Computer Hope

Hardware => Hardware => Topic started by: geek hoodlum on April 28, 2010, 08:59:07 PM

Title: consumption estimator
Post by: geek hoodlum on April 28, 2010, 08:59:07 PM: Hi Everyone, is there an application that I can install in my desktop computer that would estimate the electric consumption based on the hardware specs?
Title: Re: consumption estimator
Post by: rad on April 29, 2010, 05:14:01 PM: Good Question!I need the same thing!
Title: Re: consumption estimator
Post by: rthompson80819 on April 29, 2010, 05:37:48 PM: Here is the most accurate way, but it costs $40.

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2003/12/23/kill_a_watt_electric_usage_monitor_review/ (http://the-gadgeteer.com/2003/12/23/kill_a_watt_electric_usage_monitor_review/)

An amp meter, which few people have, could do the same thing.
Title: Re: consumption estimator
Post by: Computer_Commando on April 29, 2010, 06:29:20 PM: There's nothing inside the computer that's monitoring amps, just volts.
Title: Re: consumption estimator
Post by: rthompson80819 on April 29, 2010, 06:41:15 PM: An amp meter is a physical device (kind of like a volt meter) that clamps around an electrical line, like the power cord, and measures the actual amperage going through the line.
Title: Re: consumption estimator
Post by: Computer_Commando on April 29, 2010, 06:58:18 PM: Actually, there's no difference between a voltmeter and an ammeter, except the ammeter uses a current shunt to measure voltage which can be read as amps. Clamp meters are a different animal.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Current_clamp
Title: Re: consumption estimator
Post by: cruisin702 on April 29, 2010, 11:07:45 PM: You can buy the kill a watt meter (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882715001&cm_re=kill-_-82-715-001-_-Product) from newegg for $20. They also have a new more advanced version that doubles as an on/off timer for $50.
Title: Re: consumption estimator
Post by: patio on April 30, 2010, 05:25:24 AM: Unplug the PC for a month...then compare last month and this month's bills...
Title: Re: consumption estimator
Post by: Salmon Trout on April 30, 2010, 05:40:57 AM: Quote from: rthompson80819 on April 29, 2010, 06:41:15 PM
An amp meter is a physical device (kind of like a volt meter) that clamps around an electrical line, like the power cord, and measures the actual amperage going through the line.

Only AC.
Title: Re: consumption estimator
Post by: Computer_Commando on April 30, 2010, 10:17:40 AM: Quote from: Salmon Trout on April 30, 2010, 05:40:57 AM
Only AC.
Some do AC & DC. I have one.
Title: Re: consumption estimator
Post by: Salmon Trout on April 30, 2010, 10:22:48 AM: Quote
Some do AC & DC. I have one.

Yes. I am an oldster; I forgot about Hall effect sensors.
Title: Re: consumption estimator
Post by: Computer_Commando on April 30, 2010, 10:32:21 AM: Quote from: Salmon Trout on April 30, 2010, 10:22:48 AM
Yes. I am an oldster; I forgot about Hall effect sensors.
So am I. I forgot what makes them work.
Title: Re: consumption estimator
Post by: Salmon Trout on April 30, 2010, 10:36:13 AM: Quote from: geek hoodlum on April 28, 2010, 08:59:07 PM
Hi Everyone, is there an application that I can install in my desktop computer that would estimate the electric consumption based on the hardware specs?

You can do it online

http://extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp

http://www.antec.outervision.com/

http://www.journeysystems.com/?power_calculator

These all gave me different results, ranging from 34 Watts (!) to 125 watts for the following spec

AMD Phenom II 945 Deneb
2 x DDR2 sticks
2 x HDD
1 x DVD-RW
1 x ATI HD3450
6 x USB devices (keyboard, mouse, printer, ext hdd, pen drive, card reader)

My Shuttle SN78SH7 has a 300 W PSU.
Title: Re: consumption estimator
Post by: geek hoodlum on May 04, 2010, 08:18:48 PM: Quote from: patio on April 30, 2010, 05:25:24 AM
Unplug the PC for a month...then compare last month and this month's bills...

LMAO :)) =)) hahahaha! But this is effective Patio. ;)

Thanks Salmon Trout for the links!