Gaming PCs can be pretty power-hungry. The specifications and the power needed for gaming PCs can vary by 10. The power consumption of gaming PCs is mainly dependent on the CPU, graphics card and storage. A common question asked on gaming forums is how many amps does a gaming pc use?
A gaming pc with a single CPU and GPU peaks at around 250 watts of power consumption. That means that on the wall, it is pulling over 240 volts times 35 amps (a typical circuit has some leeway, but you should always think of the worst-case).
Overclocking CPU or GPU
That’s without monitors, extra hard drives, USB devices, etc. So if you want more stuff plugged in and overclocking your CPU or GPU, it will spike to even higher numbers. If those spikes go above what circuits can handle, there is a chance of a fire starting. Be careful!
So if you want to start overclocking your PC, then it’s essential to make sure that you have enough connections for everything and that they can handle this amount of power safely. Otherwise, we will all cheer when you blow up! And chances are good, so double check before you do anything.
Protection Surge
All modern gaming PCs have surge protection built into them by default because these high amperage issues are real dangers everywhere where electricity is used. It includes fridges, for example, which use a similar voltage.
As a consumer, always keep in mind what your power supply is rated and how many amps the circuit breaker for the room is (maybe ask the hotel or house owner). Even better, just unplug stuff when not using it, as those extra connectors cost money and probably aren’t necessary. So please be safe with your gaming gear.
Conclusion
As you can see from the results above, the more powerful your gaming PC is, the more amps it will pull. The standard for most gaming PCs is 500 watts. For example, the Alienware X51 R3 is only 500 watts, but it can still pull over five amps at peak load. That’s about the same as the HP Pavilion 500-258 Desktop PC. That’s why it’s essential to make sure you have a strong enough power supply if you’re going to be using a gaming PC. I hope you enjoyed our blog on how many amps a gaming PC uses. Thanks for reading!
FAQs
How many computers can you put on a 15 amp circuit?
On a 15 Amp circuit, you can safely plug in a maximum of 2-3 computers. You risk tripping the circuit breaker or melting the wiring if you plug in too many computers. You should also consider the maximum number of peripherals.
How many amps does a PC power supply put out?
The PC power supply puts out between -20V and +20V. This voltage is subsequently converted to positive and negative 5V, 3.3V, and other voltages that the PC needs. The specifications of the PC PSU can be found in the tag on the back of the power supply—PSUs with higher wattage supply more voltage.
How much electricity does a PC use in 24 hours?
An average PC uses 70 watts of power and runs for about 6 hours every day. 70*6=420 watts of power consumption in a 24-hour day.
Does my gaming PC use a lot of electricity?
If you’re not gaming, your PC is probably not using a lot of electricity. But if you are playing games, then yes, your PC will use a lot of electricity.
How much electricity does a gaming console use?
The amount of electricity a gaming console uses depends on the console type. A typical gaming console, such as an Xbox One, uses about 120 watts. A PlayStation 4 uses about 165 watts.
