Have you ever wondered how much power your PC consumes when you’re gaming? Or when it’s in standby mode? Whether you want to save on energy costs or just want to know how your PC performs when running specific software, learning how to measure your PC’s power draw is essential.
There are various tools available to monitor this important statistic. Some are built into your operating system, while others need to be downloaded separately. You can also purchase external devices to monitor your desktop’s energy output.
To make it easier to choose the best tool for you, we’ve compiled a list of our preferred power draw monitoring tools, along with instructions for each category.
Use an online calculator
If you need a rough idea of your system’s power usage, a quick online calculator can save you time and effort in taking measurements.
Step 1: Visit the OuterVision website and open its Power Supply Calculator page.
Step 2: Choose the Expert or Basic tab based on your level of expertise and knowledge about your computer.
Step 3: Enter as much information as possible, including components, coolers, and whether your system is overclocked.
Step 4: Click on Calculate to get an estimate of your PC’s daily power usage.
Add it up with HWInfo
HWInfo is a great tool for tracking various aspects of your PC, including power usage. However, it requires a bit of math.
Step 1: Visit the HWInfo official site and download the app. Install it as you would any other software.
Step 2: Run the app and select Sensors only when prompted.
Step 3: Scroll down to find the CPU section and look for CPU Package Power. This represents your CPU’s total power consumption. Find the power usage of your graphics card as well and add both figures together for an estimate of your system’s power usage.
Give Be Quiet a try
Another web-based monitoring tool you can use is the Be Quiet PSU Calculator. It allows you to input details for individual components and click the Calculate button to determine your PC’s peak power consumption.
Use Windows’ monitoring tools
While not as advanced as downloadable tools, Windows 11 offers Resource Monitoring and an energy saver mode. These tools allow you to track your PC’s resource utilization and conserve energy, though some features may only be available to Windows 11 Insiders.
Measure power consumption with hardware
To obtain accurate power usage measurements, you can use an external power meter, such as the P3 Kill A Watt Electricity Monitor. This meter can be found through various retailers and is a reliable way to measure your PC’s power consumption.
What consumes the most power in a PC?
Generally, a computer’s CPU and graphics card are the biggest culprits when it comes to power consumption.
Can I leave my PC on 24/7?
Desktop computers are designed for constant operation but should be placed in a well-ventilated area. Consider investing in a continuous operation (CO) case fan or CPU cooler for additional ventilation.
After learning how to check your system’s power usage, you may want to carefully consider future upgrades, particularly the energy consumption of graphics cards.
