How Much Does a Gaming PC Cost to Run?
Updated March 2026. Default rate effective 1 April 2026 (Ofgem Q2 2026). Figures are typical estimates rather than model-specific guarantees.
A gaming PC costs approximately 22p per day during gaming and around £81 per year based on 3 hours of daily gaming. Actual power draw varies hugely depending on the GPU, CPU, and what you are doing.
Calculator24.5p/kWh
W
hrs
p/kWh
Per hour
7.3p
Per day
22.0p
Per week
£1.54
Per month
£6.71
Annual cost
£80.48
Typical annual electricity use: 328.50 kWh
Based on typical gaming pc usage at current rates.
Annual estimate
£80.48
Annual electricity use
328.50 kWh
Typical household bill context
About 12% of a typical home's annual variable electricity spend at the current default rate.
What Affects the Cost of Running a Gaming PC?
Gaming PC costs depend on: GPU model — the graphics card is typically the largest power consumer, drawing 150-350W under gaming load. CPU — modern processors draw 65-125W under load. Activity — idle (80W), web browsing (100-150W), gaming (250-500W).
Related appliances
Assumptions and methodology
- Electricity rate: 24.5p/kWh (Ofgem Q2 2026)
- Default wattage is based on a typical appliance in this category
- Usage assumptions are meant to be a sensible starting point, not a fixed rule
- Costs vary with tariff, model, settings, load size, and household habits
Tips to Reduce Gaming PC Running Costs
Enable power management settings to put the PC to sleep when not in use. Reduce in-game graphics settings slightly — the difference between ultra and high often saves 20-30% GPU power with minimal visual difference.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about electricity costs and our calculators.