Question Is it safe to leave my PC on 24/7 with an AIO?

[BinaryData]

Hello Everyone,

I'm not new here, but haven't posted in quite some time. I'm no stranger to building computers, but I am a stranger to using AIOs/Water Cooling. As the title asks, "Is it safe to leave my PC on 24/7 with an AIO?" To give some background, I play a handful of games (Counter Strike 2, EVE Online, & Black Desert Online). I'm mostly on Black Desert Online, and leave my PC running 24/7. I'm wondering how safe is it to do that?

Here is my PC build to give you a better idea of what I'm rocking.

CPU: Intel i9-13900K 3Ghz 24-Core
CPU ILM: Thermal Grizzly Intel Contact Frame 12th Gen
CPU Cooler: Arctic Liquid Freezer II 420
MOBO: ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero
RAM: G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB 64GB DDR5 6400 CL32
NVMe0: Samsung 970 EVO Plus 2TB PCIe 3.0 X4
GPU: MSI RTX 3060 Ti VENTUS 3X 8GD6X OC (Being replaced with a 4090)
CASE: Fractal Design Torrent ATX Mid Tower (Case is modded to fit 420 Rad)
PSU: SeaSonic PRIME PX-1300 Fully Modular
OS: Windows 11 Pro
FANS0: Fractal Design Prisma AL 140mm x3
FANS1: Fractal Design Prisma AL 180mm x2

 

[USAFRet]

I do. Both my current system, and the one preceding.

 

[COLGeek]

Yes, it is fine.

 

[BinaryData]

Awesome. I figured it would be OK, but after dropping the amount of money I have on this system, the paranoia starts to trickle in.

 

[bill001g]

I'd be more worried when you put a 4090 in the machine. Since nobody really knows how or when the power cables on a 4090 work themselves loose and melt I would rather be using the machine where maybe you smell it before it gets really bad.
Then again the 4090 should not be using much power when you are not really using the machine.

 

[punkncat]

Just me thinking out loud a bit, but why? As in why would you leave a system on 24/7?
Is it propping up a service/server (think Plex, etc.) or running something in the background?

I am not particularly an environmentalist or anything but IMO you have not only the waste of power ongoing while not in use, but also all those on hours when not needed. At the very least it is costing you money to be on and also building up dust all the time instead of just while you are present. Most AIO are good for ~5yr, which will also be counting down simply being on for no one.

I have not been one to understand the reasoning behind doing so outside of the comment(s) above.

(I am also a light switch Nazi, so there is that consideration)

 

[BinaryData]

I'd be more worried when you put a 4090 in the machine. Since nobody really knows how or when the power cables on a 4090 work themselves loose and melt I would rather be using the machine where maybe you smell it before it gets really bad.
Then again the 4090 should not be using much power when you are not really using the machine.

I was worried about the 4090 and all the issues with the power. I was told to use an aftermarket cable instead of the one that came with my PSU. But that was going to be another question to ask in another thread.

Just me thinking out loud a bit, but why? As in why would you leave a system on 24/7?
Is it propping up a service/server (think Plex, etc.) or running something in the background?

I am not particularly an environmentalist or anything but IMO you have not only the waste of power ongoing while not in use, but also all those on hours when not needed. At the very least it is costing you money to be on and also building up dust all the time instead of just while you are present. Most AIO are good for ~5yr, which will also be counting down simply being on for no one.

I have not been one to understand the reasoning behind doing so outside of the comment(s) above.

(I am also a light switch Nazi, so there is that consideration)

Well, Black Desert Online has two play styles. Donate Time or Swipe. I prefer to note swipe and donate to the company that treats it's players like trash and a piggy bank. So I leave my PC on because power is far cheaper than swiping. If things keep progressing with this game company the way they are, then I'll be done with gaming completely.

It's winter time for me right now, I generally keep my apartment pretty cold to compensate for the heat generation.

 

[USAFRet]

I was worried about the 4090 and all the issues with the power. I was told to use an aftermarket cable instead of the one that came with my PSU. But that was going to be another question to ask in another thread.

Please...do elaborate on this!

 

[punkncat]

Well, Black Desert Online has two play styles. Donate Time or Swipe. I prefer to note swipe and donate to the company that treats it's players like trash and a piggy bank. So I leave my PC on because power is far cheaper than swiping. If things keep progressing with this game company the way they are, then I'll be done with gaming completely.

It's winter time for me right now, I generally keep my apartment pretty cold to compensate for the heat generation.

I am not familiar with that game or aspect, so not really sure I have an understanding of those comments.

As to the heat generation, I completely get that one. My gaming PC is essentially a heater in cold weather.

 

[BinaryData]

Please...do elaborate on this!

I'm not sure if it was specifically because of my PSU, but I was told to get an after market cable because the connectors have higher QC than the standard PSU manufacturer. I'll ask them the next time I see them. The 4 090 scares me, but I've always built budget PCs. I've never built a high end, best of the best, this is my first time.

If this thought process is wrong, let me know. I'd prefer to not waste money and base my purchases off a single persons opinion.

I am not familiar with that game or aspect, so not really sure I have an understanding of those comments.

As to the heat generation, I completely get that one. My gaming PC is essentially a heater in cold weather.

Alright, so in BDO, you can pay to get the items via selling cash shop items for silver, or you can spend time playing the game to get the same thing. It's Cash vs Time, and I'd rather spend time getting it. But the game company is on a down hill roll with changes and they've pissed off a huge chunk of their players.

 

[USAFRet]

I'm not sure if it was specifically because of my PSU, but I was told to get an after market cable because the connectors have higher QC than the standard PSU manufacturer. I'll ask them the next time I see them. The 4 090 scares me, but I've always built budget PCs. I've never built a high end, best of the best, this is my first time.

If this thought process is wrong, let me know. I'd prefer to not waste money and base my purchases off a single persons opinion.

Which cable?
From the wall, or from the PSU to the GPU?

Yes, the 4090 has 'power issues' regarding the cable. But you can't just slap in any random different cable from the PSU.

 

[ilukey77]

I was worried about the 4090 and all the issues with the power. I was told to use an aftermarket cable instead of the one that came with my PSU. But that was going to be another question to ask in another thread.


Well, Black Desert Online has two play styles. Donate Time or Swipe. I prefer to note swipe and donate to the company that treats it's players like trash and a piggy bank. So I leave my PC on because power is far cheaper than swiping. If things keep progressing with this game company the way they are, then I'll be done with gaming completely.

It's winter time for me right now, I generally keep my apartment pretty cold to compensate for the heat generation.

LMAO black desert the AFK game.. 90% of everything played in BDO is afk ..
my xbox one x spends a few weeks never getting turned off when im in the mood to play BDO ..
play for a few hours set up afk fishing or lvling a horse then leave it for a day rinse and repeat !!

 

[BinaryData]

Which cable?
From the wall, or from the PSU to the GPU?

Yes, the 4090 has 'power issues' regarding the cable. But you can't just slap in any random different cable from the PSU.

From the PSU to GPU.

LMAO black desert the AFK game.. 90% of everything played in BDO is afk ..
my xbox one x spends a few weeks never getting turned off when im in the mood to play BDO ..
play for a few hours set up afk fishing or lvling a horse then leave it for a day rinse and repeat !!

Pretty much, though I've been running into issues as of today that I can't explain but I'll post those in a different thread. Need to stay on topic as best we can

 

[USAFRet]

From the PSU to GPU.

Whoever gave you that advice, without a specific recommendation of a specific cable that is tested to work....that person is totally clueless.

Aftermarket cables from the PSU to components are absolutely NOT standardized.
The only ones that should be used are the ones that came with the PSU.

Now...for the 4090....you have to be very very very careful about it being connected and seated properly.

 

[ilukey77]

Whoever gave you that advice, without a specific recommendation of a specific cable that is tested to work....that person is totally clueless.

Aftermarket cables from the PSU to components are absolutely NOT standardized.
The only ones that should be used are the ones that came with the PSU.

Now...for the 4090....you have to be very very very careful about it being connected and seated properly.

yes 100% be very careful with a 4090 .. in fact if OP plans on 24/7 BDO i would recommend using a different GPU ..
4090 monster card best of the best no doubt i just dont trust that 12vhpwr cable !!

might be fine but personally i wouldnt take the risk !!