Abstract: A system 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 of the computer through a power supply cable. A coupling is disposed between the power supply unit and a substrate (e.g., motherboard) on which the component is mounted, and is electrically connected to at least one power supply line of the power supply cable and a power supply connector on the substrate. The power supply line carries a supply voltage. The current flow through the power supply line is determined, a power consumption reading for the component is generated based on the supply voltage and the current flow through the power supply line, and the supply voltage on the power supply line is modulated to determine a lowest current flow therethrough.