On 08/09/2018 7:29 AM, Paul wrote:
VanguardLH wrote:


Since I leave my computer running 24x7, I've *never* had the thermal
creeping problem with connectors, memory modules, etc.

The temperature variation on always-running equipment
is not zero.

Basically, any connector technology with a "walkout"
problem, will eventually manifest.

The DIMM slots have lock latches.

The ATX main connector and ATX12V connector have latches.

The newer SATA connectors have a metal jaw for security.

You can have local heating effects, that have a higher
amplitude variation per day, than the internal case
air temperature.

The Molex Aux connector on my video card, walked out
on its own. And that's because the connector carries
5 amps+ when a game starts to play, and that caused
the connector to heat up and walk out. When it got to
the point that one pin was starting to separate (go ohmic),
that's when the pin burned. It burned bad enough, to cause
the video output to stop (the red "ATI warning box" appears
on the screen, saying to plug in the cable). That's the
first warning I got, that there was a problem. Since I didn't
have the right connector in my junk box, I had to
solder a pigtail to the video card (with a Molex
on the end). That lasted until the card was retired.

Even the solder balls on a badly designed video card
can crack, just from heating from gaming. The fact
you left the machine on at night, doesn't remove the
variation when the card is used for gaming. This is why
it's important that they select the correct underfill
polymer to put under the BGA GPU package.

While leaving a PC powered removes some reliability
issues, it doesn't solve all of them.

Â*Â* Paul

Do anyone here remember the Apple III walkout era?

Rene