How much power do a desktop really need when its fully loaded?

[kenneth_64]

Hello,how can I tell that my power for my computer is actuwar?

 

[obsidian86]

get a kill a watt meter

 

[Leaps-from-Shadows]

Yes, a Kill-A-Watt meter will tell you how much power you are actually drawing from the wall socket.

 

[jaguarskx]

It's been awhile since I last checked my system (see below) with a Kill-A-Watt. Excluding the monitors, I think I was pulling 240w - 250w from the wall while playing Mass Effect 2 with an 80% efficient PSU. So that means my PC was using about 192w - 200w with the rest wasted as heat.

 

[wolfram23]

Alternatively you can estimate it with online calculators. They compensate so that the number they spit out is what your PSU should be for good efficiency and longevity, in reality it uses probably 2/3 that amount:

http://www.thermaltake.outervision.com/