PC Power usage

[golwg]

Got given a Meter type thingy from my Electricity company to monitor power usage and boy the PC takes quite a bit. Are there any guides that i can check to see what i can do to get my pc running but using less power? It is on all day because of my work.

[arthurleung]

At least show us the spec if your system? And what kind of program you're using on that need to be 7x24.

Very few basic steps to save power that doesn't cost money:
1. Underclock your graphics card (when you're not using it)
2. Remove your CPU overclock (if any), then turn on CnQ or Speedstep
3. Set your computer power profile to spin down harddrives after say 30 minutes
4. Disconnect all unnecessary USB devices like external harddrive
5. Reduce RAM frequency / timing to allow you to use stock voltage (if you're using performance ram)

[golwg]

At least show us the spec if your system? And what kind of program you're using on that need to be 7x24.

Very few basic steps to save power that doesn't cost money:
1. Underclock your graphics card (when you're not using it) Using Onboard
2. Remove your CPU overclock (if any), then turn on CnQ or Speedstep Not Overclocked (AM7 X3 720)
3. Set your computer power profile to spin down harddrives after say 30 minutes
4. Disconnect all unnecessary USB devices like external harddrive Nothing connected, only mouse and keyboard
5. Reduce RAM frequency / timing to allow you to use stock voltage (if you're using performance ram)4gig DDR3 Ram, not clocked

..................

[golwg]

Are there better energy efficient CPU's that can perform as good as my current one above? I leave the PC on to access emails etc for work related stuff plus i use the pc in the day for office work.

I have a bog standard psu so might be good to change that. Was looking at the Nexus value 430.

[arthurleung]

Are there better energy efficient CPU's that can perform as good as my current one above? I leave the PC on to access emails etc for work related stuff plus i use the pc in the day for office work.

I have a bog standard psu so might be good to change that. Was looking at the Nexus value 430.

What is your current power usage? From the two components you've given, the power usage should be about 50W Idle and 105W Full load. Which is already quite good.

Replacing the PSU will probably give you up to 15% improvement which is about 15W (~15 quids a year at 7x24). There is probably no economical / environmental benefit from buying a new PSU.

If it is not overclocked, you can try undervolting (if your BIOS have the option available). X3 should be good about 1.2V instead of 1.4V stock voltage. However you should be stress-testing your CPU to make sure the CPU works fine at the lower voltage. This should save between 5~20% of power consumption at full load.

Depends on what your "work" consists of, you can buy a refurbished netbook around £100 which use about 15W, so that you will not need to run your main desktop all day.

[golwg]

What about getting a new Mac Mini? They are supposed to be superb at efficiency? Plus i can run windows on it if need be?

Current usage shows up around 250-270

Thanks

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

What about getting a new Mac Mini? They are supposed to be superb at efficiency? Plus i can run windows on it if need be?

Current usage shows up around 250-270

Thanks

If you are worried about power consumption get a notebook!!

Most normal notebooks do not have a power adaptor of more than 150W.

[oolon]

Mac minis are intel core 2 processors and consume quite a bit of power, you could do better by getting someone atom based however atoms are no good for HD video.

[golwg]

Read that the Mac Mini is very energy efficient!

http://www.apple.com/uk/macmini/environment.html

[kmac]

Mac will hinder attempts to self repair/upgrade. Spares are expensive.

I find the OS impenetrable but then I try and do unimaginable things with it

[golwg]

Mac will hinder attempts to self repair/upgrade. Spares are expensive.

I find the OS impenetrable but then I try and do unimaginable things with it

HD and ram is upgradeable though.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

I still would get a notebook though. If you start including the power consumption of the monitor a notebook in many cases is still more energy efficient.

For instance this notebook with an 18.4" screen only has a 65W power adaptor:

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/179374

http://www.expansys.com/d.aspx?i=192990

[kmac]

I agree with CAT, if you are really worried about Power get a notebook. You can even shut it without powering down, when not in use, reducing power consumption even further.

Then get one of these http://scienceshareware.com/bicycle-generator-faq.htm

[kmac]

HD and ram is upgradeable though.

Yes, same as a laptop except it uses more power

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Then get one of these http://scienceshareware.com/bicycle-generator-faq.htm

Such devices do exist outside the realms of comedy it seems!!

[scaryjim]

Current usage shows up around 250-270

A Phenom II X3 720, 4GB DDR3 and onboard graphics are using 250W?
Something is *seriously* wrong with your setup... that kind of rig shouldn't be pulling more than 200W, and realistically it's more likely to be using nearer 150W. What PSU are you using?

oh,p.s. - just because your ram is running at its stock settings doesn't mean it isn't using a high voltage: a lot of DDR2 ram runs at 2.1V to meet 1066MHz CL5, where as running it at 800MHz CL6 you should be able to use 1.8V, which would be a significant saving (power draw varies with the square of voltage)... your DDR3 should run at 1.5V default - if it's running at any higher than that you can save yourself some power by ramping it down a notch...
p.p.s. tbh It doesn't sound like you actually have any need to run the PC 24/7 - and you'd be amazed by how little power a PC draws when it's turned off...