Most/least reliable computer components

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llmercll

[H]ard|Gawd
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Feb 17, 2010
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Does anyone know which parts of the computer are meant to last the longest? Like, the expected lifespan?

I'm just curious, I've been building my first system in 7 years, and recently had some pretty bad experiences with my laptop, so longevity and reliability is something I've been fixated on.

Hope no one thinks this is a stupid question =p

thanks!
 
It kind of is a stupid question, as no part is guaranteed to work 100% of the time.

With regular maintenance and a little bit of luck, you could build a computer that last several years.
 
Laptop components just aren't going to last as long as a desktop. Vibrations, being moved around constantly, and heat are big issues in laptops that aren't there in desktops as long as you build them right.

Desktop components generally last a long time. I still have my first computer and it still works. I still use it to play old DOS games. It's a Packard Bell with a P1 133MHz if that tells you anything.
 
PolygonGTC said:
Desktop components generally last a long time. I still have my first computer and it still works. I still use it to play old DOS games. It's a Packard Bell with a P1 133MHz if that tells you anything.
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Yeah that makes a lot of sense. My laptop died on me about a year in...had to RMA it out of warranty, cost me $250 bucks. I took really good care of it too.

Now I've got coolers, copper mods, undervolting, all that preventive stuff. Just trying to do the same thing for my newly built desktop computer, trying to see which parts are most sensitive or prone to fail, so I can take preventive measures. Like how I know in notebooks it's often the GPU.

But your right...laptops do get abused much more than desktops. Some peace of mind =p
 
Well, the most likely things to fail first are your hard drives. Still, you can't really pick out one over the other. Jut buy good quality parts and 9 times out of 10 you won't have problems, no undervolting required. ;)
 
Hah yeah, funnily enough I've NEVER had a hard drive fail...I've had really good luck in general actually, expect for my laptop.

And PSU's, man I've got through like 3 on the same system. I'm going corsair this time
 
You just never can tell.

My dell laptop hard drive failed the day after the 1 year warranty expired. I orded a replacement hard drive, and the new hard drive is now going on 6 years and is still going strong. ***Knocks on wood***
 
llmercll said:
Hah yeah, funnily enough I've NEVER had a hard drive fail...I've had really good luck in general actually, expect for my laptop.

And PSU's, man I've got through like 3 on the same system. I'm going corsair this time
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You won't be disappointed. Corsair makes great power supplies.

Sparktz said:
You just never can tell.

My dell laptop hard drive failed the day after the 1 year warranty expired. I orded a replacement hard drive, and the new hard drive is now going on 6 years and is still going strong. ***Knocks on wood***
Click to expand...

Yep, exactly.
 
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