Appliances › Comfort & Electronics

What size power station runs a desktop computer?

A typical desktop + monitor; gaming rigs draw far more — size for yours.

200 Wrunning watts

400 Wstartup surge

100%duty cycle

889 Whfor 4.0 h

Need to run it alongside other things? Add it to the full sizing tool with the rest of your load.

What size you need for 4.0 h

You need about 889 Wh — and 32 units fit. The smallest sufficient is the Goal Zero Yeti 1000 Core; we never push more capacity than your load can use. Surge to clear: 400 W.

The math
Running watts (everything on at once) = 200 W
Surge watts (worst single startup + the rest running) = 400 W
Average draw (cyclic loads counted by their duty cycle) = 200 W
Watt-hours = 200 W × 4.0 h ÷ 90% usable reserve = 889 Wh

Goal Zero Yeti 1000 Coresmallest that fits

983 Wh 1,200 W cont · 2,400 W surge ~4.4 h on this load $$

A 1 kWh / 1,200 W unit for outage essentials at a friendlier price.

NMC · ~9 h AC; up to 600 W solar · 32 lb

Check price on the Goal Zero Yeti 1000 Core → Full specs

Goal Zero Yeti 1000X

983 Wh 1,500 W cont · 3,000 W surge ~4.4 h on this load $$$

Same 983 Wh battery as the Yeti 1000 Core but a much bigger 1,500 W / 3,000 W surge inverter — clears loads the Core cannot.

NMC · 9 h @120 W / 4.5 h @230 W / 2 h @600 W AC · 32 lb

Check price at Amazon → Full specs

Bluetti Elite 100 V2

1,024 Wh 1,800 W cont · 3,600 W surge ~4.6 h on this load $$

A 1 kWh unit that undercuts its class on weight (25 lb) and charge speed.

LiFePO4 · 0-80% in 45 min AC (TurboBoost); up to 1000 W solar · 25 lb

Check price at Amazon → Full specs

EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus

1,024 Wh 1,800 W cont · 3,600 W surge expandable ~4.6 h on this load $$

The newer-generation replacement for the DELTA 2 class — same 1 kWh capacity, faster charging, higher 3,600 W surge.

LiFePO4 · X-Stream: 0-100% in 56 min AC; expandable to 5 kWh with a DELTA Pro 3 extra battery · 28 lb

Check price at Amazon → Full specs

EcoFlow DELTA 2

1,024 Wh 1,800 W cont · 2,700 W surge expandable ~4.6 h on this load $$

The benchmark 1 kWh / 1,800 W outage unit — fridge + CPAP + lights, expandable to 3 kWh.

LiFePO4 · ~50 min to 80% AC; expandable to 3 kWh · 27 lb

Check price at Amazon → Full specs

Anker SOLIX C1000

1,056 Wh 1,800 W cont · 2,400 W surge expandable ~4.8 h on this load $$

A strong 1 kWh / 1,800 W outage unit; SurgePad mode briefly runs 2,000 W resistive devices.

LiFePO4 · ~58 min AC; expandable to 2.1 kWh · 28 lb

Check price at Amazon → Full specs

🔗 The "Check price" buttons are brand-direct affiliate links. We earn a commission when you buy through one — at no extra cost to you, and it never changes which unit we recommend. Disclosure.

Can a specific unit run a desktop computer?

50 of the units we track deliver enough watts to run a desktop computer. Check a specific one for the runtime and the full verdict:

EcoFlow RIVER 3

245 Wh · 300 W cont

runs it

Jackery Explorer 240 v2

Jackery Explorer 300 Plus

Common questions

What size power station do I need to run a desktop computer?

A desktop computer draws about 200 W running, with a startup surge near 400 W. So you want a unit with at least 200 W continuous output and 400 W+ surge. For 4.0 h of runtime that's roughly 889 Wh of capacity — the Goal Zero Yeti 1000 Core is the smallest unit that clears all of it.

How many watts does a desktop computer use?

About 200 W while running, spiking to roughly 400 W on startup.

Sources: Desktop Computer wattage — Standard appliance-wattage / generator-sizing charts (representative values; verify your nameplate); station specs — manufacturer published specifications (compiled 2026-08-10; approximate). Informational only — a computed sizing estimate from published appliance-wattage charts and manufacturer station specs. It is not an electrical guarantee. For hardwired or whole-home backup, transfer switches, or any permanent install, consult a licensed electrician.