Gaming PC electricity cost calculator (UK)
Enter your graphics card, how long you play and your price per kWh. See what your PC costs to run per hour, month and year, and compare two cards.
How the running cost is calculated
The calculator takes your graphics card's board power and scales it by how hard it works in your games (60, 80 or 100 percent), adds half of your processor's maximum power and an allowance for the rest of the PC. That gives your gaming wattage. It adds idle time at the draw you choose, converts the total to kilowatt hours and multiplies by your unit price. The comparison box repeats the sum for a second card.
Typical gaming draw by card class
| Card class | Board power | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (RTX 5050, 5060) | 130 to 145 W | Low running cost, small power supply. |
| Mid-range (5060 Ti, 5070) | 180 to 250 W | Moderate cost, mainstream power supply. |
| High-end (5070 Ti, 5080) | 300 to 360 W | Noticeable on long sessions. |
| Enthusiast (RTX 5090) | 575 W | Highest running cost and PSU needs. |
Pick between cards with the GPU comparison tool, then size your power supply with the PSU wattage calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a gaming PC?
It depends on your hardware, hours and tariff. A typical gaming session draws a few hundred watts, so a few hours a day usually costs a modest amount per month. Enter your parts, hours and pence per kilowatt hour to see your own daily, monthly and yearly cost.
Where do I find my electricity price per kWh?
Check your latest energy bill or supplier app for the unit rate, shown in pence per kilowatt hour. Use that number rather than a national average, and remember the standing charge is a separate daily cost that does not change with how much you game.
Does a more efficient graphics card save money?
Yes, over time. A card that delivers similar frame rates at lower power draws less electricity, which adds up if you play many hours. Use the comparison box to see the yearly difference between two cards at your own tariff and hours.
Does a frame cap or upscaling lower the bill?
Capping the frame rate to your monitor's refresh rate stops the GPU working harder than needed, which can cut power use noticeably. Upscaling can also lower load. Frame generation raises displayed frames but can increase total board power, so results vary by game.
Is the calculator exact?
It is an estimate. Real draw varies with the game, settings, power limits and component efficiency. We use manufacturer board power, scaled to typical gaming load, plus allowances for the rest of the PC. A plug-in power meter gives the most accurate result for your own PC.
Independent site. Not affiliated with or endorsed by NVIDIA, AMD or Intel. Product names are trademarks of their owners.