Energy Use of Computers

[CaptainStoner]

I think one issue, at least with some versions of Windows, is that Windows occassionally checks the hard drive and floppy drive when there is no good reason to do so, which not only adds to energy use but also to wear and tear. It might be less of an issue with XP and Vista, but it was really noticeable with 98 and Me. An old 98 desktop with a metal case made a loud banging noise if there was no floopy in the drive whenever Windows checked that drive during Sleep mode. Me simply ran down the batteries of a ThinkPad by restarting the hard disk quite often when in Sleep mode.

Even Vista, I have noticed, sometimes checks the floppy drive when there is no real reason to do so other than to make venders of peripherals happy. I've also noticed that with Vista the hard disk often races for no apparent reason.

I have not seen a computer with a floppy dirve for years.

What kinds of things do you use them for?

I have one in mine. It helps keep dust from entering the case, though not as effectively as the plastic panel. I can't find the plastic panel though...

 

[BCI]

I still use very little power compared to most households in our region.

J.

I measured the Mac Mini. It needs half as much as my regular desktop.

 

[Mr. B]

I know my computer draws plenty of juice... when I do my next round of upgrades later this year, my current 500 watt PSU may not be enough... that's just the nature of high tech stuff. They say a PS3 takes 5 times the power of a refrigerator. My 50 inch plasma TV can draw 700 watts at full brightness.

 

[FordSVT]

They say a PS3 takes 5 times the power of a refrigerator.

Where did you hear that horse shit?

The PS3 consumes about 200W at peak power playing a game, even a smallish 16 sq. ft. fridge with no freezer consumes almost 400W. Big ones are in the 800-1000 Watt range.

 

[Mr. B]

They say a PS3 takes 5 times the power of a refrigerator.

Where did you hear that horse shit?

The PS3 consumes about 200W at peak power playing a game, even a smallish 16 sq. ft. fridge with no freezer consumes almost 400W. Big ones are in the 800-1000 Watt range.

http://www.reuters.com/article/tech...20080603?feedType=RSS&feedName=technologyNews