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6

In my experience, I have not had any problems with any computer's real-time clock when there is no external power source—only when the CMOS battery actually stops working.
– bwDraco
Commented Apr 19, 2011 at 17:01
8

The clock is equally as accurate on battery or off. It depends on a crystal providing a timing signal. It's not highly accurate and depends on the operating system re-syncing it. In windows, I believe the default is weekly over the web.
– Knox
Commented Apr 19, 2011 at 17:28
4

Actually, real time clocks do have different error ratings for battery (low-power) vs standard operation. You may have seen the case where your CMOS chip was close to accurate, but the overall specs do differ.
– Michaelkay
Commented Apr 19, 2011 at 18:02
2

A typical RTC spec sheet datasheets.maxim-ic.com/en/ds/DS1307.pdf shows that the timing does vary with the voltage, but only by less than 1 part in a million. I don't think that has any practical significance. More critical than the voltage is the temperature.
– Knox
Commented Apr 19, 2011 at 21:33

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