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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →The electricity cost is (average wall draw in watts ÷ 1,000) × 8,760 × your electricity price per kWh. At the U.S. residential average of 18.56¢/kWh reported for March 2026, a constant 10-watt draw would cost about $16.25 a year, or $1.35 a month. That is an illustrative calculation—not a measurement of a mini PC streaming YouTube. Your actual bill depends on the setup’s measured power draw and your local tariff.
Calculate the electricity cost for your setup
Use the computer’s average wall draw over the full operating period, not its advertised processor TDP. Include a monitor, USB devices, or other equipment if they remain powered. A plug-in power meter is the most useful way to measure the complete setup while it is doing the work you intend to leave running.
Annual electricity cost = (watts ÷ 1,000) × 8,760 hours × electricity price per kWh. For a monthly estimate, divide the annual result by 12. The 8,760-hour figure assumes continuous operation for a 365-day year.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported a residential average of 18.56 cents per kWh for March 2026. Its table marks 2025 and 2026 estimates as preliminary; this national reference is not your utility’s exact rate. Check your bill or utility tariff and use the applicable per-kWh charge for your location. U.S. EIA, Electric Power Monthly table 5.3.
#1 Best Overall
- 12th Intel Alder Lake N95 Processor – The GMKtec G3 S Mini PC is powered by the 12th Gen Intel N95 processor with 4 cores, 4 threads, 6MB cache and a burst frequency up to 3.4GHz. Compared with N100/N5105/N5100/N5095, the N95 delivers up to 36% overall performance improvement. Perfect for routine tasks, office work, and home entertainment, this compact mini desktop is more convenient than traditional bulky PCs.
- 8GB RAM & 256GB SSD Storage – Pre-installed with 8GB DDR4 memory and a fast 256GB M.2 2242 SSD, the G3 S mini desktop offers quicker startup, smoother multitasking, and faster file transfers. Enjoy seamless performance whether you’re working on multiple applications, browsing, or streaming content.
- Rich Interfaces & Connectivity – The G3 S mini computer comes equipped with USB 3.2 (up to 10Gbps), dual HDMI 2.0 (4K@60Hz), and a 3.5mm audio jack. With support for WiFi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, and Gigabit Ethernet (RJ45 1000MbE), it connects easily with monitors, projectors, printers, office equipment, and other peripherals, making it versatile for both home and business use.
- Dual 4K Display Support – Featuring upgraded Intel UHD Graphics (up to 1000MHz), the G3 S supports 4K video playback and AV1 decoding for a smooth viewing experience. With dual HDMI outputs, you can connect two 4K@60Hz displays simultaneously, enabling efficient multitasking for work and entertainment.
- GMKtec WARRANTY - GMKtec offers a 1-year limited GMKtec's warranty for each mini PC, starting from the date of the purchase. All defects due to design and workmanship are covered. With a professional after sales team always ready to attend to your needs, you can simply relax and enjoy your mini PC.
Illustrative constant-draw estimates
The following are calculations at the March 2026 U.S. reference rate, rounded to two decimal places. They are not predictions of a particular streaming setup’s power use.
| Average wall draw | Annual energy | Annual cost | Monthly cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.2 W | 54.3 kWh | $10.08 | $0.84 |
| 10 W | 87.6 kWh | $16.25 | $1.35 |
| 22 W | 192.7 kWh | $35.68 | $2.97 |
Why published mini PC power figures vary
Idle, light-load, and full-load measurements describe different conditions. Neither an idle reading nor a CPU stress-test reading establishes what a computer will draw while playing files and sending a YouTube stream. The operating system, encoder, video, network equipment, connected peripherals, and configuration all matter. A measurement of your own setup during the intended workload is more useful than choosing a generic figure.
Beelink EQ14 measurements are not streaming benchmarks
MiniPCLab reports 6.2 W at idle, 8–10 W under light load, and 18–22 W under full CPU load for a Beelink EQ14. Its stated test used wall-socket readings after 10 minutes at stable idle on Proxmox VE 8.x with no virtual machines running, plus its specified load conditions. The 6.2 W and 22 W scenarios in the table above use the reported idle and full-load endpoints only to show the arithmetic; they do not measure a YouTube playlist stream. MiniPCLab’s mini PC power and electricity cost guide.
Rank #2
- 【AMD Ryzen 3 5300U CPU: Outperforms N150 & 3500U】 BOSGAME E5 mini PC is powered by the TSMC 7nm FinFET architecture AMD Ryzen 3 5300U processor (4 Cores, 8 Threads, up to 3.8GHz boost, 6MB total cache). Compared to low-end Intel N150 or 3500U chips which only have 4 single threads and throttle under load, the 5300U delivers over 30% faster multi-core speed. Run 30+ browser tabs, large Excel sheets, and Zoom meetings simultaneously without system lag.
- 【8GB DDR4 RAM & 256GB NVMe SSD Storage】 Installed with high-speed 8GB DDR4 dual-channel memory and a fast 256GB M.2 2280 SSD, eliminating slow boot times and application loading delays. To accommodate growing data requirements, the upgradeable hardware design features dual SODIMM slots that allow you to expand memory up to 64GB RAM, ensuring smooth operation during heavy multitasking.
- 【High-Capacity Dual M.2 SSD Storage Expansion】 Never worry about running out of space for your business files. In addition to the pre-installed 256GB system drive, the motherboard houses an extra empty internal M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe 3.0 slot. This allows you to easily add a second solid-state drive for up to an additional 2TB of storage capacity (upgrades not included) without needing to remove or reinstall the original operating system.
- 【Radeon 6-Core Graphics & Triple 4K Displays】 Integrated with official AMD Radeon Graphics (6 Graphics Cores, 1500 MHz frequency) for casual gaming, photo editing, and crisp 4K media decoding. Featuring 1x HDMI 2.0 port, 1x DisplayPort, and 1x Full-Function Type-C port, the E5 outputs true 4K@60Hz resolution to three monitors at once. This multi-screen setup eliminates constant window-switching for traders, programmers, and office workers.
- 【Dual 2.5GbE LAN Ports for Advanced Networking】 Experience fast wired network transmission speeds up to 2500Mbps without lagging or buffering. The integration of dual 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet ports (powered by Realtek RTL8125 controller) makes this compact computer an exceptional hardware choice for tech enthusiasts. Easily configure it into software routers, hardware firewalls (pfSense, OpnSense), home NAS servers, or local homelabs.
A separate Starry Hope guide reports about 12 W idle and 26 W under load for an EQ14, with load figures traced to other published reviews. That difference is a reminder that configuration and measurement method affect reported results. Starry Hope’s 2026 mini PC power-cost guide.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsAnother small-computer reference
For the 2024 M4 Mac mini, Apple reports 4 W idle and 65 W maximum. Apple defines “Idle” as power with only Finder open under default power management, and says its watt measurements are taken from the wall source, including system and power-supply losses. These figures provide context for a different small computer, not a YouTube-streaming estimate. Apple Support: Mac mini power consumption and thermal output information.
Measure wall draw during the actual stream
- Connect the whole setup you plan to leave on through a plug-in power meter, including peripherals that will remain powered. Follow the meter’s instructions and ratings.
- Run the intended workload. Play the files and use the same encoder, resolution, and network arrangement you expect to use continuously. An idle reading does not represent this workload.
- Record an average over a representative period. Video complexity and activity can change power use, so a single momentary reading may not represent the full run.
- Apply your local tariff. Convert average watts to kilowatts, multiply by 8,760 for annual kWh, then multiply by the price per kWh. Divide the annual cost by 12 for a monthly estimate.
- Keep the estimate’s scope clear. State whether it includes only the mini PC or also the display, router, storage, and other equipment. Add their measured draw if they are part of the always-on setup.
Budget beyond the electricity bill
The formula estimates electricity use, not the total cost of keeping a channel live. A complete comparison should account for the mini PC’s purchase cost, any equipment or storage you need, your internet connection, and the value of having a computer and network available continuously. If a computer crashes or the home connection fails, the stream can stop; electricity arithmetic alone does not price continuity or recovery.
Rank #3
- Compact and efficient: The Lenovo ThinkCentre M710q mini desktop PC is a compact and efficient mini desktop PC with reliable performance, plenty of memory, and efficient storage.
- Stable Processor - 6th Gen Intel Core i3-6100T, delivering reliable processing power for a variety of tasks including office productivity, web browsing and multimedia consumption.
- AMPLE CAPACITY - 8GB DDR4 RAM provides ample memory for seamless multitasking, smooth performance and runs multiple applications at the same time; 256GB solid state drive offers fast boot times, quick data access, and enough storage space for essential files, documents and applications.
- FLEXIBLE EXPANSION - USB Type-A, DisplayPort, RJ-45, headphone/microphone combo jack, ensuring easy connection to peripherals and accessories.
- Operating System: Windows 11 Pro - a powerful, secure, compatible and more manageable operating system that helps you better manage and protect your devices and data for greater productivity and security.
For a local mini PC, weigh its measured draw and local tariff against the one-time hardware cost and the operating requirements of your encoder and network. For a hosted service, compare recurring fees, supported quality and stream-duration limits, and whether recovery after an interruption is included. Service descriptions are vendor claims, not independent test results.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Run the playlist locally or in the cloud
Local mini PC
A mini PC can keep a playlist and encoder running at home, but the electricity estimate depends on its actual wall draw. The computer and the home network must remain available for the stream to continue. The calculations above let you estimate the electricity portion once you have a workload-specific meter reading and your tariff.
Cloud option: StreamNeo
StreamNeo is a hosted option for keeping an uploaded-video playlist live on YouTube: upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. StreamNeo loops the uploaded video from the cloud, so your computer and home connection do not have to stay on. It is for uploaded videos, not a live camera feed, and streams to YouTube only.
Rank #4
- 【AMD Ryzen 5 3501U Mini PC For Enhanced Daily Performance】Powered by AMD Ryzen 5 3501U processor with 4 cores and 8 threads, this mini pc provides responsive performance for office applications, home entertainment, online learning, media playback, and everyday computing.
- 【16GB Memory & 512GB Storage With Expansion Options】Built with 16GB DDR4 RAM and 512GB PCIe 3.0 NVMe SSD, this mini computer provides more space for applications, files, videos, and daily content. Upgrade memory up to 32GB, expand SSD storage up to 2TB, or add a 2.5-inch HDD.
- 【Flexible Small Desktop Computer For Home Applications】This small desktop computer is designed for home office, streaming, personal server setups, digital entertainment, and light gaming. The upgraded memory helps support smoother operation when using more applications.
- 【Triple Display Setup & Flexible Connectivity】Dual HDMI ports and a full-function USB-C port support up to three displays. This micro pc offers convenient connectivity with WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, Gigabit Ethernet, and multiple USB ports.
- 【Compact Mini Desktop With Space-Saving Design】Measuring only 5.0 × 4.4 × 1.6 inches, this small pc saves valuable desk space. VESA mount support allows installation behind compatible monitors, making it suitable for home offices and compact workspaces.
Each slot includes one always-on stream, 10 GB of storage per slot pooled across active slots, looping and playlists, automatic recovery if YouTube drops the stream, and support from the StreamNeo team. Uploaded videos stream as made, up to 4K 60fps, with no re-encode and no quality tiers. All plans have the same features; only the billing period changes. One free day is available per account, with no card required. UPI and cards are accepted in India; card checkout is available worldwide. For five or more slots, contact support.
Prices shown below use StreamNeo’s location-sensitive display: visitors in India see the Indian price and other visitors see the global price. See StreamNeo plans.
- Daily: $0.99 per day
- Weekly: $2.99 per week
- Monthly: $9.99 per month
- 6 months: $49.99 for 6 months
- Yearly: $89.99 a year
To try the cloud approach, start StreamNeo’s free first day.
YouTube archiving and continuous-stream planning
YouTube’s encoder instructions say to connect using the YouTube stream URL and stream key. Depending on the encoder, select YouTube as the streaming destination or enter the URL and key in its stream settings. Keep the key private and use the platform’s current live-stream setup instructions for the exact controls in your encoder. YouTube Help: Create a live stream with an encoder.
YouTube states: “All streams under 12 hours will be automatically archived.” The help page does not promise automatic archiving for streams lasting 12 hours or longer. Archiving and maintaining a multi-day continuous stream are separate planning questions; do not assume that a nominally 24/7 broadcast will be archived as one complete video.
Quick Recap
Free tools for planning
- Upload-time calculator for estimating how long a video upload may take.
- Cloud vs. PC cost calculator for comparing cost paths.
- Copyright safety checklist for reviewing material before streaming.
Common cost-estimate mistakes
- Using processor TDP as the electricity reading: TDP is not a measurement of the complete computer’s wall draw. Measure the powered setup instead.
- Using an idle or maximum-load figure as the stream’s draw: Those test conditions do not establish power use during your encoder and playlist workload.
- Applying a national average as your personal tariff: Use your own bill’s applicable per-kWh charge; the EIA number is a dated U.S. reference.
- Leaving out always-on accessories: A display or other powered equipment adds to the household draw if it remains on.
- Treating the electricity result as the total cost: The calculation excludes hardware purchase and other operating costs.
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.
