At 21.28 2011.12.11, you wrote:
>People generally tend to spew a lot of crap on the Internet regarding
>overclocking CPUs, so I avoid reading answers on those forums.
>
>Q: From an engineering perspective, if I overclock my core i7 from 3.8GHz
>to around 4.4GHz and increase the voltage to support the higher
>frequencies, what effect does it have on the lifespan of the CPU (assuming
>I cool it adequately to under 55 degrees under full load)? Do the higher
>than standard voltages slowly damage the inside of the CPU? I don't really
>know anything about the insides of ICs yet...

Yes, possibly by electromigration, but before it really damages your CPU,
you will think that 10 years have passed since when you thought it was
totally obsolete.

3.8GHz -> 4.4GHz and some more mV shouldn't concern you really. Go for it,
provided you can cool it enough, that shall be your only worry. I have made
much more extreme overclocking (e.g. a Pentium II from 350MHz to 530MHz)
it has been like that for thousands hours and if I turn it on it still work=
s..

--=20
http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive
View/change your membership options at
http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist
.