A Comparative Study of CPU and GPU Power Consumption while using Open-Source and Proprietary Media Players

This study presents a comparative analysis of power consumption between open-source and proprietary media players when playing open-media format videos (.webm). As media consumption grows, energy-efficient software is critical for both environmental sustainability and device performance. Using tools like HWiNFO, key metrics such as GPU and CPU power consumption, memory usage, and efficiency were evaluated for popular open-source (e.g., VLC, Kodi) and proprietary (e.g., GOM Player, KMPlayer) players. The results reveal that open-source players generally consume less GPU power but more CPU resources, while proprietary players balance CPU and GPU usage with higher memory demands. The findings suggest that careful selection of media players can lead to significant energy savings over time, offering insights for developers and users focused on energy-efficient computing.