Some people say that turning a computer off when not in use shortens it’s life.
I disagree.
The rumor comes from the fact that a circuit is more likely to blow when electricity is first applied, much like a light bulb is more likely to “pop” when you first flip the switch. This may be true about light bulbs and some other types of circuits, but it’s not exactly the case with computers.
There are more factors involved which also need some consideration.
- Dust accumulation
- Component “wear and tear
- The cost of operation
- Indirect costs
- Rebooting helps performance
Over the next week or so, we’ll be exploring these with a little more depth.
Today, we’ll go ahead and tackle the first item on the list: Dust accumulation
A computer needs a certain amount of air flow to keep it’s components cool. A byproduct of this continuous cooling process is dust. Many of the dust particles that get sucked into the computer will become caught on the sharp edges of the internal components and just stay there.
Why is dust bad for your computer? Here are three reasons:
First of all, dust can clog fans and heat-sinks, which restrict airflow and leads to overheating.
Secondly, dust collects on the circuitry and can cause electrical shorts, which can lead to malfunctions, instability and lost data.
Third, it can insulate hot components, keeping them from cooling off properly- much like a sweater can insulate your body in the winter.
Long story short, turning off your computer at night stops the fans that would otherwise be pulling more dust into your computer. A computer that is kept on 24/7/365 is going to accumulate far more dust than a computer that’s turned on only half the time.
Our next post (Part Two) will explore why some components undergo a certain amount of “wear and tear” while turned on, and also explain while this can be very bad for both you and your computer.
If you have any questions, or would like to schedule an appointment for computer service in the Fort Collins or Loveland, Colorado area, please give us a call.
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