On 2018-02-17 18:30, Alfred Molon wrote:
Another thing, a guy who works for Intel (he analyses defects in CPUs)
told me that processors degrade over time, i.e. they age (at least those
used in consumer products).
Apparently over time CPU develop defects, which make them slower or
might even cause them to stop working completely. If so, it's not a good
idea buying a 6 years old computer.

What can happen is build up of dust causes over heating, so the CPU
automatically slows its clock and runs slower. Some articles also cite
thermal paste degradation over time. Both can be rectified easily.

Oscillators also "drift" over time. You would notice this as much as
observers would note the effects of Special Relativity of cars driving
on the Autobahn at higher speeds.

--
“When it is all said and done, there are approximately 94 million
full-time workers in private industry paying taxes to support 102
million non-workers and 21 million government workers.
In what world does this represent a strong job market?”
..Jim Quinn