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For a mini PC running FFmpeg around the clock, annual electricity cost is average wall power in watts × 8.76 × your electricity price per kWh. At the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s 2025 residential average of 17.30¢/kWh, illustrative average draws of 10 W, 20 W and 35 W would cost about $15.15, $30.31 and $53.04 a year, respectively. Those are calculation examples, not measured draws for a particular Intel mini PC or FFmpeg setup.
Estimate the annual electricity cost
For continuous operation throughout a non-leap year, the PC runs for 8,760 hours. Convert watts to kilowatts, multiply by operating hours, then multiply by the electricity price:
Annual cost = watts ÷ 1,000 × annual operating hours × dollars per kWh
At 24/7 operation, this simplifies to average wall watts × 8.76 × dollars per kWh. Use the all-in marginal electricity price from your own bill, in dollars per kWh. If you stream fewer than 8,760 hours a year, use your actual annual hours instead.
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Illustrative 24/7 examples at the U.S. residential average
The EIA’s 2025 U.S. residential average was 17.30¢/kWh, reported in its 2026 publication of preliminary annual data. Applying that rate produces these estimates:
| Average wall power | Annual electricity | Estimated annual cost |
|---|---|---|
| 10 W | 87.6 kWh | $15.15 |
| 20 W | 175.2 kWh | $30.31 |
| 35 W | 306.6 kWh | $53.04 |
These wattages are scenarios chosen to show how the result changes with power draw. They are not benchmarks for Intel mini PCs. Electricity prices vary by locality, so a reader elsewhere in the U.S. or another country should substitute the rate on their own bill. The EIA also reported a 2025 U.S. all-sector average of 13.63¢/kWh; that is not the residential rate used in the examples.
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Measure the mini PC instead of guessing
The estimate is only as accurate as its average-watt input. The most useful measurement is the complete mini PC’s wall draw while it performs the intended FFmpeg streaming workload—not a CPU specification or a momentary idle reading.
- Connect the mini PC to a plug-in electricity usage monitor or watt meter, following the meter’s instructions.
- Run the actual FFmpeg job for a representative period, including the resolution, frame rate, codec, filters, and hardware-acceleration settings you plan to use.
- Record average watts over that period. Include normal workload variation rather than relying on one instantaneous reading.
- Multiply the measured average watts by 8.76 and your dollars-per-kWh rate for a 24/7 annual estimate. For partial-year operation, use actual annual hours in the full formula instead.
The resulting estimate covers the computer’s electricity only. It excludes the purchase price, internet service, cooling, and any other equipment.
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Why Intel TDP does not give you the answer
Intel defines TDP as a thermal design target associated with a theoretical maximum load; it is not the same as measured whole-system power at the wall. Intel notes that power consumption is lower under lower loads and may temporarily exceed TDP in some conditions. A mini PC’s actual draw therefore depends on what it is doing and on the rest of the system, not just its processor’s advertised TDP. See Intel’s explanation of TDP and power consumption.
FFmpeg can read live inputs, filter or transcode media, and write outputs. Intel’s graphics media stack supports hardware-accelerated video processing in FFmpeg, including VAAPI and Intel Media SDK/VPL paths. Which codecs and acceleration options are available depends on the Intel GPU, driver, FFmpeg build, and selected encoder. Hardware acceleration can change the workload, but it does not establish one universal mini-PC wattage. See the FFmpeg command-line documentation and Intel’s overview of oneVPL and FFmpeg.
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What changes the yearly figure
- Average wall draw: This is the main input. Measure during the real streaming job; idle power or CPU package power is not a substitute for whole-system wall power.
- Workload and settings: Resolution, frame rate, codec, filters, input type, and whether hardware acceleration is used can affect system activity. Compare measurements only when the workload and settings are the same.
- Hours streamed: A PC that runs only part of the year costs less to power than the 8,760-hour examples, in direct proportion to its annual operating hours.
- Electricity tariff: The EIA average is a U.S. reference point, not a prediction of an individual bill. Use your local marginal price.
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Quick Recap
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- Enhanced Functionality: Packed with handy features, including a 5x9" precision tracking mouse pad and a built-in phone slot for seamless work or video calls. Plus, enjoy laptop support with the integrated device ledge.
- Cool Comfort: Enjoy a stable surface with our lap desk's dual bolster cushion, designed for comfort and airflow, keeping your lap cool during extended use.
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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.
