How much does a gaming pc (under load) cost to run?

Gaming PCs under load can draw 300–700 watts, with the GPU and CPU both consuming significant power during demanding games. Average energy use depends on gaming frequency; casual players see minimal impact, but enthusiasts may see tens of dollars monthly.

Typical running cost (18.83¢/kWh, U.S. average, 2026-04)

Basis	Cost
Per hour (while running, 500 W typical)	$0.094
Per day (4 h/day, 7/7 days)	$0.38
Per month	$11.46
Per year	$137.55
Hourly range (small 300 W – large 800 W)	$0.056 – $0.15

Save: Enable frame-rate limiting in games to reduce GPU load during play, and use power supplies matched to actual system needs.

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