CPU Usage

[Guest]

If you use a program that utilizes 100% of your cpu during idle time does it wear down the cpu the same if you had the computer just idling?

 

[Guest]

What kind of wear are you referring to? A CPU is not a mechanical device and is not subject to wear, as it is simply an electrical device. As for the difference between idle and 100% usage, I think you answered that yourself. Idle is idle, very low load on the CPU, 100% load is just that, 100% load. What you need to be aware of is that at 100% usage your heatsink and fan needs to be able to maintain the temperature so the CPU does not overheat. Also, at 100% usage your CPU will be consuming maximum power for the rated speed of your CPU, meaning that your power supply will always have a significant load on it. Power Supplys are one of the common components to fail in a computer, usually do to overheating because the load is more than the power supply is rated for, or two, the fan fails causing an overheat, or three, the power supply was a crap unit to begin with, cheaply built. As long as all your components are up to specs, fans in good working order, the only thing that 100% usage will do is consume more electricity, and act as a small heater. Case ventilation is very important in a case where 100% usage is a consideration, as the additional heat from the CPU will raise the temp in everything inside the case without some type of additional case cooling.