Your computer’s motherboard brings every component together and makes them work swiftly. Although, various factors can affect its lifespan negatively, such as power surges, high-intensity overclocking, overheating, faulty components, and more.
Key Takeaways
- A well-maintained motherboard can last up to a decade without having any issues.
- Several factors can reduce a motherboard’s life, like low-quality PSU, power surges, overheating, improper handling, faulty electronics, and moisture and humidity.
- Increase its lifespan by cleaning it regularly, using a high-end power supply unit, investing in power surge protectors and dehumidifiers, and assembling your PC carefully.
How Long Does A Motherboard Last?
With proper care and no accidents, a motherboard can last 7-10 years or longer depending on how you are using it.[1] Light usage, like internet browsing, can maintain its life, while intense gaming can shorten it.
Ways To Increase The Motherboard’s Life
As time passes, your motherboard is bound to experience some factors which will reduce its lifespan. However, there are several measures that you can take to increase it as much as possible.
Invest In Surge Protectors And Good Quality PSU
A power supply can make or break your motherboard that lasts from five to ten years, more or less.[2] For instance, if your PC components require high power, and your power supply cannot provide it, then your motherboard is likely to be affected by it.
When building a PC, get a good PSU that will protect your rig against power surges and abnormalities while also maintaining the required power.
Additionally, if your house is prone to power surges, you can invest in surge protectors to protect your computer.[3]
Provide Adequate Cooling
Keep track of your computer’s temperatures with software like MSI Afterburner or Speccy. A good idling temperature would be 40-60°C.
Install proper CPU coolers to manage heat effectively. If your budget allows and you can maintain it, a liquid-cooling system is a great choice. However, a well-planned fan setup can also work effectively.
Most heat-generating components are located at the back of the case, so configure your fans to expel hot air from the back and top while drawing in cool air from the bottom and front. We also recommend changing your CPU’s thermal paste to prevent overheating that lasts up to 2 to 3 years.[4]
Handle With Care
Computer components, including the motherboard, are delicate. When assembling your PC, use cardboard or anti-static foam under the motherboard to prevent soldered points from shorting.
Handle your PC with utmost care, especially when holding the motherboard. Lift it from the edges, avoiding contact with its intricate circuitry. Plus, during assembly, avoid forcefully tightening a single screw. Instead, gradually tighten each screw to distribute equal pressure across all corners.
Regularly Clean Your Motherboard
Regularly cleaning a motherboard and removing accumulated dirt and dust helps in normal performance and enhances its lifespan. [5]
Use A Dehumidifier
To protect your computer, relocate any surrounding plants, as they can raise humidity levels. Keep drinks away from your PC to prevent spills and damage.
We invested in a reliable dehumidifier that helped maintain optimal humidity levels, significantly reducing the risk of motherboard damage. Additionally, use desiccant packs to absorb excess moisture for enhanced protection.[6]
More Resources By Tech4Gamers
- Find Out Your Power Supply Without Opening The Computer
- CPU Coolers Buying Guide
- Liquid Cooling
- Thermal Paste
References
- Alt Gov. How Long Do Motherboards Last? Retrieved from https://altgov2.org/how-long-do-motherboards-last/
- Tech4Gamers. How Long Do Power Supplies Last? Retrieved from https://tech4gamers.com/how-long-do-power-supplies-last/
- California State University. Surge Protectors And Power strips. Retrieved from https://www.csudh.edu/Assets/csudh-sites/rm-ehos/docs/safety-tips/risk-management-surge-protectors.pdf
- Tech4Gamers. How Long Does Thermal Paste Last? Retrieved from https://tech4gamers.com/how-long-does-thermal-paste-last/
- Tech4Gamers. How To Clean A Motherboard? Retrieved from https://tech4gamers.com/how-to-clean-a-motherboard/
- Ubuntu Forums. Any Ideas for dehumidifying a garage PC? Retrieved from https://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1091481
FAQs
Compared to desktop computers, laptops run significantly hotter, where one can easily reach 100 °C. So, while a laptop motherboard can easily last 5-7 years, it is not as durable as a desktop motherboard.
You don’t have to replace your motherboard unless you’re planning to upgrade your CPU, GPU, or RAM. Generally, a motherboard can support up to 2 generations of CPU.
Motherboards cannot affect a PC’s performance speed. It’s likely due to your old HDD or something else.
The CMOS battery on your motherboard is charged every time you use your computer. So, the more often you turn on your PC, the longer the battery will last. In general, a CMOS battery will easily last about 3-5 years.
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[Wiki Editor]
Ali Rashid Khan is an avid gamer, hardware enthusiast, photographer, and devoted litterateur with a period of experience spanning more than 14 years. Sporting a specialization with regards to the latest tech in flagship phones, gaming laptops, and top-of-the-line PCs, Ali is known for consistently presenting the most detailed objective perspective on all types of gaming products, ranging from the Best Motherboards, CPU Coolers, RAM kits, GPUs, and PSUs amongst numerous other peripherals. When he’s not busy writing, you’ll find Ali meddling with mechanical keyboards, indulging in vehicular racing, or professionally competing worldwide with fellow mind-sport athletes in Scrabble at an international level. Currently speaking, Ali has completed his A-Level GCEs with plans to go into either Allopathic Medicine or Business Studies, or who knows, perhaps a full-time dedicated technological journalist.
