Average operational cost of PC
Mar 15, 2018 09:58:44 #
Would like to hear from hoggers what Is the average yearly cost of operating a PC? 
Mar 15, 2018 10:09:13 #
warrior wrote:
Would like to hear from hoggers what Is the average yearly cost of operating a PC?
In terms of power or depreciation/replacement (and potential repair)?
Mar 15, 2018 10:11:15 #
warrior wrote:
Would like to hear from hoggers what Is the average yearly cost of operating a PC?
The cost of electricity. I put together my PC in 2011, and so far, other than adding more memory and storage to meet my needs - it has cost me nothing other than power. And since I have solar panels on my roof, even the power I consume is a lot lower than the average.
But in the interest of transparency, I have personally built over 3,000 PCs since 1983, the majority of which were high-end engineering, architectural, 3D modeling and simulation, and graphics/video workstations for industry professionals. By carefully selecting components and providing proper training - (that's what I did in my other life),and using top drawer anti-malware software (I use and highly recommend Avast!), I minimized equipment failure and downtime. BTW - nothing from the "other" company was able to provide machines with the horsepower or software support needed to accomplish these tasks - with the exception of desktop publishing/corporate graphics and video production. In the case of video, I still like the "other" company's smooth and extremely competent approach.
Mar 15, 2018 10:30:32 #
warrior wrote:
Would like to hear from hoggers what Is the average yearly cost of operating a PC?
An engineer would say "It's in the noise" .... in other words, the amount is so small, if you unplugged it, examining your monthly bills would give no hint that had happened, because the costs are less than regular variation.
Mar 15, 2018 10:45:10 #
A good friend is a "day trader", working at home, and has two computers, both with four screens going, 24/7. When he went away for a week, he just said "let 'em sleep - all together, they only cost about seventy five cents a day to operate". Knowing how this guy was with money, it was probably pretty accurate.
Mar 15, 2018 10:52:01 #
My guess is that there are so many variables, that it’s difficult to quantify. Laptop, desktop or tablet? How many and what type/size monitors? Peripherals? Routers and modems? Printer(s)? But most importantly, how the machine is used and for how long. When running “full bore”, such as image editing, an I7 desktop could easily use 300-400 Watts, then add the printer, modem, external drives monitors and router/modem, you could be at 500+ Watts, BUT at idle when everything drops into power save mode, it’s probably more like a hundred. Next time I get a chance, I’ll plug my system into my AC amp meter and take a look under various operating conditions just out of curiosity.
Mar 15, 2018 12:46:59 #
Since everyone's computer setup is different- The simplest way to figure YOUR usage is
Look on the computer label to see how many watts it is rated for.
Add the wattage rating on your monitor and any other peripherals used with it (scanner, printer, etc.).
Divide by 1000 (1 Kw).
Multiply by how many hours a day it is on. (FYI - Standby reduces power consumption.)
Multiply by 365 days.
Multiply by your cost per Kwh.
(Look at your electric bill to see the total cost per Kwh (Kilowatt-hour), divide total electric charge by Kwh used to get actual cost per Kwh. Mine is $.154 per Kwh.)
Answer is cost per year if on and active for the time noted. Less if it is in standby most of the time.
Look on the computer label to see how many watts it is rated for.
Add the wattage rating on your monitor and any other peripherals used with it (scanner, printer, etc.).
Divide by 1000 (1 Kw).
Multiply by how many hours a day it is on. (FYI - Standby reduces power consumption.)
Multiply by 365 days.
Multiply by your cost per Kwh.
(Look at your electric bill to see the total cost per Kwh (Kilowatt-hour), divide total electric charge by Kwh used to get actual cost per Kwh. Mine is $.154 per Kwh.)
Answer is cost per year if on and active for the time noted. Less if it is in standby most of the time.
Mar 15, 2018 14:04:37 #
warrior wrote:
Would like to hear from hoggers what Is the average yearly cost of operating a PC?
Can we count the labor hours spent at it doing PP??? LoL
SS
Mar 15, 2018 14:31:18 #
TheShoe
Loc: Lacey, WA
Nothing except expendable supplies. My monthly fee at the retirement community where I live covers all utilities.
Mar 16, 2018 06:00:06 #
warrior wrote:
Would like to hear from hoggers what Is the average yearly cost of operating a PC?
Rough estimate -
67 Watts X 10 hrs/day X 30 days = 20,100 Watts
20,100 / 1000 = 20.1 kWh X $0.25 = $5.03 per month X 12 = $60.36 per year
I seldom have it on for ten hours a day, but sometimes it on longer, so this is a very rough estimate.
Mar 16, 2018 06:02:33 #
Longshadow wrote:
(Look at your electric bill to see the total cost per Kwh (Kilowatt-hour), divide total electric charge by Kwh used to get actual cost per Kwh. Mine is $.154 per Kwh.)
On my last bill, the actual cost was $0.27 per kWh. It doesn't matter what the company lists as the per kWh charge. Divide the total cost by the amount of electricity used.
Mar 16, 2018 07:27:32 #
jerryc41 wrote:
On my last bill, the actual cost was $0.27 per kWh. It doesn't matter what the company lists as the per kWh charge. Divide the total cost by the amount of electricity used.
That's what I did. (There are all kinds of surcharges in the bill.)
Mar 16, 2018 08:19:34 #
Gene51 wrote:
The cost of electricity. I put together my PC in 2... (show quote)
What "other" company. Give us a clue. You refer to “desktop publishing/corporate graphics and video production” as exceptions where, apparently, that “other” either matched or exceeded your capability, all in the interest of transparency. My vision is blurred. Can you enlighten us without compromising your apparent need to remain somewhat non-transparent? I’m not faulting you for this, just curious to what “desktop publishing/corporate graphics and video production” you refer.
I’m not in your league when it comes to building computers, but was heavily involved as a consumer of computers and software as the “desktop publishing/corporate graphics and video production” matured to what it is today. I would be interested to know the products or technology to which you refer.
Thanks for an interesting post.
Caruso
Mar 16, 2018 08:19:55 #
Cost of electricity? Depends upon how much it is used.... Depends on accessories - video cards, etc. A fast, powerful desktop may need a 650 W power supply. So - if you are using a lot of that available power, electricity costs for an hour will be half of your kilowatt-hour rate - so in Maine it might cost 10 cents an hour, in Florida perhaps 6 cents.
Mar 16, 2018 08:53:24 #
Carusoswi wrote:
What "other" company. Give us a clue. ... (show quote)
I’m pretty sure Gene was referring to Apple Macintoshes.
Watch this Max Yuryev video:
https://youtu.be/6ix2Xg2I0Jo
Upshot: An iMac running Final Cut Pro X is faster and more efficient than a much faster, high end, custom-built PC running Adobe Premiere. It’s all in the code. FCPX screams.
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