This is an ongoing question in the world of computing. It's purely preferential. The power consumption and electric bill raising isn't a supreme issue (it's very, very nominal). Your system is under full load (greatest pressure) right as it's turned on just like a car, so leaving it on all of the time won't damage it at all. Personally, mine's always on, but the monitor gets turned off at night. Noise and how often you use it would be two big factors. If you use it throughout the day (multiple sittings) and it isn't a jet in terms of noise, I'd leave it on.
I have been using computers since 1981 and the question you asked has been asked since the advent of the desktop PC. Through the years I have decided to always leave my system on and use the power management features. If I'm going to be gone for a long period of time I turn off the monitor and let the power saver feature take over.
The crux of your question is this, when you turn off your system and then start it again a power surge of power surges through all you components. I like to use this scenario as an example. When does a light bulb burn out, when you turn it off or mostly when you turn it on. I find they burn out when you turn them back on. Why? the surge of of power will attack any weak component of the bulb and cause it burn out.
The same can be said of your computer. The real answer is that after all these years it comes down to user perference and as such I doubt this question will ever be answered to everyones satisfaction.
Having worked in and on computers since 1962 (yes back when there were even some tubes in computers) as noted powering on/off has been an issue. In the "old days" it was better to leave them on and the only negative was the mechanical items such as cooling fans. As computer components and power supplies have improved, it's not as big an issue, except for the possibility of premature failure of cooling fans.
I have a couple of customers that basically power their PC's on to do what they want to do (e.g. check mail) and then power them back off. I don't agree with that but they aren't having any problems and one customer has been doing it for at least 3 years.
Generally, I power my PC on in the morning and it's left on until the end of the day, I do have the monitor and hard drives set to power off during idle times (set at 30 minutes).
I've been turning on and turning my computer a few times a day since Mar. 2002.
(I hope my luck won't run out)
I feel if I leave it on while I am not using it, the parts than spin will have the bearings dry up and need replaced (Hard-Drive, Fans)
And leaving it on also vacuums (I cannot use the S word) more dirt inside the pc.
Then there is the possibility of fire if leaving the PC unattended.
I never replaced a fan, but have installed Hard-Drives for more capacity.
It's really personal choice, but definitely turn off, and unplug if:
1. No-one is home (if no storms are in the area, or forecasted, you can leave plugged in)
2. There is lightning, or storms approaching.
Sure, a surge protector and UPS may protect you, and may reimburse for damage, but you have to wait until the claim is filed, and get the money. That may take many weeks.
And if you are without a pc while waiting, it's a drag.
jcsurfn
1 Rookie
•
14 Posts
0
April 11th, 2006 05:00
Bobman101
693 Posts
0
April 11th, 2006 07:00
Nascar Nut72
319 Posts
0
April 11th, 2006 08:00
The crux of your question is this, when you turn off your system and then start it again a power surge of power surges through all you components. I like to use this scenario as an example. When does a light bulb burn out, when you turn it off or mostly when you turn it on. I find they burn out when you turn them back on. Why? the surge of of power will attack any weak component of the bulb and cause it burn out.
The same can be said of your computer. The real answer is that after all these years it comes down to user perference and as such I doubt this question will ever be answered to everyones satisfaction.
fireberd
9 Legend
•
33.4K Posts
0
April 11th, 2006 09:00
Having worked in and on computers since 1962 (yes back when there were even some tubes in computers) as noted powering on/off has been an issue. In the "old days" it was better to leave them on and the only negative was the mechanical items such as cooling fans. As computer components and power supplies have improved, it's not as big an issue, except for the possibility of premature failure of cooling fans.
I have a couple of customers that basically power their PC's on to do what they want to do (e.g. check mail) and then power them back off. I don't agree with that but they aren't having any problems and one customer has been doing it for at least 3 years.
Generally, I power my PC on in the morning and it's left on until the end of the day, I do have the monitor and hard drives set to power off during idle times (set at 30 minutes).
pent7301
289 Posts
0
April 17th, 2006 22:00
Message Edited by pent7301 on 08-06-200608:48 PM
msil217
2 Intern
•
2K Posts
0
April 18th, 2006 00:00
(I hope my luck won't run out)
I feel if I leave it on while I am not using it, the parts than spin will have the bearings dry up and need replaced (Hard-Drive, Fans)
And leaving it on also vacuums (I cannot use the S word) more dirt inside the pc.
Then there is the possibility of fire if leaving the PC unattended.
I never replaced a fan, but have installed Hard-Drives for more capacity.
It's really personal choice, but definitely turn off, and unplug if:
1. No-one is home (if no storms are in the area, or forecasted, you can leave plugged in)
2. There is lightning, or storms approaching.
Sure, a surge protector and UPS may protect you, and may reimburse for damage, but you have to wait until the claim is filed, and get the money. That may take many weeks.
And if you are without a pc while waiting, it's a drag.