Leave on, Sleep or Shut Down.

jamezb3

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Ok so it is an old question, but one I am quite keen to know the answer. A time ago PC users would argue is it better to leave the PC on, put it in sleep mode or shut it down completely.
I am not that worried about power consumption I just want to know what stresses your CPU and other hardware more, leaving the PC on, putting it in sleep mode or shutting it down completely?
I did a search and it was all posts from around 5 years ago when technology wasn’t as good as it is now. I have gear all less than a year old except my CPU. Does anyone know the science behind the heating and cooling of hardware? There was a time when booting your PC up in the morning was the most stressful thing you could do you it.
So what I am asking does anyone out there know if I am doing my PC damage by leaving it on constantly and only rebooting when Windows makes me.
 
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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro RTM x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus Home built
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 Black Edition 965
    Motherboard
    Asus M5A97 Evo
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance 4GBx2
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 5890
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 x Asus IPS HDMI + 2 x ViewSonic VE710s-2
    Screen Resolution
    3840x1024
IMO, the answer is no

I worked as an electronic repair technician.
Leave your PC on.

Electronic devices usually fail:

  • When you turn them on (almost always - IMO ~95%).
  • When you turn them off (sometimes - IMO ~4%).
  • During operation (rarely - IMO ~1%).

Compact fluorescent lights are a classic example of this.
If you never turn them off, they will last for years.
If you constantly turn them on & off, they'll fail in a very short time.

I use "Sleep".
 
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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 (64 bit), Linux Mint 18.3 MATE (64 bit)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    n/a
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II x6 1055T, 2.8 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASRock 880GMH-LE/USB3
    Memory
    8GB DDR3 1333 G-Skill Ares F3-1333C9D-8GAO (4GB x 2)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD6450
    Sound Card
    Realtek?
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung S23B350
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital 1.5 TB (SATA), Western Digital 2 TB (SATA), Western Digital 3 TB (SATA)
    Case
    Tower
    Mouse
    Wired Optical
    Other Info
    Linux Mint 16 MATE (64 bit) replaced with Linux Mint 17 MATE (64 bit) - 2014-05-17
    Linux Mint 14 MATE (64 bit) replaced with Linux Mint 16 MATE (64 bit) - 2013-11-13
    Ubuntu 10.04 (64 bit) replaced with Linux Mint 14 MATE (64 bit) - 2013-01-14
    RAM & Graphics Card Upgraded - 2013-01-13
    Monitor Upgraded - 2012-04-20
    System Upgraded - 2011-05-21, 2010-07-14
    HDD Upgraded - 2010-08-11, 2011-08-24,
Well, from personal experience, no. Restarting and shutting down or resuming from sleep does not whatsoever damage the components. I've had a puter from 2001 or 2002 last for like, eight or nine years before a power fault occurred on the motherboard. I bet with newer parts, they would last much longer due to better manufacturing processes.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
In the mainframe world, shutting down was the no1 worry - on restart some items always seemed to fail to make an appearance. Time clock change twice a year was a headache..

Mine sleep.

Regards

Robin
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    WIN7 Home Premium 64-bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Homebuilt
    CPU
    Intel I7 920
    Motherboard
    Asus P6T-Se
    Memory
    6Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire HD5770
    Sound Card
    On-board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS VW246H, Samsing Syncmaster 2233, Samsung Syncmaster T200HD
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    2 x 500Gb
    PSU
    Coolermaster Silent Pro M700
    Case
    NOX
    Mouse
    Logitech Marble
    Internet Speed
    10Mbps
    Other Info
    Dell Inspiron 1501 with Win 8 CP 32 Bit - flying along!
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