Energy Usage?

[willy_ph]

Approximately how much energy does a typical computer use? This would include monitor, the computer itself, dsl modem and switch.

[OuTpaTienT]

I believe it's about or less than the equivalent of two 100watt light bulbs (or 200 watts.) Most of that, 100-150w is the CRT monitor. A flat screen lcd monitor is approx. 1/3 the wattage of CRTs.

[no1_vern]

I was thinking it was more like 120 watts for the basic comp(w/256M, ide harddrive, KB&M, modem or Ethernet, and low end Graphics card).
The monitor uses about 75 watts(14") unless you are running a LCD monitor(about 30-40 watts).

The larger CRT monitors will use more Electricity as much as 300 watts, also a high end Graphics card I think will use as much as the CPU itself.

From Australia site: "Energy use was around 131 watts when in use, 54 watts in the deepest sleep mode and 8 watts when the machine was ‘off’. This indicates that the monitor uses more than half the energy used by the unit, or about 70 watts." (http://www.energystar.gov.au/story3.html)

When the computer is off I thought it used 0 watts! Apparently something is "on" somewhere even when the computer is off.

[OuTpaTienT]

Originally posted by no1_vern

When the computer is off I thought it used 0 watts! Apparently something is "on" somewhere even when the computer is off.

Of course there is. There's usually a 5w or so trickle. You can always just use a surge protector and cut the power there. That'd be the same and pulling the machine's plug from the wall. 0 watts.

[OuTpaTienT]

Originally posted by no1_vern
The monitor uses about 75 watts(14")

Since 1994 who's running a 14" monitor??? You hardly even see 15" anymore. 17" is considered low-end bottom of the line (for CRTs).

[no1_vern]

Hi OUT,

Thanks for the tip. I WAS thinking that a 14" would be generally comparable since I dont know what others are actually using.

Vern