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    How to check power consumption.

    Discussion in 'Alienware' started by nodeffect, Jun 18, 2010.

  1. nodeffect

    nodeffect Notebook Evangelist

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    How do I check how much power is my alienware laptop is using when gaming and idle? Because I turn on my laptop all night. I don't want to drain my money. Thanks
     
    nodeffect, Jun 18, 2010
    #1
  2. myx

    myx Notebook Deity

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    How expensive is electricity down there where you live?
    I mean as power hungry as it may, even leaving it on for 30 days in am month should be THAT expensive to be considered a money hole. I pay like 25euros per month for electricity and that includes all the electric appliances and electronics in my house. I keep my laptop turned on all the time while I am at home.
     
    myx, Jun 18, 2010
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  3. sgogeta4

    sgogeta4 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    For accuracy, you'll have to get something like the P3 Kill A Watt P4460 which can be found for like $30 USD. I'm not sure how accurate it is, but you can also try RMClock (which is free). You'd have to be on battery power though.
     
    sgogeta4, Jun 18, 2010
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  4. EviLCorsaiR

    EviLCorsaiR Asura

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    It'll probably be using somewhere between 50-65W at idle.
     
    EviLCorsaiR, Jun 18, 2010
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  5. Mickbt26

    Mickbt26 Notebook Evangelist

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    I have a kill-a-watt equivalent device and done a few tests in the past when dealing with the CPU C-MOD issue.
    My laptop uses 220-230w when gaming and thats with max brightness, FX on, CPU oc'd @ 3.06ghz and SLI running while playing Crysis.
    It idles about 40-50w with hybrid enabled and running on dedicated GPU's

    So yours maybe slightly less with those GPU's.
     
    Mickbt26, Jun 18, 2010
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  6. TheCodeBreaker

    TheCodeBreaker 7H3 1337

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    Is the power consumption, really that important? I would have to say that it goes to the limit of the PSU, if you overclock your CPU. About 160-180 without overclocking. Use kill-a-watt to check it for your system.
     
    TheCodeBreaker, Jun 18, 2010
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  7. maxwell36

    maxwell36 Notebook Consultant

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    maxwell36, Jun 18, 2010
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  8. BlakeE450

    BlakeE450 Notebook Consultant

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    lol

    My electricity bill is $400/mo because of my render farm.
     
    BlakeE450, Jun 18, 2010
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  9. maxwell36

    maxwell36 Notebook Consultant

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    Nice, I am cheating and running mine off the university power grid :)
     
    maxwell36, Jun 18, 2010
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  10. nodeffect

    nodeffect Notebook Evangelist

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    thanks guys for the help.... I'm just trying to save energy....
     
    nodeffect, Jun 18, 2010
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  11. gl2009

    gl2009 Notebook Guru

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    In north Texas I pay 300 to 400 a month for electricity in the summer (air conditioning)

    It's 10 p.m. right now and 90 degrees farenheit and it is only going to get worse.

    I turn everything when not using.
     
    gl2009, Jun 18, 2010
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  12. Aikimox

    Aikimox Weihenstephaner!

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    Nah, I have 90F here in Canada and my M17X is almost never OFF. I used to leave my ThinkPad ON in 35C+ for 3-4 months without even blanking the screen: downloading, playing music 24/7, gaming like crazy. Never had any issues. AW should be fine...I hope. :)
     
    Aikimox, Jun 19, 2010
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