New PSU for new build, or stick with old?

Aa83 · 20 Dec 2023 at 16:33

Hello! I was planning a new PC build (new Ryzen 7900X, existing 3060ti GPU but may upgrade that at some point) and for this new build my plan was to use my existing Super Flower Leadex Platinum 1000W PSU. It's the original Leadex PSU from a few years ago and it's not been used loads so my assumption was it'd be fine for the new build, and I could buy a relatively cheap PSU for my existing PC and turn that into a living room PC.

However, the more I read into it the more I'm concerned that a cheaper PSU (such as some of the Aerocool Integrators listed on OcUK) might be a bit of a risk.

Therefore can anyone please give me some advice? If I'm spending money on a more expensive PSU, am I just better off buying an ATX 3.0 compatible PSU for the new build and leaving the old Leadex in the existing PC?

Aa83 · 20 Dec 2023 at 17:43

Tetras said:
For both your existing, or new PC you could easily run it with the first option, or the second option would accept anything up to a 4080, even a 4090:

My basket at OcUK:

1 x Phanteks AMP 650W 80 Plus Gold Modular Power Supply (SKU: CA-09Q-PT) = £70.00

1 x MSI MPG A1000G PCIE5 UK PSU 1000W 80 Plus Gold Power Supply (SKU: CA-00W-MS) = £139.99

Total: £217.98 (includes delivery: £7.99)

If you were getting an AMD card (7900 XT or XTX), then an older design like your Superflower doesn't matter because you only need PCIE 8 pins.

Thank you for the advice, appreciate the PSU recommendations as well!

Quartz said:
How many years?

Never skimp on a PSU.

Had a look through my purchase history and it's from 2014. Blimey where do the years go!?

Aa83 · 21 Dec 2023 at 09:23

Thanks everyone for your advice! I can always rely on this great forum for expert knowledge. I've decided that a new PSU is in order and that I'll risk using the current PSU in what will be my old system.

Aa83 · 24 Dec 2023 at 14:13

tamzzy said:
@JollyJamma I know right. Madness lol
Talking about buying high-end power supplies for "future-proofing" and then in the next sentence saying that a top-end power supply must be changed immediately

I just wished hard ocp still existed...they used to do the 10 year old PSU tests to show how much degradation actually happened.
Ps: on high-end PSUs...not much...

Found a copy + paste of the old article on LTT

Retesting a Seasonic X-750 750W PSU 10 Years Later

Quote One of our readers' favorite PSU topics has been when we look back at a previously reviewed PSU that has been in service for a long while, and whether or not that PSU will still meet ATX spec and handle its previously rated wattage load. Today we have a Seasonic PSU that has been in service...

linustechtips.com

Thanks for the link, shame the Hard OCP test results are gone but the gist seems to be old PSUs lost a bit of output but could still be fine to use and decent ones still within spec. Well that's good to know!

I think I'll still go for a new PSU for the new build as buying a half decent PSU will cost 2/3 of what a higher rated PSU. But very happy my old Super Flower should keep going for a while longer.