How Much Energy Does A Gaming Laptop Use

PC gaming tin chew up heaps of ability — hither's how to reduce your energy use and pay less

(Epitome credit: Nightdive Studios)

From ensuring your gaming PC's core components are electric current to having the all-time headset, desk lighting and ergonomic chair, gaming can be an expensive hobby. Which is why finding areas that you tin can salve money on, like your energy bill (opens in new tab) is a no-brainer.

According to the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC), the average electricity pecker for a household in New S Wales during the 2019/xx financial twelvemonth was AU$i,292. If yous're into PC gaming, chances are your beak is much college than the boilerplate. Not only do gaming PCs swallow up to ten times the free energy of a regular laptop and desktop counterparts, you lot also have to factor in boosted electricity-powered necessities you need while you're gaming... like high refresh-charge per unit screens, extra room cooling (at least in the summertime months) and of grade fancy RGB lighting.

The good news is you don't have to await the sting of a high energy bill before y'all can act! Hither are some top ways you can take control over your gaming energy usage to reduce your power neb—all without lowering your fourth dimension spent gaming.

Tweak your gaming setup for better power saving

Whether you're gaming on a laptop or desktop PC, in that location are small hacks you lot tin implement to reduce your energy consumption daily, starting with your pick of device.

Gaming laptops use an boilerplate of 200 to 300 watts of electricity per hour to run games, while desktops can require from 450 to i,000 watts, depending on their exact specifications. Then if y'all're tossing upward between a laptop and a desktop for your adjacent rig, and y'all're really serious well-nigh saving on electricity, you might desire to opt for the laptop.

If you're gaming on a desktop, you lot'll want to switch the device'south power settings to go into Slumber mode when you accept a pause from gaming. Of course, it'll still be using electricity, but far less than if it were left switched on and idling. Leaving a game paused but running can likewise utilize up a nifty deal of ability—so if you're non actively playing, we'd strongly recommend quitting the game completely.

If you really want to make a difference to your desktop'due south consumption, purchasing a monitor with a high free energy efficiency rating tin as well help—check your monitors settings for a dedicated Eco mode you can use.

Other free energy-efficient modifications you can make in your gaming room include switching to LED light bulbs, as these use around 75 percent less electricity than standard globes, and keeping the aircon or heating at a comfortable level of effectually 24 degrees. Each degree cooler or warmer tin can add together up to x percent to your power bill. And if yous've got a grunty gaming desktop, you mightn't even need a heater on in wintertime!

Money money money. — (Image credit: Deviantart user Deniszizen)

Get yourself a better energy bargain

Just similar you'd spend time researching the all-time gaming chair, the same level of commitment should also be applied to locking downwardly a competitive energy deal. Final year Mozo'southward energy toll report revealed (opens in new tab) that depending on the distribution zone, the boilerplate Australian household could save AU$200 to AU$300 a yr, merely by switching to the cheapest offer in the marketplace.

If it'due south been a while since you shopped around on energy plans, it'south essential to await beyond the tempting discounts or sign up bonuses many retailers offering new customers. Instead, consider whether y'all'd exist able to sustain long term savings, similar from a green energy plan.

Mozo's written report found that the cheapest green energy plans offered better value than the boilerplate free energy plan, with households in Sydney saving AU$166 annually alone. A green energy plan refers to electricity that is either sourced from renewable sources or that the retailer offers a carbon offsetting programme for. So you'll be able to practice your bit for the planet and save a few bucks along the way.

Another area for cost saving on your electricity is that you lot might also want to consider a program that features no get out fees or lock-in contracts, every bit you'll accept the freedom to movement onto a meliorate deal without the fuss. Now that you've got an actress few hundred bucks in your pocket, yous can put it toward your gaming budget!

Ditch standby and other free energy suckers

Nosotros've all got energy habits we're not proud of, like taking long showers and forgetting to switch lights off, only leaving your appliances on standby could exist the worst i of all. Co-ordinate to the Australian Authorities'due south Department of Industry, Innovation and Science (opens in new tab), standby power consumption costs the average household well-nigh AU$100 per yr!

Although there are things that will always need to exist left 'on' like your fridge or Wi-Fi router, if y'all make an endeavor to ensure other appliances are switched off at the wall when you're washed using them (and if they're non used for extended periods, pull out the plug too) you'll be saving yourself dollars. This includes things like your kettle, toaster and you lot guessed it, your gaming PC.

While information technology might experience like a pain to do, keep in mind that simple changes similar these could hateful the difference between a plump or slender gaming budget.

Ceyda Erem is the lead energy writer at Australian financial comparison website mozo.com.au. She is passionate about helping people slash the cost of their power and other household bills, so they have more money to become towards the fun things in life. When she's not writing most the latest free energy trends and coin-saving hacks, you'll find her communicable up on true criminal offense podcasts.