Does a computer last longer if used less frequently? Or does less frequent use make if shorter? I only use my main desktop for gaming in the weekends and barely use it on weekdays. I unplug it after the weekend passes.
Also, if you were to hypothetically have two of the same computer and they are used as often as each other, but one is used mainly for gaming and the other is just used for web browsing, would the one used for gaming last shorter?
I would think of course a less used machine will last longer, and a gaming machine should, I say Should die before a browsing computer, you are stressing the cpu and gpu all the time, but it should still last a long time with quality parts. But a brand new part could die in 6 weeks or in 6 months. That`s why it`s important to choose good parts from reputable manufacturers with good long warranties. Just about everything is replaceable for free :)
And always register your parts as soon as you get them.
Well I have a Dell XPS with I think a 2 or 1 year warranty AFAIK. The games I play are more processor intensive than graphic and my processor is in the high end side (Intel Core i7 4790). (Cities: Skylines and Minecraft) I only play one game that is more graphical and that is PvZ Garden Warfare but that is way less intense than the other first person/third person shooter games out there.
In general the more a computer is used and the harder it is used the shorter it's lifetime will be. But this is only statistics and may not hold true in specific cases. There are many factors and a great deal of luck involved. Attempting to predict the life of a computer is an exercise in futility.
But using it only on the weekends and mainly gaming definitely won't shorten the lifespan enough to be noticeable (or not affect the life at all), right?
AddRam and LMiller have already both told you that it's pointless to wonder about that since there is too much randomness involved.
Every part of your PC might last 20 years or might drop dead in 20 seconds. Regardless of how much or how little you use it.
But you already knew that.
Spend your time wondering about something over which you have more control---what's for dinner, whether or not to get a haircut today, whether or not to upgrade your computer.
Nine times out of ten when friends tell me they want to get a new PC after a few years use I can Clean Reinstall Windows 7 and they report it's like "brand new" especially if it was originally the crap factory install.
Over 5 years and you start running into older hardware limitations. You can still get decent performance with a good reinstall on 2-3gb RAM and Pentium, for example, but then they may be missing out on what newer hardware has to offer in performance. For those who don't multi-task, however, they're not missing that much. And with 1gb fuhgedabouit.
Yep, this is like the discussion of what brand of oil is better... LOL
My personal advice is... I have been happier when I have build my own PC with reputable parts than when I buy from Dell, Gateway or HP. One of the best reasons is I can upgrade w/o many or much restrictions and I learn new stuff in the process.
I build new rigs every 5 years or so and my PC is on everyday (wifey browsing, social networking and watching soap operas) and me gaming (Shooters mostly) a few times a week. I can never afford top shelf so I usually go for top shelf from 2 years ago
and perhaps I can not go for the Ultra High Max out settings but enough where I can enjoy quality video and frame rates I am comfortable with.
There are 2 main problems with your PC, dell motherboards suck, capacitors go bad on them all the time, and the power supply more then likely sucks.
Neither of which you list in your specs.
I would hope you have a good EVGA or Corsair PSU in there.
EVGA - Products - EVGA SuperNOVA 550 GS Power Supply - 220-GS-0550-V1
EVGA - Products - EVGA SuperNOVA 650 GS Power Supply - 220-GS-0650-V1
With Corsair, I wouldn`t go below an HX750.
HX Series HX750 Power Supply â
Quote