Can I Leave my computer on 24/7/365?

[PowerMacG5]

I have put together a new computer about 3 weeks ago and wanted to know if I could safely leave it on all of the time. It is connected to a surge protector. If I leave my computer on all of the time, will it shorten my CPU life? Will my CPU be damaged by long term sustained power-on?

My specs-
P4 2.0A @2.0 with stock HSF and Antec Thermal Grease
Intel D850MVL Mobo
Visiontek GeForce4 Ti4600
Creative 16x Ovation DVD-Rom
TDK VeloCD 32x burner
Antec SX1030 Case with 4 80mm case fans with 300W PSU
Western Digital 100 GB HDD

Thanks for your help

 

[sohcrates]

keeping it on 24-7 is not a problem.

I haven't turned any of my computers off for more than a couple of hours in over 5 years.

CPU life *may* be shortened...but not in any way that you'll notice...you'll have LONG ago upgraded your cpu by the time it actually ceases to function anyway.

also , i always felt hard disks last longer if they stay spinning as opposed to spinning up and down all the time when you keep turning off your computer.

anyway, i've never had a problem, and i know TONS of people who also leave their machines on constantly

 

[WarCon]

With the proper cooling, I honestly don't think it will much matter. When that processor dies from being on (at default speed) it will probably be considered a dinosaur anyway.


.....................edit...................
BTW, constantly on here also and I also don't let my hard drive spin down even when the rest sleeps. I have no hard evidence, but I haven't had a drive fail on me yet since I started that practice 2-3 years ago. (I know that isn't very long, but is just my experience). This 20gig I am using has been on for over a year 24/7/365 now.

 

[PLtNmHeLiX]

although it's not very energy efficient, yes u can leave it on for (very) extended periods of time .Eventually something has to give and one of ur parts will fail you, even the CPU, but i'd say it'll go 5+ years..., and by that time it'll probably be obselete anyway.

 

[PowerMacG5]

When I say I want to leave it on 24-7-365 I mean without putting it into sleep or hibernation. Just leaving the power completely on and just shutting my monitor. Will that still be okay?

 

[PowerMacG5]

Also, if I leave it on 24/7/365, is there any way to clear excess "things" from my RAM, or will it just eventually clear unneeded items?

 

[Finite]

In responce to your last question, yes things that are writen to memory eventually will be removed. Windows XP and 2000 are pretty good at this, 9X sucks. As for leaving your system on all the time. I leave my system on 24/7/365 and only turn off the monitor when I am done using the system. This continuos use does not decrease the life span of your parts (unless already defective) any noticable amount. With overclocking its the same. Provided you take the proper precautions in the cooling areas and know what your doing the life span of the processor will not decrease in any appreciable amount.

 

[CoDerEd]

You can use a memory management program for that,
I like Ram Idle, it works fine for me, Linky

 

[Wayward]

The only thing bad about leaving your computer on 24/7 is that dust collects inside of the case real fast. Open the case up every now and then and blow it out with some compressed air.

 

[gsethi]

Just make sure that you dont run Windows on your system.

with Win 98/Me: you will see the slow down in your system after about 10 days that you will want to reboot.
Win NT/2k/Xp seem to handle it a little better but i wont run them for more than 30 days...

you will end up seeing lots of data corruption and errors on your windows system if you keep it own that long. Unless you can write a TSR to keep flushing the memory and all the buffers Windows uses, you will have to reboot at some time or the other or your 2.0 Ghz might be performing as running a 200 Mhz, lol

 

[Ausm]

I leave all threee of mine on 24/7 Ausm

 

[tboneuls]

I would get add some fans and make sure the thing id very cool even at full load. Spend some money on some fans nad a bigger hsf if u r worried about the lofe being shortened.

 

[PowerMacG5]

My idle temp is 28C - 30C, and full load 38C - 40C, is that ok? And i have 4 80mm case fans is that enough?

 

[Gog]

I assume that when you leave your computer on for 24x7, it is running idle and power use is somewhat decreased. Nevertheless, I was curious as to how much power is 'used' by leaving your computer constantly on rather than powering it off.

Anyone have info?

 

[Belegost]

I have been running my systems 24/7 for a few years now. I have not noticed any significant decrease in the life of any components. In fact I still use the 3dfx Banshee video card I bought four motherboards ago.

Personally I've had too many problems with the power saving features that I no longer use them, I just have it go to a blank screen saver after 20 minutes.

I did have problems with memory when I was using Win98, but since I've switched to XP I no longer have them. Currently this box has been running without reboot since sometime in March, with three different user accounts, running everything from JKII to Lightwave.