Component Lifespan

rickh

rickh

rickh

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26 Dec 2008
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I was building a new pc and got the chance to re-use a 4 year old 7600gt rather than opt for an integrated graphics mobo.

This got me thinking - how long will computer parts like this survive; my guess is as long as the fan does.

What's the longest lifespan you've had from a component?
 
I also have a 7600gt lying around, its still in pretty good nick and will last a few more years in my opinion. I just put another heatsink fan on it and she runs like a dream as a spare card.
 
it usually depends how the componants are used really

a gpu in a gaming rigs thats always playing games isn't going to last as long as one thats in a system that barely gets turned on.

althou i do have an old gpu that only just fairly recently, its not been used for games for a long time but just had it in an old system for awhile.

it was a GeForce 3 Ti200 that was bought when they first came out and used as my primary gpu for about a year

it was actually the fan that broke it on causing it to fail too
 
I was using a 7 year old card until recently. Still worked fine but it wore out it's second heatsink fan so decided to retire it.
 
Can only be described statistically, or taken as the warranty period.

Various things tend to extend life. Lower operating voltages and temperatures, avoiding static electricity damage. Some things, nvidia chips in cheaper laptops ime, fail through thermal fatigue. No practical way to avoid that one. Electromigration will kill older chips eventually too.

More expensive boards should last longer.
 
Limits to lifespan:
Excessive heat or electrical specification.
New socket or slot specification. New peripherals.
Lifespan of weakest component or part in the system, requiring upgrade.
General upgrades causing parts to be discarded which are still suitable
Software improvements, used to be a main driver, not so much now.
Cost of either upgrading or not upgrading.
Wealth of the individual.
Fashion. Bragging rights.


My clock radio is 28 years old.

andy
 
i tihnk most computer parts will generlaly last beyond the likely life they'll have. It amazed me that some companies put so much advertising behind solid state caps for example. Yes the board will last longer but in reality almost everyone buying one will need another in a few years when they want to upgrade anyway.
 
Todge said:
i tihnk most computer parts will generlaly last beyond the likely life they'll have. It amazed me that some companies put so much advertising behind solid state caps for example. Yes the board will last longer but in reality almost everyone buying one will need another in a few years when they want to upgrade anyway.
Click to expand...

I know of several companies who get as much use out of a pc as possible.
Some are using 8 year old computers still!
 
some ppl not really into computers might have one at home thats been around for years, and they just have no need to ugprade coz they only use it for a few things.

i had a mate who had a 486 DX2 66 for as long as i can remember, he had it since they first become available, i only had an SX25 at the time, and he was still using it when i had upgraded to an Althon XP.

but then hes abit behind the times.
only new peice of technology he has is a nice 40" HD plasma, shame he only uses it with a video recorder
 
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