Keep pc running, or shut down?

[chachabah]

i have heard both sides to this debate. if i use the computer everyday, how often should i shut it down? everyday, once a week. i swear, the novice opinions out there are all over the place, : )

[Doc Timbo]

if you dont use the PC overnight.... i'd say shut it down. I like expensive audio equipment and keep it on all the time so it's warmed up and the on/off stuff doesnt stress the capacitors.... however top-end audio has a life of 30-40 years, you will be lucky to get 3-4 out of PC equipment, so the lifespan of capacitors being shortened due to switch-on spikes isn't really relevant. Hope this helps

[chachabah]

i have a $60 Altec Lansing audio system (sub-woofer, 2 speakers). it sounds great! do you recommend that i keep that on, even after powering off the pc?

thank you for the advice...

[Nova]

keep you pc on, and f@h :) thats what i'm doing now, i love the warmth it provides ;)

[Ace]

I can't advise on your audio system as I know absolutely nothing about them, but shut the PC down. Keeping it running probably causes *almost* as much damage as the expansion and contraction caused by booting and powering down, and as Doc Timbo points out the effects will take a lot longer to have an impact than the lifespan of your PC, so either way will make little difference. Unless you have something like F@H or a P2P running, then conserve electricity and do your bit to slow global warming ;)

[Nova]

global warming is caused by americans and their automobiles (considering that most cars in the world are in the us of a) ofcourse its all cars, and i hope you keep that hoe running, i don't know why they call it global warming when its getting much colder

[Ginsu543]

While automobiles do contribute a large portion of gases that are thought to promote global warming, so do electric stations that burn coal to generate steam to turn the turbines to generate electricity. Both atomic and hydroelectric plants supply only a tiny portion of the world's electricity needs. So Ace is correct when he says saving electricity will help.

[Bonham]

mine either hibernates during the day or is turned off...im a total tree hugger

SAVE POWER

[bluegreenshxt]

turn it off at night if you are not using it...unless you f@h ;)

Edit: Reasons
- waste's electricity
- does not allow the comp to rest (ie you wouldnt leave your tv all night 24/7 if you were not watching it)
- emits emi/radiation
- frequency of the fans can have an effect on the brain...(this one can be argued...but i find that i sleep better and work better with my fans inaudiably quiet ;) )
- fans and other comp parts have life expectancies. ie some fans have life expectancies of 20000 hours
- if your power (lhouse power thing) goes kabooey, your comp might also follow...
- cause I said so :cool: :p