Websites that Track PC Hardware Failure Rates?

scarolinus asks: "Working in the computer field, I find myself asking, "Which component to specify for my customers?" It used to be I would specify the most expensive component the customer could afford. The more established and reputable the brand, the better. Now, with no change in volume, it seems that failure rates are at least double what they used to be in the last few years. And it doesn't matter if the system is a $999 special or a $9999 multiprocessor server. So, is there a website out there that cataloges the failure rates of individual PC hardware components? Is there a website that helps us hold the hardware manufacturers accountable for the quality of product they produce?"

Comments

Service

[NetJunkie]

It would be hard to find out a components failure rate. The only person that has that information is the company that does the fixes and/or returns.

I think a better measure would be service and how the returns are handled. You could ocmpile that data from customers. To me, it isn't a big deal if a piece of equipment dies as long as it is replaced/fixed quickly. I know for my servers I keep spares around just in case... If I can't keep a spare for it I'm sure to have a 4 hour response time service agreement.

Storagereview

[cperciva]

Storagereview does this for hard drives.

Re:MTBF is what you're looking for

[sigwinch]

Many manufacturers publish mean time before failure (MTBF) specs on thier hardware.

Most MTBFs are calculated values, derived from historical failure-over-time rates for the individual components inside the equipment. Take them with a grain of salt, especially if the equipment is used more heavily than was assumed for the MTBF calculations.

The other problem is that modern designs tend to push the components very hard, especially regarding heat dissipation and electrical currents. Even if the design is good, the components are still pushed into a regime where the historical data isn't as valid. And all too often the design turns out to be not good enough. (How many laptop batteries have been recalled over the last year?)