How long is a CPU supposed to last?

[powerMarkymark]

Sorry for the newbie question.

How long is a CPU supposed to last with no overclocking?

Do AMDs last longer than Intels?

Thanks guys.

 

[sohcrates]

assuming adequate cooling and a good dusting once a year or so, they should last just about forever....or at least well beyond the point you'll be forced to upgrade!

there's still a bunch of the original macintosh's from the late 70's that still boot up.....

 

[Duvie]

Their manufacturers list average life expectancy in hours, ut generally it is longer then your need of its services...It will likely be obsolete for you before it happens...

My p75 from 1995...still running
My p200 pro 1996...still running
My amd k6-2 400 1998...still running
My amd 750 oc'd to 840 2000...still running as far as I know
My amd 1100@1200 2001...still running on friends system

I have never seen one die personally or had it happen to me...I generally upgrade within a year anyways...

if it is retail oc it...be careful with amd and the fact they will not throttle down if something happens and will burn up...but if it was retail it will likely be replaced anyways...


I think amd can run as long as intel, but I would always tend to lean towards the non-oced chip as the longer life, and since many oc amd as it is a major selling point this could lead to skewed numbers in life expectancy.

 

[AndyHui]

Intel's testing process guarantees a processor to operate, free from defects, for seven years.

Given that AMD generally bins their processors a lot closer to their physical limit, theoretically the lifespan of AMD processors would be smaller.

Under normal, unoverclocked conditions with retail cooling, both AMD and Intel processors should last about as long as each other.

Since most people here on these forums will have replaced their processors long before 7 years is up, I don't think it is that much of an issue.

 

[HappyPuppy]

The last company I worked at was still using 386 processors for print servers on all their printers and 286 processors for specialized applications.

 

[CTho9305]

<< Intel's testing process guarantees a processor to operate, free from defects, for seven years.

Given that AMD generally bins their processors a lot closer to their physical limit, theoretically the lifespan of AMD processors would be smaller. >>



i thought the companies guarded that kind of information very carefully!