How Much Does It Cost to Run Gaming PC?
A gaming rig under load can pull 500+ watts — several evenings a week of play costs real money over a year, unlike most electronics. At the US-average rate of 16.5¢/kWh, running a gaming PC costs about $10.03/month ($120.30/year) at typical use. Adjust the watts, hours, and your rate below for your exact number.
Cost to run a gaming PC
$120/yr
- Per day
- $0.33
- Per month
- $10.03
- Energy per year
- 730 kWh
Cost = power (kW) × hours × days × your rate. Defaults are typical values — enter your appliance's actual watts (often on a label) and your real rate for a precise figure.
Cost to run a gaming PC by electricity rate
Same 500 W appliance, 4 h/day — the bill changes with where you live.
| Scenario | Rate | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheapest states (North Dakota) | 11.5¢ | $7.00 | $84.02 |
| US average | 16.5¢ | $10.03 | $120.30 |
| Most expensive (Hawaii) | 42.9¢ | $26.07 | $312.88 |
Find your state's rate on the electricity rates by state page, or see the appliance wattage chart for more devices.
Frequently asked questions
Ask AI about this
Open an AI assistant with a question grounded in this page.