Is it possible to build an energy efficient gaming PC?

[Chris_Redfield]

As the title says. Is it possible to build a computer that allows to play games, but wastes as little energy as possible? What parts would it be made of?

[AllFoamNoBeer]

Depends on what range of games one wants to play.

If you include Crysis etc (ideally all high etc), its pretty much not feasible.

[DeadlyMACD]

Toms Hardware has done a few features on green pcs.

[=98=]

The efficiency of the PSU helps a lot. Cheaper models only get 50%-60% efficiency whilst something good like the new Antec models can achieve 80%+

[sava700]

I could run one of my systems off one solar panel if I wanted to.... thats energy efficient regardless of how much it uses as I'm not wasting oil,coal, polluting the environment etc..

[jesus]

I could run one of my systems off one solar panel if I wanted to.... thats energy efficient regardless of how much it uses as I'm not wasting oil,coal, polluting the environment etc..

i don't think that's being energy efficient. to be energy efficient, it has to use as little power as possible and still work

[AllFoamNoBeer]

Using a solar power cell is technically energy efficient, he will ultimately use no energy that lead to a form of damage to the planet.

[sava700]

Using a solar power cell is technically energy efficient, he will ultimately use no energy that lead to a form of damage to the planet.

exactly..

[jesus]

chris asked if you can build an energy efficient computer. regardless of how you get the power, the parts must be energy efficient to call it an energy efficient computer. If you use solar power, or make the power yourself by hooking up your exercise bike to your computer, it still won't be energy efficient until you have, like I said, energy efficent parts.

also, I thought it takes a lot more solar energy to create electrical energy...

[Chris_Redfield]

I should have been a little more clear, my bad. Couldnt find better wording. Im not only (even though thats a huge part) interested in the efficiency of a PC, but getting the best perfomance with as little energy consumption as possible.

Say, if I wanted to get the rig to run in sub 300 (~200~250W) W category, would I still be able to run games on it? Underclocking isnt really energy efficient and proves minimum results.

Sava, tell me more about the solar panels you use on your rig and what rig is that?

[TheEn|gma]

He did ask that, but what Sava mentioned would be completely carbon neutral, meaning he/his PC would emit absolute 0 grams of CO2. Whereas having a efficient system regardless how efficient will always create CO2 indirectly through the national grid.

[Vash2051]

Unfortunately it would still emit heat. Leading to the overwhelming fact that there is no way to make a completely environmentally neutral object. Energy will always be used that is non-renewable.

[solofowaffles]

I think for a pc we have to look at how it uses that energy,not how much.SO technically speaking a quadcore with crossfire 3870 can be considered energy efficient with a 80+ psu.Idle power draws are more important than peak i think since most of us are on the internet more than on games.

[theminx]

thease mini systems do everything that a massive gamer pc can do on YES ON CRYSIS and do it at a quarter of energy from what i read..

8800gts 8800gt 8 gigs of ram ..NO PROBLEM!
crossfire, sli NO PROBLEM

http://us.shuttle.com/Prima.aspx

i think it is toms hardware that showed a 3 fps loss that was virtually nothing compared to the power consumption it took..ill find the link for it ..

HEAT ISSUES...NONE ICE COOLING SYSTEM!!!

http://us.shuttle.com/Why_Cooling.aspx

[Hellsent 2.0]

There was a review in a PC magazine here in the UK a couple of months back which had something about building a "green" PC..cant remeber what it was...