Computer - Better to Turn Off or Leave On?

Cisco001

qsk wrote: »

You can't be serious.
It actually keeps you cool with a constant running fan...

fan keep the PC cool.
PC create more heat => fan to exhaust hot air => reduce heating bill if you set right next to it

Johnmcl7

I wouldn't say it's a myth, I work with pcs that are many years old and are on 24/7 apart from twice a year when they get shut down. On the power up after is when there are the most failures, usually the hard drive or power supply will go on a few of them while its fairly rare to have them fail when running normally.

However that's a more extreme situation as most people aren't going to be running hardware that old or for that long, I switch off my own pcs when I'm not using them.

agrinnall

Le_Kirk wrote: »

There you are, pick the answer you want!

Not really, my answer assumes that power saving functions are enabled, although I might quibble about the word "significantly" when describing the power consumption of a single computer.

bsod

https://help.it.ox.ac.uk/greenit/desktop

https://www.griffith.edu.au/sustainability/sustainable-campuses/sustainable-initiatives/energy/average-computer-energy-usage

https://ist.mit.edu/sites/default/files/migration/initiatives/it-energy/pcguidelines.pdf

stator

Computers use loads of energy, always turn them off. You will replace the computer due to it's age before it wears out anyway, even if you turn it on an off several times a day.

almillar

The idea of leaving a computer on to save wear and tear is to avoid power cycles in the components - the power supply itself, hard drive, fans (let's not worry about electronics).
Power cycles, spikes can shorten lifespans, putting more of a strain on capacitors, motors etc. But in most modern OSs, the hard drive will power down after lack of use, as will the display, and the processor might even slow down. Your computer is switching stuff off and on already.
Summary - just switch it off!

S0litaire

Depends on the PC.
I've 2 my main gaming rig and a media server.
The gaming rig is only on when I want to play games (450w - 800w an hour ) to noisy to leave on 24/7!

My media server is on 24/7 but it's a silent low power machine (50w - 90w an hour)

Superscrooge

Thanks for all the advice. Much appreciated

Strider590

Power cycling the components is going to wear them out MUCH faster and the repair/replacement will cost you more than you'd ever save in electricity.

In standby most appliances now use so little power that it might as well be none at all.

The reason we are told to turn everything off at the wall is because device failures increase consumerism, therefore money in the form of VAT going to the govt and to the shareholders of the technology companies (who are probably in positions of power OR have friends in those positions).

It's ALSO because fuel prices keep rising and the authorities don't want to tackle their golfing buddies on it, so they make us think that our energy bill are all our own fault, because we left phone chargers plugged in.

stator

Strider590 wrote: »

In standby most appliances now use so little power that it might as well be none at all.

Not a PC :A