Always

Always take regular PTO time. Try to "maximize" PTO time in "unlimited" PTO company. Most "unlimited" PTO companies are OK with 4 - 6 weeks of PTO. Some companies will allow more. Try to take as much time off as possible. Taking PTO time WILL NOT affect performance. If you are high performer, you deserve time off to relax. If you are low performer, there are bigger issues, PTO time will not affect low performance. Go do something interesting and fun. If not, just sit in a dark room for a week. Whatever you do, ALWAYS take regular PTO time.