Reuse and recycle?

The Sauce

Diamond Member
Oct 31, 1999
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I have a Corsair 750W modular PS circa 2012 currently supplying my 2500k o/c rig. Definitely going to upgrade when z390/Gen 9 hit the streets. IS there any reason that I would not/should not just recycle this power supply? Hasn't given me a shred of trouble in 7 years and I am not increasing my power draw compared to my current system (likely decreasing).
 

UsandThem

Elite Member
May 4, 2000
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IS there any reason that I would not/should not just recycle this power supply?

You didn't specify the model, but the PSU likely came with a 3-5 year warranty. Capacitors age, and I would personally buy a new PSU when building a new PC. A good all-Japanese capacitor PSU with a 10-12 year warranty is not very expensive at all when compared to what your other components will run you. For about $60 - $80, it's worth it IMHO.
 

The Sauce

Diamond Member
Oct 31, 1999
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Corsair 750HX

I'm just dipping in to the building scene again after all this time. Is there a brand/model that represents a particularly solid buy these days? Last I looked it was Corsair/Seasonic that was all the rage. I have always been more aggressive with PS spending/quality in my builds, but clearly wont need a 1200W PS for the rig I am planning - pretty minimal i7-9700k o/c, liquid (probably 240mm) cooling, SSD, one-video card type thing. Nothing particularly power hungry.
 

UsandThem

Elite Member
May 4, 2000
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The PSUs that I like are the EVGA G3 series (or G2), Seasonic Focus Plus Gold or Platinum series, or the Seasonic Ultra Prime series.

Some people like the Corsair RMx series, but my personal gripe with them is they give you no way to disable the "fan stop" mode like the units I recommended. EVGA and Seasonic both specifically mention to install the PSU fan facing up into the case if you use that feature, otherwise heat will rise into the PSU and not be exhausted, which would shorten the life of the PSU. Corsair doesn't mention this at all in their user manuals, so I guess it depends on what you believe is correct.

There are often sales with mail in rebates, so you should be able to catch one of those on sale.
 

Torn Mind

Lifer
Nov 25, 2012
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Maximum wattage is basically the main thing that is lost from degradation. But given that systems are usually built to run at half of the PSU's rated wattage or less, old PSUs can be reused with little issue for quite a while.
 

UsandThem

Elite Member
May 4, 2000
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The G1+ is newer, and did not get favorable reviews. It probably means nothing to you, but EVGA uses Super Flower to build their G2 and G3 models. They use FSP for their G1+ series, which is a step down. I did a thread on it here, and while EVGA normally sends their new products out for review, they really dragged their feet in the G1+.

https://forums.anandtech.com/thread...er-supply-lineup-updated-with-review.2536949/

You should be able to find one of the units I recommended in sale within the next 10 days, so I'd personally go that route. Plus, unless you are going to run multiple video cards, you don't need a 850w. My system with a heavily overclocked GTX 1080ti pulls like 420w at max if I run one of those synthetic power benchmark programs like Unigine. Otherwise, it tops out around 350w while gaming or doing Folding (similar to mining).
 

UsandThem

Elite Member
May 4, 2000
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Akso, your PSU came with a 7 year warranty, and it was designed in 2009. There's been some changes with PSU tech over the last 10 years, so if you wanted to run it until it dies, it was a pretty well built unit for its day. So as long as it's providing stable power, you would be fine.

However, if I was dropping some serious coin on the newest tech, I'd personally replace it with a modern PSU for peace of mind. You basically have two parties when it comes to replacing the PSU. One side says to use it until it dies, because the risk is low of it damaging something when it goes (quality units of course). The other side says they got their money's worth out of it, and to replace it before it begins its death spiral.
 

The Sauce

Diamond Member
Oct 31, 1999
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I just looked back and saw that I purchased it before this current build in 2010, so it's a solid 8 years old... As much as I would like to direct that cash towards other build areas, I guess it's up for purchase. I am having a hard time looking past that G1+ for $69 though. I'll sit tight and see if something better rolls along in the next month or so. Gen 9/Z390 is still a bit of a ways off.
 

UsandThem

Elite Member
May 4, 2000
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I just looked back and saw that I purchased it before this current build in 2010, so it's a solid 8 years old... As much as I would like to direct that cash towards other build areas, I guess it's up for purchase. I am having a hard time looking past that G1+ for $69 though. I'll sit tight and see if something better rolls along in the next month or so. Gen 9/Z390 is still a bit of a ways off.

I just checked Newegg's pricing, and they don't have anything right now that I would consider a good deal. I'd imagine you will have a lot better options over the next few weeks if you keep an eye out for sales.

The G1+ aren't horrible units by any means, but I always like getting the best product at the price I am willing to pay. I generally post a lot of deals here, so I kind of keep my eye on the prices at a pretty regular basis, so I know you can get a great unit instead of a good unit for the same price if you keep an eye out.
 
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UsandThem

Elite Member
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I looked at a few of the units I recommended, and found a few that I consider good prices:

650w Focus Plus Platinum for $80.54 after rebate at Amazon and B&H Photo:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074N8RG74/ref=twister_B07DQH3YSG?_encoding=UTF8&th=1

650 Focus Plus Gold $69.99 after rebate Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073H33X7R/ref=twister_B07DQH3YSG?_encoding=UTF8&th=1

750w Focus Plus Gold $73.01 after rebate and promo code Newegg:

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16817151187
 

The Sauce

Diamond Member
Oct 31, 1999
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Amazon has the EVGA 750PQ on sale for $99, same as the G3. Deal, or is there a reason to think the G3 is the better option for the same price?
 

UsandThem

Elite Member
May 4, 2000
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