Is It Bad To Let The Computer On 24/7 ?

comando

Junior Member
May 22, 2006
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I don't know it is bad or not ? I always let my computer one 24/7, and now its really slow. Is it slow because i turn it on 24/7 ? What do you think ?
 

broly8877

Senior member
Aug 17, 2004
461
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Been running my A64 PC 24/7 for 3 years now.

Shouldn't get "slow" if you have it on for an extended period, maybe you have too many tasks running, spyware, etc
 

comando

Junior Member
May 22, 2006
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Originally posted by: broly8877
Been running my A64 PC 24/7 for 3 years now.

Shouldn't get "slow" if you have it on for an extended period, maybe you have too many tasks running, spyware, etc


What should i do ? Should i need to reboot the computer ?
 

Bobthelost

Diamond Member
Dec 1, 2005
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No, it's slow because it's been configured badly, or something's gone wrong with the hardware either way the 24/7 issue is by the by.
 

T9D

Diamond Member
Dec 1, 2001
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May have gotten to hot and everything has underclocked itself (cpu and video card). Just a possibility to look into.
 

TriggerHappy101

Golden Member
Jan 13, 2005
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Originally posted by: comando
I don't know it is bad or not ? I always let my computer one 24/7, and now its really slow. Is it slow because i turn it on 24/7 ? What do you think ?

Reinstall windows
 

corkyg

Elite Member | Peripherals
Super Moderator
Mar 4, 2000
27,370
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I leave mine on 24/7 most of the time - except when I go away on a trip, or there is a boomer storm in the area.

But - some caveats. If you are broadband connected all the time, then you MUST have decent firewall, AV, and ASW programs also running 24.7. And your firewall software should get some guidance from you on what programs should be allowed automatic update access to the Internet. Those things are also best when you control them.
 

John

Moderator Emeritus<br>Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
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Check the task manager for processes eating up a lot of cpu time. Another thing to keep in mind is that it costs roughly $30 - $40 per month to leave a fairly high end workstation and monitor on 24/7.

My rig draws about 215w while idle, and the UPS draws another 35w. It climbs up to 300w under load and while gaming. CRT's will typically draw 2 or 3 times the wattage compared to an LCD.

250w x .001 (kWhr) = .25 x .18 (cost per kWhr) = .045 x 24 (hrs in a day) = $1.08 per day

Some people have multiple PC's that run 24/7, and since the electicity rates have almost doubled in TX I turn my fiancee's pc off when she's not using it.
 

Bobthelost

Diamond Member
Dec 1, 2005
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Originally posted by: John
Check the task manager for processes eating up a lot of cpu time. Another thing to keep in mind is that it costs roughly $30 - $40 per month to leave a fairly high end workstation and monitor on 24/7.

My rig draws about 215w while idle, and the UPS draws another 35w. It climbs up to 300w under load and while gaming. CRT's will typically draw 2 or 3 times the wattage compared to an LCD.

250w x .001 (kWhr) = .25 x .18 (cost per kWhr) = .045 x 24 (hrs in a day) = $1.08 per day

Some people have multiple PC's that run 24/7, and since the electicity rates have almost doubled in TX I turn my fiancee's pc off when she's not using it.

Have you measured it at that? If so you've got to be overvolting quite a lot to get that much power draw.
 

Looney

Lifer
Jun 13, 2000
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I've had my laptops on 24/7 since i got them. Total time off, and that's in suspend or hibernation mode, probably total less than an entire day (just to take it to and back from work, which is a 15min drive).

Your problem with the computer being slow is probably from all the junk that you've put on it. Since you thought simply having a computer on all the time could possibly be causing your problems, i'm assuming you're not very technically oriented, and you've probably installed one too many bonzai buddies.

Most people i would suggest to run some adware scanners, virus scanner, go through add/remove and remove anything that you no longer use, clean up the registry, etc etc, but in your case, just reformat and reinstall.
 

John

Moderator Emeritus<br>Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
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Originally posted by: Bobthelost

Have you measured it at that? If so you've got to be overvolting quite a lot to get that much power draw.

Since my LCD monitor draws roughly 50w (according to the specs) that means my tower is pulling 165w under normal usage. I am using the meter on my Cyberpower UPS monitoring software. I've considered purchasing a kill-a-watt meter for a second opinion.

 

BW86

Lifer
Jul 20, 2004
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The only time I turn my computer off is when I go away for a few days.
 

Trizik

Senior member
Jun 17, 2005
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1) Reboot your computer.
2) Run a thorough virus scan.
3) Run a thorough spyware scan.
4) Reboot your computer at least once a week if you're running Windows.
 

LOUISSSSS

Diamond Member
Dec 5, 2005
8,770
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i leave mine on 24/7... unless i'm not gunna be home for over 3-4 days then i'll shut it down to save electricity and to prevent anything from happening to it
 

Zepper

Elite Member
May 1, 2001
18,998
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I turn mine on once, and off again when I'm done using it for the day or if I leave the house.

.bh.
 

DarthRanger

Member
Sep 12, 2000
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This is a question that used to pop up a long time ago. Lots of companies would leave their machines running overnight in the belief that it would extend the life of the machines, because they wouldn't be subject to cooling off overnight (unused) and then heating up during the day with use.

I've used PC's in both modes since 1994 and I don't think either mode is detrimental to it's service life. Shutting them down overnight does save money on the electricity bill though, especially with my rates which have doubled in the past year.

HTH :thumbsup:
 

ForumMaster

Diamond Member
Feb 24, 2005
7,792
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i don't simply cause i don't want to waste power and increase the electricity bill. it's expensive enough. my computer has no problem with it tho. i sometimes use hibernation but every two days a reboot refreshes the computer nicely.
 
Feb 19, 2001
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I don't get why people leave their computers on 24/7. Learn to turn it off. Unless you need to download 24/7, there's no need. IF you're done, turn it off. Stop wasting power. Even if you don't care about $$$, why add noise and why waste power. Learn to let go, and to have a life outside of computers...
 

savvy

Senior member
Nov 24, 1999
640
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Of course, I am constantly downloading, otherwise I'd indeed save the little power I'd be saving from turning it off.