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There is no reliable single wattage for a desktop PC running an OBS loop stream. The result depends on the computer and the stream workload, so the dependable way to find your electricity use is to measure the complete PC at the wall while it runs your actual OBS setup, then calculate its energy use and apply your electricity rate.
Why there is no universal OBS electricity figure
Electricity use is the power drawn by the whole desktop over time—not an OBS CPU or GPU utilization percentage, and not the maximum wattage printed on a component’s specifications. OBS says its CPU requirements vary with the encoder, resolution, frame rate, and scene complexity (OBS system requirements). Its minimum requirements also do not guarantee that a particular computer can stream successfully.
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A loop’s workload can differ depending on whether the scene contains a static image, video, browser overlays, or changing elements. The reviewed OBS guidance does not provide a standardized wattage or energy figure for these scenarios. Utilization percentages alone cannot be converted into watts or kilowatt-hours without measuring the machine.
How OBS settings can affect the workload
Encoder choice
OBS generally recommends hardware encoding for performance because it moves encoding work from the CPU to a specialized component in the GPU (OBS hardware encoding). That describes where the encoding work is performed; it does not prove that a hardware encoder always lowers the complete PC’s electricity use at the wall.
#1 Best Overall
- Various Monitoring Parameters: The power meter plug can monitor the power (W), energy (kWh), volts, amps, hertz, power factor, cost, minimum and maximum power (W), cumulative days and time of your appliances. By switching 7 display modes, you can easily know the various parameters while the appliance is working. The home energy monitor can also calculate and display how much power your appliance uses and how much electricity bill it cost in cumulative time
- Upgraded LCD Display: With large screen size 2.36 inch x 1.85 inch, clearer monitor backlit, our electrical usage monitor can display the data clearer and more visible no matter day or night. 180°full wide viewing angles is great for reading and recording the data in any angles. No need to stand on the front of the display and bend over to read the numbers
- Adjustable Backlight Time: Our upgraded watt meter has 5 options of backlight time. The default backlight time duration is 10 minutes(bL-0). If you want to change the backlight time, you can press and hold "UP" and "DOWN" button at the same time to enter backlight time setting, then press "UP" and "DOWN" to select the backlight time (bL-0 =10 minutes, bL-1=1 hour, bL-2=4 hours, bL-3=8 hours, bL-4=always on), finally press the "COST" to save the backlight time settings
- Overload protection: When the power of the appliance exceeds the overload power, the LCD will display “OVERLOAD” to warn the user. All the buttons will quit working and can only be workable when you lower or remove the load power. The default overload power is 3680W and is adjustable from 0 to 3680W. In general, you need to set the overload power to 1800W before using. Just press the "function" button for more than 3 seconds to enter the setting
- Data Memory Function: The wattage meter will record your power consumption data when you remove it from socket, or remove appliances from the electricity monitor. You can directly see the last data when you use it next time. This function can also automatically save the data when there is a sudden power failure
Resolution, frame rate, and scene complexity
Resolution, frames per second, and the contents of your scene affect processing demands. OBS’s guidance for GPU overload recommends reducing output resolution or frame rate and simplifying scenes when GPU resources are constrained (OBS GPU overload troubleshooting). These are workload considerations, not a published estimate of how many watts a change will save.
Measure your own desktop while the loop is running
- Measure at the wall. Plug the desktop’s AC input into an outlet-based electricity monitor that can accumulate energy. For PC-tower use, measure the tower; include a display and peripherals only if you want the electricity use of the entire workstation. A meter is optional, but it is the practical way to obtain a reading for your own setup.
- Run the real workload. Start the loop stream with the OBS scene, encoder, resolution, frame rate, and other programs you expect to leave running. Measure over a representative period that captures ordinary variation rather than relying on a momentary reading.
- Record energy or average power. If the meter reports kWh, subtract the starting reading from the ending reading. If it reports average watts, use the calculation below.
- Estimate your cost. Multiply the measured kWh by the electricity price per kWh that applies to your own bill and plan.
The U.S. Department of Energy explains the power-and-time relationship and the conversion from watt-hours to kilowatt-hours by dividing by 1,000 (DOE electricity-use guidance). For a fluctuating load, its Federal Energy Management Program advises measuring energy over time and dividing by the measurement period to determine average power (DOE metering guidance).
Rank #2
- Multi-function power monitor: Our electric usage monitor can monitor the power (W), electricity(kWh), voltage(V), frequency(Hz), current(A), power factor(PF), unit price($/kWh), total cost($) of your appliances. By switching 8 display modes, you can easily know the various parameters while the appliance is working. The “electricity” mode can calculate and display how much power your appliance uses. And the “total cost” mode will show how much electricity bill it cost in cumulative time
- Overload protection: When the loading power of the appliance is over the default overload threshold 1800W, the whole display with backlight and the word “OVERLOAD” will keep flashing to warn the users. Please turn off the appliance for safety concern
- Premium Material: The whole body of our energy meter is made of high-quality ABS material. It makes our home electricity usage monitor more long lasting, fireproof and anti-drop. The standard US socket and plug is suitable for all US standard appliances
- Backlight Display: With white backlight and black words, the LCD display of our home power monitor can display the data clearer and help you to read the data easier no matter day or night. The backlight will only lights up when the device is connected to AC power. If no button is pressed, the backlight turns off automatically after 10 minutes. You can also press the "UP" button to turn off the backlight manually, and press any button to turn on backlight again
- Easy to reset: No reset tool needed, our appliance power usage meter is easy to reset. You can press the “M” button for 5 seconds directly to reset the device. After reset, all cumulative data (electricity quantity, cost) will be cleared, and all settings will be restored to factory settings
kWh = average watts × hours ÷ 1,000
Estimated cost = measured kWh × your electricity price per kWh
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Rank #3
- ✓ Backlit LCD Display: The watt meter features an upgraded backlit LCD display with a 160° wide viewing angle, providing clear and distinct data readings from any angle, day or night. (Note: To conserve energy, the backlight will automatically turn off after 15 seconds of continuous use.)
- ✓ 9 Types of Data Display: This energy meter plug accurately monitors a wide range of electrical parameters, including power (W), apparent power (VA), energy consumption (kWh), usage time (hours), power frequency (Hz), power factor (PF), voltage (V), current (A), and electricity cost. The user-friendly interface allows you to easily read and navigate through 9 types of data with a single button.
- ✓ Save Money and Energy: By toggling through the 9 display modes, you can gain insights into various operational parameters of your devices. The home energy monitor also calculates and displays the electricity consumption and cost over time, helping you save on your electricity bills by monitoring and managing energy usage.
- ✓ Data Storage: The plug-in electricity meter stores all non-real-time data, ensuring no information is lost in the event of a sudden power outage. If data exceeds the screen’s maximum display range, the screen will flash as a reminder. Pressing and holding the reset button for 3 seconds will reset the cumulative data to zero.
- ✓ Safe to Use: Rated voltage 125VAC, 60Hz, 15A maximum 1875W resistor and tungsten wire, 1/2HP. Clean and tidy interface, very simple to use.
How to compare two OBS setups fairly
If you want to know whether a different encoder or scene changes your electricity use, compare equivalent runs rather than relying on utilization readings or assumptions.
- Keep the loop content and measurement duration constant.
- Record the PC hardware, OBS encoder, output resolution, frame rate, scene sources, and other programs running.
- Compare average watts or total kWh over the equivalent intervals, alongside stream stability and output quality.
OBS documentation explains why those settings can change resource demands, but it does not provide test results for particular PC configurations. Any comparison should therefore report the equipment and method actually used.
Rank #4
- Various Monitoring Parameters: The power meter plug can monitor the power (W), energy (kWh), volts, amps, hertz, power factor, cost, minimum and maximum power (W), cumulative days and time of your appliances. By switching 7 display modes, you can easily know the various parameters while the appliance is working. The home energy monitor can also calculate and display how much power your appliance uses and how much electricity bill it cost in cumulative time
- Upgraded LCD display: With large screen size 2.36 inch x 1.85 inch, clearer monitor backlit, our electrical usage monitor can display the data clearer and more visible no matter day or night. 180°full wide viewing angles is great for reading and recording the data in any angles. No need to stand on the front of the display and bend over to read the numbers
- Adjustable Backlight Time: Our upgraded watt meter has 5 options of backlight time. The default backlight time duration is 10 minutes(bL-0). If you want to change the backlight time, you can press and hold "UP" and "DOWN" button at the same time to enter backlight time setting, then press "UP" and "DOWN" to select the backlight time (bL-0 =10 minutes, bL-1=1 hour, bL-2=4 hours, bL-3=8 hours, bL-4=always on), finally press the "COST" to save the backlight time settings
- Overload protection: When the power of the appliance exceeds the overload power, the LCD will display “OVERLOAD” to warn the user. All the buttons will quit working and can only be workable when you lower or remove the load power. The default overload power is 3680W and is adjustable from 0 to 3680W. In general, you need to set the overload power to 1800W before using. Just press the "function" button for more than 3 seconds to enter the setting
- Data Memory Function: The wattage meter will record your power consumption data when you remove it from socket, or remove appliances from the electricity monitor. You can directly see the last data when you use it next time. This function can also automatically save the data when there is a sudden power failure
Or let it run in the cloud
If your reason for measuring power is that you want a YouTube channel to keep playing uploaded videos around the clock, StreamNeo is a cloud alternative to leaving a desktop running. Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live; StreamNeo loops the uploaded video from the cloud. It does not stream from a camera or to platforms other than YouTube.
- Nothing has to stay on at home: your computer and home connection do not have to keep the stream running.
- Every slot streams your upload as made, up to 4K at 60 fps, at one flat price per slot, with no re-encoding or quality tiers.
- StreamNeo automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream.
- The first day is free with no card required; it is one free day per account.
- Monthly service costs $9.99 per month.
See StreamNeo for service details, or start your free day.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 【Insightful Energy Tracking】Track your plug's energy use with clear and easy-to-understand statistics and intuitive charts, helping you optimize power usage.
- 【Estimate Your Energy Bill】 Enhance energy management by integrating with billing systems for clear cost visualization (both single and periodic readings). Additionally, programmable scheduling allows automatic operation of high-consumption devices during off-peak hours with lower electricity rates, resulting in cost savings.
- 【Smart Charging for Devices】Automatically cuts power once your device reaches the low-battery limit you set, preventing overcharging.
- 【Auto-Shutoff】Prevents electrical overload by automatically shutting off devices that use too much power.
- 【Voice & Remote Control】 With built-in support for both Alexa and Google Assistant, issue simple voice commands to adjust settings, turn devices on or off, or even access specific functions without lifting a finger. Manage Tapo P115 and its connected devices from anywhere with the user-friendly Tapo app.
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