PC Power Usage

I am curious how much power my computer is using. What is the easiest way to measure my power usage?

 

If you have a UPS then the software that came with it must show you mine nomaly uses about 200 watts.

 

Umm.. that really doesnt make any sense. I was doing a bit of research, and I cant seem to find any software based readers, but only hardware ones. There MAY be something in the BIOS, but dont quote me on that one.

 

I have an APC Back-UPS cs 650 when i connect the ups to the usb and install the software that it came with it shows me exactly how many watts the computer is using right now it is 136 watts.

 

OK but the UPS runs differently to a PSU. I think the OP wants to know how much power he is using through his PSU and wall socket. I dont think there is any software that allows you to do that.

 

Well thats what my software detects, it detects the load on the battery which means that is how much power leaves the computer and goes to the battery mate.

Also from a research i got this information this only for laptop, i have not tried it so i dont know if it realy works :

Direct measurement during operation

To monitor the laptop's power consumption while it is running, unplug the AC power and run:
# watch -n1 'cat /proc/acpi/battery/BAT0/*'

This requires ACPI to be enabled. The value given is (roughly) an averge over the last minute.

Alternatively, load the tp_smapi module and run the following with AC power unplugged:
# watch -n1 'cat /sys/devices/platform/smapi/BAT0/power_now'

or
# watch -n1 'cat /sys/devices/platform/smapi/BAT0/power_avg'

The former provides the instantaneous power draw, and the latter is (roughly) an average over the last minute. It's OK to use tp_smapi's force_discharge function instead of physically disconnecting AC power.

Note that running on battery power may activate power-saving mechanisms, so unless you take care to deactivate them this does not reflect power consumption under AC power.

Or you can measure the current and multiply it by the voltage and you will get the current but you need to be very carefull best not to do it tho.

 

Or buy a Kill-A-Watt. That will not just measure how much your PC uses, but anything you plug into the mains.

 

Yeah thats what I was talking about when I said hardware solutions. Easiest IMO.

 

Sorry for the mistake you will get the power not the current...

 

thanks for the replies. i will see if anyone i know has one.

 

Download SensorsView.. it will allow to see your Mobo Voltages and PSU power usage provided your PSU and Mobo are supported. (It supports a huge range of Mobos/PSUs, try it out).

http://www.stvsoft.com/