Lots of opinions on this matter. It really comes down to how you use your computer. Obviously, if you use it as a server, you have to leave it on. Might be good to have a UPS in this case.
Leaving your computer on will reduce the amount of thermal stress that the components experience from heating and cooling, but increases the amount of dust that circulates through your computer and accumulates inside. The dust will clog the heat sinks on your processor and graphics chip, and the fans causing a temperature increase. Dust will also accumulate on other components and reduce their ability to dissipate heat. A clean environment is crucial for a computer that is left on 24/7. Blowing out the dust periodically is necessary. Dust accumulation can conduct electricity and cause crashes and damage to electronic components. Turning off your computer helps to reduce the wear to moving parts, and saves lots of electricity. An LCD monitor has a very thin flourescent tube in it that will dim from constant use. It is not cheap to fix. It's your choice.
As long as you keep it well ventilated, you should be fine. I keep mine on for 5-6 days at a time. I have it on a laptop cooler on a glass table with nothing around it so it has plenty of airflow..
Temps stay around:
CPU: 40-50 degrees C
GPU1: 65-72 degrees C
GPU2: 65-72 degrees C
I havent had any problems when it stays on for a week. If I were you, I would try it for a day or two and see how it runs.
So how much will it shorten irs lifespan? Isnt that true then with any computer? Wouldnt a server that is on 24/7 have a significantly shorter life than one that is on only 4 hours a day?
I have a XPS Gen 2 Laptop that has been on almost 24/7 for about 2 1/2 years. The only parts that were changed were the memory modules ( not due to failing, but for larger memory modules )
I am not trying to negate your point, I just want to know your reasoning? As I stated above, that I keep plenty of airflow around my laptops and I keep them clean. I just thought it common knowledge that any electronic device will have a shorter life if you use it, but by how much I do not know. And is it so much of a decreased life that by the time it is affected, you would be due for a new laptop anyways?
I'm not sure I understand the basis of your point. A computer system is designed to be used and to run, the fans, HDD and other components are all designed for HIGH MTBF rates, thus long term use and always on should not be a real issue. I grant you, a laptop, like any other computer should be allowed to go to screen saver, when not in use, and the HDD can be put to sleep but to say it will signifigantly shorten the life of a system to leave it running seems odd to me. If anything I have heard a system that must turn on and off often i more likely to suffer as the torque of fans and HDD motors must be dealt with, along with power surges that occur when a system is first turned on. I have multiple desktop and laptops that I leave running SETI and other programs and have seen no ill effects on those systems. I agree with others suggestions that an always on system should be well maintained, remove dust and other contaminants. Just my two cents...
Notebook components are not designed for round-the-clock operation - yes, you can hibernate the system, which will preserve its lifespan - but just as a car won't last as long when run routinely at redline, a notebook won't last as long when it's run all the time, either - neither device is designed for that duty cycle.
Try using a desktop printer to service a department of 50 users - it won't last long. Everything has a duty cycle it's designed for - notebooks are not designed to be run all the time.
In fact, most notebooks made over the past 8-10 years won't last long when they're forced to run at full speed all the time - the thermal management system isn't designed for that.
I'm not a computer expert, but I completely agree with ejn. Because laptops are designed for portability, they obviously try to cram a lot of tech into a small package -- which is especially true with the XPS line. Because they're designed for quick on / burst of usage / quick off, I suspect that they won't handle well the extremes of extensive-on and/or extensive-use. In comparison, I think, desktops are expected to be used for longer periods of heavier-duty use, and with more room inside they can run cooler.
With this kind of investment, I wouldn't want to abuse my XPS. I think if you're doing something that requires 24/7 computing, you should use a regular PC.
Now I'm afraid I may have brought an early death to my XPS M1710. While using my laptop the system suddenly shut down, as if there was a power outtage. No blue/black screen, just complete loss of power. Since this occured I have not been able to power up. Any recommendations on where to start for troubleshooting this problem. My warranty expired in 2007.
DOWN LOAD THIS FIX PROBLEM I HAVE HAD 5 LAPTOP FROM DELL ALL OVER HEAT AND BURN MOTHER BOARD ,CPU AND HARD DRIVE.. DELL CANT OR WONT FIX http://www.diefer.de/i8kfan/index.html
laptop over heat when being used. try fan program save any worrys
XPSM1530_owner
315 Posts
0
August 20th, 2008 04:00
Lots of opinions on this matter. It really comes down to how you use your computer. Obviously, if you use it as a server, you have to leave it on. Might be good to have a UPS in this case.
Here's some other considerations taken from WiKi:
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Should_a_computer_be_shut_down_when_not_in_use
Leaving your computer on will reduce the amount of thermal stress that the components experience from heating and cooling, but increases the amount of dust that circulates through your computer and accumulates inside. The dust will clog the heat sinks on your processor and graphics chip, and the fans causing a temperature increase. Dust will also accumulate on other components and reduce their ability to dissipate heat. A clean environment is crucial for a computer that is left on 24/7. Blowing out the dust periodically is necessary. Dust accumulation can conduct electricity and cause crashes and damage to electronic components. Turning off your computer helps to reduce the wear to moving parts, and saves lots of electricity. An LCD monitor has a very thin flourescent tube in it that will dim from constant use. It is not cheap to fix. It's your choice.
GodfreyOuwens
274 Posts
0
August 20th, 2008 04:00
As long as you keep it well ventilated, you should be fine. I keep mine on for 5-6 days at a time. I have it on a laptop cooler on a glass table with nothing around it so it has plenty of airflow..
Temps stay around:
CPU: 40-50 degrees C
GPU1: 65-72 degrees C
GPU2: 65-72 degrees C
I havent had any problems when it stays on for a week. If I were you, I would try it for a day or two and see how it runs.
majfe
3 Posts
0
August 20th, 2008 04:00
majfe
3 Posts
0
August 20th, 2008 04:00
ejn63
1 Rookie
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87.5K Posts
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August 20th, 2008 10:00
Notebooks are not designed for 24/7 operation - you will shorten the life of the system significantly by running it that way.
GodfreyOuwens
274 Posts
0
August 20th, 2008 14:00
So how much will it shorten irs lifespan? Isnt that true then with any computer? Wouldnt a server that is on 24/7 have a significantly shorter life than one that is on only 4 hours a day?
I have a XPS Gen 2 Laptop that has been on almost 24/7 for about 2 1/2 years. The only parts that were changed were the memory modules ( not due to failing, but for larger memory modules )
I am not trying to negate your point, I just want to know your reasoning? As I stated above, that I keep plenty of airflow around my laptops and I keep them clean. I just thought it common knowledge that any electronic device will have a shorter life if you use it, but by how much I do not know. And is it so much of a decreased life that by the time it is affected, you would be due for a new laptop anyways?
HeyGuy101
43 Posts
0
August 20th, 2008 18:00
ejn63
1 Rookie
1 Rookie
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87.5K Posts
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August 20th, 2008 21:00
Notebook components are not designed for round-the-clock operation - yes, you can hibernate the system, which will preserve its lifespan - but just as a car won't last as long when run routinely at redline, a notebook won't last as long when it's run all the time, either - neither device is designed for that duty cycle.
Try using a desktop printer to service a department of 50 users - it won't last long. Everything has a duty cycle it's designed for - notebooks are not designed to be run all the time.
In fact, most notebooks made over the past 8-10 years won't last long when they're forced to run at full speed all the time - the thermal management system isn't designed for that.
JRMlaw
30 Posts
0
August 20th, 2008 22:00
I'm not a computer expert, but I completely agree with ejn. Because laptops are designed for portability, they obviously try to cram a lot of tech into a small package -- which is especially true with the XPS line. Because they're designed for quick on / burst of usage / quick off, I suspect that they won't handle well the extremes of extensive-on and/or extensive-use. In comparison, I think, desktops are expected to be used for longer periods of heavier-duty use, and with more room inside they can run cooler.
With this kind of investment, I wouldn't want to abuse my XPS. I think if you're doing something that requires 24/7 computing, you should use a regular PC.
Just my $0.02.
runbikekris
1 Message
0
August 23rd, 2008 03:00
jlgjg
40 Posts
0
August 29th, 2008 08:00
laptop over heat when being used. try fan program save any worrys