CPU only question and is login info from 1999 still available?

Hi folks, I decided to go back to crunching for SETI after running with it the first couple of years when it started under a different login/password. Tech has... progressed a bit since then and I forgot most of my login info, but it sure would be neat to continue with that as I had crunched quite a bit before I stopped.

Anyway, I'm now running an i7 3970x (6 cores, for now at 3.5ghz) and a GeForce 670 GC. As an above average computer-knowledge guy, it's been my experience that CPUs are built like a tank, so running at 100% for multiple years generally isn't a problem provided you have adequate cooling.

However, GPUs tend to fry on me about 30% of the time, within 1 year, under 'normal' use. This is based upon almost 2 decades of computer hardware experience, with different cases in different rooms with different cooling options installed. I'm guessing that the reason for such a high failure rate with this piece of hardware is because GPU cooling is and always has been overlooked compared to the CPU, and the small fans modern GPU's come with just don't do much.

Bottom line is that I'm NOT going to allow my GPU to crunch as I feel this will significantly affect the lifespan of an already hit-or-miss lifespan piece of hardware.

Am I correct, or am I off base here?

Unfortunately, I only remember the email address that was used (which I don't have anymore) and some ideas as to what the password was. At that time, however, SETI@Home was running itself via server and now it seems this 3rd party software "BOINC" thing is running it. Not sure if I can still get the old account back or not...

The warranty thing is all well and good until you realize you can't run your PC without a GPU which then has to be snail-mailed after a processing period. ;)

Unfortunately, I only remember the email address that was used (which I don't have anymore) and some ideas as to what the password was. At that time, however, SETI@Home was running itself via server and now it seems this 3rd party software "BOINC" thing is running it. Not sure if I can still get the old account back or not...

Follow the Instructions for SETI@home Classic users, there are also instructions for users that don't have the old email adress.

As to GPU crunching... lots if not most of us crunch with their GPUs without any issues. And if it fails... well, that's what you have spares for. Even some old PCI card will do untill the replacement arrives. At least that's the way I see it.
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This worked, thanks!

My failure rate on GPUs is 1-in-3, within a year-- most of those fail much earlier. And I've never overclocked my own, they've either been "regular" versions or factory overclocked, so they've not been overly stressed. I've also used all the manufacturers and have not noticed any particular quality difference between, say, an EVGA vs Galaxy. Still, that's a high failure rate and no other PC component comes close, at least for me.

I've inquired on numerous related forums (including Nvidia's since I use them exclusively) as to why their hardware fails so frequently, and I get mixed answers. Some have had great luck, others not. I guess I'm part of the rotten luck group.

As for keeping a spare, I prefer to recoup some of the cost by reselling. I upgrade GPUs about every 1.5 years, and can make around 30% of my money back by selling the used one. I also game fairly regularly, so keeping a vastly outdated GPU 'just in case' is really the same as not having one if it's not able to do anything but run Windows. I admit, I'm high maintenance. LOL

Anyway, I think I've got one of the 2 of 3 that seems to work well, and I'd rather not burn it out running 100% crunching numbers. I'll give ya my CPU all day, tho.