I am trying to estimate the overall power consumption of a certain computer and need some help...?

Question

I'm basically just going to look at the specifications of the different components that use power. I've thought of the monitor, graphics card, cpu and then just went blank. Can anybody tell me all the important components of a computer that consume power? Any help would be appreciated.

Answer 1

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

This calculator supposedly exaggerates a little on how much power a PC needs, but better safe than sorry.

Nvidias 8800-series graphics cards are power hungry beasts, pulling major watts, along with the high amps that most modern mid-to-high level gaming cards (7950gt, x1950xt, etc.).

Answer 2

Why not use a "amp meter" in line with a power strip supplying power to all the components at the same time. As you are using the computer -- you will notice different readings on the amp meter when programs are turned on and off --- takes "power" to do "work". This can then be converted over from amps to watts using ohms law --- for example > 3 amps would be : 3 x 120 = 360 watts. The 120 is the line voltage --- amps times voltage equals wattage ---
For your needs this method will be close enough , althrough not really precise because of certain other factors. Close enough -- We"re not going to the Moon.
+++Spock+++

Answer 3

Easy method: look at the watts of the power supply. The standard is that sustained power use is 70-80% of the power supply's rated power. So, you can expect a 500 watt power supply to power a computer using about 400 watts average.

Answer 4

This might be of interest to you.
http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/08/21/energy-efficient_computing_options/index.html
http://techreport.com/articles.x/10073/16
After processor and graphics card, EACH of the other individual components consume less than 20 watts. 17 to 19 inch LCD monitors consume up to about 45 watts.