Gaming PC heat output calculator
Enter your PC and monitor power. See the heat they add to your room in watts and BTU an hour, the share of a space heater and what a session adds.
Where the heat comes from
A computer does no mechanical work, so nearly every watt it draws from the wall is released as heat. Your graphics card and processor produce most of it, with the monitor and power supply adding more. The calculator adds your PC and monitor draw, converts it to BTU per hour (watts multiplied by 3.412) and compares it with a one kilowatt electric heater.
Heat output at a glance
| Total draw | BTU per hour | Share of a 1 kW heater |
|---|---|---|
| 200 W | 682 | 20% |
| 400 W | 1,365 | 40% |
| 600 W | 2,047 | 60% |
| 800 W | 2,730 | 80% |
Cut power and heat together by capping frames or undervolting. Find your draw in the PSU wattage calculator and your bill in the electricity cost calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Does a gaming PC really heat up a room?
Yes. Almost all the electricity a PC uses ends up as heat in the room. A PC drawing 400 watts adds about as much heat as a small space heater running at 400 watts, which is why a long session in a small room can feel warm.
How many BTU does my gaming PC produce?
Multiply the power draw in watts by 3.412 to get BTU per hour. A 400 watt PC produces about 1,365 BTU an hour. The calculator adds your monitor and shows the total, so you can compare it with a heater or the capacity of an air conditioner.
Is a gaming PC as warm as a space heater?
A typical gaming PC under load gives off a fraction of a small 1 kilowatt heater's output, often a third to a half once the monitor is included. A top-end build drawing 800 watts or more approaches a low heater setting.
How can I keep my room cooler while gaming?
Lower the power your PC draws by capping the frame rate, using upscaling and undervolting, open a window or run a fan for airflow, and keep the PC away from where you sit. Using less power is the only way to produce less heat.
Independent site. Not affiliated with or endorsed by NVIDIA, AMD or Intel. Product names are trademarks of their owners.