Replacing dead 500w PSU, should I buy for the future or find best deal for right now?

Product-of-All

Junior Member
Mar 26, 2013
3
0
0
I have a Micro-ATX board (MSI Z68MA-ED55) with a GTX 570 and i5 2500k.

I fell out of PC gaming since my irl friends console game only, but I haven't written it off completely and want to replace a dead 500 watt corsair builder series. But, I'm short for cash and I have other hobbies, so I'm thinking this out more than I normally would. Should I...

1.) Buy a bigger, slightly more expensive PSU with future upgrades in mind that would keep me a mid-range and upish gamer for a year or two longer?

2.) Buy one of those smaller PSU's I remember seeing for a future HTPC in a small case utilizing the my Micro-ATX board I got for free and whatever else that fits nice and cool.

3.) Live in the now, and just keep an eye out for a sale on another 500 watt for as long as I can stand using this dusty-ass 13 year old pc that i'm on now.

I'm a longtime lurker and i'll appreciate any advice.
 
Last edited:

Sleepingforest

Platinum Member
Nov 18, 2012
2,375
0
76
Could you try an RMA to Corsair? That PSU is perfectly adequate for modern GPUs like the GTX 670/680 or the Radeon 7970 (well, not the crazy flagships, but otherwise, it is fine). Most GPUs are getting less and less power hungry.
 

Product-of-All

Junior Member
Mar 26, 2013
3
0
0
That's good to know GPU's are getting less power hungry. I've been away from the pc scene for a while.

The PSU is two years old so I figured manufacturer warranty is up, and I received it for free through redeeming points through a rewards program thing, so I have no receipt and don't even know the vendor it came from.
 

Sleepingforest

Platinum Member
Nov 18, 2012
2,375
0
76
That PSU seems to come with a 3 year warranty. Try calling Corsair up or sending them and email, with serial number information and pictures as proof. They'll probably be pretty reasonable about it as long as you're polite.
 

Product-of-All

Junior Member
Mar 26, 2013
3
0
0
I just looked at the RMA request page. I'm gonna try for a real person first in the morning. Either way, definitely seems the way to go. Thanks for probably saving me some money!