Does Underclocking Make Components Last Longer?

[Pratigious]

Is there any benefit to under-clocking the hardware in your PC?Will there be any negative results if you do that?Will it shorten it's life?

[Phentos]

The only real benefits derived from underclocking are reduced heat output and better power efficiency.

 

You will not reduce the lifespan of components, in fact they might last longer than they normally would.

[HKZeroFive]

Theoretically, yes. But by the time that component dies, it's likely that you would have already upgraded by then.

[desertcomputer]

If you just down clock without changing volt that won't help, i would just lower voltages while maintaining same speed would be more beneficial. 

[Coldfuson]

1 hour ago, rrubberr said:

Depending on extremes, very much so. I had (HAD) two HD 7990's. One was under clocked to 700 MHz, the other set to default 1000/1100 MHz. The stock clocked one made a popping noise, smells like cigarettes, and no longer works, while the 700 MHz down clocked card still runs great.

2 cards is a really small sample size and literally means nothing. 

[LogicalDrm]

It doesn't matter that much. Typical lifespan of CPU is 10-20 years. Heavy overclocking and running it with high temps and voltage would take maybe 30% off that lifespan, and reduce OC capabilities during time in use. Undervolting, maybe you add as much lifespan. But can you honestly say you will use same CPU 13-26 years from now? And with some application where you actually benefit daily from the fact that you have preserved it? GPUs are even worse in this sense as they will loose competitive edge in 3-7 years while having about same lifespan with CPUs.

[Coldfuson]

1 hour ago, rrubberr said:

Depending on extremes is meant to imply that IN MY CASE, it did make a difference. With hot-running dual-GPU cards, it probably makes a difference in many cases, and luckily the OP didn't specify what hardware was in question, so I can pretend that this is applicable here as much as I want.

there's no way of telling whether you just had a bum card or not. 

[vrod]

I guess it makes more sense to keep your devices cooled properly than underclocking them.