Does voltage itself damage the CPU?

beany_bot · 11 Dec 2015 at 14:19

I was wondering. People say high voltages will shorten the lifespan of the CPU. Is this simply due to the fact that higher voltages cause more heat, in turn the heat shortening the lifespan of the CPU? or does the voltage itself, regardless of heat play a role?

For example. If you could (theoretically) get 1.5v through your CPU but remaining at 40 degrees under load. Are you shortening the lifespan of the CPU still? Just curious.

tom_e · 11 Dec 2015 at 14:20

It causes break down of the transistors within the silicon regardless of the heat IIRC.

Captain Fizz · 11 Dec 2015 at 15:27

tom_e said:
It causes break down of the transistors within the silicon regardless of the heat IIRC.

This.
The heat doesn't help either...

mmj_uk · 11 Dec 2015 at 20:56

CPU's will generally outlast a motherboards lifespan though and overvolting will probably accelerate the death of the motherboard more so than the processor, particularly if the VRM's are running hot.

new boy · 11 Dec 2015 at 21:17

CPUs are damaged by electromigration.

High voltage causes high electromigration

Low temperatures lower electromigration.

A cpu at 1.4v @ 40c will degrade faster than a cpu at 1.3v @ 40c

It's possibleto have a cpu at higher voltage degrade slower than a cpu a lower voltage if you can get the temperature low enough.

Note - I'm simply repeating what others have said, it's theory crafting as far as I know, as it's not really something you can prove.

wazza300 · 11 Dec 2015 at 21:31

Its the electrons bouncing into each other that causes heat far as I know,the more voltage the more electrons and the more heat created

Hence the need for ln2,the more you can cool the CPU the less the electrons collide into each other to create heat

So as long as you can cool the CPU well enough then the amount of voltage used is less important? That's how I understand it anyway

Rroff · 11 Dec 2015 at 21:44

new boy said:
CPUs are damaged by electromigration.

High voltage causes high electromigration

Low temperatures lower electromigration.

A cpu at 1.4v @ 40c will degrade faster than a cpu at 1.3v @ 40c

It's possibleto have a cpu at higher voltage degrade slower than a cpu a lower voltage if you can get the temperature low enough.

Note - I'm simply repeating what others have said, it's theory crafting as far as I know, as it's not really something you can prove.

Its pretty much what happens - hence why the good old D9GMH ICs would prematurely fail with a voltage bump even with additional cooling.