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There is no reliable single monthly cost for a refurbished HP EliteDesk Mini without knowing its exact power draw and your electricity tariff. Measure the whole computer at the wall while it is streaming, then calculate: average watts ÷ 1,000 × hours × price per kWh. For a 30-day month, that is 720 hours. At an illustrative rate of $0.15/kWh, a 10-watt average would cost $1.08, 20 watts $2.16, and 40 watts $4.32. These are arithmetic scenarios—not measured EliteDesk streaming results.
Calculate the electricity cost for your Mini
Use this formula for the computer’s electricity alone:
Monthly cost = (average wall watts ÷ 1,000) × hours in the billing period × electricity price per kWh
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →For a 30-day planning month, continuous operation is 720 hours. At the example tariff of $0.15/kWh:
#1 Best Overall
- 9th Generation Intel Core i5-9500T 6-Core 2.20 GHz Processor (9MB SmartCache, up to 3.70 GHz)
- 16GB DDR4 2666MHz Memory, 256GB NVMe Solid State Drive, Windows 10 Professional (64-bit)
- Integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630, Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax); Dual-Band (2.4 & 5 GHz), Bluetooth 5.0
- 6 x USB Type-A, 1 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C, 2 x DisplayPort 1.2 Output, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4 Output
- USB Wi-Fi adaptor
| Average wall draw | 30-day energy use | Cost at $0.15/kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 10 W | 7.2 kWh | $1.08 |
| 20 W | 14.4 kWh | $2.16 |
| 40 W | 28.8 kWh | $4.32 |
The wattages are hypothetical scenarios, not manufacturer ratings or measured consumption for an EliteDesk Mini. A 31-day period has 744 hours; a 28-day period has 672. Substitute your actual hours and tariff rather than treating the examples as a bill estimate.
Measure the actual streaming workload
- Plug the entire Mini and its power adapter into a wall-plug energy meter. Measuring at the wall includes the power supply’s losses.
- Start the stream with the resolution, frame rate, encoder and playback method you intend to use.
- After the stream stabilizes, record the average watts. If draw fluctuates, measure over a representative interval long enough to include those changes.
- Apply the formula using the hours in your billing period and the rate on your electricity plan.
The “EliteDesk Mini” name covers multiple generations and configurations. HP’s 805 G8 Desktop Mini data sheet, for example, lists configurations including a Ryzen 7 PRO 5750G, but it does not establish the streaming draw of your refurbished machine. Check the exact model and configuration; do not transfer an assumed wattage from one unit to another.
Rank #2
- Processor: HP EliteDesk 800 G6 Mini Desktop Business Computer is driven by intel core i5-10500T with integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630. WIFI and bluetooth have been built.
What the electricity estimate includes—and leaves out
The calculation covers the measured computer and power supply. Add a monitor, router, external drive or UPS only if it will also remain powered and you measure or estimate its consumption separately. Internet service, purchase price, repairs, battery replacement and any cloud subscription are separate costs.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesEncoding choices affect the workload, but YouTube’s published stream settings are not power estimates for a particular PC. YouTube supports RTMP/RTMPS ingestion, H.264, HEVC and AV1, frame rates up to 60 fps, constant bitrate, and recommends a two-second keyframe interval (no more than four seconds). Its H.264 bitrate recommendations include 5 Mbps for 1080p30 and 8 Mbps for 720p60; YouTube transcodes incoming streams for different viewer formats. See YouTube’s encoder settings guidance and choose settings that match your content and connection.
Rank #3
- Powerful Performance: Intel Core i5 Hexa Core processor for reliable multitasking and smooth computing.
- Fast & Efficient: 16GB DDR4 RAM and 250GB SSD for quick startup and performance.
- Windows 11 Pro: Modern operating system with professional-grade tools and enhanced security.
- Compact Design: Space-saving mini chassis fits neatly on or under your desk.
- Renewed Quality: Professionally tested and renewed to perform like new; may show minor cosmetic wear.
Can an EliteDesk Mini keep a YouTube stream running?
It can serve as a local streaming computer if the specific unit can encode or play the content reliably and its upload connection remains available. YouTube recommends upload capacity for the primary and backup bitrates, plus 20% headroom; download speed alone does not show whether the stream has enough upload capacity. Test the actual upload bitrate and monitor stream health, as described in YouTube’s streaming tips.
For encoder-based streaming, YouTube says the channel must be verified and must not have had live-streaming restrictions in the prior 90 days. Configure and test ahead of time, preview before going live, and monitor quality during the stream. See YouTube’s live-streaming tips. A local Mini also needs to stay powered and connected; a power cut, network outage, operating-system problem or encoder failure can interrupt it.
Rank #4
- This HP EliteDesk 800 G5 Mini Computer features the Intel Core i7-9700T. It is a high-performance 9th generation CPU with 8 cores and 8 threads. It operates at a base frequency of 2.0GHz and can boost up to 4.8GHz with Intel Turbo Boost technology, providing excellent processing power for multitasking and demanding applications.
- This HP EliteDesk 800 G5 Mini Desktop is equipped with 16GB of RAM. It ensures smooth multitasking performance, allowing you to run multiple applications simultaneously without slowdowns or bottlenecks. It provides ample memory for productivity tasks, creative work, and even light gaming. 512GB of hard drive for your daily storage needs for lots of pictures, videos, and applications.
- This HP EliteDesk 800 G5 Mini PC desktop has USB 3.0 ports, 2 DisplayPorts, VGA port, and also includes a keyboard and mouse.
- This HP EliteDesk 800 G5 Mini desktop come pre-installed with Windows 11 Pro, that runs fast and smooth, making it a great choice for work and everyday use.
For prerecorded streams, compare local power with cloud hosting
If the stream is prerecorded video rather than live camera or local input, YouTube’s encoder directory describes Gyre as a cloud-based tool for 24/7 prerecorded streaming. That shows cloud streaming is an option, not that it is cheaper: compare the provider’s current subscription cost with your measured electricity cost and consider equipment, reliability and control needs. The available information here does not establish Gyre’s current price.
Or let it run in the cloud
StreamNeo keeps a YouTube channel live from uploaded videos: upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. Nothing has to stay powered at home; it automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. The same per-slot price applies to any uploaded quality up to 4K 60fps, with no re-encode or quality tiers. The first day is free with no card. Monthly billing is $9.99 per month. It is for uploaded prerecorded video, not a live camera feed. Start the free first day.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 【Excellent Performance】The HP EliteDesk 800 G3 is a high-performance Mini Desktop PC equipped with a high-performance processor, large RAM, and a fast solid-state drive to provide users with a responsive and efficient computing experience.
- 【Processor】6th Gen Intel Quad Core i5-6500, 3.2 GHz base frequency, up to 3.6 GHz maximum Turbo Frequency, with Intel HD Graphics 530, which is a powerful and responsive processor that can meet the needs of different users.
- 【Storage & Memory】16GB DDR4 RAM can easily cope with multitasking and large software operation, ensuring smooth operation and fast response; 256GB Solid State Drive has both the system speed and the space to store data for a variety of needs.
- 【Dual 4K Monitor Support】 refurbished windows 11 computer is equip with 2 display port and 1 Type-c port, makes this 800 G3 Mini easy to connect two monitors at the same time, which easily improve work efficiency.
- 【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.
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.
