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Computer : On all the time or not?
- Thread starter Batmensch
- Start date
There is a latent circuit that allows you to power the computer on by other means than the big on-off switch on the power supply. There usually is a circuit to reset your motherboard's CMOS, too.
It's residual consumption, really, but it makes a little difference.
You can save that difference if you turn the power supply off when you're going away or not using the computer for some time.
Etienned said:
Indeed, but do not neglect the issuance and completion of the requisite windows shutdown command, lest thou seeketh corruption in thine registry.
But if you're using a Mac, I guess you could just hit the switch, as I hear they are pretty much incorruptible... or do I have that confused with infallible?
</non-Mac-fanboy-trollage>
If you feel heat from anything electrical plugged in that isn't doing anything (and isn't warm because it was just doing something), then it is essentially wasting electricity. In fact, the heat byproduct when a device is performing it's primary function is generally energy wasted - unless the device in question's main purpose is creating that heat (like a space heater), or unless that heat is re-used for other purposes. Take the humble 60 watt incandescent light bulb- it puts out a quantity of light, but also considerable heat. The 13w CFL runs cooler for about the same light output. A couple of watts of LED can run even cooler at the same lumen count. So basically, if there's heat, there's usually inefficiency.
Yes.
Another thing...
Modern switching power supplies in wall warts and bricks tend to draw less idle current than the old heavy wall warts that contained stepdown transformers. You can go around your house and see how many of those transformers are plugged in. I've read that they add up, though I don't know the order of magnitude.
From what you've told here, it's either the HDD or the Power Supply.
Nah, didn't like the particular type of memory I installed.
An office I worked in a few years ago worked from a study of power usage that I believe was done at Amherst. They concluded that a computer sitting idle for an hour (I believe this included sleep mode) burned as much power as the startup and shutdown cycles. Ergo, if you're stepping away from your computer for less than an hour, leave it on. If you're stepping away for an hour or more, shut it down. That's been my rule of thumb since.
My desktop is on all the time, sleep mode works great for me
My netbook is only turned on when I need it and it gets shut off when done, laptops and netbooks really weren't designed to run constantly like a desktop can.
My netbook is only turned on when I need it and it gets shut off when done, laptops and netbooks really weren't designed to run constantly like a desktop can.
I'm old-skool when it comes to computers -- leave it on, there's less strain on the parts and you actually use less energy keeping it on due to the current spikes when you turn it on. If it's slow and you need to 'refresh', just do a reboot.
