Computer on or off?

[arrow]

I still have issues with that.

based on principles of physics.. changes of states will cause some effect.. even if it is epsilon...

soundguy

Well, if we're talking computers, there has been specific statements made in regard to off and on aspects. Your physics statement can be applied to many things and situations
and some "changes of states" can be beneficial. As far as computers are concerned, I think the change of on to shutting down is beneficial in more ways than one as I have described. This company I presently work for has done testing for over 20 years in regard to energy usage and related items. That includes computers. The recommendations 20 years ago and those given today as far as shut down are different as machines 20 years ago were more tender to on-off fluctuation. Since 1998 to present ( or that which can be called modern generation computers) they have kept an array of computers that have been kept on and some on and off for periods of 4-8 years. There has been no viable differences in break down with either method with identical machines, however, there have been energy savings when shut-down occurs. If we keep on the subject, your present "issues" on modern day computers may be unnecessary but hey, to each his own.

 

[RobertN]

Apples are the most energy efficient with some of their units only drawing 10 watts in sleep.

That's not true. Mainstream X86 based machines can easily get below 3W for S3/S5(Sleep/Off) states. Seen many get below 2W.

Energy Star rated "green" systems are becoming the norm for schools and government in the US. Elsewhere, other governments are pushing even lower power rating, at least in Sleep and Off states. Some want less than 1W in the Off state, regardless of the system type.

On pretty much any system, even when you turn it off, you will have 1-2 watts of power concumptions. There is some small amount of active circuitry that senses when you press the power button.

The only way to go to no pwer use on the current stuff out there, is to pull the plug from the wall...

 

[Chuck52]

They turn them off. My employer is very good about employee suggestions and looking into anything that will save money, be good for the environment, good for the employees, etc... kinda old fashioned, yes?

I was thinking more along the lines of my employer....they just completely ignore my suggestion to eliminate those pesky students.

Chuck

 

[zimcocomp]

Thanks for the heads up. I've noticed anytime I open my case at home that I have a lot of dust build up. I'll make a point to clean it out more often.

Be sure to clean power supply input screen (internal) and the CPU heatsink. This is the two areas that cause the most problems.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

We have some lights in the house that have been on since 1/2005 with the exception of power outages. They are low wattage task lighting in the kitchen that we leave on since they make nice night lights. Maybe 100 watts total so at 10 cents a KWH it costs us a quarter a day for the light. Its worth 25 cents when we have to get up in the middle of the night to check on the kids or dog. Throw in another 25 cents for the power for the computer is a who cares in my total expenses. That extra 25 cents for the computer being on getting updates, backing up or recording TV shows is worth it.

Later,
Dan

Now you have to open the "everything else I leave on" can of worms. I wake up at night, and between the clock on the stove, clock on the under-counter radio my wife has, and the clock on the microwave, the room is half lit.

It seems I've got so many things running all the time. I've got my palm, my phone, my wife's phone, and my EMS radio charging every night. The laptop charges most nights. The TV, VCR, DVD Player, and Surround Sound System all have a small draw even when the power is off. My wife has two fish tanks with the aerators running all the time. This doesn't even begin to take into account the heater for the horses water trough, the heated pet bowl for my dog, and the 40 watt light bulb we use to keep the chicken water thawed.

When my computer is in "sleep" mode I'll bet I couldn't even tell on the meter compared to whatever else I have running.

 

[vsteel]

I still have issues with that.

based on principles of physics.. changes of states will cause some effect.. even if it is epsilon...

soundguy

You might as well be worrying about wearing out your hammer or wearing out the steering wheel from driving your tractor to much.

Now if you are using it all day and want to leave it on because of convince that is your prerogative. The decision shouldn't be based on computer longevity because that really isn't an issue anymore.

Pretty much just think of your favorite tractor theory that was true 75 years ago that doesn't apply any more for modern equipment. That is pretty much the same case.

 

[Soundguy]

Motor starts and stops will still be an issue... Untill we do to solid state hard drives ( coming very soon! ), the electromechanical portions of our machines will be effected the most by state changes.

speaking of solid state drives.. I do see there is at least one 'starter' grade laptop on the market with no hdd.. but rather has nonvol memory as a hdd.. etc. I bet that really takes a bite out of power usage.. that and not having a monster graphics card..

Most 'tractor' theories in use 75 ys ago are still true..

soundguy

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Doesn't the electromechanical portion of the hard drive come on and off all the time the computer is running anyway. I thought that "whir" noise when I started searching for something on the hard drive was the drive motor ramping up.

 

[arrow]

That's not true. Mainstream X86 based machines can easily get below 3W for S3/S5(Sleep/Off) states. Seen many get below 2W.

Energy Star rated "green" systems are becoming the norm for schools and government in the US. Elsewhere, other governments are pushing even lower power rating, at least in Sleep and Off states. Some want less than 1W in the Off state, regardless of the system type.

On pretty much any system, even when you turn it off, you will have 1-2 watts of power concumptions. There is some small amount of active circuitry that senses when you press the power button.

The only way to go to no pwer use on the current stuff out there, is to pull the plug from the wall...

This testing was not done with just the microprocessor. It was with the monitor as well. It would also depend on the residual lighting and type used in the frame or tower and the design of such. Also, my information goes back several months and as a result there can very well be a new "sleep" king on the market. The Mx86 microarchitecture in itself has had changes going from Yonah to Wolfdale in relatively short order which can further help change info. Thanks for the heads up at any rate.

 

[Soundguy]

Doesn't the electromechanical portion of the hard drive come on and off all the time the computer is running anyway. I thought that "whir" noise when I started searching for something on the hard drive was the drive motor ramping up.

I know cd's / dvd's spin up when needed.. I'm under the impression that unless power management shuts the HDD drive down.. that it stays spinning under normal circumstances.

And yes.. over the years.. I've repalced tons more cd's than HDD's I attribute that in part to the nature of their operation.. same with the old FD's

soundguy