Unplugging pc at night

[Pea_Head]

Hi, had my gaming pc for 2 days, when Im done on it, I always shut down and then use the power button switch on the case near the psu to switch it off, then switch it on when I want to use it. In addition, I've been doing this and also unplugging my pc power cable from the mains (plug socket) every night. After reading about this, some people say it doesn't increase psu life span but actually shortens it as it is bad to let it fully power down then charge up again, others say that letting it power down is a good thing, and others say it is good as it protects from surges over night. So what do you recommend I do as I don't want to be gradually breaking down my psu and pc with the intention of keeping it healthy haha

 

[wanderer11]

Plug it into a surge protector (or a UPS if you are really concerned). You can leave it running 24/7 if you wish. It's not going to hurt anything. You're just worrying about it to much.

 

[Pea_Head]

I'm not really concerned about surges, I'm in the uk and I don't think I've ever experienced one, mainly I jut have a habit of unplugging things overnight, but I've read alot of different views on unplugging your pc regularly, some good, some bad, so was just wondering whether unplugging it daily is going to cause any damage, or whether I should just keep it plugged into the mains

 

[photonboy]

Plug it into a surge protector (or a UPS if you are really concerned). You can leave it running 24/7 if you wish. It's not going to hurt anything. You're just worrying about it to much.

Agreed.
The only issue really is ensuring you have a surge protector.

You aren't really extending the life of your system by unplugging it. I know they used to say POWER SUPPLIES and MONITORS actually died faster if you constantly started them up rather than leaving them in Standby but I'm not sure where we stand on that today.

A quality Power Supply can easily outlast the rest of your computer.

My advice is thus:
1. Get a half decent Surge Protector
2. Turn OFF the PC or Hibernate it
3. Leave monitor ON always (will auto standby)

 

[Pea_Head]

Ahh ok, and may I ask why I keep monitor on standby, again like my pc I turn it off with the button and then unplug it overnight haha

 

[wanderer11]

You should just leave it plugged in and leave the psu switch on. The only time I would ever unplug mine is if there was a thunderstorm.

 

[geofelt]

I see no value is disconnecting the psu after a shutdown.

Personally, I rarely shut down. I use sleep to ram(S3). It goes into a minimal low power state in 2-3 seconds and wakes up equally fast.

If you have unreliable electrical power, I suggest you buy a small UPS. It will condition the power and protect you from surges when running. You only need a battery good for 5 minutes, long enough to save work and shut down gracefully.
Look first to APC for a quality unit.

 

[Pea_Head]

Ahh ok I'll keep in on from now on, just because I usually go bed late then don't get on it till 5-6pm the next day due to college and going gym. However, I'de to know why I should always keep my monitor on standby instead of turning it off

 

[photonboy]

Ahh ok, and may I ask why I keep monitor on standby, again like my pc I turn it off with the button and then unplug it overnight haha

It's been argued that turning the monitor OFF and ON may actually reduce the lifespan slightly (Power Supply component) but as I said I'm not certain of that. That did use to be the case but component quality has increased.

There's no indication that it lasts any LONGER that I can find, and unplugging seems a big hassle.

 

[Pea_Head]

Ahh ok, well thanks for the help guys, all answers were helpful

 

[deadlyghost]

See never get a UPS... instead get a surge/spike protector....
Unplugging, as all said, does not decrease/increase your computer's life span... nor it does any harm to PSU or Monitor...

See I also unplug my PC when I shut it down after gaming/work... Sometimes I forget unplugging and leave it as it is.. This never increased or decreased my PC's life span....

I have my monitor(Acer H235H 23"inch) running almost 2 years from now PERFECTLY, unplugging it almost every time....
And for unplugging I mean unplugging from the sockets(mains)...

As you said you have a gaming PC I again prefer you not to get a UPS as a UPS cannot handle much electric load that a gaming PC wants... I had a UPS which could not hold much of my gaming PC and broke after few months of usage... I got a higher version/stronger UPS and it also broke after more few months of usage.. But this time I can still use the UPS but when electricity goes my PC shut downs immediately...

So get a Surge/Spike Protector to protect your gaming PC from unwanted surges...

 

[Guest]

To sum up, buy a surge protector and plug all your pc equipment into it, then at night wheb your turning things off shut down your pc in Windows then put your monitor in standby, a ups is only necessary For if you are doing vital work imo its a waste of money. Have a nice Christmas

 

[photonboy]

Surge Protector, UPS, and Surge Suppressors:

Surge Protector:
The cheapest option. Protects from most surges.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA20T17X5232

UPS:
Battery backup that usually has some surge protection or suppression.
*WARNING: many models won't work with modern Power Supplies containing a PFC circuit (most good ones)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16842102133

There's a slightly cheaper model (less Wattage supported) but note this model has "PFC" in the name meaning it does support modern Power Supplies with this PFC circuit.

Surge Suppressor:
Some call this a LINE CONDITIONER. It's for when you have varying voltage on the line that may damage a device. We had problems with this so I bought THIS device for our expensive Plasma HDTV: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812106005