Screen Savers Depot

Does a screensaver take much energy?

I have a beautiful 3d "Winter Scene" screensaver. Previously I've just let the screen go dark. How much energy does the screensaver consume? Our Windows XP is set on "shut down hard disks: never" since we use the computer extensively. Thanks! Thanks for all your answers so far...we do have a LCD monitor.

Public Comments

1. Since you are calculating 3D images your video card will be using power, your CPU using power and your monitor using power. It's best just to have your monitor go in to a power saving mode. It achieves the same results of protecting the monitor while saving power rather than using more.
2. It doesn't take very much energy. The computer itself takes more energy though, so you should have it go on standby after so long.
3. The screen saver is meant to "save" the old CRT from phosphrant residual effect, a.k.a. burnt out. It does not play a big part in the energy budget cos the major player in the electrical consumption comes from the CRT (LCD is very very much more ecconomical) and the CPU box itself. Best bet is to shut off the CRT when not in use.
4. A screen saver does not consume more, or very little more, than having your computer just sit there with a blank screen. The energy consumption is having the computer on and having the monitor on. Running your winter scene when idle is not going to save you enough to buy a pear from the partridge in a pear tree. Enjoy.