How long can a new powersupply sit unused

[Blitz1776]

I was planning on buying a new power supply because I seen a really good deal on one that I've had my eye on. However I was wondering if I just left it sitting around for 6 months- 1 year+ (Ivybridge) would there be any significant degradation on it.

I figure if so I could still justify getting it since I've kinda been running a Intel I7 970 (Oc'ed to 4ghz), 2 Geforce 460's (Oc'ed 25% ish), few HD's, couple PCI-E x1 off a Antec Earthwatt 650. Not totally sure, but I figure performance degradation would eventually kick on it.

What is your opinion about it?

 

[dma0991]

I don't think you would want to get that PSU in advance because not only it might degrade slightly when unused, you're paying more for what could be cheaper in a 1 year time period. You are also shortening your PSU's warranty period by rendering it unused.

 

[Zap]

The warranty period shortens, but PSUs don't have a freshness date.

 

[BoomerD]

The warranty period shortens, but PSUs don't have a freshness date.

Now come on...the capacitor fluid will evaporate.
Everyone knows this.

😛

 

[Blitz1776]

I guess that's good to know, though it's a bit odd how that changed. I know there was a discussion on the forums some time ago about it & it was pretty much agreed by everyone that leaving them sit wasn't good for a power supply. However if that's the case that I can store it it's good to know.

(Reason I wanted to take advantage of the power supply DMA was because it was a seasonic x-750 gold psu & with the deal they have and the newegg customer discount I could bring it down to $105 from 160)

 

[dma0991]

A Seasonic X-750 for $105? Wow, that's very good price for such a PSU. If that is the case then maybe you should get it. While waiting for the next build maybe you could swap out your Antec for that Seasonic unit and either keep or sell that Antec PSU.

Since your Antec has already had it's burn-in period from normal use I think it would do fine being unused. But I suggest to keep the Antec PSU as a spare as I would usually keep a spare PSU around just in case I need to test something for possible fault.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Last time, I read on here that capacitors like to be electrically charged, otherwise they degrade. Is that true?

I've had some PSUs sitting around for nearly 2, possibly 3 years, brand new in the box. Hopefully they haven't degraded much.

 

[Blitz1776]

See Larry's running in the same quandary I am, of information being changed of what I was told hence why I was checking it out 😛.

 

[dma0991]

Last time, I read on here that capacitors like to be electrically charged, otherwise they degrade. Is that true?

I don't think that capacitors would need to be constantly electrically charged because at the factory usually they would discharge the capacitors if they were charged from testing.

Capacitors from my basic understanding would not hold a charge very long if it is not constantly being replenished and a capacitor would dump all their power instantly unlike batteries which would discharge slowly.

 

[Blitz1776]

Capacitors are actually designed to hold a charge for years, if nothing is depleting it. That's why they warn you never open up old crt's (unless you know what you are doing) etc even months after you last plugged it up.