When would you concider used power supply too old for new build even if works fine.

[country2]

I have a power supply that has worked perfect now for about 8 years it a Seasonic X series 750watt gold I have 2 other ones bought about same time in other systems also with no issues so I love them.. I'm going to build a new AMD system reusing memory and HSF but wonder about the powers supply. Should I or would you consider "NOT"reusing it or due to age and possibly not supporting some of the newer power schemes...if their are any. I have a Evga 650 G2 setting here new in box (bought last year price was too cheap to pass up) Thanks!

 

[VirtualLarry]

Hmm, to me, that's a kind of a hard-to-call situation. What's the warranty of the Seasonic X Series 750W 80Plus Gold? If it's still in warranty, then I would likely be comfortable re-using it. Especially if you have several other identical units, still in service with no issues, bought around the same time.

If it's out of warranty, then that's a bit more difficult, and I might lean towards using the newer PSU that you have.

That being said, I do have some older Antec 650W PSUs floating around here somewhere, that are probably old-as-dirt, but I might still re-use them for entry-level / non-overclocked / non-high-end rigs.

 

[ch33zw1z]

When it's out of warranty, suspect, or atx specs have gone through more than a revision or two.

 

[BoomerD]

Hmm, to me, that's a kind of a hard-to-call situation. What's the warranty of the Seasonic X Series 750W 80Plus Gold? If it's still in warranty, then I would likely be comfortable re-using it. Especially if you have several other identical units, still in service with no issues, bought around the same time.

If it's out of warranty, then that's a bit more difficult, and I might lean towards using the newer PSU that you have.

That being said, I do have some older Antec 650W PSUs floating around here somewhere, that are probably old-as-dirt, but I might still re-use them for entry-level / non-overclocked / non-high-end rigs.

For me, it would also depend on how heavily it was pushed. A PSU that's been "run hard and put away wet" on a regular basis might have a shorter life expectancy than one that ran at 50% of its rated capacity...presuming, of course, the unit was built with quality components. (like a Seasonic PSU)

 

[mindless1]

It uses a high quality dual ball bearing fan and Japanese capacitors. Unless it was driven hard, it should be good for several more years, though I would definitely open it up and clean any dust out if present.

On the other hand since you have a new PSU already, I'd be inclined to use the new PSU and leave that one as a backup.

 

[JEDIYoda]

I think you will be fine!! I have a power supply that is over 10 years old and it uses capicitors made in Bejinz Zao, China and it is running strong as ever!!

 

[mopardude87]

Experiences with old computers, i had a " new old stock" Pentium 4 gamer that had pretty much no power on time with a "fresh" install of xp sp1 and during a W7 installation the power supply went poof and took out the motherboard and idk what else. I just kind of cut my losts and recycled the thing as a whole. I paid next to nothing for sure but the brief time it was running i was blown away how clean and new it had looked.

The pc had a variation of a Nforce chipset i think from MSI, a 6800 gt AGP and i want to say a 2.4Ghz Northy. The psu was i believe a Antec True power perhaps a 430w? It was the plain gray cased one.

 

[sandorski]

My Bronze 500w Seasonic is over 10 years old, still works fine, but for my recent new build I used a new PS. It just seems like a good idea at this point, although the system it's in will probably still be used.

 

[mopardude87]

My Bronze 500w Seasonic is over 10 years old, still works fine, but for my recent new build I used a new PS. It just seems like a good idea at this point, although the system it's in will probably still be used.

Hoping my Seasonic FOCUS Series 650W can last that long. I just picked one up for $93 shipped and its my first Seasonic. I have been kind of skimping by buying Corsair CX units for the last 6 years and so far none of those have gave issues but i also never stressed them either. I usually would be on a budget and i could get a CX750 for cheaper then any 650W and well i would treat a advertised "430w" unit as if it was a 300W for example.

Being married for 5 years and now divorced, i finally have some gosh dang freedom with my budget. Nothing like a wife babysitting your purchases and not exactly understanding why you spend what ya do. I tried to explain the purpose of spending a bit more on a quality unit to her and i only came up with a life insurance analogy. Obviously my talks still became fruitful with CX purchases!

 

[country2]

Well just to update... I finally got my 3700 installed and kept my old PSU in it. I was actually so excited about my new cpu I forgot all about replacing the psu..lol

 

[Flayed]

I will replace my PSU after 10 years even if it still works fine.

 

[Torn Mind]

There are two general "failures" of power supply. One is from regular old age. The other is "sudden" failure risk. The old age matter is inevitable. The difference is "higher quality" units have more time before they become "old". Sudden failure risk is unavoidable and is higher on fresh new, units. "Old" is going to be either fan failure or capacitor failure.

Considering these factors, quality used power supplies approximately 3 years of age are the ideal buy. Someone took on the risk of dealing with those pesky "sudden" failures and there is still a good decade or even two decades worth of service left in the unit.

In units from quality manufacturers, "death" will be non-catastrophic, which is the primary motivation for people blowing big loads of money of PSUs. But the threshold for "quality" deaths is only $40.

 

[country2]

Just wanted to add that I just had my first ever power supply die... it was the OCZ Modextreme 600 Died this morning. it lasted 9 years.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Just wanted to add that I just had my first ever power supply die... it was the OCZ Modextreme 600 Died this morning. it lasted 9 years.

That's a pretty good lifespan. I would have replaced it myself after 5 years, but that's just me. Or put it on "pasture duty", on some really low-end rig (maybe that's what you did?).

 

[country2]

That's a pretty good lifespan. I would have replaced it myself after 5 years, but that's just me. Or put it on "pasture duty", on some really low-end rig (maybe that's what you did?).

Actually it was in a pc for the bedroom that was rarely used. I was getting ready to replace it just never got time. I'm guesing this was a early build one and was really made by PCPC (?) I have openedit up a few time to clean out and check for any caps that looked bad.