Bad to run CPU @ 70% capacity for extended time?

[No_Foolin'?]

Ola,

I'm a complete computer doofus, but I'm currently running a few casino bonuses simultaneously and it's using much of my CPU capacity (i.e. looks to be 70% average) over an extended period of time (i.e. like all day/all night continuously).

I'm wondering if this is somehow bad for a computer. Clearly (I would guess anyhow) lower usage levels put less "strain" on any given system. But, at the same time, I have no idea how "strong" or "bulletproof" computer systems are supposed to be. In other words, are computers built to easily withstand such usage levels (i.e. all in a day's work)? Or am I somehow shortening my computer's lifespan here, perhaps measurably?

BTW, I'm running an off-the-rack Dell XPS 400
CPU: Intel Pentium D 3.00 GHz (2 CPUs)
RAM: 1022 MB
VIDEO CARD: Radeon X300 SE 128 MB HyperMemory

I've included a few specs here (just guessing as to applicability) just in case it may be helpful in answering my question.

All right, thanks. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[No_Foolin'?]

Edit: Just in case my question wasn't clear...Taking the 70% cpu capacity usage as a GENERAL INDICATOR of a heavy usage level (i.e. only because it's an indicator I have any familiarity with), can ANY part of my computer be "damaged" by the heavy usage (i.e. the CPU, video card, etc.) Gracias. [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

[ToeHold]

Your system will be fine.

There are no moving parts in the CPU; it could run at 100% utilization for years (so long as the moving parts, i.e. fans and hard drive don't fail) and not have a problem.

Fans and hard drives do eventually fail, but usually as a result of a manufacturing defect or something environmental, (dust, electrical surge) not over-use.

Happy Whoring! [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[CORed]

[ QUOTE ]
Your system will be fine.

There are no moving parts in the CPU; it could run at 100% utilization for years (so long as the moving parts, i.e. fans and hard drive don't fail) and not have a problem.

Fans and hard drives do eventually fail, but usually as a result of a manufacturing defect or something environmental, (dust, electrical surge) not over-use.

Happy Whoring! [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

This is entirely wrong? Why? All that stuff the computer manufactureres have been tellin us for years about semi-conductors and microprocessors is a lie. What you computer really has inside it is a microscopic Babbage machine. You know that grinding noise your computer makes that some people say is the hard drive? Not true, that's gear noise from the Babbage machine. The more you run the processor, the faster all those little tiny gears and levers and bearings will wear out. The real reason the industry keeps coming out with faster and faster machines with more and more storage is to make sure nobody keeps a computer long enough for the Babbage machine to wear out.
[img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[tufat23]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Your system will be fine.

There are no moving parts in the CPU; it could run at 100% utilization for years (so long as the moving parts, i.e. fans and hard drive don't fail) and not have a problem.

Fans and hard drives do eventually fail, but usually as a result of a manufacturing defect or something environmental, (dust, electrical surge) not over-use.

Happy Whoring! [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

This is entirely wrong? Why? All that stuff the computer manufactureres have been tellin us for years about semi-conductors and microprocessors is a lie. What you computer really has inside it is a microscopic Babbage machine. You know that grinding noise your computer makes that some people say is the hard drive? Not true, that's gear noise from the Babbage machine. The more you run the processor, the faster all those little tiny gears and levers and bearings will wear out. The real reason the industry keeps coming out with faster and faster machines with more and more storage is to make sure nobody keeps a computer long enough for the Babbage machine to wear out.
[img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

lol i was actually more interested in finding out if you'd just made up 'babbage'.

ok a breif search- i didnt read thoroughly but its some kind of computer langauge named after charles babbage, who died building a comp (obviously he didnt ground himself before starting)

anyway i thought faster computers came out so we would keep replacing them cos we want to do fancy things, like play poker.

[CORed]

Actually, Charles Babbage was a 19th century British man who designed (but never built) a mechanical computer. The thing about the programming language is a joke, and a very funny one for prgrammers, but much of the humor wouldn't make sense to non-programmers.

[Metal_Rat]

You should not have any problems if you're just playing poker for long periods.

But, i'd still make sure you backup your data regularly.

If your computer is always on (and processing), i'd be more concerned about the data on your hard drive.

I used to run BOINC projects on my computer (SETI and Einstein@home) and ran my CPU at 100%, 24/7 for an entire year. Had no problems with my CPU.

But I lost most of my files twice due to hard drive problems. I believe that both instances were the result of power outages/power surges while data was being written to the hard drives.

Anyway, I wouldn't worry too much about hardware failing, but would be concerned more about loss of data. I now take regular backups of important files on my hard drive.
(sorry if this post strayed from your original question)

[No_Foolin'?]

Hey Metal,

Thanks for your response. Are you saying that using your CPU at a high rate can directly jeopardize the integrity of the hard-drive data?

Or are you saying that due to running the computer for so many hours/day, your hard-drive is more exposed to data-loss issues caused by power supply problems than it would be if you were to run your computer for a smaller number of hours/day?

Or are you saying something else?

BTW, your post reminded me of a related (in MY mind, anyways [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]) question...if you run your CPU at or very near it's max capacity (i.e. 97-100%) for any continuous length of time, does this increase your chances of causing your system to crash?

[Metal_Rat]

Your second comment is what I was describing.

I was really surprised that my CPU (and non-moving components) worked flawlessly. My tower was generating A LOT of heat but the fan dissipated enough of it to keep things functionally normally.

It's the constant reading/writing to my hard-drive that increased the chance that it would fail either by spinning non-stop, or by corruption due to power flutuations/failure.

Realize that during a storm I would normally shutdown my computer, but when running 24/7 I would often not be at home. I chose not to invest in a backup power source and this was a big mistake.

Note that not all power failures resulted in my harddrive directory being corrupted, but even if it only happens one out of 10 times, it's enough to cause a lot of headaches.
(fixing it involves reformatting the drive and reinstalling EVERYTHING).

You're not stressing your computer but still consider backing up your data on a regular basis (preferrably on a separate physical device).

Hope this helps.

[T3485]

Yes, I think running your PC constantly at +70% CPU usage will reduce its lifespan simply due to the constant generation and exhaustion of heat. The question is, is will it reduce the lifespan shorter than the time you intend to buy a new one and junk the one you have? Probably not.