Report: PS3 power-hungrier than five fridges

  • By Emma_UK, GameSpot
  • Posted Jun 6, 2008 11:20 am GMT

The PlayStation 3: Blu-ray player, next-gen game machine, multimedia hub--and power guzzler. According to a report by the Australian Consumers' Association's Choice publication, leaving your PS3 on when you're not gaming can cost you A$250 ($239) a year in electricity bills.That's the same as five...

The PlayStation 3: Blu-ray player, next-gen game machine, multimedia hub--and power guzzler. According to a report by the Australian Consumers' Association's Choice publication, leaving your PS3 on when you're not gaming can cost you A$250 ($239) a year in electricity bills.

That's the same as five refrigerators, and "serves as an important reminder to turn off video game systems after use." Before Microsoft fans get too smug, though, the Xbox 360 came in at a close second place.

The PS3, while on and running a game, consumes some 33.34kWh weekly--equivalent to around A$5 ($4.79). When on but idle, it uses almost as much, sapping 31.74kWh, or A$4.76 ($4.56). When the machine was off (with the back switch on), power usage plummeted to 0.30kWh, or A$0.04 ($0.04) a week.

In comparison, the Xbox 360 used up 26kWh per week in power when on and running a game--about A$3.90 ($3.73) in real money. When on but idle, the figure was slightly reduced to 23.47kWh or around A$3.53 ($3.37), and when off used up only 0.40kWh or A$0.06 ($0.06) a week.

Unsurprisingly, the Nintendo Wii used the least power--under 10 percent of that needed for the PS3. Playing a game, it uses 3.14kWh costing A$0.47 ($0.45) a week, and on but idle it drained 2.97kWh or A$0.45 ($0.43). When the console was switched off, but WiiConnect24 remained on, this dropped to 1.78kWh, costing A$0.27 ($0.26) a week. When WiiConnect24 was also turned off, this figure became 0.32kWh or A$0.05 ($0.05) a week.

The report also found that the Plasma TV set tested was also a "power hungry device" and required over four times as much power as a traditional CRT analogue TV set.

324 Comments

  • SalarianChemist

    Posted Jun 10, 2008 2:48 pm GMT

    Who cares.

    I read that of the three major systems (Xbox 360, Wii, PS3), the Playstation 3 is the one that people play the least because PS3 has the smallest library of games with the worst review scores.

    So, you can't really say that something runs up electric bills if it isn't being played.

    Also, I don't use Playstation 3 as a Blu-ray player, because it outputs video at 60hz, which isn't very good.

    Dedicated Blu-ray players, HD-DVD players, and DVD players all look best when they output video at 24hz, which is what they were filmed at...PS3 hardware doesn't let that happen. My dedicated Blu-ray player looks noticably better than the PS3 when watching movies.

    So, who cares about electricity costs on PS3...the thing hardly gets used at my house.

  • DecadesOfGaming

    Posted Jun 10, 2008 4:57 am GMT

    Who cares ? Even though I think any bad press for the playstation 3 is quite amusing; I also think that the individual who wrote this artical should invest his time and energy into something more worth while. muppet.

  • madmalz

    Posted Jun 9, 2008 12:30 pm GMT

    This would be a real problem if people actually played the PS3s they own.....

  • lion2447

    Posted Jun 9, 2008 10:40 am GMT

    I don't think that is accurate. I have a power monitor on my PS3 (40GB model) and it only consumes around 120 to 150 watts while active. Even if I had it on 24/7 it would only consume about 20kWh. I don't use mine 24/7 and would estimate I used only 4.2kWh per week (that's a high estimate based on 5 hours a day 7 days a week). My average would be closer to 2 kWh per week.

  • Hvac0120

    Posted Jun 9, 2008 8:51 am GMT

    Larger LCD televisions also consume a lot of energy.

    I don't even know why I'm posting on this topic. Computers have been sucking up mass amounts of energy for years. This is nothing new and an obvious result of that advancements in game consoles.

  • Phazevariance

    Posted Jun 9, 2008 8:08 am GMT

    YOGA FLAME-WAR

  • Ahiru-San

    Posted Jun 9, 2008 7:53 am GMT

    i'm gonna unplug my consoles from the outlets from now on...

  • sieg6529

    Posted Jun 9, 2008 6:40 am GMT

    the ps3 needs to generate that much power so it can get hot enough for me to make my breakfast on it

  • SEEDman_X

    Posted Jun 9, 2008 12:39 am GMT

    You just gotta shut your PC, PS3, or 360 after gaming! Or else you are wasting energy and potentially reducing the life spam of your machine.

  • CureForLiving

    Posted Jun 8, 2008 11:19 pm GMT

    The difference between xbox360 and PS3 is less than a dollar per week, I'm sure that most gamers PC rigs suck up a lot more power than ps3 and xbox360 combined.

  • assasinspray posted Jun 8, 2008 9:28 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    assasinspray

    Posted Jun 8, 2008 9:28 pm GMT (hide)

    well i think i can just say another reason to choose Xbox360 over PS3

  • ryan-man

    Posted Jun 8, 2008 5:36 pm GMT

    I own all consoles, but i never leave my consoles on standby. Standby = planet killer.

  • jasonbarbour

    Posted Jun 8, 2008 3:21 pm GMT

    this should have said "PS3 uses the least power when off" -Our consoles are off most of their lives, unless you game every hour of every day (I find it funny that the Wii uses the most electricity when it is off even though it uses considerable less when on - anyone know why that is by the way?)

  • surrealme

    Posted Jun 8, 2008 2:52 pm GMT

    combatsoldier writes "this is absolutely ridiculous this article was created just to start another flame war. who cares we are still going to buy the gaming consoles anyway."

    Who cares? Probably everyone whose mom doesn't pay their electric bill.

  • mike12431

    Posted Jun 8, 2008 11:39 am GMT

    how much power does the ps3 use when it is on folding at home though. I always turn on folding at home whenever i'm not playing games.

  • NinjaMunkey01

    Posted Jun 8, 2008 11:37 am GMT

    I would have thught most peopl eleave it on standby when noyt inuse anyway.

    I personally turn it off when not in use so it does not use nearly as much as 1 fridge in a year. But most peole would find it difficult to do so if its under the tv on a stand. So just keep it on standby, simple.

  • combatsoldier

    Posted Jun 8, 2008 11:12 am GMT

    this is absolutely ridiculous this article was created just to start another flame war. who cares we are still going to buy the gaming consoles anyway.

    I would also like to add that I pay all my own bills, and have a family of my own to support. I am also a soldier in the u.s. army

    so before anyone gets bent out of shape the bottom line is yes people will still buy the game systems regardless and the ps3 offers stand by mode witch does not use hardly any power what so ever. this article was just inspired to get people to argue over nothing and it is not appreciated at all. They need to add more to this article such as the fact hey here is an idea. turn the system off. maybe put the system on standby. What about the pc and how does this compare to that considering it is much bigger and requires much more power. 5 fridges I dont think so not by a long shot people. This entire thing is completely ridiculous.

  • GCwasthebestsys

    Posted Jun 8, 2008 10:53 am GMT

    nintendo is so far and above ahead of the others it ain't even funny

  • Hellmetal789

    Posted Jun 8, 2008 9:34 am GMT

    this is fake gamespot i read the actual article on many sites its as 1 fridge not 5.

  • mark_unix

    Posted Jun 8, 2008 9:02 am GMT

    and who cares it's pennies.
    and don't give that environment bullcrap because 80% of gaming pc's consume 200 watts more then any game console...

  • mark_unix

    Posted Jun 8, 2008 8:57 am GMT

    xbox360 uses 50 watts less, so that consumes as much as 4 fridges.
    shallow biased thinking...

  • gaa0c85

    Posted Jun 8, 2008 8:28 am GMT

    im an engineer and i know it doesnt use as much as 5 fridges.

  • Devvy01

    Posted Jun 8, 2008 7:32 am GMT

    hey, if everyone's jumping on the power consumption band wagon, start with plasma TVs, they're on longer than any other power sucking device.

  • coold_steam

    Posted Jun 8, 2008 6:21 am GMT

    this is funny they didnt fine any wrong with the ps3 so the came up with this Article just to tell us that the ps3 is no good for u ,it consume power .

  • damageisking

    Posted Jun 8, 2008 6:14 am GMT

    Doesn't this just show that it uses that much electricy if I leave it on 24 hours a day? Like how my fridge is used. Noone uses their PS3 for that amount of time.

  • Chaos_Eagle

    Posted Jun 8, 2008 5:56 am GMT

    @Teoballto: I do that too. Just a habit...

  • mpeg3s

    Posted Jun 8, 2008 5:06 am GMT

    You should be cooking on that gril. You all are waisting resources!

  • d3f1anc3

    Posted Jun 8, 2008 4:01 am GMT

    Now if only the games developed for it could take full advantage of the cell processor, we'd be set.

  • Teoballto

    Posted Jun 8, 2008 2:02 am GMT

    I got into the habit of turning off the back switch when I didn't use my PS2. I continue to do that on the PS3. Actually I do that with anything that goes into standby.

  • so_hai

    Posted Jun 8, 2008 12:46 am GMT

    I've been using extra power lately on my Wii cause I've made a big city in SimCity. It's got plenty of power-plants. I 'll have to re-direct some of that power back to the grid maybe.

  • thepyrethatburn

    Posted Jun 7, 2008 10:39 pm GMT

    @Chibi: It also provides more computing power. This was first proven with SETI@home that a distributed computing scheme will provide more data-crunching than could otherwise be done, even with the aid of supercomputers. So it isn't just "It's cheaper for them".

  • Zloth2

    Posted Jun 7, 2008 9:59 pm GMT

    Yeah, a console on standbye should still consume power. If you want it to not consume any power then shut it off.

    Kinda glad they didn't include a typical gaming PC in this. 500W and higher power supplies.... oh my.

  • optimusprime18

    Posted Jun 7, 2008 9:31 pm GMT

    DrKill is right and Al Gore is a loser

  • lew_0911

    Posted Jun 7, 2008 8:08 pm GMT

    That's it. I'm turning off the TV when I turn on the PS3 or the 360.

  • cyw1988

    Posted Jun 7, 2008 7:45 pm GMT

    Does putting the PS3 on standby consume any power at all? If it does then I'll prolly start turning the main power off...

  • Proman84

    Posted Jun 7, 2008 7:02 pm GMT

    They really need to get their idle time power consumption down. I mean, five fridges?

  • pokemon_rox

    Posted Jun 7, 2008 5:43 pm GMT

    ctg867 -- the greenpeace report was on how the companies deal with the waste and broken systems, not what they're made of. Also, Nintendo doesn't have to worry because their systems last forever, and nobody gets rid of them : P.

  • slimdave21

    Posted Jun 7, 2008 5:42 pm GMT

    Ignorant people will be the downfall of the human race... and there are alot of them.

  • jahoousa

    Posted Jun 7, 2008 5:14 pm GMT

    I guess I'll have to start unplugging my fridges when I'm not using them?

  • ctg867

    Posted Jun 7, 2008 3:06 pm GMT

    As far as money for the guy running it is concerned, it's a good bit more then the 360. As for the environmentalist who cares about their planet (like myself), I find that it's made up for by the fact that the PS3 is made of the least harmful materials by a long shot (as compared to the 360 and Wii, see: Greenpeace report), and the process that gets the materials for them, makes them, and ships them is also the least harmful.

    So I would say it balances itself out somewhat, but I would very much like the PS3 "Slim" to use a lot less energy. I do believe that the PS2 ended up with the same situation. The PS2 Slim used a lot less energy then the original PS2.

  • Hekynn

    Posted Jun 7, 2008 2:51 pm GMT

    yeesh glad I turn off my consoles when I am done playing them hehe.

  • PixyMisao

    Posted Jun 7, 2008 2:31 pm GMT

    I leave my Wii & PS2 on standby. I suppose I have no need to do so for the PS2, and the Wii rarely ever sends me anything through Wii Connect (what it does tell is often not interesting in the least).

  • DDR_Midian

    Posted Jun 7, 2008 1:20 pm GMT

    Despite the 360 having the most worthwhile games this generation (in my opinion - no need for troll responses) I must admit that I'm totally in love with the design and build structure of the Wii and think it's the best made console in a very long time. Also extremely impressed with the quality of the DS lite too... but it doesn't really come into the power usage article thing.

  • IntegraBella

    Posted Jun 7, 2008 10:43 am GMT

    *chuckles* amusing. if this was done in the U.S., then I would be a bit more curious. if it was done in another country, that doesn't say much compared to the amount of electricity other countries use around the world. other countries have other types of standards with things like electricity, gas, etc.

    however... as long as I'm still able to use my PS3 for my games and blurays, I'm fine. LOL

  • DrKill09 posted Jun 7, 2008 9:52 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    DrKill09

    Posted Jun 7, 2008 9:52 am GMT (hide)

    I say who cares? I care about games and Blu Ray High Def, not the environment. Global Warming is a SCAM!

  • ps360fan

    Posted Jun 7, 2008 9:49 am GMT

    I guess they dont have Energy Star compliant appliances in Australia.

  • Jimmyjit

    Posted Jun 7, 2008 8:45 am GMT

    I guess Al Gore is not going to come out with his "Save the Planet" Video game for PS3, 360, or wii, it might be a board game played with candles.

  • chickenarise

    Posted Jun 7, 2008 8:42 am GMT

    Hmm. It looks like it depends on the fridge. http://www.thegeoexchange.org/fridge-power-consumption/index.htm
    This website places PS3 at least 4 times as power-consuming as newer fridges, but only a little worse than one older fridge, which is what most of us are probably currently using. However, that is only if you never shut your gaming system. In reality, the PS3/xbox will use up far less energy in a year.

  • Skreb-Masters

    Posted Jun 7, 2008 8:41 am GMT

    I don't like pulling the plug on my 360, cos then I'd have to rearrange the date and time again. But seeing that orange light by the big power pack makes me wonder how much juice I'm sapping away. Save money, or conveniently keep time and date on? *strokes chin*

  • hannify

    Posted Jun 7, 2008 7:03 am GMT

    on average fridges use 50kwh

    so just want to reitrate. It does NOT use more power hungry than 5 fridges!

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