Gaming PC Electricity Cost Calculator
Calculate the cost of running a gaming PC with separate gaming and idle power levels. Add the energy used in each state to estimate daily, monthly and yearly cost.
Monthly electricity cost
Gaming and idle hours must total no more than 24. Uses 30 days per month.
Formula checked · NumberSwift · Review process
How this calculator works
Gaming and idle operation can have very different power demands. This model calculates the energy used in each state and adds them. Include only mutually exclusive hours so you do not count the same time twice. Monitor power should be included in the measured wattage if you want the cost of the entire setup.
Formula
daily kWh = (gaming W × gaming hours + idle W × idle hours) / 1,000
Assumptions & limitations
Gaming and idle hours must total no more than 24. Uses 30 days per month.
Sources & reference material
- Virginia Tech Extension: electricity use ↗
Background for converting appliance watts and operating time into kilowatt-hours.
Worked example
400 W for 3 hours plus 60 W for 4 hours uses 1.44 kWh daily.
If you already have one measured daily average, the PC Electricity Cost Calculator gives the same energy calculation with fewer inputs.
Our approach to calculations ↗Common questions
Can idle and gaming hours overlap?
No. These are separate states and their total cannot exceed 24 hours in a day.
Where do I get gaming power?
Measure wall power over representative gaming sessions. Component specifications and PSU ratings do not establish actual average consumption.
Is sleep-mode energy counted?
No. Include sleep demand in the idle estimate only if its hours and average power are representative of that state.