At 12:53 PM 11/9/98 -0800, John R Pierce wrote:
>Note that prime95 periodically writes checkpoints to the disk, I have mine
set
>to 120 minutes, but I think the default is 30 minutes. If the disk spindown
>time is greater than the checkpoint time, the disk prime95 is using will
never
>go idle. Modern 3.5" disks use little power when they are just spinning
>idle, and its unclear which is more wear and tear, just spinning, or
>stop/starting a number of times each day.
>
I was of the impression that turning off the disk was mainly to benefit
portables and laptops by saving electricity. At one time I had my desktop HD
to power down, but I soon decided that it wasn't worth it (for a desktop).
