Local AI PC vs AI Subscription Calculator (GPU price + electricity per month)

How it works

Hardware cost per month = (price − resale value) ÷ (years × 12). Electricity per month = watts ÷ 1,000 × hours per day × 365 ÷ 12 × price per kWh. Local cost = hardware + electricity; a positive difference means the subscription is cheaper. Open models you can run at home are usually smaller than the top cloud models, so compare quality as well as cost. Korean homes pay progressive (tiered) rates, so extra use can cost more than your average rate.

⚠ Estimates for information only — not financial advice.

FAQ

How much power does a GPU draw for AI?

Close to its rated board power during generation, and much less when idle. A wall-socket power meter gives the most accurate number for the whole PC.

Can a home GPU run the same models as a subscription?

Not the largest ones. Use the LLM VRAM calculator to see which open models fit your GPU memory.

Checked 11 Nov 2026. Energy = power × time (kWh); straight-line depreciation. Electricity price: your KEPCO bill; hardware prices: the maker’s or retailer’s page on the day you buy.