Impact of Prolonged Thermal Stress on Intel i7-6600U Graphics Performance

This study uses accelerated aging tests to evaluate performance degradation of the Intel i7-6600U under prolonged thermal stress, focusing on high-demand applications like AI workloads and cryptocurrency mining. The aging process is induced by overheating, simulating a lack of heat sink maintenance, rather than applying external heat. Using commercial benchmark software, the effects of aging on graphics processing functions–such as vertex, pixel, and rasterization–are evaluated as the processor operates continuously at maximum workload, exceeding the manufacturer's limits and up to the point of failure. The effectiveness of the test is confirmed by measuring Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) before, during, and after the aging process. Consistent with existing literature, aging results in decreased EMC, while the processor's performance remains relatively stable even near the point of failure. The insights gained from this study provide valuable information for computer repair and maintenance strategies, helping professionals identify and mitigate performance and reliability issues in commercial processors caused by prolonged thermal stress and inadequate cooling.