Current powersupplies in 5 years or so

[foges]

I realize that the really high end computers use more and more power for each "generation", but my general impression is that mid ranged computers tend not to increase their power requirements very much from year to year. So im wondering if i for example buy a corsairs PSU today, how long is it probable that it may last (not taking into account that it may some day break down due to usage)?

 

[RallyMaster]

Corsairs have 5 year warranties. So if it breaks, you'll get a new one.

 

[BassBomb]

Most good quality PSU's will last a very long time if they are still powering what generation they were purchased in.

If you try to power letsay a video card 2 years from now on an average quality PSU it will either

A. Not have enough power
B. Not have the right connectors
C. Work fine (really depends)

If your upgrade cycles are 5 years, you might as well buy a new PSU by then (if the connectors have changed).

 

[mpilchfamily]

After about 3 to 5 years of good use its best not to move the PSU into any new system. Age tends to be hard on PSUs.

 

[Yellowbeard]

I can't remember now if I just dreamed it or not but, it seems like I read that at some future point PSUs will provide 12v only. All V stepping for the lower voltage rails will be done on the MOBO. Good news for PSU makers I guess if it is accurate.

 

[mpilchfamily]

Would be nice. Less to worry about going wrong in the unit and possibly more stability.

 

[BurnItDwn]

I don't recall exactly when I bought my current power supply, but I think it was about 5 years ago (Enermax 430 watt)
I was running a socket A mobo at the time. I've since upgraded to Socket 754 and then 939. Right now it's driving an AMD X2 4200+ and an X1800XT video card as well as 5 hard drives. I've had to buy adapters to connect SATA drives and different motherboard power connectors since then. (20 pin vs 24 pin ... etc.)

While the PSU delivers plenty of power (even on the 12V rail), with changes in time come changes in standards for all the connectors. An ATX power supply from today will have drastically different connectors as one from just 5 years ago.

That said .... I'm overdue for an upgrade, and this time around I'll probably pick up something in the 650 to 750 watt range so that I hopefully don't have to replace or upgrade the PS for another 5+ years.