What is the electrical cost?

[gt24]

I've been trying to figure out how much electrical cost my one computer would use if it was to be on 24/7. I want the costs for a month.

Here is the machine...
AMD K6-3 400 Mhz
1 Hard Drive
1 Optical drive
1 Nic, 1 video card, 1 sound card

Power supply is an AT
LC Power supply, 250 watts (I'm assuming...)
Input 6 amps at 120 volts
+5v at 24A, +12v at 10A, -5v at 0.5A, -12v at 0.5A

I can provide more information as well...

Anyways, my apartment is kinda fussy about electrical cost. They prefer that tenants don't go over the very small cap. The electrical cap is in dollars per month. Therefore, I was curious about how much that machine would cost per month. After looking at various energy calculators, I'm somewhat confused...

[JamesXP]

Do... Not.... Use.... That.... PSU.


LC Power is Deer I think TERRIBLE PSUs.

[gt24]

Yeah, I know... Strangely enough, this computer never died... power supply or not. If it fried itself out, I don't think I would mind. :)

However, it also isn't nice because it isn't ATX. I assume ATX would be a bit nicer on power consumption...

[KillrBuckeye]

You will need a lot more information than what you've listed if you want an accurate estimation of monthly power cost. However, a worst-case calculation (assume you're drawing 250W from the wall at all times) is pretty simple:

250W * 24 hrs * 30 days = 180 KW-hr/month

The cost of electricity varies depending on region, but I'm thinking it's around $0.10/KW-hr. At that rate, your monthly cost is:

(180 KW-hr/month) * ($0.10/KW-hr) = $18 / month

However, the PC will not be at full load all the time, and with those specs my ballpark estimate is 100W average consumption (I'm pulling that number out of my rear). So the cost in this case would be 40% (100/250) of the full-load calculation, or = $7.20.

[thideras]

You will need a lot more information than what you've listed if you want an accurate estimation of monthly power cost. However, a worst-case calculation (assume you're drawing 250W from the wall at all times) is pretty simple:

250W * 24 hrs * 30 days = 180 KW-hr/month

The cost of electricity varies depending on region, but I'm thinking it's around $0.10/KW-hr. At that rate, your monthly cost is:

(180 KW-hr/month) * ($0.10/KW-hr) = $18 / month

However, the PC will not be at full load all the time, and with those specs my ballpark estimate is 100W average consumption (I'm pulling that number out of my rear). So the cost in this case would be 40% (100/250) of the full-load calculation, or = $7.20.I'd say 33 watts ;)

[KillrBuckeye]

I'd say 33 watts ;)
Wow I was off by that much?! I guess those old systems really don't draw much power. Makes me feel better about the P3/900MHz system I have running 24/7 as my file & web server. :)

[SolidxSnake]

On top of that, you'll have to add in an efficiency factor, so instead of saying it's pulling 250W (which is the max rating), say you're pulling 320W from the wall (near 80% efficiency, real life is probably much lower).

If it's pulling roughly 100 watts (doubt it is), do the math. Find how much the PC is pulling from the wall (lets say 150 in this case), multiply by 24 hours, to 30 days, then get your monthly cost as described above.

[gt24]

So in other words I would be much better off if I bought a kill-a-watt?
http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/travelpower/7657/

[SolidxSnake]

I suppose so, hehe.

[KillrBuckeye]

So in other words I would be much better off if I bought a kill-a-watt?
http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/travelpower/7657/Sure, you can spend 3-6 months worth of PC electricity to figure out if it's costing you $5/month or $10/month. :) What is the purpose of this again? Your landlord needs an exact figure for your power consumption?

[gt24]

Sure, you can spend 3-6 months worth of PC electricity to figure out if it's costing you $5/month or $10/month. :) What is the purpose of this again? Your landlord needs an exact figure for your power consumption?

Moreso that my landlord will pay the electrical as long as it isn't "too much". It has to be under $30 a month. Things like an air conditioner is ok if I inform him first and if I pay the excess. I suppose he doesn't like surprises on the electrical bill.

So, if the extra computer will become a problem then I can't risk running it in that fashion. I was wondering how pricey it would be and therefore if it would be a problem.

Yes, stove is gas as well a heat and there are no real energy drain other than lights, personal computer, tv, and alike. I didn't want a huge energy waste to make a mess though. If it isn't much of a drain... then maybe it is ok...