Abstract text

A system (10) and method for monitoring power consumption of a computer system component, such as a central processing unit (CPU), of a desktop computer system. The component is supplied with supply power from a power supply unit (22) of the computer through a power supply cable (14). A coupling (12) is disposed between the power supply unit (22) and a substrate (e.g., motherboard) on which the component is mounted, and is electrically connected to at least one power supply line (18) of the power supply cable (14) and a power supply connector (24) on the substrate (20). The power supply line (18) carries a supply voltage, and one or more devices (26,34,36,46) associated with the coupling (12) determine current flow through the power supply line (18) and provide a power consumption reading for the component based on the supply voltage and the current flow through the power supply line (18).