Optiplex AIO AC adapter

Motherboard: Typically draws 50-80W, depending on the chipset’s characteristics and the VRM design

cpu 65w

20” WLED: 15-30w

8 GB ddr3: 3w

cpu fan + hdd: 15w

USB keyboard mouse: 1w.

Spec is 180w 

I tested 3011 using lower Dell 130w adapter. Other than bios alert message, no apparent run time performance degradation. No sluggish cpu. I am able to run dvd fine. No under power display issue. So why did Dell design a 180w for this AIO?  Is it really necessary?

The 130w SMPS will likely run near 90% utilization and very hot, until it fails early. Depending on how it blows-up, it might damage computer. If you must, I would only use it for short-periods.

The proper 180w SMPS one will run a more reasonable utilization, and run cooler. It should last the life of the computer.

The monitor wattage calculation may be off.  My 23" P2319H monitor takes 1.5A.  Which I imagine is on full brightness.  1.5A x 120V = 180W.

Hello Brad, on Dell monitors, the AC power input will be converted to lower DC voltage for operations.  The typical power consumption for your monitor is around 15w, or around 38w with maximum luminance and all USB ports are actively used.

@Chino de Oro​  The conversion of 1.5A to a measily 15W or 38W DC doesn't make sense to me.  Is there a standard chart or table for this?  A 3A AC PSU yields 240W DC (Precision 3420).

Hello Brad, you don't take raw input power from wall outlet to calculate for monitor consume wattage.  Most if not all computers use the same wall outlet input power, between 100 - 240 VAC.  But, the power output to be used for motherboard, graphics card and components would be different, depending on the power supply output rails. 

Dell monitors use AC power from wall outlet (100 - 240 VAC), which is then converted to low voltage DC power for circuit boards to operate with.  Common voltages are 12V DC for backlight/inverter and 5V DC or 3.3V for logic/signal processing board.  Some modern models even use 14.5V - 19V internal power board rails.

Here is actual power consumption for your P2319H monitor according to specs:

Interesting.

@Chino de Oro​  Thanks for finding that table.  But it doesn't say AC or DC.  Since it mentions "41.78 kWh," I would have to think that's AC.

Hello Brad, wattage is fundamentally the same unit of power regardless of whether it is generated by AC (Alternating Current) or DC (Direct Current).  Utility companies will charge you the same cost for 100w power used by a toaster oven or 100w power drawn from wall outlet to operate your computer.

Total energy consumption is an average yearly estimate.

Except for the last sentence, I know that.