OT: How much does it cost to run a PC?

Just a little question from someone who knows about these things. I have a
computer with a 400W power supply. Does this mean I am using the same power
as a 400W bulb all the time the PC is switched on? Can anyone explain
please.

Thanks Penny x

In article <(E-Mail Removed)>, "Penny" penny57638
@mail2me.com says...
> Just a little question from someone who knows about these things. I have a
> computer with a 400W power supply. Does this mean I am using the same power
> as a 400W bulb all the time the PC is switched on? Can anyone explain
> please.
>
It means that the power supply should be able to provide 400 Watts
output when/if you need it (although with cheap power supplies the
figure is often a bit optimistic). The input power that is required to
produce that output will vary with the efficiency of the power supply,
and the output power that you actually use will depend on the components
in your machine and how you use them.

"Penny" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Just a little question from someone who knows about these things. I have
a
> computer with a 400W power supply. Does this mean I am using the same
power
> as a 400W bulb all the time the PC is switched on? Can anyone explain
> please.
>
> Thanks Penny x
>
>

No, it uses a variable amount of power dependant on how much processing it
is doing and how much hardware (drives etc are being used).
As an example, I found a fairly average PC with an Athlon 2100XP processor
to use about 75W when idle (just web browsing), rising to about 140W when
fully utilised (running a 100% stress test utility).
Also, you need to add the power consumption of the monitor - about 40-50W
for a 17" TFT type or about 100W for a CRT type.
You can reduce the consumption by enabling the power-save features to turn
off monitor and drives etc or go into standby after a specified period of
inactivity.

Dave