Age old question leave monitor on, turnit off and on...

[Locut0s]

Yes I know this question has never been asked before in the history of computing but seriously it's a concern of mine. The monitor I currently have is a Dell 30" 3007WFP flatpanel. I put a lot of hard earned cash into this baby and would like it to last as long as possible. Now the way I use my computer I go back and worth between my PC and other things many times a day. Would it be better for the monitor to turn it off while I'm away or set it to "autostandby" after a few mins and leave it on? Remember I'm doing this multiple times a day.

As a side question is there a utility out there that simply puts the monitor into standby mode? Something REALLY simple that when run just puts the monitor into standby? The reason I ask is because when I use my PC I am often playing movies or games and don't want it set to automatically go into standby after a set period, it's REALLY annoying in the middle of a movie or game!!

 

[ShawnD1]

Originally posted by: Locut0s
As a side question is there a utility out there that simply puts the monitor into standby mode? Something REALLY simple that when run just puts the monitor into standby? The reason I ask is because when I use my PC I am often playing movies or games and don't want it set to automatically go into standby after a set period, it's REALLY annoying in the middle of a movie or game!!

Windows by default will turn the monitor off after 20 minutes. I have my HTPC set to 1 minute so it basically turns off right after a movie finishes. I would do that for my gaming computer as well but only active tasks like moving the mouse or playing a video will prevent standby.

You'll find this stuff in the power management options.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Since LCD backlights have limited lifespans, I think that you would prefer to have windows turn off the monitor when the computer isn't being used for 15 minutes or so. I believe that is the default setting.

OTOH, it's hard on HDs to power them on and off a lot, so I disable powering off the HDs, and let them spin 24x7. They seem to last a long time that way.

 

[MrK6]

I have a 3007WFP-HC. If I know I'm going to be gone for awhile (2 hours+), I will shut the monitor off. Otherwise I leave it and it will shut off after 10 minutes (set via power options). As far as power usage goes, it's the difference of <1 watt, so I don't think it makes a difference.

 

[Modelworks]

The only real difference between standby and off on a flat planel is whether the monitor is checking for a signal if it should turn on the display. They use about the same amount of power whether off or in standby.