Is it better to leave permanently on ?

[BikeRider]

Hello

About 8 months ago I bought a mini PC which I use primarily as a music server. I also have a TV tuner card, and record stuff off Freeview using MediaCenter. It has performed faultlessly since day one. I tend to leave it on all the time (mainly through laziness). Would it be better to switch it off when I'm not using it ?

 

[PCS]

Welcome to our forums

Leaving your PC on permanently uses more power, and will result in any moving components wearning out quicker. Either way is fine, as they're designed to be "always on" and like a car, parts are more likely to wait when they're turned on/off many times, because the expansion and contraction of the components as they heat up also contributes to the life of the product.

 

[BikeRider]

Thanks for the response.

The MTBF for a Western Digital Green Caviar is 750,000 hours. According to my ropey maths this would be over 12 years if left permanently on. More than enough for me!