Even though there are no moving parts, motherboards are very complex and delicate in their designs. As the focal point for everything else on your system, small malfunctions can have catastrophic effects. Motherboard lifespan is also difficult to gauge, as accounting for individual user habits and local environments are almost impossible. Still, a Puget Systems study found that "while motherboards seem to be getting more and more complex," the overall failure rate was just "2.
A HardWare. The biggest reason for motherboard failure is that the capacitors deteriorate over time and become exhausted. Sometimes the capacitors will even leak, potentially damaging other hardware components. You can replace a capacitor, but it is a non-trivial DIY operation that you may be uncomfortable completing yourself. Typically, a motherboard can last for a long time. If treated well and kept clean, a motherboard can last for up to 20 years or even more.
What you'll find is that the hardware available to that motherboard becomes obsolete, and you may need to upgrade to the latest hardware, but the motherboard itself should continue working just fine. Keep your computer away from environmental hazards like excess moisture or extra-dry air, which can promote static build-up. In addition, excess heat can sometimes cause a motherboard to warp , leading to shorts and broken components.
But the best thing you can do to prevent motherboard failures is never to touch the motherboard. Of course, that's hyperbole—you obviously have to touch it to install or replace parts.
But try to limit the motherboard's exposure outside of the PC case. When touching the motherboard, be sure to ground yourself first so you don't accidentally shock and fry the motherboard itself.
A computer cannot function without one, because that's where the operating system resides, so it's crucial to your system. If it dies, you'll need to get a replacement ASAP. HDDs are mechanical—they have moving parts—and will physically break down over time. The platter might get scratched, the head might stop reading, or the parts might become "paralyzed" by a power surge.
SSDs are based on flash memory chips, so they have no moving parts. However, they have unreliable long-term data retention, they are more susceptible to extreme temperatures, and power outages can lead to data corruption. Most SSDs should last at least ten years, if not more, depending on usage.
Studies on SSD lifespan usually find that the year prospective lifespan is a good range to work on. HDDs are a bit more temperamental due to their moving parts and have a shorter prospective lifespan, usually delivering up to five years of usage. Some drives will last longer with minimal use, but those under heavy stress and constant use will stop working sooner.
No matter which kind of data drive you have, it's always a good idea to invest in a good surge protector. Electrical surges can cause a lot of harm to all kinds of devices, not just PC parts. Avoid extreme temperatures when possible. Refer to your data drive's manual for safe operating temperatures. This means cleaning dust out of your computer to ensure good air circulation and prevent overheating! Other than that, it's mostly about buying a good model from a reputable brand. The next time you're shopping for a data drive, check out our articles on some things to consider when buying a hard drive or a solid-state drive.
RAM is vital for a pleasant computer experience, and it's one of the first parts you should upgrade if you want to speed up your PC performance. How much do you need? Well, it depends, but 8GB is the current norm, with many enthusiasts and gamers pushing towards 16GB and 32GB systems.
Of all of the computer hardware components, RAM has the lowest relative rate of failure. So replacing hardware components like graphics cards and RAM might be necessary. Insufficient RAM is the usual culprit, so people always upgrade the top piece of hardware before buying a new computer altogether. Aside from your desktop computer slowing down , freezing, overheating, and having hardware issues, you may also need to look out for other problems that could eventually signal a need for an upgrade.
These include:. If replacing the parts might see you spending more than buying an entirely new computer, the latter would be more practical. Moreover, if your current computer is not compatible with more recent OS versions, it may not be eligible for updates. For example, does your computer support biometric security? Does it require strong passwords? Noisy fans also indicate that your computer is nearing the end of its life.
This minimum price tag is for computer models with basic features. The system is quiet and has RGB lighting to make it look awesome. It also comes with 1-year parts and labor warranty and free lifetime tech support. On average, a desktop computer lasts three to four years, but it could last much longer with proper care and maintenance. So, there really is no need for you to replace it with a new one after it hits the three-year mark.
One excellent thing about desktop computers is that they have long-lasting hardware and removable components that you can easily upgrade. In addition, if one component needs replacement, the rest of the computer is still good and functional. Skip to content Everyone wants the best desktop computer they can buy.
View on Amazon. Toggle Menu Close. Search for: Search. The more you spend initially, the longer the parts will last without becoming obsolete. My friend has an 8 year old system that was practically a supercomputer when it came out.
He upgraded the gpu once and it performs on par with consoles. He is due for a second gpu upgrade however. Guest Guest. You must log in or register to reply here. Is the choice of components good? Systems 5 Sep 14, Question My Dream PC as of now. Post thread. Question Super giving me worse frames than a ? Started by Small-Change Oct 7, Replies: Graphics Cards. News Comments.
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