computer power usage

[spidey_joe80@hotmail.com]

We keep the computer on. and with electricity prices going up i have to ask does the computer use the same ammount of power when you use it as opposed to when its doing nothing all night? I think it goes into sleep mode after about 10min does this moder save a lot of power

[Gomer]

I feel that unless you have a reason for that computer to run all night, shut it off. Booting up takes just a minute. I know it is just a small amount, but waste is waset. It's just a drop in the bucket in the big picture. All those drops eventually fill the bucket. Do it for Mother Earth =)

[dawgtuff]

Your computer and monitor does use less power in standby mode.If you use your computer a few times a day,leave it on and shut it off at night.The reason is because of heat.Heating up and cooling down(turning on and off)can actually loosen the connection of ram,vid and sound cards,etc.Also,electronics like a steady temperature.You can somewhat compare it to a car.Making a lot of short trips in one day is more damaging than one long trip.

[MadMatt]

CNET radio recently had a story about this. They found that a typical desktop machine uses ~75 watts under normal usage and a 17" monitor uses ~140. So if you at least turn off the monitor, leaving the comp running is only as bad a leaving 1 light turned on. Your mileage may vary, of course - some of the OC'd Hot Rod rigs found round here suck down some serious juice!

[spidey_joe80@hotmail.com]

how about this though. Will the computer use more energy when its doing nothing no sleep mode or screen saver as opposed to lets say surfing the internet when its actually "working"? like clicking on links and just using the computer.