sack_patrol Posted October 7, 2009 Posted October 7, 2009 I've been wondering if it's better for a PC to stay on 24/7 or to be turned off when it's not used. In my case, I leave my pc on through out the day and turn it off before I go to bed, and on again the next morning. Is this better or worse than leaving it on 24/7. I've heard it's better to just leave it, but I'm not sure so thats why this post was made. My pc specs are in my sig, so taking that into consideration, what would be better? I'd also want to know why each option is good or bad if it's not too much trouble. I'm simply interested as to how the pc reacts to turning it off every night, and how it reacts when it's left on all the time. Thanks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waco Posted October 7, 2009 Posted October 7, 2009 The PSU is really the only thing that'll be degraded from 24/7 use (aside from fans). Thermal cycling of most components (CPU, GPU, RAM, HDDs) is worse than simply keeping them running at a steady temp. Google published something on the matter a few years ago but I can't seem to find it at the moment. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kash Posted October 7, 2009 Posted October 7, 2009 The majority of components are rated to last years at 24/7 use, well beyond the amount of time you'll actually use them. Unless your computer is running at 100% 24/7 (eg. Folding @ Home) then the price difference in your power bill will be negligible. I'd rather pay a few extra bucks and have my computer ready to go at a moment's notice than have to wait or deal with any potential booting issues (you know Windows, someday it'll boot fine, other days it'll crap out for no apparent reason). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhenKittensATK Posted October 7, 2009 Posted October 7, 2009 I usually turn mine off at night if I don't need to leave it running for some program. Cuts down on the noise in the house significantly. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjloki Posted October 7, 2009 Posted October 7, 2009 I've been wondering if it's better for a PC to stay on 24/7 or to be turned off when it's not used. In my case, I leave my pc on through out the day and turn it off before I go to bed, and on again the next morning. Is this better or worse than leaving it on 24/7. I've heard it's better to just leave it, but I'm not sure so thats why this post was made. My pc specs are in my sig, so taking that into consideration, what would be better? I'd also want to know why each option is good or bad if it's not too much trouble. I'm simply interested as to how the pc reacts to turning it off every night, and how it reacts when it's left on all the time. Thanks. leaving 1000 watts on for no particular reason doesn't even make any sense at my house. but then again neither does running 2 folding machines 24/7. i turn off my gamer when i'm done with it at night but the folder and the worker ordinarily stay on. thats a 750 watter and a 600 watter for the worker, and now that i think about it it's time to give them about a weeks rest for the sake of the 'lectricity bill. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hemidare Posted October 7, 2009 Posted October 7, 2009 I leave mine running all the time. The only time i don't is if i go away for the weekend or something. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickosha Posted October 7, 2009 Posted October 7, 2009 I usually turn mine off for the night and then it stays off until I get home after school. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sack_patrol Posted October 7, 2009 Posted October 7, 2009 we don't pay electricity nor anything else since it comes with the rent as well as everything else like watter and heating, so that isn't any problem. From what I read, I guess that turning it off for the night is the best thing to do. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kash Posted October 7, 2009 Posted October 7, 2009 It's the best thing to do if the lights or noise bother you. If it's not bothering you either personally or financially, then why bother turning it off? Not like your computer is going to last that much longer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Posted October 7, 2009 Posted October 7, 2009 I leave mine on but put them in standby when not using them, the best of both worlds IMO. Harddrives, fans, all off, but Windows still in memory. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
xchrissypoox Posted October 7, 2009 Posted October 7, 2009 Turn mine off all the time, dont see why its such a big deal. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulktreg Posted October 7, 2009 Posted October 7, 2009 If you do pay the electricity bill then be aware that the higher end graphic cards can pull a fair bit of current even when idle. Found these figures on t'internet for an i7 920 system when idle: GTX 260 216 = 189W 9800GT = 196W HD4890 = 233W 9800 GX2 = 239W HD 4890 CF = 308W Can't vouch for the accuracy of these figures but it's certainly worth bearing in mind. The crossfire HD4890's figure of 308W is quite a lot for an idle system. The system in my sig pulls less than that with both 9600GSO's folding! Cheers Paul Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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