Component life thread...

You know, I always end up getting new systems every few years and my first system to "die" was an m15x original ordered Feb 2008 and died about January 2011. I used it relatively frequently. Now I am not sure that is a good example of component life given the poor initial cooling design on the m15x (before extra vents and redesign). Also, I think those GPU's were somewhat faulty. But how long do systems really last? I am thinking I am going to actually keep the m18x when I eventually buy a new system in a few years. I might just use it for regular tasks or just to have as a "relic." I only have one other AW system and it was the old "classic" tower AW desktop with an fx-55, dual 7800GT's (upgraded them as the original were 6800 Ultras). That system still runs like a dream Laptops seem to die quickly. Anyone have running classic laptops that still run 5 years later? I am going to start keeping my AW systems instead of selling them for peanuts. I think they will be collectible one day and it will be nice to remember them and see the evolution of the systems.

 

I can tell from experience that Laptop GPUs die faster even without overclocking because their VRAM chips fail. Obviously we can't have desktop level cooling solutions on a laptop which is why the heat no matter what we do gets them in 3-4 years time.

The companies may not care since they know the enthusiasts change their cards every 2-3 years or so. So chance of reporting failed cards reduce by virtue of our very nature (enthusiasts).

I have had many of my friends and my own GFX desktop cards failing on their RAMs after 4-5 years. The GPU cores last very long but VRAM not so much.

A lot depends on how much you use them for gaming or for whatever purpose. So the less you use the more they last, but then again why do we get them if we wont use them often. lol

 

My Inspiron 9300 (17", 2.1GHz, 6800 Go) still works almost flawlessly. The only things to go were the screen (common vertical line issue with the LG screens) and the battery, which was actually the second one, given for free by Dell to replace the Sony ones due to the explosion/fire scare. I replaced the screen, and just use it without a battery. Still works like a champ and apparently even gives a base M18x a run for the money in terms of speed. It's built solid and the alloy bottom and overall form factor is excellent, like a thicker MacBook, but better.

My experience is components usually go because they are faulty, not designed to operate beyond a short life expectancy, or just poorly implemented. CPUs and GPUs last if they are cooled properly, or don't operate at high temps. Nvidia's 7000+ series chips that just stop working, and Intel's fiasco with the initial Sandy Bridge chips are good examples of that. LCD screens last until they get too dim to use, or there are other issues like lines that are defects which only show up after a laptop is long out of warranty. Most laptops that go probably do so because a fan wasn't replaced when it was no longer working, and the chip burned up, or something busted when it was dropped or banged around. The 6800 Go was apparently a chip that didn't require cooling except for gaming, since the fan on mine went after awhile, and it never got over 84 degrees even when gaming or running demos, with no fan to cool it. Of course I replaced the fans, but that just goes to show that a solid gaming-class mobile GPU that doesn't overheat itself at idle is possible.

I would say most stuff lasts depending on how you use it. If your rig sits on your desk and never gets moved around or beat up, it will last a lot longer than one which is packed up and moved daily from place to place, then unpacked and used at home, etc. etc. The majority of notebooks aren't heavy-duty at all, and are really very fragile things. Laying it down on the desk too hard is all it takes for something very important to come loose or break.

So if you take care of your stuff, do regular checks or keep up with how things are performing so you can fix any problems before they can cause harm, and treat it like a piece of expensive equipment, they can last until something just goes on it's own. But the pace of tech is such that longevity isn't important. It's actually to the point that people are eventually forced to upgrade to newer stuff in order to do most things, whether it's to a new OS, faster processor, or graphics and screens. That's too bad, because in the process we wind up with a lot of hazardous waste when those old systems had a lot of life left in them.

I was actually hoping to start upgrading my systems every year or so by selling the old and getting the new, but not if I can only get peanuts for it.

 

Thats true, most of the hardware are never given their fair chance at being fully utilized, before that some new standard comes out and the older hardware never fully realizes most of its potential. Direct X on PCs are perfect examples. We can see developers having to get very creative on consoles since the hardware is fixed. That ensures the maximum utilization of the hardware before they go for the next change. If they really wanted new DX versions or opengl standards every 2 years, atleast make the jump significantly superior, make them worth it. Its should be a night and day difference.

DX10 to DX 11 was pants as far as improvements and new eye candy goes. The changes in the standards are just too low to warrant a new DX standard.

But this is to be expected since that's marketing, they want to make more money out of us, they care less about advancing tech at a faster pace its against their business models.

 

That can't even be remotely true?

 

Mostly a reference to general feel on normal usage, this depends on a lot of other factors. He obviously isn't trying to suggest its quantitatively faster. Its just a "feel" thing

 

It gives it a run for the money since as an older computer with a single core and 8-generations ago GPU, it's still lightning-quick for navigation and internet. Even with a 5400RPM HD, it does feel fast, but that's with XP and YEARS of tweaking. The M18x is still fresh and I've barely done anything. Whatever I have will get faster as I tweak, and then when I get on an old computer it feels slow.

My point was more that those were a solidly-built quality laptop though, and apparently built well enough to last and still quite usable. Well, other than the crappy batch of LG screens and the battery.

Boy, is this ever true. Part of the reason for not upgrading every refresh cycle is that improvements are such a small bump it's never really worth it.

Most of the time it just seems like the faster hardware just runs the newer software just as fast as the older hardware ran the older software.

 

Exactly why I didn't bother trying to mod my G73Jh with a single 6970M when I saw these m18xs on the outlet. I knew it was a matter of time before I scored big on some dual 6970/6990s with some coupons.

 

My 4 yr old M1710 (t7600, 7950gtx now running win7) still runs fine, it handles plenty of games (not new demanding ones obviously) and remains a fine bluray player. The battery's still ok.
My wife still uses a Samsung X10 that's 8 yrs old now and it's still ok for office, web and email. Only thing wrong with that is that the hinges off the display are a little loose now. The battery still lasts 2-3 hours. I keep offering to replace it but she's still happy with it!!

I'm looking at getting a m18x and can only hope it proves as reliable as the last 2 laptops we bought.

 

I have an Inspiron 1720 with a T9500 2.5ghz cpu and 8600GT that still gets used everyday. Probably been the best laptop I ever had. My brother is using it. Its been used several hours a day for the last 4+ years. Nothing ever went wrong with it. Never had to replace everything and Its seen Its share of international travel.

 

I have a dell Vostro with a 8600GT, still going good only the inverter went weak changed that and its still good. But 8600GTs have the notorious reputation of going bad due to poor cooling on most laptops. Guess we are some of the lucky ones.

 

Good posts guys!!! I completely agree about being forced to upgrade but that isn't only at the "corporate" level as Capitalism keeps perpetuating consumerism.
"OMG a new AW m18x is out and it has a bigger vent and a new FX colour." A better example is Apple, "OMG the Nano has like a new colour and it's like smaller and thinner and we all know how important thin is. And like you can now watch 1080P videos on it" (though no one ever will).

The best example I can think of is cars. In the 70s cars were made to be DRIVEN and would LAST. Now we are conditioned to think that when a new model comes in; you NEED a new one. Engineers develop special tools that are proprietary so that you HAVE to take certain cars to a stealership to "fix."

Our society has become, "One hour photo no problem, 30 minute pizza delivery or it's free, same day dry cleaning, etc"...furthering the consumerist greed of Capitalism. I am living in Canada transplanted from the US. Even Canadian healthcare "free for all" is now having a "tier" system to provide those with "means." OK OK I will end my waxy philosophical argument. But we are just as much to blame for the upgrade craze as are Big Business. At least I am...since I am fully "aware" of what is going on and still am victim to it

 

Bwahahaha this is soo true

 

Well, you can always buy the tools to do the work yourself, or fabricate your own.