The computer you are sitting in front of now is probably about 98% idle at this moment, and on average over the whole time it is switched on - even when you're working hard, it is doing almost nothing.
This spare time can be used by large Internet-based projects, known as 'distributed computing projects', using your computer's spare time, and that of thousands of other computers on the Internet, to perform tasks that would otherwise require expensive supercomputers. In effect, your computer becomes part of a distributed supercomputer.
There are many distributed computing projects on the Internet - performing a range of different computing tasks. However, surely one of the most useful tasks is in the area of the 'life sciences' - basically, your computer's spare time can be used to screen molecules in a virtual drug-screening project. This research is done in tandem with scientists in a variety of organisations who are researching new treatments for diseases such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, and others.
When your computer is such as powerful resource, and given that it is idle for so much of the time, please consider joining a distributed computing project that can make the most of this resource, and maybe bring new treatments for diseases closer.
My personal favourite distributing project is Find-a-Drug - please click the link below to find out more. Or look at the full list of distributed computing projects, to choose one you prefer. But please consider joining one!