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The Next-Gen Consoles and Power Consumption

Posted by Zonk on from the whirring-living-room-friends dept.

Ant writes "This HardCOREware review reports that the current video game console war takes an interesting twist as the power consumption levels of each of the three new consoles (Nintendo Wii, Sony Playstation 3 (PS3), and Microsoft Xbox 360) were explored. Video game playback, DVD playback, and other console functions were tested. One of the most interesting stats were the console idle power usage: 'Wii - 1.3 watts, Wii (Connect 24 On) - 9.6 watts, Xbox 360 - 2.5 watts, PlayStation 3 - 1.9 watts. Nothing significant here; you're looking at spending about $0.20 USD a month to keep the PS3 plugged in, which isn't much. The Wii requires 10 Watts to run Connect24 (which will connect to Nintendo's online service and notify you of system updates) racking up a cost of about $1 a month which is nothing too significant, but still about 5X more than if it were just turned off. Turn Connect24 off, and it's back down to normal.'"

8 of 85 comments (clear)

  1. While in use... by wframe9109 · · Score: 5, Informative

    Odd summary... You point out the part that admits it's not nearly as interesting as usage stats... Wii: 18 Watts XBox 360: 185 Watts PS3: 193 Watts PC: 198 Watts Who wants to take bets on which console Gore is backing!

  2. Two things by AKAImBatman · · Score: 4, Informative

    One of the most interesting stats were the console idle power usage: 'Wii - 1.3 watts, Wii (Connect 24 On) - 9.6 watts, Xbox 360 - 2.5 watts, PlayStation 3 - 1.9 watts. Nothing significant here; you're looking at spending about $0.20 USD a month to keep the PS3 plugged in, which isn't much. The Wii requires 10 Watts to run Connect24 (which will connect to Nintendo's online service and notify you of system updates) racking up a cost of about $1 a month which is nothing too significant, but still about 5X more than if it were just turned off. Turn Connect24 off, and it's back down to normal.

    There are two things that consumers need to be aware of about these items:

    1. The Wii's power usage when turned on is only a few watts more. So if you play your consoles, the cost of using WiiConnect24 is going to be significantly less than the cost of regularly using your PS3.

    2. If you really don't want the Wii to standby, you can do a full shutdown at any time by holding down the power button. If you hold it down for long enough, the light should turn red. That means that the Wii is full off. This also works for the rare circumstances in which the Wii crashes. (Most commonly seen in the beta of the Opera Web Browser.)
    --
    Javascript + Nintendo DSi = DSiCade
  3. Re:Power drain by AKAImBatman · · Score: 3, Funny

    Why does the WII require so much bloody power for network?

    So much bloody power? 10 watts is nothing. It's the power usage of some incandescent night lights. So take your pick: Leave the Wii on, or keep the bad monsters away. :P
    --
    Javascript + Nintendo DSi = DSiCade
  4. USB Power? by Blakey+Rat · · Score: 4, Interesting

    How much of the Xbox idle power consumption is keeping the USB ports powered to charge Play&Charge wireless controllers? Could you reduce the power by unplugging the USB cable of your controllers when done, or would that have no impact? Anybody know?

    --
    Comment of the year
  5. According to my Kill-O-Watt meter by maynard · · Score: 4, Interesting

    My Xbox 360 consumes:

    ~2 watts while turned off

    ~130 watts while idle at the xbox live dashboard

    ~165 watts while playing Gears of War

    These meter readings do not include the display device (obviously)

  6. And in other news... by rehtonAesoohC · · Score: 4, Funny

    Power companies are reporting that PS3 usage accounts for only 0.1% of total power consumed, while usage of Wii's and XBox360's account for 5% of power consumed.


    Disclaimer: Figures are total baloney.

  7. Re:Why is wiiconnect24 required? by fhage · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Why worry about 9 watts. I don't turn off my wireless router at night. The specs say it uses 15 watts. I also don't turn off the 40 watt porch light or unplug the carbon monoxide detector either. The joy of the blinking blue light is well worth the 8 watts of electricity.

  8. Re: PS3's use the least amount of power! by trdrstv · · Score: 4, Funny
    Odd summary... You point out the part that admits it's not nearly as interesting as usage stats... Wii: 18 Watts XBox 360: 185 Watts PS3: 193 Watts PC: 198 Watts

    Yes, but PS3's are the most efficient overall since the ones sitting on store shelves consume NO POWER.