Atypical Question for this Forum

[Peteman100]

I need to estimate my daily power usage for this class I am taking. What makes this computer related is that I happen to be stress testing my desktop today. Anyone want to throw out estimates as to how much power my computer consumes while running the Intel Burn Test and also while performing "everyday" activities? I know this isn't the typical [H]ard question, but kind of interesting nonetheless. Specs:

Q9550 C1 @ 3.6 GHz (1.31 V)
Asus P5Q Deluxe @ 425 FSB (1.2 V)
4GB DDR2 @ 850 MHz (2.04 V)
4850 @ stock settings (and not being loaded)
WD 640GB and 250GB HDs
Corsair 520HX
Monitor is turned off

Thanks guys!

 

[GotNoRice]

I would guess probably about 150watts idle, probably 250-300 during a burn test (assuming all 4 cores loaded) and maybe 350-375 if you had the GPU loaded down also. My numbers were a bit above that (when I was running a single 4850) but my 65nm quad sucks more juice and I have more hard drives.

 

[BillR]

I would guess probably about 150watts idle, probably 250-300 during a burn test (assuming all 4 cores loaded) and maybe 350-375 if you had the GPU loaded down also. My numbers were a bit above that (when I was running a single 4850) but my 65nm quad sucks more juice and I have more hard drives.

That sounds right in the ball park. Computers a a lot more hungry than they used to be

 

[Zero82z]

I agree with GotNoRice's numbers, although for DC draw, not wall draw. Assuming ~82% efficiency (the reality is probably a bit higher), you'll be pulling around 430W from the socket.

 

[FrgMstr]

About 240w at the wall with no GPU pull.

 

[BillR]

I agree with GotNoRice's numbers, although for DC draw, not wall draw. Assuming ~82% efficiency (the reality is probably a bit higher), you'll be pulling around 430W from the socket.

If you hit 430 watts at the wall, you got some serious load going on.

Even the truly radical guys in the DC forum with quads and dual gpus running 100% load on everything 24/7 don’t hit that even with high heat conditions. In fact, I’m typing on one just like that and the load is showing between 300 and 325.

 

[Zero82z]

If you hit 430 watts at the wall, you got some serious load going on.

Even the truly radical guys in the DC forum with quads and dual gpus running 100% load on everything 24/7 don’t hit that even with high heat conditions. In fact, I’m typing on one just like that and the load is showing between 300 and 325.

I was including GPU load as well actually (I didn't realize that the OP meant only CPU load until I came back and reread his post). With only a CPU load, I'd expect around 200W draw from the PSU, which comes out to around 240W from the wall like Kyle estimated.

 

[BillR]

I was including GPU load as well actually (I didn't realize that the OP meant only CPU load until I came back and reread his post). With only a CPU load, I'd expect around 200W draw from the PSU, which comes out to around 240W from the wall like Kyle estimated.

Ok, but the OP wanted total power usage. Kinda hard to load your CPU with no GPU, or hard drive, or some sort of cooling on the CPU plus the fan inside the PSU that nobody ever seems to count

 

[Zero82z]

Ok, but the OP wanted total power usage. Kinda hard to load your CPU with no GPU, or hard drive, or some sort of cooling on the CPU plus the fan inside the PSU that nobody ever seems to count

The 200W estimate is total system load when only the CPU is loaded. Obviously the GPU and other components are drawing idle power as well, and that's part of the number.

 

[Peteman100]

You guys are amazing. Thanks so much!