Cost to run a NVIDIA RTX 3060 (12GB)
A NVIDIA RTX 3060 (12GB) (GPU) draws roughly 15 W at idle and up to 170 W under load. Run 24/7 at a typical ~62 W and the US average of $0.17/kWh, it uses about 543 kWh a year and costs roughly $92.33/year ($7.69/month). In higher-priced regions such as Germany (€0.40/kWh) the same device costs about €217.25/year. Adjust the calculator for your own draw and electricity price.
Source: HomelabWatts wattage database. Data as of 2026-06-13.
Common budget GPU for local AI inference and Plex/Jellyfin transcoding.
Idle vs load running cost
| Scenario | Power | Energy / year | Cost / year (US) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Idle | 15 W | 131 kWh | $22.34 |
| Typical 24/7 | 62 W | 543 kWh | $92.33 |
| Full load | 170 W | 1,489 kWh | $253.16 |
Card-only draw, on top of the host system. Idle is higher than CPU-only systems; transcoding rarely hits full TDP. Source: HomelabWatts wattage database, data as of 2026-06-13.
Cost by region (typical 24/7 draw)
| Region | Price/kWh | Cost / month | Cost / year |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States (avg residential) | $0.17 | $7.69 | $92.33 |
| Germany | €0.40 | €18.10 | €217.25 |
| France | €0.28 | €12.67 | €152.07 |
| United Kingdom | £0.25 | £11.31 | £135.78 |
| Spain | €0.25 | €11.31 | €135.78 |
Prices from electricity price presets (EIA / Eurostat), data as of 2026-06-01. Excludes standing charges and taxes.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a NVIDIA RTX 3060 (12GB) per year?
At a typical 24/7 draw of about 62 W and the US average of $0.17/kWh, roughly $92.33 per year ($7.69/month). At €0.40/kWh in Germany it is about €217.25. Use the calculator above for your own price.
How many watts does a NVIDIA RTX 3060 (12GB) use?
Approximately 15 W at idle and up to 170 W under load. Card-only draw, on top of the host system. Idle is higher than CPU-only systems; transcoding rarely hits full TDP.
Are these figures measured or estimated?
Estimated. They are compiled from manufacturer specifications and community wall-meter measurements; your exact draw depends on configuration, firmware and attached storage. Measure at the wall for a precise figure.
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Last updated: 2026-06-13