Author: Robin Smith
Date: 13:48:07 03/28/02
Go up one level in this thread
On March 28, 2002 at 14:41:57, Stephen Ham wrote: >Dear Experts, > >Here's my question. I'm ignorant about computer hardware/software and so rely >upon the advice of others (that's where you come in!). I've heard strong >arguements regarding leaving computers running versus turning them off. Usually >the debate centers upon the effects of wear/tear caused by constant rebooting to >the life of the computer. What other posters have said is true. In fact the speed a computer runs at is ultimately controlled by the same thing that keeps time in digital clocks and watches, a quartz crystal oscillator. Imagine if our watches ran slow on a warm day!? Doesn't happen. What other posters did not address is keeping the computer on to increase reliability. With todays computers I think turning them off at night should increase reliability slightly over leaving a computer on continuously. It is a bit complicated, since some components of a computer will be more reliable if turned off, while others are more reliable if left on; so there really is no simple answer. But your CPU fans and case fans in particular will last longer if you turn the computer off when not being used for extended periods. And fans are often the first thing to fail. Of course they are also relatively easy and inexpensive to repair. But any repair can be a hasstle; and if you are not comfortable doing it yourself, also expensive even though the replacement part is only $5. Robin
This page took 0 seconds to execute
Last modified: Thu, 15 Apr 21 08:11:13 -0700
Current Computer Chess Club Forums at Talkchess. This site by Sean Mintz.