{"id":19938,"date":"2022-10-19T18:05:46","date_gmt":"2022-10-19T16:05:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/g100.us\/?p=19938"},"modified":"2023-05-05T16:09:29","modified_gmt":"2023-05-05T14:09:29","slug":"reduce-pc-power-consumption","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/g100.us\/reduce-pc-power-consumption\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Ways to Reduce Your Computer's Power Consumption &#038; Electric Bill"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_39 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">TABLE OF CONTENTS<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6684505ccf134\" class=\"cssicon\"><span style=\"display: flex;align-items: center;width: 35px;height: 30px;justify-content: center;direction:ltr;\"><svg style=\"fill: #7f11e0;color:#7f11e0\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\" \/><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #7f11e0;color:#7f11e0\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\" \/><\/svg><\/span><\/label><label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6684505ccf134\" class=\"cssiconcheckbox\">1<\/label><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6684505ccf134\" checked><nav><ul class=\"ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 \"><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/reduce-pc-power-consumption\/#Best_Ways_to_Reduce_Your_Computers_Power_Consumption_and_Electric_Bill\" title=\"Best Ways to Reduce Your Computer\u2019s Power Consumption and Electric Bill\">Best Ways to Reduce Your Computer\u2019s Power Consumption and Electric Bill<\/a><ul class=\"ez-toc-list-level-3\"><li class=\"ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/reduce-pc-power-consumption\/#1_Make_Sure_Your_GPU_Doesnt_Use_Excess_Power\" title=\"1. Make Sure Your GPU Doesn\u2019t Use Excess Power\">1. Make Sure Your GPU Doesn\u2019t Use Excess Power<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/reduce-pc-power-consumption\/#2_Adjust_Windows_Power_Settings\" title=\"2. Adjust Windows Power Settings\">2. Adjust Windows Power Settings<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/reduce-pc-power-consumption\/#3_Reduce_Unnecessary_Power_Draw_When_Not_In_Use\" title=\"3. Reduce Unnecessary Power Draw When Not In Use\">3. Reduce Unnecessary Power Draw When Not In Use<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/reduce-pc-power-consumption\/#4_Control_Your_Monitors_Power_Draw\" title=\"4. Control Your Monitor\u2019s Power Draw\">4. Control Your Monitor\u2019s Power Draw<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/reduce-pc-power-consumption\/#5_Turn_Off_RGB\" title=\"5. Turn Off RGB\">5. Turn Off RGB<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/reduce-pc-power-consumption\/#6_Change_or_Upgrade_Your_Hardware\" title=\"6. Change or Upgrade Your Hardware\">6. Change or Upgrade Your Hardware<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/reduce-pc-power-consumption\/#7_Check_your_CPUs_power_consumption\" title=\"7. Check your CPU's power consumption\">7. Check your CPU's power consumption<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/reduce-pc-power-consumption\/#Conclusion\" title=\"Conclusion\">Conclusion<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/reduce-pc-power-consumption\/#FAQ\" title=\"FAQ\">FAQ<\/a><ul class=\"ez-toc-list-level-3\"><li class=\"ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/reduce-pc-power-consumption\/#Why_Is_My_PC_Using_So_Much_Energy\" title=\"Why Is My PC Using So Much Energy?\">Why Is My PC Using So Much Energy?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/reduce-pc-power-consumption\/#How_Can_I_Save_Power_on_My_Laptop\" title=\"How Can I Save Power on My Laptop?\">How Can I Save Power on My Laptop?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/reduce-pc-power-consumption\/#Does_a_PC_Use_a_Lot_of_Electricity\" title=\"Does a PC Use a Lot of Electricity?\">Does a PC Use a Lot of Electricity?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/reduce-pc-power-consumption\/#Over_to_You\" title=\"Over to You\">Over to You<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p>PCs these days can draw a lot of power, especially if you\u2019re running a high-end system.<\/p>\n<p>And while we\u2019re used to having our computers draw a lot of energy during an active and heavy-duty gaming or productivity sessions, there are still plenty of reasons why we should try to cut down on unnecessary power usage.<\/p>\n<p><strong>First of all, with added power draw comes a lot of heat.<\/strong> Things can, therefore, get quite \u201ctoasty\u201d \u2014 especially during the summer.<\/p>\n<p>Secondly, with global warming and climate change becoming a bigger and bigger issue with each passing day, people are being urged to conserve as much energy as they possibly can.<\/p>\n<p>Cutting down where possible on excess power draw would also do wonders for reducing your carbon footprint and electric bill.<\/p>\n<p>To better understand this whole conundrum, we first need to go over the average power draw of each component\/peripheral:<\/p>\n\n<table id=\"tablepress-177\" class=\"tablepress tablepress-id-177 tablepress-responsive\">\n<thead>\n<tr class=\"row-1 odd\">\n\t<th class=\"column-1\"><strong>Component<\/strong><\/th><th class=\"column-2\"><strong>Idle Power Draw<\/strong><\/th><th class=\"column-3\"><strong>Load Power Draw<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody class=\"row-hover\">\n<tr class=\"row-2 even\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><strong>CPU<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">~40W<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">55-250W<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-3 odd\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><strong>GPU<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">~25W<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">100-450W<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-4 even\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><strong>Motherboard<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">~30W<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">30-100W<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-5 odd\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><strong>Hard Drive<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">~8W<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">8-10W<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-6 even\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><strong>SSD<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">~0.05W<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">0.05 - 2.5W<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-7 odd\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><strong>RAM<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">~3W<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">3-5W<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-8 even\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><strong>Case Fans<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">0W (off)<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">1.8-2.5W<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<!-- #tablepress-177 from cache -->\n\n<table id=\"tablepress-178\" class=\"tablepress tablepress-id-178 tablepress-responsive\">\n<thead>\n<tr class=\"row-1 odd\">\n\t<th class=\"column-1\"><strong>Peripheral<\/strong><\/th><th class=\"column-2\"><strong>Power Draw (On \/ Load)<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody class=\"row-hover\">\n<tr class=\"row-2 even\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><strong>Monitor <\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">20-100W<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-3 odd\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><strong>Speakers<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">50-400W*<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-4 even\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><strong>Keyboard<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">1-2.5W<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-5 odd\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><strong>Mouse<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">0.5W<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-6 even\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><strong>Printer<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">30-50W<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-7 odd\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><strong>Laser Printer<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">50 - 800W<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<!-- #tablepress-178 from cache -->\n<p><em>*The power draw for PC speakers can vary a lot depending on how powerful they are. <\/em><\/p>\n<p>Now that we know which components \u201cchug\u201d the most energy, let's go over a few simple ways in which you can easily reduce your PC\u2019s power draw.<\/p>\n<p>You might also want to do a thorough check of your own PC to see which components are drawing the moist power, so you can tackle them first. Here's our <a href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/how-to-check-pc-power-consumption\/\">guide on how to check your PC's power draw<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Best_Ways_to_Reduce_Your_Computers_Power_Consumption_and_Electric_Bill\"><\/span>Best Ways to Reduce Your Computer\u2019s Power Consumption and Electric Bill<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Make_Sure_Your_GPU_Doesnt_Use_Excess_Power\"><\/span>1. Make Sure Your GPU Doesn\u2019t Use Excess Power<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The graphics card is, more often than not, the most power-hungry component one has to deal with. If left unchecked, a mid-range or high-end GPU can chug hundreds of watts unnecessarily.<\/p>\n<p>The first thing you can do \u2013 especially if you use an NVIDIA graphics card \u2013 is to make sure it powers down <em>fully <\/em>when idling.<\/p>\n<p>You can easily use third-party monitoring software like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techpowerup.com\/gpuz\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">GPU-Z<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cpuid.com\/softwares\/hwmonitor.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HWMonitor<\/a> to check your GPU's current power draw.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_20194\" style=\"width: 960px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><noscript><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20194\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20194\" src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Current-Power-Draw-of-GPU-in-HWMonitor.jpg\" alt=\"Current Power Draw of GPU in HWMonitor\" width=\"960\" height=\"564\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Current-Power-Draw-of-GPU-in-HWMonitor.jpg 960w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Current-Power-Draw-of-GPU-in-HWMonitor-300x176.jpg 300w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Current-Power-Draw-of-GPU-in-HWMonitor-768x451.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\"><\/noscript><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20194\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20194 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20960%20564%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt=\"Current Power Draw of GPU in HWMonitor\" width=\"960\" height=\"564\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20960%20564%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E 960w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Current-Power-Draw-of-GPU-in-HWMonitor.jpg 960w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Current-Power-Draw-of-GPU-in-HWMonitor-300x176.jpg 300w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Current-Power-Draw-of-GPU-in-HWMonitor-768x451.jpg 768w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Current-Power-Draw-of-GPU-in-HWMonitor.jpg\"><p id=\"caption-attachment-20194\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Current Power Draw of a GPU in HWMonitor<\/p><\/div>\n<p>If you\u2019re currently not running any graphically intensive applications, your graphics card should have a power drow below 20% of its usual maximum TDP, or better yet, below 10%.<\/p>\n<p>If you run a multi-monitor setup, it's sometimes possible for your GPU to get confused and not downclock properly. This can result in an excess power draw when your GPU is not in use.<\/p>\n<p>Programs like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.guru3d.com\/files-details\/nvidia-inspector-download.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">NVIDIA Inspector<\/a> and multi-monitor power saver can fix any downclocking issues you might have.<\/p>\n<p><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-20195\" src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Nvidia-Inspector-Multi-Display-Power-Saver.jpg\" alt=\"Nvidia Inspector Multi Display Power Saver\" width=\"904\" height=\"676\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Nvidia-Inspector-Multi-Display-Power-Saver.jpg 904w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Nvidia-Inspector-Multi-Display-Power-Saver-300x224.jpg 300w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Nvidia-Inspector-Multi-Display-Power-Saver-768x574.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 904px) 100vw, 904px\"><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-20195 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20904%20676%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt=\"Nvidia Inspector Multi Display Power Saver\" width=\"904\" height=\"676\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20904%20676%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E 904w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 904px) 100vw, 904px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Nvidia-Inspector-Multi-Display-Power-Saver.jpg 904w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Nvidia-Inspector-Multi-Display-Power-Saver-300x224.jpg 300w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Nvidia-Inspector-Multi-Display-Power-Saver-768x574.jpg 768w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Nvidia-Inspector-Multi-Display-Power-Saver.jpg\"><\/p>\n<p>You can save even <em>more <\/em>power if you\u2019re willing to sacrifice some performance.<\/p>\n<p>By installing programs like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.msi.com\/Landing\/afterburner\/graphics-cards\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">MSI Afterburner<\/a>, you can <em>underclock <\/em>your graphics card and even reduce its total power limit; this, in turn, will prevent it from drawing its full TBP and, as a result, stop it from achieving its maximum clock speeds. <a href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/use-msi-afterburner-non-msi-cards\/\">You can use the MSI Afterburner App with any GPU Brand<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>If you wish to learn more about GPU core clocks and how they work, check out our breakdown <a href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/gpu-core-clocks-memory-clocks\/\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Adjust_Windows_Power_Settings\"><\/span>2. Adjust Windows Power Settings<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Windows has some neat tools built in to help you control your PC\u2019s power usage.<\/p>\n<p>To learn more, head over to the \u2018Power and Sleep\u2019 tab in the Windows settings app. There you can set how soon your monitors turn off when your PC is inactive \u2013 i.e. whenever there\u2019s no mouse or keyboard input detected by the computer.<\/p>\n<p>You can also set your PC to go into sleep mode according to what works for you and your overall schedule.<\/p>\n<p>Because I have two big Monitors, I usually set this to 2 Minutes. Monitors turn back on quickly and you can save roughly 50W per Monitor when they are automatically turned off whenever you leave your PC.<\/p>\n<p><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"741\" height=\"458\" class=\"wp-image-19939\" src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/09\/windows-11-power-settings.png\" alt=\"Windows 11 Power Settings\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/09\/windows-11-power-settings.png 741w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/09\/windows-11-power-settings-300x185.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 741px) 100vw, 741px\"><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"741\" height=\"458\" class=\"wp-image-19939 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20741%20458%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt=\"Windows 11 Power Settings\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20741%20458%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E 741w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 741px) 100vw, 741px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/09\/windows-11-power-settings.png 741w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/09\/windows-11-power-settings-300x185.png 300w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/09\/windows-11-power-settings.png\"><\/p>\n<p>Last but certainly not least, you can head over to the Windows Control Panel and then click on Power Options.<\/p>\n<p>This nifty little area will allow you to select a specific power plan for your computer and, in doing so, tinker with its performance.<\/p>\n<p><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-with-border alignnone wp-image-19940\" src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/09\/control-panel-power-options.png\" alt=\"Control Panel Power Options\" width=\"723\" height=\"447\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/09\/control-panel-power-options.png 723w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/09\/control-panel-power-options-300x185.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 723px) 100vw, 723px\"><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-with-border alignnone wp-image-19940 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20723%20447%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt=\"Control Panel Power Options\" width=\"723\" height=\"447\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20723%20447%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E 723w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 723px) 100vw, 723px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/09\/control-panel-power-options.png 723w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/09\/control-panel-power-options-300x185.png 300w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/09\/control-panel-power-options.png\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>There are multiple presets available<\/strong>: Low Performance, Balanced, and High Performance are all simple to understand and are self-explanatory. You can also create a <em>custom <\/em>power plan should none of these fit your needs.<\/p>\n<p>If you want even more granular control, you can head over to Advanced Settings for each individual power plan and make the necessary adjustments.<\/p>\n<p><strong>For example:<\/strong> you can set your hard drive to go to sleep once it\u2019s been idle for a few minutes.<\/p>\n<p>CPU idle power is yet another source of unnecessary power consumption. Some processors require their minimum power draw to be set manually via the BIOS or through Windows power settings.<\/p>\n<p>Without the minimum power state enabled, CPUs will not downclock properly.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Moreover, if you\u2019re running an Intel CPU, you can undervolt it using <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.intel.com\/content\/www\/us\/en\/download\/17881\/intel-extreme-tuning-utility-intel-xtu.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Intel Extreme Tuning Utility<\/strong><\/a><strong> (XTU).<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Undervolting your processor won\u2019t affect its performance too much but can do wonders for its power consumption, thermal performance, and overall lifespan.<\/p>\n<p>Similarly, if you own an AMD processor, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amd.com\/en\/technologies\/ryzen-master\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ryzen Master<\/a> is a great tool to monitor and adjust your CPU's power settings.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Reduce_Unnecessary_Power_Draw_When_Not_In_Use\"><\/span>3. Reduce Unnecessary Power Draw When Not In Use<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Whenever your devices are not in use, it makes sense to cut any power to them.<\/p>\n<p>External devices with their own power supply, like printers, scanners, or speakers, will continue to sip power even when they\u2019re not being used.<\/p>\n<p>Make sure external devices are turned off, and unplug them from your power strip.<\/p>\n<p>This may seem trivial \u2013 simply turning them off should be enough, right? Actually, many electronic devices will continue to draw a bit of power even when turned off!<\/p>\n<p>The same goes for your computer, too; don\u2019t just let it sit in idle or standby modes. <strong>Turn off your system completely when you\u2019re not using it. Turn off the power strip it's connected to, or switch off the PSU on the back side. A Motherboard and LEDs etc., still consume power even if the PC is shut down entirely!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Better yet, if you don\u2019t have one already, get yourself a <strong>smart strip<\/strong> for your entire system. Smart strips individually monitor and control the power draw of all devices connected to them.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_19955\" style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><noscript><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-19955\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-19955\" src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/09\/Smart-LED-Strip.jpg\" alt=\"Smart LED Strip\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1194\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/09\/Smart-LED-Strip.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/09\/Smart-LED-Strip-300x224.jpg 300w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/09\/Smart-LED-Strip-1024x764.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/09\/Smart-LED-Strip-768x573.jpg 768w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/09\/Smart-LED-Strip-1536x1146.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\"><\/noscript><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-19955\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-19955 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201600%201194%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt=\"Smart LED Strip\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1194\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201600%201194%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/09\/Smart-LED-Strip.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/09\/Smart-LED-Strip-300x224.jpg 300w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/09\/Smart-LED-Strip-1024x764.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/09\/Smart-LED-Strip-768x573.jpg 768w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/09\/Smart-LED-Strip-1536x1146.jpg 1536w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/09\/Smart-LED-Strip.jpg\"><p id=\"caption-attachment-19955\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.evehome.com\/en\/eve-energy-strip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Evehome<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<p>These are equipped with special circuits that can determine when a device enters standby or power-off state.<\/p>\n<p>The smart strip can then cut off the electricity supply to that specific outlet and, in doing so, save you from all the manual labor.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Control_Your_Monitors_Power_Draw\"><\/span>4. Control Your Monitor\u2019s Power Draw<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Today\u2019s LCD, LED, and <a href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/guide-oled-monitors\/\">OLED monitors<\/a> draw considerably less power compared to the big, bulky CRT screens of yore.<\/p>\n<p>Nonetheless, there are still some ways you can reduce your monitor\u2019s overall power draw.<\/p>\n<p>Reducing your brightness is a good place to start. If your monitor\u2019s brightness is set to 100%, bring it down to a level where you can still use it without issue.<\/p>\n<p>Your monitor doesn\u2019t always need to be on full brightness \u2014 especially when you\u2019re not consuming content or doing color-critical work.<\/p>\n<p>If you run a multi-monitor setup (which is increasingly common these days) you should only use the extra screens when you <em>really <\/em>need them.<\/p>\n<p>Another way to stop your monitor from drawing unnecessary power is to set it to go to sleep after a short period of inactivity as we've described above in the (2.) windows power settings.<\/p>\n<p>As a result, if you have to step away from your PC \u2013 be it for a brief moment or a few hours \u2013 your monitor won\u2019t be wasting any energy. Plus, as already mentioned, you should always turn off your display(s) when they\u2019re not in use.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re in the market for a newer, more power-efficient option, check out our guide for the best <a href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/best-4k-monitors\/\">4K monitors on the market<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Turn_Off_RGB\"><\/span>5. Turn Off RGB<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Your PC's LEDs might be pretty, but the fact is that RGB is an entirely <em>optional <\/em>add-on to your computer \u2013 one that in no way contributes to its performance.<\/p>\n<p>While LEDs <em>are <\/em>very efficient, they still consume power that could be saved instead. You can easily turn off your computer\u2019s RGB (strips, fan lighting, etc.) using built-in software.<\/p>\n<p>If you have an RGB backlit keyboard, you should also make sure the LEDs are off \u2014 at least when you\u2019re not using it in the dark.<\/p>\n<p>Nowadays even gamer-oriented motherboards come with RGB lighting.<\/p>\n<p>These built-in LED modules tend to stay on even when your PC is shut down or sleeping. Leaving these lights on continuously can add up to a pretty sizable amount of wasted power.<\/p>\n<p>To \u201cfix\u201d this, head over to your BIOS and make the right adjustments.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6_Change_or_Upgrade_Your_Hardware\"><\/span>6. Change or Upgrade Your Hardware<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>While this <em>is <\/em>a drastic measure, changing or upgrading your hardware can do wonders for your system\u2019s efficiency.<\/p>\n<p>Newer hardware is almost <em>always <\/em>more efficient. So, if you\u2019re sporting a really old build, upgrading to something newer <em>will <\/em>make a night and day difference in terms of power draw \u2013 to say nothing of performance!<\/p>\n<p>One of the most significant upgrades to your PC\u2019s power efficiency and overall snappiness is to replace your hard drives with SSDs. Hard drives use up considerably more power since they have actual moving parts inside of them.<\/p>\n<p>SSDs, on the other hand, consume a lot less energy because they\u2019re basically flash memory with no mechanically moving components.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Upgrading to a more power-efficient PSU can <em>also <\/em>do wonders for your PC. <\/strong>Older power supplies are not as efficient and can even be hazardous (especially if they aren\u2019t from a reputable brand like Seasonic or Corsair).<\/p>\n<p>PSUs are rated at different efficiencies. <strong>Depending on your PC's typical power consumption, you could save up to 14% of electricity if you choose an 80 PLUS Titanium PSU over a regular 80 PLUS PSU.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-19956\" src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/09\/80-Plus-Ratings.jpg\" alt=\"80 Plus Ratings\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/09\/80-Plus-Ratings.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/09\/80-Plus-Ratings-300x158.jpg 300w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/09\/80-Plus-Ratings-1024x540.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/09\/80-Plus-Ratings-768x405.jpg 768w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/09\/80-Plus-Ratings-1536x810.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\"><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-19956 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%202048%201080%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt=\"80 Plus Ratings\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%202048%201080%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/09\/80-Plus-Ratings.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/09\/80-Plus-Ratings-300x158.jpg 300w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/09\/80-Plus-Ratings-1024x540.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/09\/80-Plus-Ratings-768x405.jpg 768w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/09\/80-Plus-Ratings-1536x810.jpg 1536w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/09\/80-Plus-Ratings.jpg\"><\/p>\n<p>A common rule of thumb when building a PC is to <em>never <\/em>skimp out on the PSU.<\/p>\n<p>Plus, if you\u2019re trying to reduce your overall electricity bill, getting an efficient power supply should <em>definitely <\/em>be a top priority.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"7_Check_your_CPUs_power_consumption\"><\/span>7. Check your CPU's power consumption<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Following the GPU (if you have a discreet GPU), the runner-up in terms of power consumption is the PC's Processor.<\/p>\n<p>And while a CPU is allowed to draw a lot of power, as long as that power is <em>needed<\/em>, it should better be downclocking and idling properly if it's not doing anything.<\/p>\n<p>Most CPUs do this on their own. They ramp up their clocks when performance is needed and downclock their cores or even set them to sleep entirely if they are not needed, saving a lot of power.<\/p>\n<p>This doesn't always work, though, and there might be an App in the background that's keeping your CPU from idling properly.<\/p>\n<p>Here's how to force a lower-power mode in Windows. Beware, though, that using a Power-Saver Power Plan will truly limit the clock speed your CPU is allowed to reach. This saves energy, but also reduces performance.<\/p>\n<p><noscript><iframe title=\"How to lower CPU clock speed while idling easily without undervolting (AMD Ryzen)\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/jfUjINMwrx0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/noscript><iframe title=\"How to lower CPU clock speed while idling easily without undervolting (AMD Ryzen)\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/jfUjINMwrx0?feature=oembed\" class=\" lazyload\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span>Conclusion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The five aforementioned ways (or tips, rather) are all simple and surprisingly effective at reducing your PC\u2019s power consumption.<\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s a slew of methods we can employ to reduce our carbon footprint, especially when it comes to our electronics.<\/p>\n<p>As PC enthusiasts, following the steps listed above is definitely a good place to start.<\/p>\n<p>One thing to keep in mind, though: <strong>newer hardware might be more efficient, but that doesn\u2019t mean it draws less power.<\/strong> Things, unfortunately, aren\u2019t quite that simple.<\/p>\n<p>So, if in doubt, roll up your sleeves and do a bit of research before making any kind of investment!<\/p>\n<p>In any case, your CPU, GPU, and monitor(s) are the biggest culprits \u2013 i.e. the components that draw the most energy.<strong> Lowering <em>their <\/em>power consumption will automatically lower your electricity bills as well.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If you want a comprehensive guide on how to calculate your PC\u2019s power draw, check out this article from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pcgamer.com\/how-much-power-does-my-pc-use\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">PC Gamer<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQ\"><\/span>FAQ<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Let\u2019s go over a few potential questions you might have regarding this particular topic:<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Is_My_PC_Using_So_Much_Energy\"><\/span>Why Is My PC Using So Much Energy?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The power consumption of your PC is directly tied to its hardware and, well, the <em>way <\/em>in which you use it.<\/p>\n<p>If it's constantly active and running background tasks it <em>will <\/em>be drawing a lot of energy.<\/p>\n<p>To counteract this, you\u2019ll have to make a few changes in regards to <em>how <\/em>you use your computer and, if possible, upgrade certain components.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Can_I_Save_Power_on_My_Laptop\"><\/span>How Can I Save Power on My Laptop?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Laptops draw considerably less power than PCs, but you can still use them in a more efficient way. Always employ Windows\u2019 battery saving options to extend your battery life as much as possible.<\/p>\n<p><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-19957\" src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/09\/Battery-Saver-for-Laptops.jpg\" alt=\"Battery Saver for Laptops\" width=\"773\" height=\"623\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/09\/Battery-Saver-for-Laptops.jpg 773w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/09\/Battery-Saver-for-Laptops-300x242.jpg 300w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/09\/Battery-Saver-for-Laptops-768x619.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 773px) 100vw, 773px\"><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-19957 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20773%20623%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt=\"Battery Saver for Laptops\" width=\"773\" height=\"623\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20773%20623%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E 773w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 773px) 100vw, 773px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/09\/Battery-Saver-for-Laptops.jpg 773w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/09\/Battery-Saver-for-Laptops-300x242.jpg 300w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/09\/Battery-Saver-for-Laptops-768x619.jpg 768w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/09\/Battery-Saver-for-Laptops.jpg\"><\/p>\n<p>The less you charge the battery, the more power you save.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_a_PC_Use_a_Lot_of_Electricity\"><\/span>Does a PC Use a Lot of Electricity?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>An average gaming PC draws around 500W to 700W.<\/p>\n<p>More powerful workstation-grade computers can draw over 1000W. While that <em>is <\/em>a lot of energy, it's actually less than what most common household appliances happen to consume \u2013 like a vacuum cleaner (1400W) or electric oven (2000W), for instance.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Over_to_You\"><\/span>Over to You<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>More and more manufacturers have started increasing TDPs and TBPs across the board in pursuit of higher levels of performance. This is why it\u2019s so important that we\u2019re aware of our own habits and, if possible, help out in saving the environment.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Have you implemented any of these energy-saving methods? Let us know in the <a href=\"#comments\">comment<\/a> section down below! And, in case you need any help or just want to join in on the discussion, head over to <a href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/forum\/\">our forum<\/a>!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>PCs these days can draw a lot of power, especially if you\u2019re running a high-end system. And while we\u2019re used to having our computers draw a lot of energy during an active and heavy-duty gaming or productivity sessions, there are still plenty of reasons why we should try to cut down on unnecessary power usage....<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2343,"featured_media":19941,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[303],"tags":[216],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19938"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2343"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19938"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19938\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20868,"href":"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19938\/revisions\/20868"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19941"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19938"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19938"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19938"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}