How often should you change PSU?

Lysander

Lysander

Lysander

Capodecina
Soldato
Joined
1 Aug 2005
Posts
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Flatland
I've had my PSU for just over three years. It's an Akasa 400W jobbie and has always performed flawlessly. Should I get a new one yet or wait a bit longer?
 
1) If you have upgraded your rig and your 300w just isn't going to cut it anymore.
2) Realised you have a 580W hiper type R ;)
3) Skimped on the psu when you built your nice new rig and now can afford a decent one.
 
Garyj881 said:
2) Realised you have a 580W hiper type R ;)
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Ok, I fall into that category. However, as much as I have read the "horror stories", the damn thing just seems to be working flawlessly.

I keep deliberating though on whether or not to replace it.

I know that some people have had them take out other components, but how often is that?

I mean, I bought this PSU cause it had nothing but good reviews, and people thought it was great in general...
 
citizen__erased said:
My Hiper 580w type R has been running flawlessly for a year now. I don't think they are any worse than any other PSU in the same price bracket. Not the best but not the worst either.
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Would you drive on tyres that you're unsure of? It's not worth it... how much did that lot cost you?

E6600@3Ghz
P5N32-E SLI
2Gb Ballistix PC2-6400 C4
Albatron 8800GTS 640Mb

As for "when to replace" I'd say every 10 years (for a computer that isn't upgraded) being that capacitors have a finite lifespan.
 
badbob said:
Would you drive on tyres that you're unsure of? It's not worth it... how much did that lot cost you?
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So you are advocating the replacement of a part that is working absolutely fine, on the premise that it "might" give problems later? Sorry man, but lifes too short to be scared all the time, worrying about what might happen.

If its working fine now, then run with it. What would happen if you replaced a perfect functioning PSU (albeit with a bad reputation) and the replacement ends up giving you problems? It could happen, just as your tyre situation could happen.

Also consider that around the world, most of the computers are OEM builds. And these OEM built PCs invariably use cheapo PSUs (try opening up a DELL and see what they use). The reason why OEM companies use these PSUs are because they are cost effective. If they found that they were creating problems (especially during the warranty period), they would be losing too much money on replacing the PSUs (and any components damaged), they would eventually realise that it isnt worth saving pennies on a cheap PSUs as later on, it comes back to bite you in the backside. This clearly has not happened. We can therefore assume that it is safe to use the cheaper PSUs, once the PSU is up and running fine.

I think enthusiast sites like this have scaremongered people into buying very expensive, over powered PSUs that are not actually necessary. The only people who win are the PSU makers and their bank accounts.
 
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