Gaming PC Electricity Cost
Find out how much your gaming PC costs to run per hour of gaming and per year.
Gaming PC running cost calculator
Example: 400 W. Example whole-system draw while gaming. Idle use is much lower; high-end graphics cards can draw a lot more.
e.g. 0.25 = 15 min
0 to 7
Example rate — enter your own tariff.
Estimated cost to run your gaming PC
£0.30per day used
Uses 1.2 kWh on each day it's used (400 W × 3 h).
How it works: cost = power (kW) × hours used × price per kWh. Standing charges aren't included because you pay them whether or not the appliance is on.
Estimates only. Real consumption depends on the model, settings and how the appliance is used.
How gaming PC electricity use is measured
A PC's power supply rating (e.g. 750 W) is its maximum, not what it uses. Real draw depends on the graphics card, processor and what you're doing. A plug-in energy monitor shows actual use. Remember to include your monitor.
How to calculate your gaming PC running cost
Cost = power (kW) × hours used × price per kWh
Example only: at 400 W for 3 hours, a gaming PC would use about 1.2 kWh, costing around £0.30 at 25p per kWh. Used 7 days a week, that's roughly 438 kWh and £109.50 a year. Your own figures may be quite different.
Why actual usage varies
- Graphics card and processor.
- Game settings, resolution and frame rate.
- Hours played.
- Monitor size and brightness.
Ways to reduce the cost
- Cap frame rates to your monitor's refresh rate.
- Use sleep mode instead of leaving it idle.
- Turn off RGB lighting and extra peripherals you don't need.
To include all your household use, try the electricity cost calculator, or price any other device with the appliance electricity cost calculator.