PSU lifespan?

bakes0310 · 20 Jun 2019 at 07:55

I have a 3 year old superflower 1000w platinum PSU. How long should you keep a PSU for, what's the first signs that a PSU is dieing?

Nothing wrong with mine but I would like to save some money on a new build next year by not getting an expensive PSU.

divergent · 20 Jun 2019 at 08:13

I've had PSUs last anywhere from 5 to 10 years+. I keep using them until they die.
Signs include random reboots, BSOD, not powering on, grinding noise from the PSU.

Yaayuh! · 20 Jun 2019 at 08:27

Depends on component quality really. I just swapped out my 5+ year old AX860 with the same. It was still going strong, a mate has it now. I swapped out because I upgraded some other components and thought I might as well.

If it's a good quality PSU, without issues, I wouldn't consider replacing at all before 5 years.

Akagi · 20 Jun 2019 at 08:35

I believe one of the well known PSU testing/review sites took a (good quality) PSU which they tested 12 - 15 years ago and re-tested it.

The results were not within the original specification anymore, but were still better than some brand new cheap units

Ill try and find the article when I get to work.

bakes0310 · 20 Jun 2019 at 08:50

Thanks for the quick replies. Would you say I have a good quality PSU?

Akagi · 20 Jun 2019 at 09:41

bakes0310 said:
Thanks for the quick replies. Would you say I have a good quality PSU?

Yes, among the best.

divergent · 20 Jun 2019 at 10:03

bakes0310 said:
Thanks for the quick replies. Would you say I have a good quality PSU?

Acme said:
Yes, among the best.

It still ticks all the boxes...

Full modular cabling
80 Plus Platinum (very high quality)
1000W (is huge!)

Akagi · 20 Jun 2019 at 11:21

divergent said:
It still ticks all the boxes...

Full modular cabling

80 Plus Platinum (very high quality)

1000W (is huge!)

The efficiency rating doesn't necessarily indicate the overall quality of the circuitry, however Superflower are well known as being among the best in the business for their PSU internals, along with Seasonic.

Glanza · 20 Jun 2019 at 12:19

Depend on the PSU I'm still using my 6 year old Seasonic 1000W.

Akagi · 20 Jun 2019 at 15:52

Glanza said:
Depend on the PSU I'm still using my 6 year old Seasonic 1000W.

I'm still using my 6 year old XFX Pro and replacing it hadn't even crossed my mind. It will probably outlive my interest in PC's. I have an old 400W (WinCool or something?) PSU in the cupboard which is 20 years old and used to power my Pentium 4 Northwood PC (It was a second hand PSU even then) right through to my Phenom 64 X4 system. Still works fine. Though I bet its fairly wacky on the power regulation these days. Not sure I'd trust it in my current system if my XFX went poof, but it still functions.

andy_mk3 · 20 Jun 2019 at 16:01

My Superflower PSU must be 5 years old now, it's going to my moving to my new Zen2 build as I have no issue using it for another 5 years

Kelt · 20 Jun 2019 at 16:25

bakes0310 said:
I have a 3 year old superflower 1000w platinum PSU. How long should you keep a PSU for, what's the first signs that a PSU is dieing?

Nothing wrong with mine but I would like to save some money on a new build next year by not getting an expensive PSU.

I bought my Coolermaster 850W PSU on 22/11/2007.

Still powering an oc'd X5650, 9 x LED fans, 6 x HDD, a DVD drive, 6 sticks of RAM, a 240mm AIO and a 1070.

Hasn't missed a beat in all that time while remaining whisper quiet.

Admiral Huddy · 20 Jun 2019 at 16:33

I think I've had three in the last 18 years

I have read that typically, you should replace after every 5 as they become less efficient and productive but I'd dare say it's enough to warrant a new unit tbh..

Darujhistan · 20 Jun 2019 at 17:19

Corsair TX 850W still chugging away from Nov 2011. It's never been stressed, I think that has a lot to do with longevity, I always buy with plenty of headroom.

Akagi · 20 Jun 2019 at 17:28

Darujhistan said:
Corsair TX 850W still chugging away from Nov 2011. It's never been stressed, I think that has a lot to do with longevity, I always buy with plenty of headroom.

I ran my 750W XFX at about 820W draw at the wall 24/7 for about a year straight, and prior to that it was running at around 680W draw for a couple of years 24/7.

Its still with us 6+ years later haha.

I remember reading a review before I bought it where they tested it up to about 920W before it went pop

Darujhistan · 20 Jun 2019 at 19:23

Acme said:
I ran my 750W XFX at about 820W draw at the wall 24/7 for about a year straight, and prior to that it was running at around 680W draw for a couple of years 24/7.

Its still with us 6+ years later haha.

I remember reading a review before I bought it where they tested it up to about 920W before it went pop

I'd never have the nerve to push one that far!

robfosters · 21 Jun 2019 at 10:45

andy_mk3 said:
My Superflower PSU must be 5 years old now, it's going to my moving to my new Zen2 build as I have no issue using it for another 5 years

Same here, my leadex platinum 850 is a brilliant PSU. Total waste of money getting a new one. Will be going into my Zen 2 build.

Alan1969 · 26 Jun 2019 at 19:43

Darujhistan said:
Corsair TX 850W still chugging away from Nov 2011. It's never been stressed, I think that has a lot to do with longevity, I always buy with plenty of headroom.

They are most efficient at 50% load, so I tend to buy with headroom too, ie. get a 750 or 850w

Alan1969 · 26 Jun 2019 at 19:45

I have had PSU,s over 8 years and replace when getting a new mono etc. I had never had one die yet, even the cheap ones.

Akagi · 27 Jun 2019 at 09:24

Alan1969 said:
I have had PSU,s over 8 years and replace when getting a new mono etc. I had never had one die yet, even the cheap ones.

I had a Winpower self combust rather spectacularly once.

The best part was that the computer remained on whilst there were visible flames. Amazing...