7 for a server and around 4-6 hours of gaming ( load) 3. I have no components overclocked

[jonasa97]

So here is what I got. 400W maximum. Considering it's always consuming 400W, 400W/1KW/h. 0.4x 12pence. That then 5 pence/h. Average usage estimate 5 hours. 25 pence a day. is then about 91 pounds IF you use it for gaming all the time. If you are not ingame you will more likely consume 200W.

 

EDITS:

If I were you I would take out the GPU since it doesn't help a server afaik. This will cut down the power costs by a little. If you could tell us how much the system consumes in everyday usage we could easily calculate how much it consumes in a year.

[mgsstar]

Here is the analysis of how much it costs to run a 560ti: http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/geforce_gtx_560_ti_review,7.html

[ObeseWalrus]

It will not be anything to think about, just an extra $ on the bill.

[rashdanml]

That configuration consumes about 250-300W on 100% load. You'd need to divide that by 0.8 (efficiency of the PSU) to obtain the actual power draw from the wall, which is still less than 350W. And that assumes gaming 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. Which I hope never happens to anyone. 

 

TL;DR: cost is non-existent. 

 

The number I calculated for 24/7/365 was about $150 using the above power consumption. 

[The Great Sayain Man]

Please get rid of that Psu (you can get an 80+ psu for undee 20$)

[TooManyErrors]

Please get rid of that Psu (you can get an 80+ psu for undee 20$)

If you get cheap PSUs, when they die they'll take the whole system with them.

[The Great Sayain Man]

That could happen but that guy has an 60+ Psu...

[ofr057]

you need to get one of these

http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=MS6119&CATID=83&form=CAT2&SUBCATID=1003#3

 

plug a power board into that with all your computer gear

[WoodenMarker]

Please get rid of that Psu (you can get an 80+ psu for undee 20$)

That could happen but that guy has an 60+ Psu...

Probably just a typo

[Slowmech]

And remember that the heat from the computer warms up the room, so in the winter time you earn the energy that way.

[7850OC]

apu A8 + all = 500 USD

 

 

(and yes, this is a gaming PC)