Life expectancy of SID's?

[Enth]

From http://www.metamute.org/en/Digital-Salvation

"Let's face it, the average life expectancy of a microchip is about 50 years. After that enough of the silicon will have oxidised to render it unusable"

So, do we still got something like 20+ years worth to play with SID's? How much impact it has if they are in use, operating in relatively high temperatures say, few hours weekly? Should I start vacuum-packing spare SID's to my freezer? ;D

[stryd_one]

Mine are like, 15, and have been resting quietly in tubes, so I reckon they should last me well into the 50's. If I live that long I'll be about 70, and probably a bit old for this sh*t  ;D

I do wonder how this oxygen is supposed to come into contact with the silicone though...

[Wilba]

I don't get how silicon encased in ceramic or plastic can oxidise....  ???

I'm not too worried, I'm sure in 50 years we'll also have the technology to make reproductions of vintage silicon chips.  ;D

[HL-SDK]

silicone is like jelly rubber,

Silicon is semiconductor, layers of silicon dioxide are grown into wafers at VERY high temperatures when they make transistors and all.

Your sid should last quite some time. Actually, It's be an interesting experiment to see. The first transistor ever made probably still works so this should as well!

Just dont roast it :-D

[stryd_one]

OK so it's not just me being a skeptic... I can't seem to find it, where did this guy get the 20 year figure from anyway?

...and no lewd replies ;)

[Enth]

Ok, so nothing to worry about :)

"where did this guy get the 20 year figure from anyway?" Me? From the article I quoted :-[

[stryd_one]

Nah not you :D the guy in the article!

[DrBunsen]

...and no lewd replies ;)

Out of his ... hat?