Green Personal Computer - Tips on Building a Green PC

Energy consumption is something we are becoming increasingly concerned with in the modern world. Personal Computers should not be ignored in terms of the quantity of energy they consume day after day. A typical, modern PC may consume around 100W when idling and close to 150W under heavy use. For a high power gaming rig these figures can be doubled.

If your PC is left on all day, these figures can represent a significant part of your electricity bill, especially if you have an office full of PCs.

When building your own PC(s), steps can be taken to make the machine as efficient as possible. It should also be noted that to make your PC truly green you have to take into account the amount of lead contained in computer parts. The lead is in the solder which affixes electronic components to a circuit board. Components that contain low levels of lead and other dangerous elements are often badged as being "RoHS" compliant.

There are three major contributors to the energy consumption of a PC.

1. Power Supply Unit (PSU)

The ideal PSU would be 100% efficient, i.e., the power it consumes equals the power it supplies to the computer. This of course is impossible and some power is converted to heat and noise, however, modern PSUs are often greater than 80% efficient.

The PSU should also be able to deliver power when required and not just sit in the PC burning up electricity when power is not required.

To ensure you choose a supply that is greater than 80% efficient, check that is has "80 Plus" certification. This also ensures that the PSU is lead-free and RoHS-compliant.

2. Processor (CPU)

There are a number of processors available that are designated as being "green". They tend to be a little more expensive than their non-green counterparts and also slower but the difference in performance is not huge. If you do not want to buy green then stick to dual-core CPUs and check the specifications for power consumption, particularly when idling.

Of course you do not have to install a standard processor in your PC. You can indeed use a laptop processor although you may have to hunt around for a supplier. These CPUs are low power and have a number of energy saving features but, like green CPUs, are a little more costly.

3. Monitor

If you have an old but much loved CRT monitor which you intend to use with your newly constructed green PC, think again. These types of monitor are hungry monsters that have now had their day. Modern LCD panels are greener, much more energy efficient, and really do provide a better viewing experience providing you pick the right type of panel.