Which of these is worse for a monitor?

[Logix]

Leaving it on 24/7 or constantly turning it on and off multiple times per day?

This is sort of analogous to the question of whether to turn your car engine off or just let it idle for really short stops. Turning it on and off all the time puts a lot of strain on the engine, but letting it idle also wears things down a bit as well.

The monitors I've had are still alive and ticking even after years of turning them on and off.

So, I'm wondering if there are any monitor experts out there who could share their opinions. Oh, an electricity usage isn't a concern.

Thanks!

 

[mindiris]

Need clarification:

Off and on, do you refer to "power saving modes" too, or do you lump this with leaving it on 24/7?

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

the wonderful gosharkks could probably answer this

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

<< Off and on, do you refer to "power saving modes" too, or do you lump this with leaving it on 24/7? >>

ive read that the power saving functions are actually worse for the monitors than completely turning it off.

id say it doesnt really matter, most monitors are designed for both.

 

[ku]

i just turn it off when i sleep, on if i'm awake... even if i'm not there in front of the computer.

 

[Logix]

<< Need clarification:

Off and on, do you refer to "power saving modes" too, or do you lump this with leaving it on 24/7? >>


I assumed that when you set your monitor to "go to sleep" after a certain period of inactivity, it was basically the same as hitting the power button on the front of the monitor. Is this not the case?

 

[jamarno]

The Electronics Repair FAQ says that picture tubes (monitor and TV) are designed to work well for about 20,000-30,000 hours (less than 8800 hours a year), but some newer tubes typically go dim much sooner. It also says that turning the brightness down by just 25% from maximum can double the lifespan.

I would turn off the monitor when it won't likely be used for at least the next few hours because most of the failures I've experienced have been heat related, including capacitors heating from current flow.

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

<< It also says that turning the brightness down by just 25% from maximum can double the lifespan. >>

FWIW, i talked with a guy at viewsonic and he said that contrast/brightness settings have absolutely 0 impact on the monitor. now i still wont run mine at full blast but that's what he said
he did say that the higher the refresh rate the sooner the monitor will wear out. i run mine here all day and turn them off when i go to bed. at my pop's bidness, they are on 24/7 (about 9 of them) and have never had one go bad before they were replaced. some are 6 and 7 years old (all gateways).

 

[Gosharkss]

This is what I do, and recommend

Screen saver on after 15 minutes of inactivity, moving objects, no static images.
Screen saver on for 30 minutes
After 30 minutes I use the monitors power save mode.

Leaving the monitor on 24/7 is the worst case situation. I also turn my TV off when I'm not watching it.

Jim Witkowski
Chief Hardware Engineer
Cornerstone / Monitorsdirect.com

 

[dullard]

For any of you with the chance go to a university computer lab or library with lots of computers that run 24/7. Ask the person in charge how long a typical monitor lasts - that will answer your question without a doubt. In the computer lab that I help out with on occasion, the average monitor lasts about 1.5 years.

My home monitors, my work monitors, my family's monitors, my coworker's monitors, and my friend's monitors are all turned off when not in use. Not one of those has gone bad (some are 13 years old).

To me that shows a big difference in the life of the monitor. Turn it off if you are going to leave for an extended period of time. What do you lose by taking 2 seconds to press a button? However, lets be realistic - don't turn it on/off thousands of times every day.

 

[A2KLAU]

Well how mine works is that when I go to sleep I have it switched off, but computer still runs 24/7

When I need to use the computer or what have you or when I am around and plan to use it int eh evenings after school i ahve it switched on, but when i get home and do homework its off.

So it does get switched on and off a fair amount per day, and its lasted for about 3 years and 1 month give or take a week now

17incher has lasted and done me well!!

Albert.

 

[Thor86]

I still have my first Samsung Syncmaster 14" monitor from 1994. Works just as good as when I first bought it for my 486, and now it is used for my server. Always turn it off, when not using for extended periods of time. Heat is the major factor for monitor circuitry/deaths.

Smoke is the other factor in monitor life-span as well. Ruined a nice 17" Mag from chain-smoking in front of my computer.