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There is no single reliable monthly total without choosing an AWS setup and measuring the PC. EC2 cost depends on the instance, Region, operating system, runtime, storage and networking. A spare PC’s incremental cost depends on its average wall-power draw, operating hours and your electricity tariff. Use the formulas below with your own inputs; the available figures do not establish a universal break-even point.
What this comparison includes
This is a monthly operating-cost comparison, not a full cost-of-ownership study. For the PC, count the extra electricity attributable to running the loop; state whether the computer is already owned. For EC2, include compute time and any applicable storage, networking and other configured AWS charges. If you include a PC purchase or other costs, include comparable costs on the cloud side too.
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A prerecorded loop also needs a way to send video to YouTube. This comparison estimates the operating costs described below; it does not establish that a particular EC2 configuration, network architecture or PC is suitable for every stream.
Calculate the spare PC’s electricity cost
Measure the computer’s average power draw at the wall while it is playing the video, then use the local electricity rate from your bill or tariff. The calculation is:
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Monthly kWh = average wall watts ÷ 1,000 × hours running per month
Monthly electricity cost = monthly kWh × local price per kWh
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For continuous operation, use the actual hours you expect the machine to run in the month. A plug-in power meter can help measure wall draw; no particular meter or universal wattage is established here. The result is an arithmetic estimate, not a measured cost for a specific computer.
Use the U.S. average only as context
The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported a 2025 average residential electricity price of 17.30¢/kWh, based on preliminary February 2026 Electric Power Monthly data. It also reported a 2025 average across all customer types of 13.63¢/kWh. The all-customer state averages ranged from 8.20¢/kWh in North Dakota to 35.72¢/kWh in Hawaii; that range is not residential-only. These figures illustrate geographic variation, not your household’s rate. Check your utility bill or current tariff for a personal estimate. EIA: Prices and factors affecting prices.
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Estimate EC2’s monthly cost
For an On-Demand instance, a useful starting formula is:
Monthly EC2 estimate = runtime hours × current hourly instance rate + storage and other configuration charges + applicable data-transfer and network charges
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EC2 On-Demand compute is billed while the instance is running, from launch until it is stopped or terminated. AWS bills several listed operating systems, including Linux, per second with a 60-second minimum; the rate varies by instance and operating system. A stopped instance does not accrue running-instance time, but associated resources may still incur charges. AWS EC2 On-Demand Pricing.
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- Region, operating system and instance type: choose the actual configuration; there is no supported generic hourly price for this workload.
- Runtime and utilization: estimate the hours the instance will be running, rather than assuming that a monthly calendar is equivalent to a fixed number of billed hours.
- Storage: account for the EBS volume and any other configured storage.
- Networking and IP settings: include applicable data transfer and IP-related charges for the architecture you actually use.
AWS says 100 GB of internet data transfer out per month is free in aggregate across AWS services and Regions, except China and GovCloud; applicable charges may apply above the allowance and depend on transfer volume and tier. Do not assume a particular loop’s traffic is free: the stream’s traffic volume and the billing treatment for an unspecified delivery architecture are not established here. Check account-level usage and current terms. AWS’s calculator lets you configure Region, OS, instance, utilization, storage, transfer and IP settings: Generating Amazon EC2 estimates.
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Compare like with like
| Cost item | AWS EC2 | Spare PC |
|---|---|---|
| Primary monthly cost | Running hours × the chosen instance’s current hourly rate | Measured average wall watts ÷ 1,000 × running hours × local electricity price per kWh |
| Additional items | Applicable storage, transfer, IP and other configured AWS charges | Incremental electricity; identify whether the PC is already owned |
| Key inputs not specified here | Region, OS, instance type, runtime, storage and network configuration | Measured wall draw, actual operating hours and local electricity tariff |
There is no defensible break-even figure until those inputs are supplied. Compare the EC2 total, including charges that apply to its configured setup, with the PC’s incremental electricity expense. Keep the boundary consistent: if you count purchase or ownership costs for the PC, make clear that this is no longer just an operating-cost comparison.
Practical workflow for a personal estimate
- Measure the PC: record average wall watts during playback and decide how many hours it will run in the month.
- Use your tariff: take the applicable price per kWh from your electricity bill or current utility tariff.
- Calculate PC electricity: apply the kWh and cost formulas above.
- Configure an AWS estimate: select the intended Region, OS, instance, runtime, storage, transfer and IP settings in the AWS Pricing Calculator.
- Check the EC2 rate and terms: confirm the current rate and relevant transfer rules on AWS’s On-Demand pricing page.
- Compare the same month: add applicable AWS charges to compute, then compare that estimate with the measured PC’s incremental electricity cost.
Or let it run in the cloud
If your main goal is keeping a prerecorded YouTube loop live rather than operating EC2 or a home computer, StreamNeo is a separate option to consider. Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. StreamNeo loops uploaded videos from the cloud, so nothing has to stay on at home; it does not go live from a camera and streams to YouTube only.
Quick Recap
- One flat price per slot for any quality up to 4K 60fps as uploaded, with no re-encode or quality tiers.
- Automatic recovery if YouTube drops the stream.
- The first day is free, with no card required; one free day per account.
- Monthly plan: $9.99 per month.
Start your free StreamNeo day.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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