Why we use industrial motherboards
Consumer motherboards go out of production after two years. Industrial variants are available for up to seven years. That makes a big difference for maintenance and expansion.
One of the most frequently asked questions we receive is: "Why is an industrial motherboard more expensive than a standard motherboard?" The answer is simple: longevity and supply reliability.
The problem with consumer motherboards
A consumer motherboard from ASUS, MSI or Gigabyte is typically produced for 18 to 24 months. After that, it is replaced by a new model. If you need to replace a faulty motherboard after three years, the original model will no longer be available. You will then have to find a different motherboard, which may require different drivers, different BIOS settings, and has not been tested with your specific configuration.
The industrial solution
Manufacturers such as ASUS Industrial, Kontron and Advantech guarantee a lead time of 5 to 7 years for their industrial motherboards. This means:
- Replaceability: if a system develops a faulty motherboard after four years, you can order exactly the same model.
- Consistency: when building multiple identical systems over a longer period, every machine will have exactly the same hardware.
- Lower total cost of ownership: the higher purchase price is more than recouped by lower maintenance costs and a longer service life.
When is it worth the investment?
For a one-off workstation that will be replaced in three years’ time anyway, an industrial motherboard is not always necessary. But for systems that need to last longer than three years, run in production environments, or where multiple identical units are required — then it is the only sensible choice.
We advise on the most appropriate solution for each situation. Please contact us to discuss your specific application.