How does overclocking affect the lifespan of your computer?

[CoderFirstClass]

I've read on various sites that, without question, overclocking decreases the lifespan of your computer. Why is this? How much might it decrease the lifespan by? What are the likely effects of overclocking? What can be done about it? The computer I intend to build will use a Enlight 7237 case, MSI K7T Turbo mainboard, Taisol CGK cooler, and a 1.2GHz Athlon-C. I'm debating between 133 and 150MHz SDRAM, although I doubt that affects this issue. I intend to keep my system for as long as I have a use for it. Thanks.

 

[Darthtanion]

Overclocking shortens the lifespan of a processor because it simply stresses it more than running it at the normal speed.

Will it provide a noticeably shorter lifespan for you? Probably not. By the time that your processor is ready to fry, you'll probably have bought at least two or three newer processors for your system.

 

[Perryg114]

CPU liftime is not a big issue. If your read there are not many instances of CPU failure when overclocked as long as the CPU temperature is kept low. Yes if your were to keep an overclocked CPU at 100% utilization for months on end you might see some premature failures. FOr most of us the CPU might see 1-2 hours of max usage a day. How low will that chip be in there before you want something faster also.

Perry

 

[CoderFirstClass]

So is the CPU the only part of the computer that will be affected by overclocking? I've read that overclocking the FSB (or memory, I forget) also overclocks the AGP and PCI buses. Is this damaging to the cards or does it simply cause them to be unstable at higher frequencies?

 

[twong82]

It may cause damage to your card if you adjust FSB too high

 

[Regalk]

Providing you use common sense - who really cares.

 

[NOS440]

I've personally Overclocked all my systems for the last 6 years and built many overclocked for my friends and have never had a failure of any component yet

 

[RJRD2]

just keep your cpu cool. by the time the damage is done the cpu will be worth 5 bucks

 

[vfrjim]

Who cares, replace it when it fries, new models are always available, usually for a lower price then you paid .

Jim