Windows 10: Power Usage of PC: How To Reduce It?

Hi,

What I wrote is what the MB manufacturers state. If you keep it well below 50 degrees Celcius it will last way longer. Problem is often the caps drying out and subsequently forming a short.
As it happens I'm receiving an industrila grade board on Monday. It's a state of the art design that fits my bill perfectly. *Wink

Cheers, *Wink

 

Your reply is appreciated!

This is my motherboard here. It's rev 1.0: GA-P35-DS3R (rev. 1.0) | Motherboard - GIGABYTE

 

Hi,

You're welcome.
It seems your board is already using long life components in critical places so it should last longer than most even though it's already quiete old In computer speak), isn't it ?

The caps with the red stripe on top are long life, the ones with the clear blue one are standard grade (still Ultra Durable according to Gigabyte which is normal when solid caps are used, there's no electrolytic to dry up). Just for info.

Cheers, *Wink

 

It seems that some people are saying that leaving a PC on 24/7 shortens the lifespan of the hardware while others are saying it increases the lifespan of the hardware.

This is so confusing... :'(

Which one is correct?

 

Hi,

There are a number of factors that come into play: basically, most electronic components do not like powercycling typically but if that means that by leaving it running 24/7 at 50 degrees Celcius or more ambient temperature the odds may change quiete quickly unless the board is designed for this kind of service.

In other words, if you do not use it, I'd recommend switching it off. If you do use it 24/7 as a service, make sure it runs cool.I.e. at roughly 35 to 40 degrees C max.

Most electronic components hardly age by not using them nowadays.Good caps can sustain 85 degrees C ansd so on.

Cheers, *Wink

 

There are very few electrolytic capacitors left in use, those were most affected by heat but also by time running but also shelf life. Largest ones still in use are in the PSU, mostly large ones at the output module. Others may be of various quality but are all solid state.
Most damage done is by voltage surges and heat. Transistors, diodes and such do vear out but that's spread across very long time, 10s of years or longer. Other possible threat is heat but temperature raises just so much and will not get higher just because electronics are running for long time. Still cooling is very important and not only for longevity of components but also for their performance. Most components have built in safeties and when it reaches some predetermined value they would throttle down and lower voltages and so cool down.

 

Hi,

I'll add to my count's reply:

If anything's going to fail by running it 24/7 it's likely going to be the PSU.

Cheers, *Wink

 

Yep, they are the ones most problems start with yet I see so many neglect to get proper ones and go for cheapest solution. Manufacturers of ready made, OEM computers are most guilty of putting "just enough" PSUs.

 

I now use EVGA PSUs since I get a 10 year warranty in the UK.

 

Your MOBO must be about 9 YO, so not much life left in it. Probably already out of spec.

"It seems that some people are saying that leaving a PC on 24/7 shortens the lifespan of the hardware while others are saying it increases the lifespan of the hardware."

It's not confusing.
Look at it with common sense - If a PC is left on 24/7 it will be hotter all the time. That reduces the life span of all the components to varying degrees.
On the other hand it won't get as many On/Off switchings which can also reduce the life of a component.
It's swings and roundabouts.
This also excludes the random component failures.

 

But physics say that once something reaches some temperature it can't get any hotter if you don't ad more energy. At idle state computer produces even less energy than while working hard. So how can it get any hotter when it's not getting any higher energy ???

 

Hi,
@CountMike, I think he means "hotter" compared to the switched off state.

Cheers, *Wink

 

Your information is definitely appreciated!

So, basically, you're telling me that leaving a PC running 24/7 reduces the life span of the PC's components, but turning a PC On/Off constantly ALSO reduces the life span of a PC's components?

I want to keep my PC running 24/7.

What should I do?

 

Hi,

Leaving that PC on when it does not have to is really absurd.

Cheers, *Wink

 

Why is your PC on 24/7? That's unkind to the planet and a fire risk unless it's essential for your PC to be on 27/7.