Energy Saving

[Wasiu0607]

Hi, I was just wondering if a computer with higher performance would consume more energy than a computer with slower performance? Ex: 2.66 ghz p4, 2gb ram vs. 1.2 ghz p3, 768 ram.

Thanks.

[scragar]

I've always assumed that it all comes down to the PSU and nothing more, so a 450W PSU (Wattage Power Supply Unit) consumes more power(since it supplies more power) than say a 350W PSU or an old 100W PSU.

[Sunny G]

I've always assumed that it all comes down to the PSU and nothing moreDitto. But for all intents and purposes, to save energy, could one not just put a computer into Suspend or Hibernation modes when you're not using it? Even shutting off the monitor and speakers can help.

[Wasiu0607]

Ditto. But for all intents and purposes, to save energy, could one not just put a computer into Suspend or Hibernation modes when you're not using it? Even shutting off the monitor and speakers can help.


That's what I do, shut down if Im not using it. Im trying to debate whether to get better RAM and processor but if it's going to consume more energy than it already is, I wont bother upgrading.

Therefore, I think the PSU also makes sense. Higher performance PCs need more power supply right? So I guess higher performance PCs DO consume more energy.

[stalebrew]

That really all depends on what processor you choose. Some processors use more power than others.. Heres an example chart: http://users.erols.com/chare/elec.htm

If you have a larger power supply it will not necessarily draw more power than a smaller one because it will only output what the components demand. It will have a slightly higher loss rate than a smaller one but this is minimal.

BUT some smaller rated PSUs that are being used near maximum capacity will have a lower efficiency rating than a higher rated PSU which has less draw.
i.e. 350 maxed out vs 500 supplying only 340watts.

Things like spinning down your disk drives after 10 minutes or turning off your display after 5 will help too. Simple things like that will save a lot more than the loss in your PSU or the performance difference between 2 newer age CPUs.

Now think about this..

If you have a slower machine which causes you to take twice the amount of time to do something that a faster machine would, are you really saving any energy at all? The way I look at it is faster machines = better performance = less time doing the tasks you need to do. If you are really picky go ahead and underclock your CPU and GPU when you're not using it for performance work.

[tobiaseichner]

I don't think that it is worth time and efforts to compare computer systems regarding energy consumptions. At least as long as you just buy one single system (it is surely worth doing so for larger companies making a buying decision for several dozens computers).

It is also hard to find a common ground for comparing energy consumption: When just writing a letter, the computer takes less power than when playing a 3D game with dolby surround music and sound effects.

For example, the main CPU can take power ranging from 10 W to over 90 W - it just depends upon what performance is currently needed (and same applies in general to the sound card, graphics card, CD/DVD drive, harddisk, ...).