Energy Wise PC, worth the extra?

**HangOver** · 16th January 2008, 12:57 AM

I was asked today to spec our next batch of PC's to be purchased to be as green/energy efficient as possible.

I spent a (long) while looking at Watts used and CPU cooling
and ........zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
(oops did I doze off there?)

Anyhow bottom line was energy efficient PC $800 MORE than the standard PC specified but it would save about 60%, (average) on energy.
Sound good hey !

Then I looked into actual running costs per year and looks like it would save about $50 per year in electricity. hmmmmm $800 to save $50 a year?

I was then asked to specify a more "cost effective" combination of the two

What this boils down to is when you are looking for a new fridge/washing machine etc and you read 40-50-60% more energy efficient have a good look at what the actual running cost is first or maybe you'll be spending $800 to save $50 !

**JDNSW** · 16th January 2008, 06:04 AM

I haven't looked at the cost of energy savings in PCs, although I suspect that the majority of the saving can be made without a big premium, but the last little bit gets very expensive.

However I have looked at refrigerators specifically in recent times (looking at reducing my power consumption as an alternative to upgrading the solar system), and in this case, the power consumption is not particularly related to price. What is very noticeable is that the easiest way of reducing the power consumption (and the cost) is to not get a refrigerator bigger than necessary. Similarly, in the case of computers, the lower performance computer will (everything else being equal) use less power and cost less - do you really need bleeding edge technology? (Do you really need to run Vista?)

John

**Pedro_The_Swift** · 16th January 2008, 06:39 AM

I'd be interested in your first solution---

most tier one manufacturers are now pretty good at saying how green they are,, mainly it seems thru recycling and not using bad stuff like lead anymore,, I suppose if the cpu, monitor and PSU all go into a sleep mode,, you dont overspec the power requirements(can anyone say compaq?

)
it should all be good.

and John,, we all knew you were good(one less o ? )

but upgrading the solar system?!?!

I'm impressed!

**Captain_Rightfoot** · 16th January 2008, 07:19 AM

We measured the power draw on our lcd monitors at work. When switched off, they all drew between 9 and 12 watts. That meant either in standby or switched off (it made no difference). It doesn't sound much, but there would be 100 screens on each floor. Then there are 14 floors in our building. 1400*10 = 14000 watts. So, thats 14KW every hour even when no one is in the building.....

**markyc** · 16th January 2008, 07:48 AM

Originally Posted by Pedro_The_Swift

and John,, we all knew you were good(one less o ? )

but upgrading the solar system?!?!

I'm impressed!

So that's what happened to Pluto

**Pedro_The_Swift** · 16th January 2008, 10:21 AM

Originally Posted by markyc

So that's what happened to Pluto

makes you wonder what Pluto did to **** John off

**HangOver** · 16th January 2008, 11:32 AM

Originally Posted by Captain_Rightfoot

they all drew between 9 and 12 watts. That meant either in standby or switched off

That's a lot have a look at the LG L1919SSF 19" LCD

It's stats quoted are 37W active and <= 1watt when asleep very cheap too about $250-$280-ish

**JDNSW** · 16th January 2008, 12:21 PM

Originally Posted by markyc

So that's what happened to Pluto

Oh Dear - I'll have to watch how I say things won't I.

John

**markyc** · 16th January 2008, 01:52 PM

Sir, if you can do that to Pluto, who are we to criticise?

**markyc** · 16th January 2008, 01:54 PM

But I did wonder about the driving in high heels comment (admission?)

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