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How Much Does an Intel N100 Mini PC Cost to Run 24/7 for a YouTube Loop Stream?

An N100 mini PC’s 24/7 running cost depends on measured wall draw and your electricity rate. Here’s how to calculate it and what published reviews measured.

By VGSources Team 3 min read
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There is no single 24/7 electricity cost for an Intel N100 mini PC: it depends on the complete computer’s average power draw at the wall while your loop is running and your local electricity rate. For a quick estimate, multiply average watts by 8.76 to get annual kilowatt-hours, then multiply that result by your price per kWh. For example, a system drawing 10 W continuously uses 87.6 kWh in a 365-day year.

Estimate your annual electricity cost

Use the computer’s average wall draw during the workload you plan to run—not the processor’s rated power or an idle reading if the machine will be playing video continuously.

  1. Find average watts. Ideally, measure the complete system with a plug-in wall electricity meter while your YouTube loop is running.
  2. Convert watts to annual energy: average watts × 8.76 ÷ 1,000 = annual kWh. Equivalently, average watts × 8.76 gives annual kWh directly when the result is expressed with the correct unit conversion: 10 W × 8.76 = 87.6 kWh per year.
  3. Apply your electricity rate: annual kWh × your price per kWh = estimated annual electricity cost.

For example, if your tariff is 0.20 per kWh in your local currency, a continuously running 10 W system would cost 87.6 × 0.20, or 17.52 in that currency per year. This is an arithmetic example, not a published electricity price; replace it with your own tariff. The estimate covers electricity use, not the computer’s purchase price or other costs.

What N100 mini PC measurements show

Reviews of different Intel N100 systems report meaningfully different readings. The figures below are measurements from the named reviews, not manufacturer guarantees or a controlled comparison between models.

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System and source Reported idle draw YouTube playback draw Test context
MINIX Z100-0dB, CNX Software review published 2024-02-25 (review) 8.9–9.2 W 14.7–17.9 W YouTube in Chrome at 8K60 on Windows 11; test setup included Wi-Fi 6, a wireless keyboard-and-mouse dongle, and a display connected through an HDMI-to-VGA adapter.
GEEKOM Mini Air12 Lite, CNX Software review published 2024-11-17 (review) 5.8–6.2 W 10.9–15 W YouTube 8K60 in Chrome on Windows 11 Pro; setup included Wi-Fi 6, USB keyboard and mouse, and a drawing tablet connected over HDMI.
Beelink Mini S12 Pro N100, Notebookcheck (review) 8.8 W average idle Heavier-use consumption was substantially above idle; a comparable YouTube-loop figure is not stated. Notebookcheck’s review measurement; its test conditions are not a controlled match to the other systems listed.
Minisforum UN100L N100, Notebookcheck (review) 4.8 W average idle A comparable YouTube-loop figure is not stated. Different model, configuration, operating conditions, and methodology; not directly comparable to the other reviews.

The two cited YouTube playback measurements were made at 8K60. They are useful reference points for demanding playback, but neither establishes the average draw of a continuous loop stream on your particular setup. A YouTube live stream can involve different encoding, playback, and network conditions, and the listed review tests do not directly measure your intended 24/7 workload.

Measure the setup you will actually leave running

A plug-in wall meter gives you a more relevant estimate than assuming every N100 computer uses the same amount. Measure the full computer at the wall while your actual loop runs, and leave the display and peripherals in the same state they will have during the 24/7 setup. Record the average over a representative period, then use that average in the annual-energy formula. The MINIX and GEEKOM reviews also used wall power meters for their reported system readings (MINIX test; GEEKOM test).

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For a fair comparison of two mini PCs, measure them under the same loop, playback resolution, browser, display and peripherals, operating system, and power settings. Compare idle draw separately if the machines will spend substantial time inactive. The available review readings use different models and test setups, so they do not support ranking the systems by efficiency.

What changes the bill

  • Average workload draw: idle readings are lower than the cited YouTube playback readings, so an always-playing workload should not be costed using idle watts alone.
  • Whole-system configuration: the finished computer’s power supply, storage, memory, network connection, attached devices, operating system, and workload affect wall draw. The N100 processor name by itself does not determine it.
  • Your tariff: electricity rates vary by location and plan. Use the price per kWh on your bill, including any relevant time-of-use rate if your tariff changes by hour.
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