Are old PSUs still up the the job today?

clv101 · 28 Jul 2020 at 22:15

In one of my old (decade+) boxes, I've found this PSU:

Corsair HX 520W ATX MODULAR SLI COMPLIANT
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/b-grade-corsair-hx-520w-atx-modular-sli-compliant-power-supply-cmpsu-520hxuk-bg-034-cs.html

How does this compare with modern PSUs? In terms of efficiency, in terms of noise? Can it power a modest system based around say a R7 3700X with a GTX1650 card?

mickyflinn · 28 Jul 2020 at 22:35

How old is it and how much use has it had ?

clv101 · 28 Jul 2020 at 22:47

It's probably about 13-14 years old, maybe had 3-4 years of daily use then very little for the last decade.

Armageus · 28 Jul 2020 at 22:53

13-14 years old, I wouldn't be risking any hardware you can't afford to lose.

Capacitors go bad regardless of use

mickyflinn · 28 Jul 2020 at 23:01

Armageus said:
13-14 years old, I wouldn't be risking any hardware you can't afford to lose.

Capacitors go bad regardless of use

Agreed

EsaT · 29 Jul 2020 at 20:04

While high end for its release time and well built, that's literally antiquated by now design wise, which was outdated already ten years ago.

clv101 said:
then very little for the last decade.

Long duration (like years) lack of use also degrades capacitors.
Or more precisely aluminum oxide layer breaks down eventually shorting capacitor.
Occasional use can prevent that:
Normal leakage current maintains/rebuilts oxide layer.

clv101 · 29 Jul 2020 at 21:11

Fair enough, thanks for insight! It's in an Antec 900 case, nice big 200mm fan on top. Maybe I can reuse the case at least.
Any hot tips for a modern, very efficient PSU, unlikely to power anything more than 65W CPU and mid range GPU.

Grimley · 30 Jul 2020 at 17:09

clv101 said:
Any hot tips for a modern, very efficient PSU, unlikely to power anything more than 65W CPU and mid range GPU.

This should do the trick.

My basket at Overclockers UK:

1 x Phanteks AMP 550W 80 Plus Gold Modular Power Supply= £86.99

Total: £97.49 (includes shipping: £10.50)

tamzzy · 30 Jul 2020 at 17:16

clv101 said:
Any hot tips for a modern, very efficient PSU, unlikely to power anything more than 65W CPU and mid range GPU.

personally, i'd still use the psu you have. yes it's old but you aren't going to stress it hard.

10 year old PSU tests:

tamzzy said:
HardOCP is where they tested a few:
https://www.hardocp.com/article/2019/03/28/seasonic_x750_750w_psu_10_year_redux/1 seasonic x750 (passed)
https://www.hardocp.com/article/2015/03/09/silverstone_olympia_1000w_power_supply_7_year_redux/ silverstone olympia 1kw (fail - ripple)
https://www.hardocp.com/article/2018/03/12/cooler_master_real_power_pro_1000w_psu_10_year_redux/1 CM real power pro 1kw (fail - torture test)

i'm gonna quote @Journey here:

Journey said:
Oh yeah, the PSU. You can guarantee that in 7 years time or whenever, you decide to upgrade the first thing someone will ask will be how old is your PSU, and then the'll draw in air through their teeth, just like a mechanic would and say, "best replace it just to be safe".

Journey · 30 Jul 2020 at 17:30

tamzzy said:
i'm gonna quote @Journey here:

tamzzy · 30 Jul 2020 at 17:33

Journey said:

Couldn't help myself dredging up one of your old posts lol

Gray2233 · 30 Jul 2020 at 17:40

Really depends on the PSU.

A lot of PSU's from the last few years come with warranties in the 7-12 year range and are extremely reliable/well built, they also have a lot of protections built into them to make sure there's no component damage should they fail.

I'd have absolutely no problem running a good quality PSU for the length of its warranty or until it died, if that's 12 years that's how long I would use it unless it no longer met my power requirements.