Do you turn your computer off at night?
 

I've searched google on this, some articles have mixed information.. What is a.) The best for the computer's performance (long-run I guess) and b.) the most power efficient? does shutting down and starting up the computer every day have any negative drawbacks, or should I just keep it on and let it sleep when not in use?

Re: Do you turn your computer off at night?
 

You Sir, are contributing to global warming and the death of the human species as we know it.

Turn it off, infact unplug it along with most of your appliances.

Re: Do you turn your computer off at night?
 

In theory, a computer left running 24x7 in a controlled (air conditioned) environment will last longer than one powered on and off throughout the day.

Computers generate heat; the heat causes plastics and connectors to expand & contract, shortening their life somewhat.

In reality, you will waste far more electricity leaving your system on compared to buying a new PC every 3 years (versus 5+ for the controlled environment.)

Upgrade sooner than 3 years? Don't worry about wear & tear.

Re: Do you turn your computer off at night?
 

This is a ridiculous sample size, but I have a Dell desktop I bought in January of 2000. It was close to top-of-the-line then.

It's still my primary computer, and I have no complaints. I would guess it has been powered off <100 times.

Re: Do you turn your computer off at night?
 

Leave them on and let the energy saving stuff watch out for them. I'd make sure the monitor shutting off works to save it.

LOL at saving enough money turning it off over 3 years to buy anything more expensive than a nice dinner.

Re: Do you turn your computer off at night?
 

yep, turn them off everynight.

Re: Do you turn your computer off at night?
 

Figure $1-2 per month per system. So $35-$70 over three years.

http://www.consumerspower.org/home_e...lestimator.php

Re: Do you turn your computer off at night?
 

Just to clarify, is shutting down and hibernating using the same power? (no power that is) I prefer to hibernate when I turn my comp off b/c it takes less time to load up..

Re: Do you turn your computer off at night?
 

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Just to clarify, is shutting down and hibernating using the same power? (no power that is)

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Computers still draw power when turned off. Only way to cut it completely is to either unplug it or turn the power supply off in the back.

Re: Do you turn your computer off at night?
 

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Just to clarify, is shutting down and hibernating using the same power? (no power that is)

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yes hibernate dumps some stuff to disk and then does a normal shutdown. some power is still being consumed when off, same amount for both