The hidden cost of participating in distributed projects

[Mark R]

The energy consumption of modern CPUs varies significantly depending on the task that is currently executing - however, I have not seen any study done to relate this to these popular distributed computing projects.

The energy consumption of a 1000MHz Athlon PC[1] was tested under both low and high load[2] conditions. At low load the PC consumed 92 W, with the monitor consuming an additional 82 W. With the UD 'think' project running, power consumption of the PC rose to 124 W (a rise of 32 W or 35%).

Cost implications: If such a PC is used in an office environment (8 hrs per day - light CPU load), energy consumption would be expected to be 1.4 kWh per day, an approximate cost of $0.14[2]. Running a distributed project would increase this to 1.6 kWh/d ($0.16). Per year[3] these figures become 360 ($36) and 430 kWh ($43).
In a situation where such a PC operates 24/7, these figures become 1520 kWH ($152) and 1800 kWH ($180). [Edit] Note that the individual figures are of debateable meaning as they assume that the monitor operates continuously. Excluding monitor these figures are 806 kWh ($81) and 1086 kWH ($109) - a cost of $28 per year. [/Edit - thanks to Bakwetu]

Further research: effects of different OS idle systems (use of HLT command), effects of different types of CPU, effect of different types of program including power consumption from 3d accelerators, viability of 'undervolting' a CPU to bring cost savings

[1] - PC specification: Athlon Thunderbird 1000 MHz, Abit KT7-RAID, Quantum 5400 rpm HD, 256 MB PC 133 SDRAM, Enermax 430W PSU; OS Windows ME.

[2] - Low load consisted of running a popular word processor and typing at a rate of approx 40 wpm. Spelling and grammar checking were enabled. High load involved running a distributed processing task that consumed 100% of CPU time.

[3] - At a unit cost of $0.10 per kWH

[4] - 5 working days per week.

 

[MichaelD]

Interesting post. Aside from the GreenPeace drumbeater issue side of it, I guess it's a personal choice whether or not to run Seti or RC5, etc. Some folks like to see the latest stats go up. Some folks leave their PC's on 24/7 anyway and figure that they might as well "do something with it" while they are not working/playing on it.

Cool stats though. Thanks.

 

[HaVoC]

Excellent post Mark. I myself was wondering about this hidden cost to leaving the computer running full load all day. The difference was greater than I expected though it's certainly not a bank-breaker.

Another side-effect to those living in hot climates (like me) is that your A/C bills increase and the room with the computer gets warm. With today's efficient cooling and hot processors...PCs become very good room heating devices. This is why I don't run RC5 and my computer lies mostly off the whole day. Only turn it on when I need it.

 

[SpongeBob]

My heat transfer professor was kinda telling us the same thing this morning in class. Basically he was saying that 20-30 years ago people thought that the demand for power would plateau, or at least only grow at a rate about equal to population growth. Because of this, there was a big push by environmentalists to stop building as many power plants. I think he said something like 8% of the world's(or U.S. possibly, i can't remember) power consumption was used for powering the internet, and it's projected that by 2010 it would be more like 50%. I'm not eactly sure of these figures because I was really tired and not completely paying attention. I just found it interesting though.

 

[Bakwetu]

No wonder you have an energy crisis!! Still, you don't keep the monitor on during the night or when you're not working on the machine so the 82 W is not constant

 

[MichaelD]

Hey Havoc, I'm right down the road (well, I35) from you. Tell me about "hot!" When I'm home, the AC stays set on 75. About 15 minutes after powering up my rig, the bedroom is noticeably hotter (not warmer, hotter!) than the rest of the house! Consequently, I turn down the thermostat to make the AC run longer. Sigh...expensive hobby we have, no?

 

[iNo712]

Pretty interesting...although $28 bucks a year to help find a cure for cancer or support an addiction (Seti or RC5) is a drop in the bucket if you ask me. Good information though. Thanks.

 

[Blastman]

I was going to mention the added cost of air-conditioning but MichaelD beat me to it.

Isn?t the cost of electricity in some states like NY quite a bit higher - $0.25 per kWH?

Power consumption is definitely a major issue in my next computer purchase.

 

[Shockwave]

Hey, if anybodys worried just come over...I have free utilities...And yes, everything is always on, and yes I have frost on my windows in the summer and a "tropical" environment in the winter...