F5F Stay Refreshed Hardware Desktop Pc save electricity

Pc save electricity

Pc save electricity

L
Lighter256
Junior Member
44
03-12-2023, 03:27 PM
#1
I gave my father my old computer, and with his older one he would connect the PSU cable whenever he wasn’t using it. Now he’s wondering if removing the PSU cord from the power supply or flipping the electricity switch when not using the PC could cause damage. Also, he’s thinking about saving energy.
L
Lighter256
03-12-2023, 03:27 PM #1

I gave my father my old computer, and with his older one he would connect the PSU cable whenever he wasn’t using it. Now he’s wondering if removing the PSU cord from the power supply or flipping the electricity switch when not using the PC could cause damage. Also, he’s thinking about saving energy.

V
victoria5a
Member
60
03-14-2023, 03:16 AM
#2
It is advised to turn off power entirely when leaving or during electrical storms. Doing so won't harm your electronics.
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victoria5a
03-14-2023, 03:16 AM #2

It is advised to turn off power entirely when leaving or during electrical storms. Doing so won't harm your electronics.

B
Bballboy33
Junior Member
5
03-14-2023, 10:15 AM
#3
When the PC is turned off/shut down, it wont consume any power, so removing the PSU cord wont
save
any electricity. Although, as the above user mentioned, its always good to unplug when there's a bad weather condition outside.
There is
no
risk of damaging components when unplugging the power cable, assuming the PC is
fully shut down
beforehand.
B
Bballboy33
03-14-2023, 10:15 AM #3

When the PC is turned off/shut down, it wont consume any power, so removing the PSU cord wont
save
any electricity. Although, as the above user mentioned, its always good to unplug when there's a bad weather condition outside.
There is
no
risk of damaging components when unplugging the power cable, assuming the PC is
fully shut down
beforehand.

X
xNoBeef
Member
133
03-14-2023, 10:29 AM
#4
Not completely accurate.
In older AT power systems, the power switch functioned as a physical break from AC supply.
For ATX setups, when the computer is connected but powered off, the PSU remains active, supplying a standby load and generating 5V. This signal tells the switch to initiate startup and deliver all necessary voltages.
In newer electronics, this power draw is minimal—possibly under a watt—and USB ports may still supply energy when the machine is off, usually marked with a power icon or distinct color.
When either the power strip or PSU is disconnected, it cannot draw power. For practical use, it's safer to replace a power strip switch than the standard outlets.
X
xNoBeef
03-14-2023, 10:29 AM #4

Not completely accurate.
In older AT power systems, the power switch functioned as a physical break from AC supply.
For ATX setups, when the computer is connected but powered off, the PSU remains active, supplying a standby load and generating 5V. This signal tells the switch to initiate startup and deliver all necessary voltages.
In newer electronics, this power draw is minimal—possibly under a watt—and USB ports may still supply energy when the machine is off, usually marked with a power icon or distinct color.
When either the power strip or PSU is disconnected, it cannot draw power. For practical use, it's safer to replace a power strip switch than the standard outlets.

H
Hypersnake
Member
208
03-18-2023, 09:59 AM
#5
this is purely negligible.
H
Hypersnake
03-18-2023, 09:59 AM #5

this is purely negligible.

D
DreamDragon
Member
201
03-20-2023, 03:49 AM
#6
It is, but it remains something. The time between failures for components is measured in hours, and regardless of how little work they perform, this MTBE reduces it. On old equipment that isn't used often, it's always a good idea to switch it off.
D
DreamDragon
03-20-2023, 03:49 AM #6

It is, but it remains something. The time between failures for components is measured in hours, and regardless of how little work they perform, this MTBE reduces it. On old equipment that isn't used often, it's always a good idea to switch it off.

0
001Evan
Junior Member
12
03-20-2023, 05:10 AM
#7
The savings from turning off a powered-off PC are very small.
Regarding reliability, I suspect the physical act of plugging in or unplugging a power cord could cause more harm.
Unless electricity expenses are extremely high, I wouldn’t even turn off the PC.
Consider using sleep instead of hibernation.
Electricity usage is minimal, and switching on/off takes only a few seconds.
0
001Evan
03-20-2023, 05:10 AM #7

The savings from turning off a powered-off PC are very small.
Regarding reliability, I suspect the physical act of plugging in or unplugging a power cord could cause more harm.
Unless electricity expenses are extremely high, I wouldn’t even turn off the PC.
Consider using sleep instead of hibernation.
Electricity usage is minimal, and switching on/off takes only a few seconds.