How much electricity does a server consume?

Servers are devices that are used to store, process, and transmit data in computer networks. However, one of the main questions that arises when working with servers is their power consumption.

Calculating Server Power Consumption

The server's power in kW determines its electrical consumption. How much power does a server consume? Server power consumption can be calculated considering the following parameters:

• Type and number of processors. The more processors, the higher the server's power consumption. For example, a server with two processors consumes on average 250–500 W, while a 4-processor server consumes 500–1000 W.
• Amount of RAM. The more RAM, the more energy is required to support it. Power consumption depends more on memory speed than on its volume.
• Number and type of hard drives. Hard drives store data on the server. The more drives, the higher the power consumption. High-RPM drives also increase server power usage.
• Power supply unit (PSU). The higher the PSU rating, the more energy the server can consume.

Server Electrical Power

Examples of power consumption for different types of servers:

• Low-power home or small office server: Typically has one processor and 8–16 GB of RAM. Power consumption ranges from 80 to 250 W.
• Network server for a medium-sized company: One or two processors, 16–512 GB RAM, multiple hard drives with 1–20 TB each. Power consumption ranges from 200 to 800 W.
• High-performance server for large corporations: Up to 4 processors, several large hard drives (4–20 TB each), RAM from 64 GB to several terabytes. Power consumption can reach 2000 W or more.
• Data center storage and processing server: Usually a cluster of servers with dozens of processors and dozens of large hard drives (up to 20 TB each), hundreds of GB of RAM. Power consumption can reach tens of kilowatts.

Obviously, more powerful servers consume more electricity. How many kilowatts does a computer or server draw per month? It depends on the device type and load. Modern servers often include technologies to reduce power consumption, such as virtualization, energy management, and cooling systems, including server room air conditioning, which significantly lowers energy costs while maintaining high performance.

How to Reduce Server Power Consumption

There are many methods to reduce server power usage, ranging from simple to advanced. Simple methods include turning off unused devices, cleaning fans regularly, and replacing old components with more efficient ones. Advanced technologies include energy management systems that reduce power consumption without sacrificing performance. To calculate server load or monthly electricity usage, use data on power consumption and operating time.

When choosing a server for your business, consider its power consumption. Knowing the server’s power, calculating electricity usage, and understanding its specifications will help estimate energy costs and choose a server that meets your needs. If you want to purchase a server, the price depends on its specifications and intended use—whether a home server or VPS rental. For server rental, contact our company. XServer specialists will answer your questions about server costs, server room requirements, temperature management, and help you select the server best suited for your business needs.