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View Full Version : Remarks of FAH and damage to a cpu.


Wedo
12-16-03, 06:52 PM
Inspired by this thread (http://www.ocforums.com/vb/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=254049), read on:

Brethren, there are much smarter people than I when it comes to the architecture of a cpu. However, the basic premise of a microchip is to perform complex calculations with speed and accuracy. To assume the cpu will be damaged for performing the exact duty for which it was created is to walk the dark alley of ignorance.

Granted, a cpu chugging along at the normal 1-5% will produce less heat and last longer over time. Yet, this begs the question of how much time will be gained in the life of the cpu and therefore, how much time could be cut from the longevity of the device?

The only way to truly tell is by performing experiments of two identical systems side by side one another of a variety of setups in which one folds and the other doesn’t. But even this experiment would show that the very question that the hypothesis is trying to answer is a moot point as the life of the cpu with or without folding is FAR longer than the need for its existence.

Moore’s Law notes that the number of transistors on a chip doubles every 18 to 24 months. While the performance of the chip doesn’t double as well due to I/O speeds (for now), the speed at which our systems increase continually puts four, three, and even two year old rigs to shame. (Read more about Moore’s Law here. (http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,881104,00.asp)

Couple this with chip manufactures giving their products a conservative estimate of life to be in the double digit years (10+) and you see that their whole argument is flawed.

Essentially, the cpu will need to be replaced due to new technology YEARS before FAH could have a negative effect on it.

Wedo

9mmCensor
12-16-03, 06:55 PM
Thanks for Clarifing that Wedo.

Wedo
12-16-03, 07:01 PM
Originally posted by 9mmCensor
Thanks for Clarifing that Wedo.

You are missing the one of the closing braces. [

*edit* Thanks.

Miralcos
12-16-03, 07:10 PM
Exactly! Preach it brother!!!! :)

axlecrusher
12-16-03, 07:14 PM
I wonder if there is some way to get this information out. I know many people that are he** bent on believing that a working CPU will break sooner.

Axle

Cuda
12-16-03, 07:35 PM
It has been my experience that those who are ignorant of technology fear anything that is not "mainstream". Imagine if Oprah did a segment on F@H.

Audioaficionado
12-16-03, 07:39 PM
I think most school district IT guys are too worried about the potenial loss of their jobs to risk it. All it would take is the superintentant or school board to get their panties in a wad to fire the guy because he risked the district's PC assets in even the smallest amount or installed some kind of spyware.

axlecrusher
12-16-03, 08:52 PM
If it were a spyware issue, every school system should stop using Internet Explorer, but that is not going to happen. FAH really needs some main stream media to vouch for it.

Axle

Sterculus
12-16-03, 09:35 PM
I also thought there was the issue of heating and cooling the CPU repeatedly, which is part of the argument for leaving computers on all day: When turned on and off (or even going back and forth between 1% and 100%) the constant changes in temperature would lead to cracks in the ceramic or whatever sooner than a computer that does not experiance those temperature changes (100% 24/7)

Robbie
12-16-03, 09:44 PM
Fold on and when you do use my name!!!
Rob

jbyram2
12-17-03, 06:18 AM
Originally posted by Sterculus
I also thought there was the issue of heating and cooling the CPU repeatedly, which is part of the argument for leaving computers on all day: When turned on and off (or even going back and forth between 1% and 100%) the constant changes in temperature would lead to cracks in the ceramic or whatever sooner than a computer that does not experiance those temperature changes (100% 24/7)

I would lean towards that argument, that a 100% CPU is more reliable, because it is at constant temperature, rather than heating and cooling suddenly as the load changes. Cycling like that affects the interconnects between the chip and the package.

OTOH, the cooling fans, especially in the PSU, are the first things to wear out. IF those fail and go unnoticed, CPU life will be greatly reduced ;)

epauls
12-17-03, 01:26 PM
But won't it hurt my commadore 64??
:D :p

Quailane
12-18-03, 04:14 PM
I actually remember using one when I was like 3 or 4!

Seal
12-18-03, 05:02 PM
Yeah i knew this a long time before folding, its known that overclocking reduces life of your cpu too. From what ive read from the OC forums i remember reading somewhere:

Average cpu life: 20 years
Overclocked cpu: 10 years

.... or something like that (life is cut in 1/2)

cpus go out of date after 2-3 years anyway, 3 years ago the best cpu was probably something like a 1ghz

axlecrusher
12-18-03, 08:21 PM
Originally posted by Quailane
I actually remember using one when I was like 3 or 4!

I think I have one in my garage (or at least the box), I should dig it out to see if it still works.

Axle

JetMech
12-19-03, 04:25 AM
I read an article today about todays cpus and the power leakage issue. To make it short there is a problem with modern cpus running hotter because of current leakage at the transistors (January Maximum PC). I skimmed through the article so it didn't make me an expert but i didn't see anything that hinted to manufacturers being concerned about cpu life just heat generation, which of course determines how high a chip can be clocked before it starts to error.

I am deliberately running a P4 2.6C@3120 at 68c looking for throttling. None found so far but my point is that if the chip can run that hot folding and the manufacturers safeguard hasn't kicked in yet then I must not be hurting it.

A side by side comparison of two processors would be difficult at best due to the individuality of processors. I remember last year buying four XP2100s that were so widely dissimular that one wouldn't even run above 125FSB for three months (should have RMA'd) Finally got it to run at 133FSB(58C) where the best overclocker ran at 39C stock. They all had stock HSFs. That showed me that chips at the same rateing are like fingerprints. One could last 5 years, another 10, and still another could make the whole twenty all folding 24/7. This brings me to my point. It is the luck of the draw that determines how much life we get from a cpu more than it's excessive use. You can burn up a chip at stock if it has a defect. And every chip is to some degree defective. The manufacturing process on a given day determines this. That's why we hunt for good steppings for overclockers.

All that has died on me in two years of folding is a monitor. It wasn't made to run like I use it.