how heat can kill cpu????????

[dansonang]

when u overclock a cpu , as long as u keep its temperature as low as possible yr cpu won't get spoilt right? Or it is that as long as you overclock no matter how low your temperature your cpu would still get a shorter lifespan?

:D danson

[glass]

shorter lifespan in this case could very well mean that it just lasts 20years instead of 30y, that is unless it doesn't get fried totally which will end it's life instantly.

[Da Whip]

Here is an article our own Joe C. wrote touching on the subject.

http://www.overclockers.com/tips30/

Normally the shortened life span of a CPU due to O/Cing is amoot point, by then it will be so obselete, you have dumped it anyway.

[dream caster]

Electromigration In-Depth (http://www.dwpg.com/content.php?contid=2&artid=68) is a really good article on how overclocking kills CPU and other integrated circuits.
Basically three variables:
--temp
--current density
--type of connections and insulation (i.e. fabrication process)

copper connections are much more reliable than aluminum connections and for each type there is a curve that describes the relationship between temp and electromigration; look specially in this page (http://www.dwpg.com/content.php?contid=2&artid=70&orgartid=68) of that article.

Also i gather there is a degradation of semiconductor junctions with current and that is also dependent on temp, but I don't have references at hand for this effect.