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    CPU Power consumption

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by arunragavan, Jul 18, 2009.

  1. arunragavan

    arunragavan Notebook Consultant

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    Hi Guys,

    I have been searching the forum but cannot find one single (low weight) tool/software that can provide the real power consumed by the laptop.

    This should include the power consumed by the CPU + LCD (LED) display + DVD Drive + HDD + Other pheripherals.

    Such a utility would be extremely useful in assesment of the build of the laptop and how good the design is.

    Thanks,
    arun
     
    arunragavan, Jul 18, 2009
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  2. qhn

    qhn Notebook User

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    I just look at the Ac Adapter (or the specs) to see how much it needs to run.

    We have a Portable Power Meter at work, one side goes into the wall socket, the other end serves as notebook power connect. It will tell us how much energy (thus cost) has been used over the course of the hours, or we can be fancy and stress test the notebook and see if there is any differences between full power and idle.

    Other than that I do not see how one can judge a notebook model to be well built depending on the power consumption or not. Powerful systems require more energy to run. Each device come with its own specs that are good enough for me. One can also consult testing sites for comparing between device models.

    cheers ...
     
    qhn, Jul 18, 2009
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  3. Fragilexx

    Fragilexx Get'cha head in the game

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    Agreed 100%. Power usage is not a good measure of anything other than how long your laptop will last running on battery power, or how much it will cost to run via AC power.
     
    Fragilexx, Jul 18, 2009
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  4. arunragavan

    arunragavan Notebook Consultant

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    Apart from what you are saying, is there any software to measure atleast the processor wattage..
     
    arunragavan, Jul 18, 2009
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  5. Abula

    Abula Puro Chapin

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    I think HWMonitor has a Watt tab for the processor, not sure if its accurate.

    But when i wanna measure consumption (in any electric appliance), i just use a meter. There are some really cheap ones that will just plug into between your electrical outlet and your laptop PSU.

    P3 International P4400 Kill A Watt Electricity Usage Monitor
    http://www.amazon.com/P3-Internatio...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1247929609&sr=8-1
     
    Abula, Jul 18, 2009
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  6. jackluo923

    jackluo923 Notebook Virtuoso

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    Open the laptop, find the power leads for the processor, measure the voltage and ampage drop with a multimeter, calculate the energy loss. Energy loss = energy used.
     
    jackluo923, Jul 18, 2009
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  7. arunragavan

    arunragavan Notebook Consultant

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    OMG!! use power meter on the CPU...let me find some software which can measure the wattage of the CPU.
     
    arunragavan, Jul 18, 2009
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  8. Shyster1

    Shyster1 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Not really, because you'll then be attempting to compare different hardware setups based on relative power consumption, but that won't give you any indication if, say, the 17" with the i7 and the 500GB, 5400 rpm drive is better than, the same as, or worse than the 15.4" with the C2D and the 200GB, 7200 rpm drive and the bluetooth. About the only thing you'll be able to evaluate in this manner is, as between two copies of, say, an _HP DV7-1285dx, whether the first copy or the second copy is put together better than the other. However, given the degree of quality control most ODMs/OEMs use, that is not going to be a cost-effective use of your time, your money, or your available energy resources - basically, you'll use up more energy trying to do this than you would by simply going with the listed specs and not worrying about it that much.
     
    Shyster1, Jul 18, 2009
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  9. Fragilexx

    Fragilexx Get'cha head in the game

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    Seriously, talking like that is going to get you nowhere.

    I mean, did you try google?

    http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=measure+cpu+power+consumption&=&aq=0&oq=measure+CPU+power+con

    Look through the links yourself. If you find something, great, if you don't, well does it matter. I mean we've already said that meauring power consumption is almost a pointless activity with regards to benchmarking.
     
    Fragilexx, Jul 18, 2009
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