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electricity cost

How Much Does It Cost to Run an OBS Loop Stream on a PC in India?

Estimate the electricity cost of an OBS loop stream by measuring the PC at the wall, calculating its kWh use and applying your local marginal tariff.

By VGSources Team 4 min read

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There is no single India-wide price for running an OBS loop stream. To estimate the electricity cost, measure the PC’s average power draw at the wall while it is streaming, multiply by the hours streamed, then apply the marginal electricity rate on your bill. The power supply’s maximum rating is not the PC’s actual consumption.

Calculate the PC’s electricity use and cost

Use these two formulas:

Energy (kWh) = average PC wall draw (watts) × streaming hours ÷ 1,000

Energy cost (₹) ≈ energy (kWh) × applicable marginal tariff (₹/kWh)

For a monthly estimate, use the actual hours you expect to stream during the month. For a continuous stream, use 24 hours × the number of days. In variable form, the calculation is (W ÷ 1,000) × hours × ₹/kWh.

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No rupee total can be calculated from the title alone: the PC’s measured draw, streaming hours, location, tariff category, existing household consumption and subsidy eligibility all affect the result.

Measure the PC while the loop is running

  1. Connect the complete PC to a plug-in electricity usage meter, also called a watt meter. Check that the meter matches the outlet and electrical rating. No particular meter model is established here.
  2. Run the same OBS loop, scene and streaming settings you intend to use. Let the setup reach its normal operating pattern, then record the average wall-side watts or the kWh used over a representative period.
  3. If the meter reports watts, put that average into the formula above. If it reports kWh for a measured period, multiply that energy by the number of equivalent periods you plan to stream, then apply your local marginal rate.
  4. Decide whether the estimate is for the PC alone or the full setup. Add equipment such as a monitor, router, capture device or audio gear only if it is within the scope you want to cost.

Measure the same workload for each scenario you want to compare—for example, different encoders, resolutions, frame rates or scenes. Do not assume that software encoding, hardware encoding or an idle PC has a universal wattage advantage; compare their measured wall draw.

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Use the right electricity rate for your bill

Electricity tariffs in India are determined by the appropriate electricity regulatory commissions, and state governments may subsidize eligible consumer classes, according to the Ministry of Power’s 10 August 2026 statement (Ministry of Power / PIB). So a rate from one state is not a reliable all-India estimate.

Check the energy-charge schedule on your bill or the current tariff order from your state regulator or distribution company. For a rough incremental cost, apply the marginal slab rate to the extra units the stream adds. Some schedules use telescopic slabs, where units in different bands are charged at different rates. Fixed charges, duties, subsidies and time-of-day rules can affect the bill total; do not treat a state’s energy-charge figure as a universal all-in rate or add the household’s entire fixed charge to the stream’s incremental cost.

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The Central Electricity Authority’s March 2026 compilation provides a national reference for state and consumer-category context, but confirm the current tariff order and any subsidy shown on your own bill: Tariff and Duty of Electricity Supply in India—March 2026.

Why location and slab matter

As location-specific examples, the Chhattisgarh State Electricity Regulatory Commission’s FY 2026–27 schedule describes domestic energy charges as telescopic and notes that domestic consumers may receive a state-government subsidy (CSERC tariff schedule). Lakshadweep’s FY 2026–27 schedule also lists domestic energy charges across consumption bands (Department of Electricity, Lakshadweep). Neither schedule should be used as the rate for another state or consumer category.

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OBS settings can change the measured load

The stream’s workload depends on factors such as encoder, resolution, frame rate and scene complexity. OBS cautions that meeting its basic system requirements does not guarantee a system can stream or record adequately (OBS Studio system requirements). For that reason, measure your actual OBS loop rather than estimating from component specifications or the power-supply rating.

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DIY PC cost versus running the stream in the cloud

The calculation above covers electricity, not the full cost of keeping a PC-based stream running. A continuous setup also requires the PC and any included peripherals to remain on, while your actual electricity bill depends on your measured use and tariff. If you want to avoid leaving a home computer running, StreamNeo is a cloud service for keeping a YouTube channel live from uploaded videos: upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live.

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  • 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.
  • Durable Surface: Work with confidence on our lap desk's solid surface, featuring a blush pink color, ensuring optimal air circulation to prevent your laptop from overheating.
  • On-the-Go Convenience: With an integrated handle and lightweight design (2.14 lbs), our lap desk is portable for travel or moving around the house, offering flexibility in any space.

Or let it run in the cloud

StreamNeo keeps the uploaded-video stream running in the cloud, so nothing has to stay on at home. Every slot streams the upload as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one price per slot; it also includes automatic recovery if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card, with one free day per account. Monthly: $9.99 per month.

  1. Upload a recording or build a playlist.
  2. Add your YouTube stream key.
  3. Go live; StreamNeo loops the uploaded video from the cloud.

Start your free day with StreamNeo.

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.

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