How long do you keep a PSU?

[Bleek]

So I've found myself in a position of having to replace my motherboard but the question lingers over the PSU, I have an xClio 550w, it's about 4 years old, do I replace it for the sake of it or should I carry on running it.

What has the mobo got to do with this, because I don't want the PSU failing and taking out my new kit!

It seems bizarre in this day and age we should question goods lasting more than a few years, I remember my mother having appliances that were as old as me and yet these days we throw stuff away on the basis of age!

 

[Scythe]

If it's a decent PSU, I'll keep it until it dies or a new build exceeds it's power output, then I'd probably sell it/pass it on.

 

[Mr-White]

I kept an Enermax 550w for 7 years before selling it on.
However I wouldn't keep a cheap PSU for that long

MW

 

[Bleek]

Well I don't think xClio are cheap, they're pretty much priced around the other main brands.

550w is more than enough for a single GPU setup, my load measured at the wall is max ~250w with both monitors on.

 

[Trofeo]

If it's a decent PSU, I'll keep it until it dies or a new build exceeds it's power output, then I'd probably sell it/pass it on.

+1 Even when a new connector starts becomming popular I'd just get an apropriate adapter so long as the PSU is up to the job of supplying the system with the power it may need under a max load situation.

 

[Scooby_WR1]

If it's a decent PSU, I'll keep it until it dies or a new build exceeds it's power output, then I'd probably sell it/pass it on.

+1.
If it's a cheapo psu then you risk it damaging other components if it failed but with a decent one they will provide protection to the rest if the system.

 

[andy_mk3]

I've had my Corsair HX-520 for around a year but I bought it second hand off the MM, no idea how old it is to be honest, but it's got a lot of life left in it yet I'm sure!

 

[sehcure]

Until it explodes.

 

[Bleek]

Until it explodes.

So long as it doesn't blow the other components up, that was my thinking!

 

[sehcure]

So long as it doesn't blow the other components up, that was my thinking!

Haha, of course.

I doubt mine will go before I need more power so have to buy a new one anyway.

 

[ZZZAC]

untill it refuses to power on more. i have a £5 enermax galaxy thats over 6 years old. running fine

 

[shadow_boxer]

As long as it's decent psu and has enough juice to power everything I'd be happy to keep it until it dies..

 

[paradigm]

Although as the caps age, they will become less efficient. Still I don't envisage any decent branded PSU lasting less than 5 years minimum.

 

[Unicorn]

Until you walk into the room and u smell smoke, Is what i did with my older one luckily it took nothing out.