Hey guys, I recently ordered some new hardware for a new computer build. I have a couple pieces I am using from my old computer. I am going to keep a hard drive WD Black and Power supply Antec Quattro 1000. These parts are about 7 years old. I am wondering if I should replace the power supply being a critical component. It works perfectly fine, but I am wondering how long we expect them to last. Do you think I am safe using this power supply? If a power supply fails does it take anything with it? Build Specs below
CPU: Intel Core i5 6500
MOBO: Asrock z170 PRO4S
RAM: Gskill Ripjaws V 2x8gb
Hard Drive: Kingston 128gb SSD, Western Digital Black 1 TB(7 Years old)
GPU: Zotac 1060 AMP
Chassis: NZXT Phantom 410
Power Supply: Antec Quattro 1000(7 years old)
Got all this for $880, what do you think about the build BTW?
Thanks for your help and comments.
You can get yourself a power-supply-tester to augment any monitoring in Windows software -- they might cost about $25, but it's an investment if you always build your own PCs.
Generally, and I haven't kept up with PSU technology as much as I could, but there is the factor of capacitor-aging and other slow deteriorations. I've had a Seasonic PSU go bad just after its 5-year-warranty period, and 5 years was considered great until some PSUs appeared with 7 and 10-year warranties -- and even those were either exclusive to or inclusive of more than one rebadged Seasonic manufacture.
If it tests out, if you can run the system a month or more without mishap, you would at least keep an eye on it when some hardware symptom develops, or you could simply replace it now.
How efficient is the Quattro 1000? You can buy a Platinum or Gold Seasonic, EVGA -- even Corsair has now come into its own, but the model I saw could (in the sieve of possibilities) be a rebadged Seasonic. I haven't looked into it. Top-end EVGA models were rebadged Seasonics, also.
No -- since I overclock when I can, I'd probably retire that PSU to the parts-locker to use as a spare in a pinch, and buy a new one. Components these days don't need a 1000W PSU. I've got 2x SLI GTX 970s overclocked, with a near-the-limit OC of the processor. I did the arithmetic, and I'm golden and blessed with just a 650W Seasonic.
The thing about PSU quality: Sometimes they're capable of more than the rated wattage. A (Sea-rebranded) EVGA 750W unit was found capable of sustained draws of 900+. Cheaper units may actually fall short of their rating.
And there are other quality manufacturers than Seasonic, but they really have a presence in the rebranded market offering.
