Processor manufacturers have realized that power efficient processors are very important, even for the desktop market and with Intel’s Core architecture and AMD’s Energy Efficient series we’re certainly on the right path. But there is still a lot to be improved with today’s computer when it comes to power saving, which is something the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the USA will now act upon. It has namely announced that it will update its Energy Star program for power saving functions of the PC. This is the first update to be made since the standard was set over seven years ago and the specifications for the new Energy Star program will require that the PC becomes 65% more power efficient.
“The EPA estimated the new specs could save U.S. households and businesses more than $1.8 billion in energy costs over the next five years and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equal to the annual emissions of 2.7 million cars.”
Manufacturers who wants to use the Energy Star logotype will have to develop more efficient power supplys but also other components are expected to be affected. Intel and others have announced that they will launch PC systems which fully obey the new standard as it will be released on July 20, 2007. A positive step according to us which should be able to reduce the overall power consumption and create cooler PCs.
