The hidden energy cost of modern GPUs
Originally published Jul 21, 2026
By Justine Calma · The Verge
AI-generated summary based on The Verge · Aggregated by OffScreenSpace · Human-reviewed and approved on Jul 21, 2026
Key points
- AI data centers can require megawatts of power for thousands of GPUs.
- High‑performance gaming graphics cards consume hundreds of watts each.
- Smartphone GPUs, though low per device, add up across billions of users.
- The energy use raises questions about the environmental cost versus utility.
Graphics processing units power everything from AI data centers to video game consoles and smartphones, but their electricity consumption is often overlooked. A single Nvidia B200 Blackwell GPU used in large‑scale AI facilities can draw up to 1,200 watts, and racks filled with dozens of these chips turn data centers into massive power consumers that raise local energy prices without creating many jobs.
Consumer devices are not exempt: high‑end gaming GPUs like the RTX 5090 consume around 575 W, while a PlayStation 5’s AMD GPU uses roughly 220 W at peak. Even billions of smartphones with modest GPU workloads add up to significant electricity demand as batteries are recharged. The article asks whether these energy expenditures are justified by the benefits they provide.
Read the original story: The Verge — by Justine Calma