Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →There is no reliable universal winner. The power cost of leaving a PC streaming YouTube depends on that specific machine, its settings and workload, and your electricity rate—not just whether it runs Linux or Windows. To compare fairly, measure the same PC at the wall while it plays the same video under each operating system, then calculate the cost using the rate on your bill.
How to calculate the cost of 24/7 streaming
Watts (W) measure power at a moment; kilowatt-hours (kWh) measure energy used over time. For a continuous workload, use the machine’s average power draw—not its peak or idle reading.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
- Convert average watts to kilowatts: divide watts by 1,000.
- Calculate energy: average kilowatts × hours streamed = kWh.
- Calculate energy cost: kWh × your electricity price per kWh.
For a 24/7 run, multiply average kW by 24 hours and the number of days in the billing period. Use the energy rate that applies to you. The result may not include taxes, fixed fees or other bill components, which vary by utility and location.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsA historical example—not a current estimate
In a 2011 example, the Microsoft Windows Experience Blog used a 157 W reading for one hour at an assumed $0.10/kWh and calculated a cost of $0.0157. For its particular, older PC, it also reported 102 W at idle; at that draw, 30 days would use 73.44 kWh, or $7.34 at the same assumed rate. The system used an Intel Q9550 processor and GeForce 8400GS, and the reported system readings excluded peripherals such as a monitor. The author noted that a watt meter had difficulty capturing widely varying spikes. These figures demonstrate the arithmetic; they are neither estimates for a current streaming PC nor evidence that either operating system uses less power. Microsoft Windows Experience Blog: Measuring and reducing your PC’s electricity cost
#1 Best Overall
- ✅【Upgraded Intel-N100 Mini PC】-Intel Alder Lake-N100 mini pc features 4 CPU cores, 4 threads, max turbo clock of 3.4GHz, Intel UHD Graphics 24EUs, and 6MB L3 smart cache. Compared with the Intel Jasper Lake N5105 CPU, its performance has been improved by more than 25%. CPU-N100 adopts intel 7 manufacturing process, the standard TDP of the processor is 6W. This is an entry-level office mini computer that can also be used as a NAS and soft router.
- ✅【Max 16GB RAM and 2T SSD】-Beelink N100 Mini PC features a single SODIMM slot, which supports DDR4-3200MHz RAM of up to 16GB. It also comes with an M.2 2280 slot for SATA3 SSD storage (up to 2TB), and a SATA3 interface for a 2.5-inch SATA HDD/SSD (up to 2TB). The Mini S12 is a "4.25 x 4.01 x 1.54" inches small form factor desktop PC. The mini PC employs a plastic chassis enhanced by deep laser engraving, making it resistant to scratches.
- ✅【Dual 4K Display and Upgraded Cooling systeam】-The Intel UHD iGPU delivers powerful graphics performance, and two HDMI 2.0 ports allow you to multitask efficiently on two 4K@60Hz displays. It also supports AV1 decode. The Mini S12 Pro N100 sports a large silent CPU fan, a copper heat sink, and a dedicated SSD cooling shield. The upgraded cooling mechanism is much better than the N5095 mini PC.
- ✅【Wifi6/BT5.2 and Rich Ports】-Beelink mini s12 pro equipped WiFi6 (600Mbps) and BT5.2, enables fast data transfer to meet your daily use needs. Beelink Intel N100 mini pc ports: 1 x 1000Mbps LAN Port, 2 x HDMI 2.0, 4 x USB3.2 Type-A (10Gbps), 1 x 3.5mm audio, 1 x DC power input. The maximum download speed can reach 128MB/s with 1000M broadband. Office, Design, Home Video, and other software all run smoothly, and meet all your daily needs and work.
- ✅【7*24-hour support and 3 Year Warr-anty】-All Beelink Mini PC have passed CE, EMC, FCC, and RoHS certifications. Beelink mini pc additional functions: Auto Power On, Wake up On LAN, PXE, Power-on function set in BIOS. If you have any product-related questions Or consult before buying, please ask for support. We have 24-hour after-sale team support and provide one year warr-anty.
Does Linux use less power than Windows on the same PC?
The available evidence does not settle that question for continuous YouTube playback. There is no contemporary controlled comparison here that runs identical hardware, video and settings under both operating systems for 24/7 streaming. A claim that Linux always costs less—or that Windows does—would go beyond what the evidence establishes.
Power use depends on the hardware platform, operating-system power policies, drivers, background services, applications and settings. Windows documentation identifies these as factors in energy efficiency; it describes idle consumption as a lower bound, not a measure of an active streaming workload. That Windows-focused assessment does not compare Windows with Linux. Microsoft Learn: Results for the Idle Energy Efficiency Assessment
Rank #2
- This Certified Refurbished product is tested and certified to look and work like new. The refurbishing process includes functionality testing, basic cleaning, inspection, and repackaging. The product ships with all relevant accessories, a minimum 90-day warranty, and may arrive in a generic box. Only select sellers who maintain a high-performance bar may offer Certified Refurbished products on Amazon.com.
- Dell Optiplex 3050 SFF Desktop computer PC, Intel Quad Core i5-6500 up to 3.6GHz, 16GB DDR4, 256GB SSD
- Includes: USB Keyboard & Mouse, USB WiFi adapter, Microsoft office 30 days free trail.
- Port: Front: USB 3.0(2), USB 2.0(2); Rear: DP, HDMI, USB 3.0(2), USB 2.0(2), RJ-45.
- Support 4K (3840x2160) Dual display, makes it easy to connect two monitors at the same time, and you can expand working Windows, mirror content, or expand a single window across multiple monitors.
YouTube playback is active work, not simply idle. A 2022 IEEE paper analyzing 447,000 YouTube streaming events modeled client-side power and quality, with device, codec, resolution and bitrate among relevant variables. Its scope and limitations matter: it does not report an identical-PC Linux-versus-Windows 24/7 experiment. The paper’s analysis also focuses on the end-user client, where other parts of the delivery path involve unknowns. Modeling of Energy Consumption and Streaming Video QoE using a Crowdsourcing Dataset
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
A European Commission Joint Research Centre technical report summarizes a separate referenced study that found active consumption for common office tasks, including video streaming and browsing, comparable in most cases. It notes that high-load activities such as gaming can raise consumption when they use powerful graphics cards and CPUs. This is not a direct operating-system comparison or a prediction for your PC. European Commission Joint Research Centre: Technical report on Green Public Procurement criteria for computers
Rank #3
- Ryzen 7 6800H Processor & Radeon 680M Graphics – BOSGAME P6 Neo Mini PC powered by the AMD Ryzen 7 6800H processor (8 cores/16 threads, up to 4.7GHz) and AMD Radeon 680M Graphics based on RDNA 2 architecture, Whether you're gaming, editing photos/videos in Photoshop or Premiere, this mini gaming PC punches well above its weight class.
- 24GB LPDDR5X RAM & 512GB PCIe SSD – Equipped with 24GB of high-speed LPDDR5X 4800MT/s memory (onboard) and 512GB M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe 3.0x4 SSD, the P6 Neo provides ample space and blazing speed for games, creative projects, and daily multitasking. The mini PC supports an additional M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe 4.0x4 SSD expansion, giving you the flexibility to grow with your needs.
- Rich Connectivity – Stay connected with dual RJ45 Ethernet ports for server-grade networking speed and reliability. Wi-Fi 6E module delivers ultra-fast wireless performance with Bluetooth 5.3 support. Plus, with multiple USB 3.2 and a full-function USB-C port supporting data transfer and DisplayPort output, you have all the connectivity options you need for a modern, efficient workspace.
- Triple 4K Display & Seamless Multitasking – Experience breathtaking visuals with support for triple 4K displays via HDMI 2.0 (4K@60Hz), DP (4K@60Hz), and a full-function USB-C (4K@60Hz). Whether you're working, streaming 4K content, or gaming, the P6 Neo delivers crisp, vibrant visuals across every display, run multiple monitors simultaneously for enhanced productivity.
- Ultra-Compact Powerhouse for Anywhere – With its remarkably small footprint, this mini PC reclaims valuable desk space and easily fits into any environment, living room, dorm room, or even a cozy corner desk. Its lightweight, portable design means you can slip it into a backpack for travel, business trips, or remote work, taking powerful computing capabilities with you wherever you go.
How to compare your Linux and Windows costs fairly
A useful answer comes from a paired measurement of your own machine, not from comparing an idle Linux reading with an active Windows stream. A plug-in electricity usage monitor or watt meter can measure wall draw; no particular model is endorsed here.
- Keep the physical setup constant. Use the same PC, power supply, display, peripherals and outlet for both runs. Decide whether the monitor and other peripherals are included, and keep that choice consistent.
- Match the streaming workload. Use the same browser and version where possible, YouTube video, playback resolution and quality, network connection, and relevant browser and system settings. Note the codec and stream quality if available; video delivery settings can affect client-side power.
- Use comparable power settings. Keep each system from sleeping or stopping playback. Allow startup and background activity to settle, and note material updates or scheduled tasks that might affect a run. Microsoft’s Surface energy-disclosure measurement sequence includes a 15-minute wait after startup; that is a settling recommendation in that specific procedure, not a universal benchmark standard. Microsoft Legal: Energy efficiency
- Measure at the wall over time. Record average watts and, if the meter supports it, cumulative kWh over an extended run. A momentary reading can miss changing activity. Repeat or extend runs if readings vary, and record the duration and any uncertainty.
- Calculate each cost from the same tariff. Convert each measured average to kWh for the same number of hours or days, then apply the energy rate on your bill. State whether the total includes the monitor, taxes or fixed charges.
Report the result as a measurement of that PC, those settings and that test period. It should not be generalized to other hardware, Linux distributions, Windows configurations or video qualities.
Rank #4
- 【Beelink Intel S12-N95 Processor】The newly upgraded Mini S12 N95 Mini pc features an Intel Processor Alder Lake-N95(4C/4T, up to 3.4GHz) processor,Intel's Alder Lake-N series processors are low-cost, low-power chips designed for entry level PC systems. The Mini S12 N95 processor is an upgraded version of the N5105 processor that runs faster and performs better
- 【 8GB DDR4 RAM/480GB SATA3 SSD 】 The mini computer is equipped with high-speed 8GB DDR4 (up to 16GB with single-channel support) and 480GB SATA3 SSD(up to 4TB with dual-channel support, not included).8GB DDR4 memory, making your entire system respond quickly without delay or jumping. The main purpose of this Intel mini computer is to improve daily productivity and some creative content creation, with powerful storage that will not cause serious pressure on its system resources
- 【Ultra HD Graphics & Dual HDMI】Beelink mini pc equipped with Intel UHD graphics processor (1.20GHz, 16EU) supports 4K video playback,bring you smooth and gorgeous visual effectsor connects to a projector as a home theater to enjoy a variety of entertainment. Dual HDMI n95 mini pc allows you to connect two monitors simultaneously, simplifying and doubling your productivity. This minisforum mini pc is great for zoom meetings and allows Office/ Web surfing and streaming video at the same time
- 【Meeting deep needs】Small form factor pc is about 4.52x 4.04x 1.54 inches.N95 small computer adopts high efficiency cooling fan,large area air duct, quiet control chip design, no noise heat dissipation, heat dissipation performance improved by 40%, stable operation. Our N95 mini pc supports wifi5,Bluetooth 4.2 and 2.5G LAN, high-speed wireless connection technology and reliable and efficient transfer speeds to provide a faster Internet experience for browsing,streaming media and gaming
- 【Auto Power On & Beelink Technical Support】If you want to auto power on, please send us the barcode at the bottom of the machine first, and we will send the corresponding tutorial file. All our products have obtained FCC,CE ROSH certification. We also provide lifetime technical support, 7 Day/24 hours service
What to do if the result is close or inconsistent
- Readings jump around: extend the measurement, repeat each run, and compare averages or cumulative kWh rather than a single watt reading. Note updates and scheduled work.
- The two runs did not play the same workload: check that playback continued, the resolution and quality matched, and neither PC slept or paused the video. Repeat the pair under matched conditions.
- The wall reading seems much higher than idle: that is not automatically a fault. Idle is a lower bound; active video playback and other system activity consume additional power.
- Your cost does not match the bill total: check whether you calculated only energy use. Taxes, fixed charges and other bill components may not be included in a kWh-based estimate.
Or let it run in the cloud
If your goal is a YouTube channel that stays live 24/7, rather than keeping a home PC powered for playback, StreamNeo runs uploaded videos from the cloud. Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. Nothing has to stay on at home; it streams the uploaded video as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one price per slot, and automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. StreamNeo is for YouTube streams of uploaded videos, not camera-based live broadcasting. Monthly pricing is $9.99 per month. See StreamNeo or its pricing. Start your free first day with StreamNeo.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- External computer speaker in Black (set of 2) for amplifying PC or laptop audio
- USB-Powered from USB port of PC or Laptop
- In-line volume control for easy access
- Blue LED lights; metal finish and scratch-free padded base
- Bottom radiator for “springy” bass sound
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.
