Life expectancy of a PSU

[Alex79]

I have a Coolermaster bronze 650W PSU, modular, and it is still running fine, not too loud. I've been using it since 2012.

I am considering upgrading my PC to new motherboard and CPU, but I would like to keep the PSU. Is this risky? Could there be the risk that the PSU is now getting "too old" and could die? FWIW, the new system would not need more than 400W at best.

[kalniel]

Nothing lasts forever, but a good PSU should give many years of use and if you allow a small margin for ageing (which you are more than doing) then you should be fine.

[virtuo]

I agree, a good quality PSU should go for years - I've got a 14 year old Antec Truepower in one of my pcs at home, and I've had absolutely no problems with it.

[Dashers]

Depends on how much you spend on them. I got so fed up of going through power supplies I paid the extra and got a CoolerMaster M2 Silent Pro or something like that, had a silly long warranty on it and it has so far survived a lot longer than other previous ones.

I too have had to throw away some Antec supplies not due to failure but due to being obsolete.

Until they add a connector on that you can't live without (or adapt) then don't change until it fails. No point wasting money. It's unlikely that you'll need to get a more powerful PSU too, the trend is on power saving at the moment.

That said, if you have money to throw about, maybe look at getting a fancy 80% Platinum supply or something.

[smargh]

I once had (IIRC) a Corsair HX520 that had deteriorated after three years of 24/7 use. The deterioration was only evident when at one time I tried to use it in a different PC and it complained with a power error code. Subsequent checking of voltages showed it was just outside of the ATX spec.

Power supplies do die of old age - mainly capacitors. For PSUs used 24/7/365 in warm/hot environments, "average" quality ones might last three years. "Good" quality ones 5 years+.

Personally, I proactively replace my main PSU after around 3-5 years of 24/7 running, and only use very well regarded models, i.e. Seasonic X series.

... which reminds me. I should probably check my voltages now (with a physical multimeter, NOT software).

[wazzickle]

Without having seen any data, I'd guess that an average->good PSU should have about 7-10 years of life expectancy under standard usage.

[excalibur2]

H'mm surely there is no answer as it would depend if you have the computer running continually or just use it once a week...but if you are upgrading to an expensive system I wouldn't use an old PSU even if it was say a seasonic......but then we are back to what is "old" for the top makes.

[flearider]

way i look at it is ..if your spending £800 and upwards then buy a new psu .. but as you say it's a good make and only 4 yrs old ..

[GoNz0]

I have an Enermax 1250w that I bought in 2009, still going strong and now running my x99 setup.

[Alex79]

Thanks for your comments, I think I will stick with the PSU, as it is in very good condition.

[ultrasbm]

According to the BIOS on my Mobo, my PC has been on for a total of 1146 days with the same PSU...and it's still working perfectly.
The usual rule applies - you buy cheap, you buy 3 times.
If your PSU was a high quality one at the time, then there's no reason why you wouldn't be able to get exemplary usage out of it.

[XRoyalT]

A number of well known PSU manufacturers come with great warranty's, for my example ill use Corsair, they have a 3 year warranty on there products, this can give you a rough idea of life expectancy, but products are known to go way past there warranty's and still work great,so always go for quality PSU,s as mentioned by ultasbm, sticking to well known brands.
Regards