Folding Forum

I want to donate as much as I can, so long as it doesn't hurt my computer.

Generally the answer is yes. If your computer has temperature issues or fan issues I'd be cautious.

Is it a laptop? I'd be paranoid for they can have real issues folding. Specifically batteries and temperature/fans. Always fold on AC and never on batteries. Make sure that the pause folding upon battery option turned on to protect your batteries from being drained accidentally. Make sure that the heat the laptop produces has somewhere to go and monitor its temperature. As long as it stays reasonable there isn't a problem

If it is built and maintained properly, it is safe. I have four PCs folding 24/7 and I've always left my PCs on since ~1991.

I don't fold w/my laptop as it is far more difficult to clean and I don't want it sucking dust. It's GPU is pretty weak anyway.

I own a desktop and a laptop, and both are folding 24/7. Some laptops are better at keeping themselves cool than others. My Asus N61V-series is designed well and has quiet fans and the temperatures are kept in the safe range. It's been folding 24/7 for two years with no significant problems. Desktops are better than laptops at cooling themselves, but the mobile hardware in laptops is often designed to withstand higher temperatures. Most motherboards will also shut down the computer if the fans aren't adequately cooling the system. In summary, IMO it should be fine but it doesn't hurt to be careful and watch the temperatures just to be safe.

I don't disagree; my N51Vn folded great for a few days and there would never be an issue; I just didn't want to have to clean it monthly as, unlike my desktops, the laptop case doesn't have air filters or facilitate cleaning with quick disassembly. I didn't want to scare anyone off.

Rolo wrote:I don't disagree; my N51Vn folded great for a few days and there would never be an issue; I just didn't want to have to clean it monthly as, unlike my desktops, the laptop case doesn't have air filters or facilitate cleaning with quick disassembly. I didn't want to scare anyone off.

My laptop has a removable panel right over the CPU/GPU/RAM assembly, and the side of the fan is also exposed. Kyle, the accumulation of dust can cause higher temperatures as it slows air flow, but at least in my laptop blowing out dust using a can of compressed air isn't a big deal. Most of the dust accumulates on the fan, and in my case it's not difficult to remove it. I usually like to do this once every 3 or 4 months or so, but again it depends on the laptop's design and how hard the fan has to work. YMMV Kyle. Dust accumulation also occurs in desktops, but at least there you can see it.

Kyle_Brandtjen wrote:I want to donate as much as I can, so long as it doesn't hurt my computer.

Hello Kyle,

the answer to this question has not changed since the last three times you asked...

is running your computer 24/7 with folding@home ok? [Yes]
how much wear and tear does FH 5.03 cause?
Will running 4 clients at once damage my computer?

sorry i forgot ive asked before

7im wrote:

Kyle_Brandtjen wrote:I want to donate as much as I can, so long as it doesn't hurt my computer.

Hello Kyle,

the answer to this question has not changed since the last three times you asked...

is running your computer 24/7 with folding@home ok? [Yes]
how much wear and tear does FH 5.03 cause?
Will running 4 clients at once damage my computer?

I fold 24/7 with my laptop, no problems at all.

RMouse wrote:I fold 24/7 with my laptop, no problems at all.

So do I...and it comes with its own built-in UPS.