I’m trying to figure out if it’s possible to build a desktop PC that uses no more than 200W of power, similar to a gaming laptop. My parents are super strict about electricity usage, and while I’ve been using a PS5 to keep the energy draw low, I really want to play some games on Steam. I’ve looked into gaming laptops, but they tend to have overheating issues and aren’t worth the investment. I want to play games like FFXIV, Genshin Impact, Skyrim (with mods), Oblivion, and both upcoming Elder Scrolls and Witcher titles. Is it feasible to make a PC that meets these power restrictions? Also, just to clarify, money isn’t a concern for me—I even offered to take care of the electric bill, but my parents still have a meltdown about it!
5 Answers
Building a super low-end PC might minimize power consumption, but don’t expect great gaming performance. You’ll need to research each component to find options that use less power. Generally, though, 200W is tough to achieve without sacrificing performance. For example, my older 2080 Ti draws around 250W even in stock settings!
Yes, it’s definitely doable! You can manage power use by undervolting your components, setting power limits, and capping frame rates. Surprisingly, a well-configured setup under 200W can actually offer better performance than a gaming laptop or PS5. Focus on efficient parts to make this work!
Have you considered mini PCs? Brands like Minisforum and Beelink create compact systems that use less power. Just remember, they usually lack dedicated graphics cards, so your game choices might be limited. However, they’re great for low-energy use and could work well for something like Steam Remote Play!
A word of caution: some CPUs, particularly 3D chips, can’t go below around 30W due to their design. I’ve managed to undervolt a Ryzen 5800X3D to get good performance at about 80-100W. Just keep in mind that many decent graphics cards will pull significantly more than 200W.
If it’s still too much, consider just covering the extra electric bill or possibly investing in solar panels to offset the costs. It might be a simpler solution than building a low-power rig!
I’ve heard about undervolting—do you think a newbie can handle that?