Power consumption

[noah]

Looking at my electricity bill for last month, I realize that my overpowered dually may be costing me dearly. How can I find out for sure how much electicity the computer is actually using? It's on 24/7 under full load (folding), uses a 550W true power PSU, dual Tbreds at 2240mhz, ATI 9500 pro. I live in a studio apt and don't use much power in the apt. otherwise.

The only measurement I could think of to take is the speed of the electricity use meter outside. It takes 80 seconds to make a rotation with the computer off (just fridge and basic household appliances). Takes a mere 25 seconds with computer & monitor both on! :eek:

[pointreyes]

We have almost the same hardware. Folding with the machine costs me on average an additional $20 a month. Hence one of the reasons why folding is not as much of an importance to me. $240 a year to quite a bit-wish I could write it off. :sad:

[noah]

Yeah - I wish I could write it off too! Not sure why I didn't notice much before this. I might have to retire this bad boy in favor of something more "light weight". For comparion, how much do your uniprocessor AMD machines cost to power for a month?

[pointreyes]

Uniprocessor? Oh yeah, I still have one don't I? :p I have not been folding with it. Only the dually because the dually runs cooler, or at least the heat from the system does not affect me while working near the computer. My uniprocessor system really sucks the heat out of the case and blows it on ya. Can't determine the cost but the uni system should be less since it has half the drives and one less proc.

[noah]

I'll probably have to test directly by measuing power consumption with a less powerful machine.... if only I had one handy!