A while back I started “watching” the amount of power I used. I also took it into account when buying a new computer and setting things up.
F.e. I went for the E8400 instead of the Q6600 quad core partially because it used less power. I got a 80+ certified psu. I always turn the computer off with hard switch, additional to the normal “soft off”. My music ‘computer’ (a mac mini intel) turns standby in 15 minutes off idle.
This are the current usage I get:
Computer + 2x Monitor + usb devices + digitenne reciever (dvb-t) + dect-phone charger at idle = 155W (average over days is equal because higher usage is compensated by the monitors quickly turning standby)
If I put some load on this rises to around 200W.
Now if I look at the average of the separate devices I get:
* 17″ monitor: 27W (old one)
* 21.5″ monitor: 32W (new one)
* Computer + dect charger: 87W
* Digitenne reiever: 8W. (Even when turned “off”).
My stereo uses around 50 W. That is mac mini as playback and a NAD amplifier, marantz radio + cd player standby. (turning music up nicely increases power usage, but I taken average).
Include a 13W + 60W worth of lamps this gets me to a total of around 270W for a “computer room”.
Just curious what other people use.
4 Comments
Mm sweet, what do you measure the power output with?
Not sure how they are exactly called but just a power meter you can get them at most electronic stores. I got a few lying around.
This is what I get (values measured some time ago, so don’t nail me to 1W precision):
20″ Monitor: 30W
Dual-Core Laptop: 30 – 50W
Router, modem, dect: 20W
Stereo amplifier: 30W
Everything, except for the router, modem and dect base station, can be turned off either by switch, or by relais.
In the future I do plan to replace the mac mini with a beagle board for music playback. That should drop that part to +- 2-4W.
I don’t see how I can safe much more power on the computer and parts. Lightning yes, Leds might help a bit.