I have a custom build PC, about 9 fans inside, custom parts etc etc. Is it bad to keep it running over night? No programs, just on. I heard it was bad to turn it off because PC's need to be kept at a constant state of temp. Thanks.
2007-03-30 13:41:47 · 8 answers · asked by Dingdingdong 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
It is both bad and good.
Electronics prefers to be left on at the same state, but in a computer you build up heat, nine fans or one.
Do you have a thermo sensor inside the computer? That would tell you for sure if you have a heat problem. If the CPU is at 80 degrees or below then you are doing well. The lower the better, but you normally can't get it down to the freezing point of oxygen. If you could then you would have a faster machine, but it is not practical.
If you leave your computer on then it will get used to that level of heat and power and it will be more likely to stay running without any problems.
I knew of a TV set with the old tubes instead of transistors that has lasted for well over 40 years. The owner would just turn the color down to black. Since he did this the TV stayed one, it was used to the same power level, and it wasn't stressed.
Turning the computer on and off does put stress on it. My brother-in-law has a PC that he keeps on all the time and he is a network engineer. He knows that it won't harm his machine and that in the long run it may be better off for the machine.
But, he turns off his laptop and his is designed to run very cool. He turns it off more because of a battery issue, and when he carries it than an issue of if the computer will work better under a constant temperature and stress.
Personally, I turn my machine on when I get up and turn it off when I go to bed. Often I will leave it running at night, and just turn off the monitor. I like to run virus and spyware scans at night.
I know that when I rebuilt my computer using some new parts the older parts didn't like it that much. They got a different load and stress level and this, along with age made them fail. Parts do fail so it wasn't unexpected. It proved to me that the computer prefers to be in a steady state, either always on or always off. If I weren’t poor and worried about my electricity bills then I would just leave my computer on all the time. When I do turn the machine on, even if I leave the house for a while I don't turn it off until it I go to bed. Leaving it on while I am out doesn't do any harm and I don't want to put it through more than one start and shut down sequence per day.
2007-03-30 14:00:30 · answer #1 · answered by Dan S 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The answer to this question really depends upon how you use your computer. Our recommendation for most users is when the computer is first turned on that it remains on until it is late and you don't plan on using it until the next day. However, if you are actively running anything on the computer or you wish for tasks to run during the night such as a backup, scandisk, defrag, or a virus scan, it is recommend that the computer remain on all night.
In short, it is neither good nor bad to turn off the computer each day or for you to leave the computer on all day every day.
Note: If you decide to leave your computer on all day we still recommend that the computer monitor be turned off.
Additional thoughts:
For companies or homes that have several dozen/thousand computers it may be beneficial to turn the computer off each night or at the end of the work day to help conserve power. Although many computers and electronic devices have power saving features, they will still consume power, and hundreds of computers consuming power can be costly each month.
Unless a fan within the computer fails while the computer is on it will not overheat. In fact a computer that is left on and is not doing anything will be much cooler than a computer that is on and being used.
Although physically different a laptop can also remain on for 24/7 just like a desktop and all the above information also applies to a laptop.
2007-03-30 13:50:22 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is not bad to turn a pc off. Thats why the off switch is on it. However if you have crap parts a restart / cold start can be all it takes to kill the box.
Consider this, its probably better to concertrate on a surge protector as my Thermaltake recently got knocked out by a spike it was a very smelly afair
2007-03-30 13:47:46 · answer #3 · answered by gingermano 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's a tough question as it's a matter of choice. I would have spare parts as the fans will fail. Those are the mostly likely part to stop working.
I know as I have my computers on 24 /7. for several years.
Best advise get spare parts on moving parts.. Power supply and fans.. make sure you get the exact replacements
2007-03-30 13:46:39 · answer #4 · answered by PRC 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Even turning your pc off atleast once a day will shorten its components life....
2007-03-30 16:22:38 · answer #5 · answered by INOA 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
mine has been on for 3 years and its fine.
i just have 4 fans inside.
2007-03-30 13:44:25 · answer #6 · answered by Apocalipce Industries 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
not any longer. save power. it helps conserve the nature.
2007-03-30 13:44:20 · answer #7 · answered by OperaManiac 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its bad for your pc to restart..
2007-03-30 13:44:08 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋