Mainframes ? Well, maybe, but in a bit different way.
Motherboards and cables do not wearout, bridges and network interfaces most likely don't either. CPUs and RAM do. Concider a symmetrical multiprocessor system with a lot many multi-core CPU and RAM units (may be even fused together in one IC) that are sussectable to wearout. Operating system maintains a set of depletion counters for each unit. When a counter reaches some threshold, system automatically (or by request) gets such units out of operation and reports. An operator walks through the server rooms daily with a bunch of new units and replaces them. Only depleted silicon is replaced. It can be easily and safely disposed or even recycled and reused. Green. Efficient. High power. Low cost. Constant sales. What else we can dream of ? ;-)
Motherboards and cables do not wearout, bridges and network interfaces most likely don't either. CPUs and RAM do. Concider a symmetrical multiprocessor system with a lot many multi-core CPU and RAM units (may be even fused together in one IC) that are sussectable to wearout. Operating system maintains a set of depletion counters for each unit. When a counter reaches some threshold, system automatically (or by request) gets such units out of operation and reports. An operator walks through the server rooms daily with a bunch of new units and replaces them. Only depleted silicon is replaced. It can be easily and safely disposed or even recycled and reused. Green. Efficient. High power. Low cost. Constant sales. What else we can dream of ? ;-)