How long will it last?

[pyrate83]

I was wondering if things like your CPU, memory, or graphics cards will just eventually wear out? Anybody know or ever had it happen?

[stiltman]

I was wondering if things like your CPU, memory, or graphics cards will just eventually wear out? Anybody know or ever had it happen?

I have a TRS-80 model 1 that still works and it's 23 years old

[holistic]

CPU, memory, or graphics cards and the like rarely fail without some help. By that i mean most of today electronics are fairly reliable but HEAT and STATIC are their worst enemies.

The best prevention is to keep your computer dust free and in a cool space. Don't open the case with out first grounding yourself to the case. Any difference in potential voltage may result in a 'shock' to the computer.

I typically (unless working on CPU's) don't bother with a static strap once i have 'grounded' myself to the case.

electro migration is a concern of "wear" if you overclock, but hey lets be realistic here, if you get 3 years out of a CPU you have done very well.

Unless you plan on running the same software years from now , i wouldn't be to concerned , since the software will dictate CPU/memory/Graphic upgrades long before the actual hardware dies.

NOTE :
My PIII 700 has been running at 966Mhz for over 18 mths now with 25 degree idles and 37 when MPEG encoding. No problems ...yet !

][

[housepig]

the only components I've had die on me yet have been hard drives, cd-roms and floppy drives. well, some cables too.

but processors, ram, mobo's, cards? I've had ram that I've had on a keychain for months, put it back in a machine and had it work...

[Doggiedaddy]

Please feel free to correct me if I am wrong. I believe that the DELL corporation many years back invented and incorporates a shelf life module in all their hardware. Where as to say within 1 month of the warranty ending all the hardware starts a irreversibly self destruct pattern. I of course can not prove this but both the units I purchased for my wife had this system incorporated in them I believe. Not only the computer components but also in the 19" monitors. All the components failed just after the DELL warranty expired. Well I have done a work around now. I DO NOT BUY DELL crap, I build her machines just like I do my own, hence problem solved.

[pyrate83]

I don't know if I have ever heard that about Dell....although I wouldn't doubt some truth to what you said. Personally, I never buy Dell...never have nor will I ever.

Easy to buy, easy to own, easy to KILL!

[Will Hay]

Please feel free to correct me if I am wrong. I believe that the DELL corporation many years back invented and incorporates a shelf life module in all their hardware. Where as to say within 1 month of the warranty ending all the hardware starts a irreversibly self destruct pattern.

OMG, you're serious, aren't you?

Will

[Doggiedaddy]

Will, you have now entered the Dell zone. LOL

[freak_in_cage_10k]

in short, the mechanical parts of a pc are more likely to wear out first, fans and cd drives etc.

the electrical components (cpus, MBs etc) should last for ages, especially if a constant supply is placed through them (eg not turning off the pc and stable supply!) also, holistic is correct when he says that heat & static are major enemies