Generally, a motherboard can last up to 7-10 years. However, this period can be increased or decreased based on the maintenance and other important aspects of the computer. A motherboard is likely to endure as long as you require it. People mainly replace the motherboard to gain access to new features or a faster CPU.
If you want to get the most out of your motherboard, be sure it will be useful in three to four years. If you’re a typical consumer, you’ll probably need to replace your motherboard every four to six years.
How Long Do Motherboards Typically Last?
The lifespan of your motherboards really depends on your performance and your care for them. Typically, you can expect motherboards to last for 7-10 years. But, you could receive less if you don’t take proper care of it. It can last a long time if you don’t put too much strain on your motherboard and don’t demand too much from it.
Some motherboards that are over 30 years old are still functional. Usage and maintenance of your computer, quality of the motherboard, quality of the components that use the motherboard, expectance of performance from the motherboard, etc. affect the lifespan.
For example, professional gamers and motion designers have to do CPU-intensive tasks. Therefore, they utilize modern, powerful CPUs to assist them in their work. Now, if you are one of them but instead of using a powerful CPU, you decide to use an average CPU, then the motherboard will not last long because of this incompatibility. It cannot take the workload and will get weakened before the desired time. Even if you use a powerful CPU but prefer to overclock it often, still your motherboard will not withstand it for longer than expected.
If you are a student, assumably you don’t have to do such tasks on your computer that requires so much processing power. Therefore, your motherboard should last longer, even more than the expectancy, until you tend to use your PC for other heavy tasks, and so on.
Things That Determine How Long Motherboards Last
Some specific aspects directly affect the performance and longevity of motherboards.
Heat
Heat is the leading cause of motherboard failure. As Your computer produces a lot of heat, you should try to control it as much as possible. As long as your surroundings are really not that warm, the fans and vents integrated into your system are adequate for normal computer users.
However, they may not be sufficient if you overclock your computer and use it frequently. Heat can build up over time, eventually overloading your motherboard and related components.
Physical Damage
If you’re constructing your own computer, physical damage to the motherboard isn’t typical, but it isn’t unheard of. The motherboard and components will be damaged and destroyed if they are subjected to a big impact or harsh handling.
When working on your motherboard, you should be cautious while holding it. If you have a gaming PC that you walk around a lot, you should prevent movements that may cause it to shake too much.
Electronic Failures
Due to the constant flow of energy through certain components on the motherboard, they become worn out. For instance, capacitors are designed to store small amounts of electricity for a short time before discharging them, known as a cycle. But they only last a certain number of cycles before failing and deteriorating.
Your motherboard might live for decades depending on the standard of the capacitor on it. In the past couple of decades, the cost of PC and motherboard components has decreased. Consequently, the high quality of capacitors and electronics has decreased too. A 50-dollar motherboard will not survive as long as a 400-dollar motherboard.
Moisture
A motherboard may be instantaneously destroyed by liquid. If you drop a drink on your computer, the chances of it turning on again are little to none. This is because dissolved salts in water make the fluid electrically conductive.
As a result, when water flows throughout the surface of an electronic board, like a motherboard, almost every conducting surface comes into touch. This immediately destroys the motherboard by shorting out the entire board.
Aging, Wear, and PCB Degradation
Motherboards are no exception to the rule that all good things must come to an end. A motherboard might die as a result of normal wear and tear.
Over time, humidity in the air can cause specific germs to develop on the PCB (Printed Circuit Board), which then slowly destroys your computer’s components, including the motherboard.
Technological Obsolescence
Typically, motherboards are only well suited to two generations of CPUs. Updated CPUs frequently utilize a different kind and shape of socket to connect to the motherboard, making older motherboards incompatible. As a result, new CPUs will not physically fit into older motherboards.
Older CPUs ultimately become incompatible with newer software, rendering your motherboard and CPU outdated. Furthermore, modern speedier hard drives, such as PCIe 4 SSD drives, may not be supported by your old motherboard. Games and other applications may demand improved hard drive technology in the future.
How to Increase the Longevity of Motherboards?
There are certain ways you can make motherboards last longer. Some of them are:
1. Avoid the practice of overclocking everything.
2. Clean your motherboard thoroughly and regularly.
3. You should place fans that bring in fresh cold air at the front and bottom of your computer’s chassis.
4. Invest in a high-quality power supply and surge protector.
5. Keep your computer away from moisture. And you can do it by placing moisture-absorbing crystals near the fan.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How often you should replace your motherboards?
The fact is it sometimes depends on your preference. If you prefer to cope with the speed and latest features, you should replace your motherboard almost every six months with the latest generation CPU. Otherwise, if you prefer to stay longer with the current motherboard, you can replace it every ten years.
How do I know if my motherboard is going bad?
There are some particular symptoms that will indicate that there is something wrong happening to your motherboard. Such as – Windows Blue Screen Of Death appears, one or more beeps occur, the system hangs or automatically reboots, an error code appears, one or more connecting ports fail, or the system doesn’t display anything.
Can I repair my motherboard?
The simplest answer is yes. You can repair your motherboard and it’s cheaper compared to replacing a whole motherboard. But the thing is the motherboard needs to be diagnosed properly by an expert technician who has considerable experience with this. Also, the repair should be done in a compatible laboratory.
Conclusion
Overall, there is no definitive answer to the question of how long a motherboard lasts. It relies on how you utilize it, whether you handle it with care or misuse it. In addition, unexpected mishaps might shorten a motherboard’s lifespan. A standard PC motherboard might live anything from a few months to decades. Most of the time, it will last 10–20 years.
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