Gaming PC Wattage Calculator
Calculate your gaming PC's total power consumption and get PSU recommendations. Enter your components to find the right power supply size, efficiency rating, and estimate annual electricity costs.
CPU TDP + GPU TDP + (RAM × 3W) + (Storage × 10W) + (Fans × 3W) + (RGB × 5W) + Motherboard (80W)
Overclocking Multipliers:
• Mild OC: × 1.10 (10% increase)
• Moderate OC: × 1.20 (20% increase)
• Heavy OC: × 1.30 (30% increase)
PSU Recommendation:
Total Wattage × 1.20 (20% headroom), rounded to nearest 50W
Annual Cost:
(Wattage ÷ 1000) × 8 hours × 365 days × $0.13/kWh
Components:
• CPU: 125W (Intel i5-13600K or AMD Ryzen 7 7700X)
• GPU: 320W (RTX 4070 or RX 7800 XT)
• RAM: 4 sticks × 3W = 12W
• Storage: 2 drives × 10W = 20W
• Fans: 4 × 3W = 12W
• RGB: 3 devices × 5W = 15W
• Motherboard: 80W
Base Total: 125 + 320 + 12 + 20 + 12 + 15 + 80 = 584W
With Mild OC (×1.10): 584 × 1.10 = 642W
Results:
• Total Wattage: 642W
• Recommended PSU: 750W (642 × 1.2 = 770W, rounded to 800W)
• Efficiency: 80+ Gold
• Annual Cost: ~$245
What PSU wattage do I need for my gaming PC?
Take your total system wattage and add 20-30% headroom for efficiency and future upgrades. A 500W system needs a 650W PSU minimum. Always round up to standard PSU sizes (550W, 650W, 750W, 850W, 1000W). Higher-end systems with RTX 4080/4090 or overclocking need 850W-1000W+ PSUs.
How much does overclocking increase power consumption?
Mild overclocking adds 10-15% power draw, moderate OC adds 15-25%, and heavy OC can add 30%+ to your total wattage. CPU and GPU overclocking both increase power significantly. You also need better cooling which uses more power. Always account for OC when sizing your PSU.
What efficiency rating should my PSU have?
80+ Bronze is minimum for budget builds (82-85% efficient). 80+ Gold (87-90% efficient) is recommended for most gaming PCs as it saves electricity and runs cooler. 80+ Platinum (90-92%) or Titanium (92-94%) are for high-end builds over 600W. Higher efficiency means lower electric bills and less heat.
How much does a gaming PC cost to run per year?
A typical 500W gaming PC running 8 hours/day costs $190/year at $0.13/kWh. A high-end 800W system costs $300/year. Heavy gamers (12 hours/day) pay 50% more. Mining or 24/7 operation costs 3× more. Use a higher efficiency PSU (Gold/Platinum) to save 5-10% on electricity.
🔗 Related Calculators
📐 Formula
CPU TDP + GPU TDP + (RAM × 3W) + (Storage × 10W) + (Fans × 3W) + (RGB × 5W) + Motherboard (80W)
Overclocking Multipliers:
• Mild OC: × 1.10 (10% increase)
• Moderate OC: × 1.20 (20% increase)
• Heavy OC: × 1.30 (30% increase)
PSU Recommendation:
Total Wattage × 1.20 (20% headroom), rounded to nearest 50W
Annual Cost:
(Wattage ÷ 1000) × 8 hours × 365 days × $0.13/kWh
📝 Example Calculation
Components:
• CPU: 125W (Intel i5-13600K or AMD Ryzen 7 7700X)
• GPU: 320W (RTX 4070 or RX 7800 XT)
• RAM: 4 sticks × 3W = 12W
• Storage: 2 drives × 10W = 20W
• Fans: 4 × 3W = 12W
• RGB: 3 devices × 5W = 15W
• Motherboard: 80W
Base Total: 125 + 320 + 12 + 20 + 12 + 15 + 80 = 584W
With Mild OC (×1.10): 584 × 1.10 = 642W
Results:
• Total Wattage: 642W
• Recommended PSU: 750W (642 × 1.2 = 770W, rounded to 800W)
• Efficiency: 80+ Gold
• Annual Cost: ~$245