Can a CPU be damaged and still work?

[ehanger]

Is a CPU something that either works or doesn't work and can it get slower over time?

 

[mamw93]

IT doesn't get slower over time. The programs just become more intense over time which puts more load on the CPU which will cause it to run slower. But CPU are always running at the same speed.

 

[Zenthar]

Technically, a CPU could partially work. what will happen is that some instructions might cause errors, but overall the CPU won't be slower.

 

[Winly]

the CPU doesnt get slow, the load and programs make it appear slow, but like other user stated the CPU runs at the same speed. viruses and bad organization in the operating system can make things really slow.

 

[ehanger]

So there can't be anyway a transistor can be blown and the CPU still work?

 

[verndewd]

depends on the nature of the damage and the area damaged.

So there can't be anyway a transistor can be blown and the CPU still work?

Yeah one transistor wont likely make a difference,

 

[caniba]

I think your confusing the mother board with the cpu. Even then hardware does not get slower over time.

 

[jsc]

Even then hardware does not get slower over time.

But your perceptions do:
New computer: "Wow. This thing is fast!"
First month: "This thing is pretty fast."
Second month: "This thing is OK."
Third month: "This thing is pretty slow. It's time to upgrade."

And all at the same time, you are asking the machine to do more and more.

Original question - I suppose that something inside could fail and you would never notice.

 

[computabug]

I think your cpu may physically change a bit over time through turning on and off (expand and contracting), but most people just experience software rot (which is extremely easy to fix) and degrading of PSU output in terms of the computer getting enough power or clean power (which can be replaced). Although I didn't experience this with my last PSU, I was jst surfing the web when it suddenly died on me. Most of the time, your pc will be outdated before you experience any hardware degrading in like 20 years, or maybe 3 years if you're OCing

Oh yea, if you have a blown transistor and get errors during stress tests, if won't make a difference in real applications, but I'm pretty sure there's a way to disable that core... somehow...