We are all surrounded by technologies and computers are the one the most popular of them all. Think about it, do you enjoy watching your favorite movies on a TV anymore, or you prefer a PC? No matter what you answer is, the fact that most people use PC for entertainment, socializing with friends, researching, playing games, etc. is not going to change.
Now, doing such heavy tasks on a computer makes it hungry for power, and this is where the question arises – how much electricity does your PC consume. Furthermore, how can one measure the power that their computer draws? We have solutions for these questions and we will discuss why you need to measure your PC’s power consumption in the first place.
So, we suggest you read on to get the most out of this article.
Why Do You Need to Measure Your PC’s Power Consumption?
The answer to this question is quite straightforward – so that you can keep a track of your budget.
A computer is a powerful machine and when we use it for intensive tasks like video editing, graphic designing, rendering, playing, etc. chances are our electricity bills can touch the roof. Therefore, measuring your Pc’s power consumption becomes extremely important.
That being said, if you use your PC for light tasks like browsing the web, Microsoft Office, watching movies, etc. you don’t have to worry too much about your electricity bill.
Whatever the case may be, few ways can help you reduce the electricity bill, let’s see some of them:
- Disconnect external devices like printers, speakers, Webcams, etc. when not in use
- Adjust PC’s energy settings.
- Stop charging your laptop continuously.
- Sleep and Hibernate options save energy; use them instead of ‘Shut Down’ for small break time.
- Close unnecessary tasks.
- If your hardware is old, switch them with the latest, as new techs are more energy-friendly.
Using the above-mentioned suggestions can drastically reduce power consumption and save your hard-earned money.
So, once you have understood why it is necessary to keep a record of your PC’s power consumption it is time to see how you can measure the accurate power readings using some of the most powerful ways that technical geniuses use.
Using Microsoft Joulemeter
Joulemeter is nothing but software developed by Microsoft to estimate the energy usage of a computer. The purpose of this fantastic software is to improve energy optimization and visualize power budgeting to save money and to make various power management decisions.
Microsoft Joulemeter helps you achieve the purpose by measuring the power impact of individual components like CPU, screen brightness, disk, etc. It also measures the power impact of software installed in the computer like music /movie player, browser, etc.
Let us understand with the help of an example – Suppose you want to watch a movie on your laptop (on battery level) and want to know an optimal display brightness to achieve the objective. Joulemeter gives the right solution by providing accurate readings of power consumption at various screen brightness and the energy impact of that particular movie player.
Using a Power Meter
If you want a physical device to measure the power consumption of your PC, then a Power Meter is your best go. This component is more accurate, easily available in the market, and quite easy to use, meaning you don’t need a technical geek mind to operate and measure your readings.
The power Meter is connected between the main power cord and a power outlet to show real-time readings. There are different types of Power Meters, some are basic whereas, others are much advanced that accurately measure the power in watts, volts, and amps. The advantages of having a power meter in your arsenal are:
- No guesswork, only real data.
- Troubleshoot problems in the power outlet.
- They are easy to use and quite handy.
- Allow you to make proper energy-saving adjustments.
Using an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)
UPS in a computer system plays a very crucial role in the sudden power shutdown scenarios, preventing uncertain data loss and maintaining battery life. Having a UPS in your house does not only provide emergency power but also monitors the power draw as Power Meter.
Though the readings from UPS are accurate, it is not as convenient as Power Meter. UPS does not show the readings of per-outlet breakdown, so you will have to connect only your PC to measure the power draw.
Conclusion
All the three methods we’ve discussed above are good ways to measure the power consumption of your computer, however, not all methods are suitable for every user.
If we make an assessment, Microsoft Joulemeter is a software that could make a fine estimate of power draw, but it is limited. Whereas, a Power Meter is more versatile and convenient for almost all computer users. Also, these devices are more accurate as well.
Talking about UPS, they are a good option but, using them only to gauge power draw is not a nice idea, unless you already have one in your possession. We don’t recommend you buy a new one.
