[w i l l]

Hellooo.

I've just left my design job with the intention of setting up on my own. Money is a bit tight and I'm beginning to wonder about all possible business costs particularly energy bills from PC's that are continuosly rendering through Maxwell.

So I'm wondering roughly how much more energy the same PC requires for rendering over basic IT functions or even modelling. Could anyone give me any info or links? Apologies if this has been asked before.

Cheers.

[b-kandor]

I did some calculations a while ago - where I live hydro is about 8.5 cents/kwh. So my office with 3 computers, fax, printers, lights etc with computers running 24/7 costs (very approx) $45 per month.

Actually, several websites have detailed power consumption costs for different chips. But I know that a modern hi-powered machine can pull approx. 400w from the wall socket, so that's the number I use.

Kandor

[zoppo]

So I'm wondering roughly how much more energy the same PC requires for rendering over basic IT functions or even modelling. Could anyone give me any info or links? Apologies if this has been asked before.
Cheers.

That depends very much on your system - e.g. if your cpu can slow down when it is not needed at full speed. and the other thing is that i switch off my monitors when rendering while they eat about 90W/h while modelling ...

i got a little device called "energy check 3000" - costs about 20.- and you put it between the plug and the computer. it's quite interesting to see how much it varies from system to system.

[w i l l]

Within evey company that I've worked it's been the norm to either leave the PC on and switch off the monitor, or leave the monitor on standby, over night. That seems odd to me.

[thxraph]

350€ of electricity per month here.... 15 computers
thxraph

[-Adrian]

Thanks for the stats guys, i remember we had a discussion like that but this time we have some useful first hand reports

[jeffg]

Look at steam power my friend.

Highly under rated.