App for checking PC power usage?

[The MAX]

Hi,
Is there an app you can run to see how much power you pc is drawing from the psu?

Thanks.

[JD]

I don't believe so and even if there is, I wouldn't trust it.

Just pickup one of those power usage monitor things for like $30 at Canadian Tire.

Something like this: P3 - Kill A Watt

[DarKStar]

There isn't - The only way is to buy a power meter device you plug on your outlet and to that, the power cord that goes to your power supply - it will tell you the wattage being drawn. Everything you use in your computer has a rating, you can take note of it and determine the wattage being used approx. but it's tricky because it varies depending on the usage you make - so you're best bet is the power meter.

[The MAX]

k thanks guys.

Anyone know how much these things run?

[misterlarry]

I think I'll pick one of these up today. $24.99 at Canadian Tire.

Canadian Tire

[lowfat]

Originally Posted by DarKStar

There isn't - The only way is to buy a power meter device you plug on your outlet and to that, the power cord that goes to your power supply - it will tell you the wattage being drawn. Everything you use in your computer has a rating, you can take note of it and determine the wattage being used approx. but it's tricky because it varies depending on the usage you make - so you're best bet is the power meter.

Not entirely true.

I can check power usage on my HPTC easily be using a Gigabyte Odin GT. But it isn't exactly a cheap way to check usage.

A lot of UPSes also have software that shows power usage. But Also not exactly cheap.

[AkG]

Problem with cheaper UPSes is they are also usually wrong. My Belkins lie like cheap rugs (60 watts "usage" on a q6600 system OC'ed during prime95...I Dont THINK SO!!). About the only ones I would trust (and only if I didn't have a KillaWatt power meter) are the ones from APC and TrippLite...but like LowFat said....not exactly a cheap option. :)

[ipaine]

I know I sure like my APC backup. It is currently telling me that the input voltage is 118 volts and that it is providing 226 watts of power.

So in other words if I am just surfing the web I have 18 minutes of battery time.



Edit: I decided to give Mass Effect a little run through to see how the power usage went up. I went from the 226 watts up to 324 watts at peak. Now keep in mind that is only one of my 8800GT cards as they are not running in SLI right now. And that card has the Akimbo cooler on it with the fan at 50%.