How expensive to run PC 24/7 or how to figure out how to determine it?

Posted by jasondavis on Super User See other posts from Super User or by jasondavis
Published on 2010-03-25T00:25:00Z Indexed on 2010/03/25 0:33 UTC
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cost-analysis

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power-consumption

I realize this question is difficult to answer as it would be different based on users location, what there PC is doing and what hardware it consist of, along with other factors but I am hoping someone could give me a very rough estimate.

I have always ran many PC's in my home 24/7 and I am just now looking at it from a money/cost of electric point of view.

1)
I live in Central Florida. Can anyone guesstomate/estimate the avaerage monthly or daily cost of running your average PC? Intel quad core processor, 1 SSD drive for OS and programs and 4-5 1-2 TB hard drives in a RAID setup for data. 750watt PSU. What would your guess be?

2)
Also is there an accurate way to figure this out (non-super technical and confusing to a non-math person please) Also I have seen those kill-a-watt devices, do they figure this kind of stuff out for you?

3)
Does a larger PSU make your PC consume more power?

Thanks for any help, you can most likely tell I am somewhat lost about this!

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