powl: Do you leave your computer on or turn it off when not in use?

Arkitech

Diamond Member
Apr 13, 2000
8,356
4
76
I leave my on all the time. I read an article a long time ago that said something about the heating up and cooling off of the components on the mobo can cause socket creep resulting in a shorter lifespan of the comnputer. So because of that I tend to leave my machines on all the time.
 

Aftermath

Golden Member
Sep 2, 2003
1,151
0
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I don't because it's a waste of electricity. I used to run S@H and/or F@H alternatively, but not anymore.

It might actually increase the lifespan of your hardware, but I'd suppose that we're talking about it lasting for 15 years instead of 13 years, or something similar. My point being that you would never notice an actual change in the lifespan of the hardware because people dump their PC's and get new stuff long before any of it actually "fails" from old age and general wear and tear.
 

Atheus

Diamond Member
Jun 7, 2005
7,313
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I leave many computers on all the time. Its my contribution to global warming since I don't have a car.
 

eelw

Lifer
Dec 4, 1999
10,383
5,526
136
Generally on 24/7 since I'm downloading and video encoding most of the time. But will turn it off if there is nothing to do.

As for thermal stress from expansion and contraction, it won't greatly affect the life time of computer components. Parts will be upgraded long before they die on you.
 

pkme2

Diamond Member
Sep 30, 2005
3,896
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Considering that I use several machines at a time for various reasons up to 6 to 8 hrs at a time.

It isn't necessary to use computer 24/7. My electric bill appreciates the shutdown of my rigs.
 

CorCentral

Banned
Feb 11, 2001
6,415
1
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I always leave mine on unless I go on vacation or leave my house for more than a day.

Has anyone done a study that shows the "approximate" rise in an electric bill just by having your computer on 24/7? What is it......... $10.00--$20.00 yearly?

If by using cold water in your Washing Machine instead of hot saves you about $50.00- $70.00 yearly, I can't see a home computer, using more than $20.00 yearly.
 

Accipiter22

Banned
Feb 11, 2005
7,942
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nope. I can't afford the electricity to always keep it on....a basic computer costs about 3.00 to run all day, I can't afford that
 

CorCentral

Banned
Feb 11, 2001
6,415
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Originally posted by: Accipiter22
nope. I can't afford the electricity to always keep it on....a basic computer costs about 3.00 to run all day, I can't afford that

Prove that it costs $3.00 a day. I really think that's exaggerated. **LOL**
$1,095 a year?

My "TOTAL" electic bill yearly is about $120.00/mth in a 2000sf home ($1,440 yearly)


I'll stick around the $20.00 per year mark to run a "home" computer.

 

pinoy

Golden Member
Nov 19, 2000
1,440
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I always leave mine and my kids' on unless we go on vacation or leave our house for a few hours.
 

Sukhoi

Elite Member
Dec 5, 1999
15,350
106
106
My computer will not boot up cold into it's overclocked state. I have to boot at 1.6 GHz, let it warm up a couple hours, and then reboot into 2.0 GHz. I get BSODs and all sorts of lockups at weird places if I don't let it warm up. I think it has vacuum tubes or something. :Q
 

wiredspider

Diamond Member
Jun 3, 2001
5,239
0
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leave mine on, never know when I might need to get a file while at work or school, or test something..