[SOLVED] Shut Down or Run 24/7?

[mjda]

This is primarily a question for those of you with an AIO cooler in your system, but probably for anyone who uses any type of water cooling in your system.

I recently saw a video on YouTube where the guy was explaining that you should shut your PC down when you're not going to be around just in case things start to leak. That way you can be there to notice it and possibly fix the issue before it causes damage to your components.

I recently built a new PC, with a Corsair AIO in the top of the case and the plan was to leave it running 24/7. I turn the lights off at night, and back on the next day. In all honesty, I'm not sure I look closely enough at my tower to where I'd even notice a leak in my case until the whole thing was flooded so I'm not sure me being there would change things if a leak were to happen.

My question is, how many of you shut your system down during the day/night, or whenever you're not using it, and how many of you simply leave it running all the time?

 

[Eximo]

I shut down my gaming PC. It uses a good 500W when gaming. Unless your PC is doing something while idle, doesn't make a lot of sense to leave it running. Back when computers took 5 minutes to boot it was a little more justifiable (also more likely for the PSU to pop back then from inrush)

I purpose built a media/HTPC/browsing box around an i3-4130T (now an underclocked 4770k) that is completely air/passively cooled.

As for flooding your PC, not that likely. The amount of fluid in an AIO isn't huge, and leaks tend to start small and evaporate in the warm environment. Not likely to just burst open and spill everything out at once. Normal dusting schedule should keep you pretty safe. Look around the pump and tubes for discoloration or deposits. Check the back of your GPU (in the normal orientation) for anything that dripped on it.

My old H80i leaked in a computer. It caused a shutdown but everything was fine, just cleaned everything, slapped an air cooler in it, and it was all good.