Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteThe cost depends on your desktop’s average power draw while the playlist is playing and your electricity rate. Calculate it as (watts ÷ 1,000) × hours × price per kWh. For a 24/7 schedule over 30 days, use 720 hours. The best estimate comes from measuring the computer at the wall during representative playback, then multiplying its measured energy use by the marginal rate on your bill.
Calculate the monthly electricity cost
Convert the computer’s average power draw from watts to kilowatts, multiply by the hours it runs, then multiply by your price per kilowatt-hour (kWh):
Monthly cost = (average watts Ă· 1,000) Ă— hours in the month Ă— dollars per kWh
A 24/7 schedule is 720 hours in a 30-day month, or 8,760 hours in a 365-day year. At a constant 100 W, the arithmetic is 0.1 kW Ă— 720 hours = 72 kWh per 30-day month. That is an example, not a claim that a typical desktop draws 100 W.
Recommended Free Tools
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Use your own electricity rate
Find the marginal energy charge on your bill, expressed per kWh, and use it in the calculation. Depending on your plan, the bill may include additional charges; the result here estimates the energy cost from the rate you use, not every possible fixed fee or tax.
As U.S. context, the Energy Information Administration reports a preliminary 2025 average residential price of 17.30¢/kWh, based on Electric Power Monthly tables published in February 2026. Its reported 2025 state annual averages ranged from 8.20¢/kWh in North Dakota to 35.72¢/kWh in Hawaii. These figures illustrate how much geography can change the answer; your own bill is the relevant input. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Prices and factors affecting prices.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Find out what your desktop actually draws
A computer’s power-supply rating is its capacity, not a measurement of the power it consumes. Actual wall draw varies with the hardware, settings, connected devices, and workload. A desktop playing a playlist may not draw the same power as it does when idle or under heavy processing load.
- Measure at the wall. Use a plug-in electricity usage monitor between the computer and the outlet. Microsoft’s 2011 example used a P3 International Kill A Watt P4400; the meter measures consumption but does not reduce it.
- Match the real setup. Connect the devices you intend to leave running and play the playlist in the way you normally would. If you want the computer-only figure, keep peripherals such as the display out of the measurement; if you want the whole setup’s cost, include them.
- Measure a representative period. Record the meter’s average watts or accumulated kWh while the playlist runs. A brief reading may not capture changing activity or power draw.
- Calculate from the measurement. If the meter reports average watts, apply the formula above. If it reports kWh over the measured period, multiply that energy by your marginal price per kWh, then scale to the hours you expect to run.
What a published PC measurement can—and cannot—tell you
Microsoft’s Windows Experience Blog reported measurements from one specific, older PC in 2011: an Intel Q9550 system with 8 GB RAM, a 7200 RPM hard drive, and GeForce 8400GS graphics. It measured 102 W at idle, 4 W in S3 sleep, and 165 W under 100% CPU load. The measurement covered the system itself and excluded peripherals such as a monitor. The idle reading was a baseline, not a test of YouTube playback, and the article cautioned that another system could use a different amount. Microsoft Windows Experience Blog, Measuring and reducing your PC’s electricity cost.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
At a constant 102 W, that system would use 73.44 kWh in 720 hours: 0.102 kW × 720. Applying the EIA’s preliminary 2025 U.S. residential average of 17.30¢/kWh yields about $12.71 for 30 days. This is a transparent calculation using a historical idle measurement and a later U.S. average rate—not a current YouTube playback test or a prediction for your desktop. Microsoft’s original article used an assumed rate of $0.10/kWh for its own cost illustration; that historical assumption should not be treated as a current electricity price.
Decide whether to use sleep or keep playback uninterrupted
If playback does not need to continue, enabling sleep or turning the computer off during idle periods can reduce energy use. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends built-in power management and the shortest timeout and lowest power mode compatible with the task. A sleeping desktop will interrupt playback, so those settings are not compatible with an uninterrupted playlist unless playback is meant to stop too. The department says using sleep and off modes will not shorten computer life. Its guidance says leaving power-saving mode enabled can reduce computer energy use by up to 27% annually; that is not a result specific to YouTube playback. U.S. Department of Energy, Purchasing Energy-Efficient Computers.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
ENERGY STAR’s computer criteria effective October 2025 require power-management behavior under specified inactivity conditions, including display sleep within 15 minutes and system sleep within 30 minutes. Those inactivity requirements do not mean a computer should sleep while it is actively being used for continuous playback. ENERGY STAR also cites a potential $15 annual saving from power management on a certified desktop; that figure is not specific to a 24/7 playlist. ENERGY STAR, Computers.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Keep a YouTube playlist running without leaving your desktop on
If the goal is an always-on YouTube stream made from uploaded recordings, StreamNeo is a cloud alternative: upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. The cloud keeps the stream running without your computer or home connection staying on. See StreamNeo.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Or let it run in the cloud
- Upload a recording or build a playlist.
- Add your YouTube stream key.
- Go live; StreamNeo loops the uploaded video from the cloud.
Your desktop can be off, the uploaded video streams at its original quality up to 4K 60fps for one flat price per slot, and StreamNeo automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card required. Monthly service is $9.99 per month. Start your free day with StreamNeo.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
