5 ms·

Not really even close. Even with a 235W CPU and a theoretical 600W GPU you wouldn’t actually exceed even half the capacity of a single 15A circuit in synthetic

Not really even close. Even with a 235W CPU and a theoretical 600W GPU you wouldn’t actually exceed even half the capacity of a single 15A circuit in synthetic benchmarks that stress the system beyond real-world loads.

mlindner 4y ago
People often use power strips for their computer. So you also have your dual 4K LCD monitor system, as well as maybe plugging in a phone to charge as well which can have high peak power draws over USB 3.0.
ip26 4y ago
For sustained loads you are only supposed to draw 12A, and the PSU has a conversion loss, dropping you to perhaps 10A of power for it all. Plus, then you can’t run anything else on the circuit.
- zrail 4y ago
  10A is ~1200 watts. That's quite a lot.
  - dagmx 4y ago
    It’s easy to go over when you start factoring in other things like monitors etc A beefy CPU, GPU and a couple of high end monitors can take you to the edge of that and over.
    - tristor 4y ago
      > It’s easy to go over when you start factoring in other things like monitors etc Why would monitors even be factored in? They shouldn't be on the same circuit anyway.
      - collinvandyck76 4y ago
        Why wouldn't they be on the same circuit? The monitor and computer are in the same room and would generally be plugged into the same outlet. I think this would be the rule rather than the exception.
      - dagmx 4y ago
        That’s absurd. Most people will not only plug them on the same circuit, they’ll plug everything into a single multi plug feeding from a single wall socket. I’ve never seen anyone, in corporate and home environments , split their circuit use like you describe.
        Dalewyn 4y ago
        I would argue most people wouldn't even understand concepts like a circuit. All they would see is an electrical cable and plug in hand, and an electrical outlet on the wall. Put two and two together, computer turns on. Circuits? Watts? Load? Might as well be pig latin.
  - xeromal 4y ago
    253W (13th gen intel) + 450W (video card) + 2 monitors + a speaker system can easily hit 1000W.
SketchySeaBeast 4y ago
Sure, you would be able to put smaller power draw items on the same circuit, but between the CPU/GPU/Motherboard/PSU/Monitors/Peripherals you will not be able to put two of these machines onto the same circuit.
- Denvercoder9 4y ago
  For those confused like me, this conversation is about US circuits. On a typical European 230V 16A circuit, it's not a problem.
  - occamrazor 4y ago
    Maximum available power for standard domestic users is still only 3kW in many places. Might not be enough for a gaming PC, washing machine and microwave!
    - vetinari 4y ago
      You would fit a gaming PC there? I have a microwave (1270W) and dishwasher (2400W) on the same circuit (230V, 16A). It didn't trip yet...
      - occamrazor 4y ago
        230 x 16 = 3680 and 1270 + 2400 = 3670. Living on the edge.
    - sebazzz 4y ago
      Depends on your country, in the Netherlands 25A and 35A main fuses are common.
      - xxpor 4y ago
        that's it?? that's not enough to even power an electric stove
I_dev_outdoors 4y ago
I think the issue is with older houses that might have 15 amp circuit breakers compared to the modern standard of 20A. One high end desktop computer by itself isn't likely to be a problem, but the way these houses are wired, there are a lot of outlets on the same breaker since they were mostly designed for lighting loads. Our 1950 house in MI will flip the breaker if we use the microwave, toser and bathroom vent at the same time, and my desktop is also on that circuit (with a UPS)
- hinkley 4y ago
  15A vs 20A is a factor of the gauge of the wires as well. You can’t just swap the breaker for a bigger one. You’ll get heat and depending where that could burn the house down. I have a relative whose house burnt down due to stapled wiring in the attic. Thermal cycling eventually created a short. When your attic catches on fire the smoke alarms go off in time to save the people, but the moment the ceiling starts to cave in the entire house is involved and you’re mostly trying to keep the neighboring houses from burning.
  - I_dev_outdoors 4y ago
    Good callout. Yeah, I should be referring to the electrical circuit as a 15A circuit and not that it's just a limitation of the breaker. We have the original fabric sheathed wire as well in the walls still which needs to be replaced to modernize the electrical system.
- ForOldHack 4y ago
  You have a 15A Fuse. You use a 12A Microwave, a 10A Toaster you have blow your breaker right there, and a 10A Bathroom vent? if you run a separate circut for the Microwave, and separate your bathroom vent + your bathroom LED lights, you can run all of them at the same time with your toster. Running circuts is comparatively easy, vs installing a new 200A fuse box.
  - xani_ 4y ago
    If you have bathroom and kitchen on single circuit you have bigger fucking problems than powering gaming PC, whoever did that abomination needs to be fired.
quickthrowman 4y ago
A 15A circuit is good for 1440w sustained(120*15*.8), not 1800w.
- hinkley 4y ago
  If you have a circuit in your house that trips for “no reason” this is partially why. With a steady load you can run a circuit breaker past the rated amperage on the breaker. But look at it funny and it will pop. The most obvious case of this was when I knew someone who would plug a vacuum into a different circuit and blow a breaker. Just a little noise on the wires and click.

mlindner 4y ago

People often use power strips for their computer. So you also have your dual 4K LCD monitor system, as well as maybe plugging in a phone to charge as well which can have high peak power draws over USB 3.0.

ip26 4y ago

For sustained loads you are only supposed to draw 12A, and the PSU has a conversion loss, dropping you to perhaps 10A of power for it all. Plus, then you can’t run anything else on the circuit.

zrail 4y ago
10A is ~1200 watts. That's quite a lot.
- dagmx 4y ago
  It’s easy to go over when you start factoring in other things like monitors etc A beefy CPU, GPU and a couple of high end monitors can take you to the edge of that and over.
  - tristor 4y ago
    > It’s easy to go over when you start factoring in other things like monitors etc Why would monitors even be factored in? They shouldn't be on the same circuit anyway.
    - collinvandyck76 4y ago
      Why wouldn't they be on the same circuit? The monitor and computer are in the same room and would generally be plugged into the same outlet. I think this would be the rule rather than the exception.
    - dagmx 4y ago
      That’s absurd. Most people will not only plug them on the same circuit, they’ll plug everything into a single multi plug feeding from a single wall socket. I’ve never seen anyone, in corporate and home environments , split their circuit use like you describe.
      - Dalewyn 4y ago
        I would argue most people wouldn't even understand concepts like a circuit. All they would see is an electrical cable and plug in hand, and an electrical outlet on the wall. Put two and two together, computer turns on. Circuits? Watts? Load? Might as well be pig latin.
- xeromal 4y ago
  253W (13th gen intel) + 450W (video card) + 2 monitors + a speaker system can easily hit 1000W.

SketchySeaBeast 4y ago

Sure, you would be able to put smaller power draw items on the same circuit, but between the CPU/GPU/Motherboard/PSU/Monitors/Peripherals you will not be able to put two of these machines onto the same circuit.

Denvercoder9 4y ago
For those confused like me, this conversation is about US circuits. On a typical European 230V 16A circuit, it's not a problem.
- occamrazor 4y ago
  Maximum available power for standard domestic users is still only 3kW in many places. Might not be enough for a gaming PC, washing machine and microwave!
  - vetinari 4y ago
    You would fit a gaming PC there? I have a microwave (1270W) and dishwasher (2400W) on the same circuit (230V, 16A). It didn't trip yet...
    - occamrazor 4y ago
      230 x 16 = 3680 and 1270 + 2400 = 3670. Living on the edge.
  - sebazzz 4y ago
    Depends on your country, in the Netherlands 25A and 35A main fuses are common.
    - xxpor 4y ago
      that's it?? that's not enough to even power an electric stove

I_dev_outdoors 4y ago

I think the issue is with older houses that might have 15 amp circuit breakers compared to the modern standard of 20A. One high end desktop computer by itself isn't likely to be a problem, but the way these houses are wired, there are a lot of outlets on the same breaker since they were mostly designed for lighting loads. Our 1950 house in MI will flip the breaker if we use the microwave, toser and bathroom vent at the same time, and my desktop is also on that circuit (with a UPS)

hinkley 4y ago
15A vs 20A is a factor of the gauge of the wires as well. You can’t just swap the breaker for a bigger one. You’ll get heat and depending where that could burn the house down. I have a relative whose house burnt down due to stapled wiring in the attic. Thermal cycling eventually created a short. When your attic catches on fire the smoke alarms go off in time to save the people, but the moment the ceiling starts to cave in the entire house is involved and you’re mostly trying to keep the neighboring houses from burning.
- I_dev_outdoors 4y ago
  Good callout. Yeah, I should be referring to the electrical circuit as a 15A circuit and not that it's just a limitation of the breaker. We have the original fabric sheathed wire as well in the walls still which needs to be replaced to modernize the electrical system.
ForOldHack 4y ago
You have a 15A Fuse. You use a 12A Microwave, a 10A Toaster you have blow your breaker right there, and a 10A Bathroom vent? if you run a separate circut for the Microwave, and separate your bathroom vent + your bathroom LED lights, you can run all of them at the same time with your toster. Running circuts is comparatively easy, vs installing a new 200A fuse box.
- xani_ 4y ago
  If you have bathroom and kitchen on single circuit you have bigger fucking problems than powering gaming PC, whoever did that abomination needs to be fired.

quickthrowman 4y ago

A 15A circuit is good for 1440w sustained(120*15*.8), not 1800w.

hinkley 4y ago
If you have a circuit in your house that trips for “no reason” this is partially why. With a steady load you can run a circuit breaker past the rated amperage on the breaker. But look at it funny and it will pop. The most obvious case of this was when I knew someone who would plug a vacuum into a different circuit and blow a breaker. Just a little noise on the wires and click.