How long is it safe to run a computer non-stop?

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  1. Posts : 394
    Home Premium 64 bit
       #1

    How long is it safe to run a computer non-stop?


    I wish to gather statistics concerning my internet connection's behaviour as reported by my router over an extended period. I am using a monitor similar to Routerstats, which will only record when the computer is fully on.

    Would running the computer as per title for, say, up to a fortnight be safe for it?
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  2. Posts : 19,383
    Windows 10 Pro x64 ; Xubuntu x64
       #2

    Yes no problem, just turn Windows automatic updates off, or some of them could trigger a reboot.
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  3. Posts : 13,576
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #3

    Servers run 24/7 365 days a year, it`s perfectly fine to leave a pc on, eventually you will have to replace the hard drives and any other part that goes south.
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  4. Posts : 6,075
    Windows 7 Professional 64 bit
       #4

    Yeah don't sweat it, I can't actually remember the last time I turned my lounge PC off. Must be a good month at least.
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  5. mtp
    Posts : 96
    Server 2012 R2, Windows 8.1 , W7 ultimate x64
       #5

    AddRAM said:
    Servers run 24/7 365 days a year, it`s perfectly fine to leave a pc on, eventually you will have to replace the hard drives and any other part that goes south.
    In general, I agree with this - however, remember that servers are well ventilated and use enterprise hdds which are designed for 24/7 use. Consumer hard drives are not.

    In my experience, I have repurposed an old rig into a home server which has been running 24/7 (except for reboots to install updates) for about 3 years. I had a RAM module go after 2 years (although it was already a couple of years old) and just had a hard drive go. I replaced it with a WD Red drive which is designed for 24/7 use.

    Back to your question - as long as ventilation is good, a fortnight should not be any problem.
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  6. Posts : 5,092
    Windows 7 32 bit
       #6

    If you aren't serving files to the public then I don't think you need be concerned with HD wear. So it would seem ventilation and ambient temperature would be the main proviso. If the room has A/C then you should be golden.
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  7. Posts : 6,741
    W7 Pro x64 SP1 | W10 Pro IP x64 | W8.1 Pro x64 VM | Linux Mint VM
       #7

    We have literally hundreds of small form factor i7 Dells at work that rarely get turned off. If ever. Some of the ones in our fitting shop have been running for six months or more without being turned off.
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  8. Posts : 9,600
    Win 7 Ultimate 64 bit
       #8

    The only time I turn my desktop computer off is when I run updates that require a reboot, something goes a bit wonky and needs a reboot to sort it out, or I go out of town. Otherwise, it runs 24/7.
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  9. Posts : 757
    Win10 Pro 64-bit
       #9

    I've been running the Folding@Home distributed computing client 24/7 on home computers since 2004. This means my CPU is running at 100% load almost all the time (the exception is during software installs and uninstalls, and video and audio work (captures, editing, burning to disc)).

    I make sure that there's plenty of filtered air for cooling, with dressed cables, Noctua fans and foam filter media in use, regular blasts of canned air for the really fine stuff, modding my case if necessary, and I never overclock. My CPU temp never goes above 53°c even on the hottest summer days. I have Windows Updates on full manual so the comp won't reboot on its own. I'd say my computer is switched off for maybe three hours a week.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 394
    Home Premium 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #10

    Thanks guys!
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