PSU Lifespan?

[Double07]

I have read quite a few comments, on varying threads, about PSUs becoming less reliable as they age. Now this of course does make sense, and I get that each system will have a multitude of factors which would determine this.

If there any way to check if my PSU might need replacing by using something like HWInfo or the like, or would you need a multimeter type thing and the knowledge to know exactly what you were looking for?

I have a Cooler Master 700W Silent Pro which is a good few years old now. I never really bothered with PSUs in the past as I fell into the trap of just buying what I could afford, however I appreciate that given I spend a fair amount on CPU/GPU, etc it does seem like a bit of a foolish approach given it could conceivably take everything else out!

ANy info on what I should be looking out for in terms of voltages, etc. There does seem to be some good deals on some nice PSUs going at the moment so it's something that I am considering, however if it's not really needed then I could put that money elsewhere.

Ta

 

[EsaT]

For proper testing of PSU's condition/performance you would need oscilliscope and test load.
Just oscilloscope alone would cost price of multiple good PSUs, while proper load testers make oscilloscopes look cheap.
And even that equipment wouldn't give any precise "prognosis" of how long that performance is maintained.

That low end already 10 years ago PSU is standard level PSU with second tier capacitors in very bad position for cooling them.
https://bit-tech.net/reviews/tech/psus/cooler-master-silent-pro-700w/4/

So if it has been used five+ years in enthusiast use would replace it.
Design is anyway completely medieval by modern standards and good only for wasting unnecessary amount of watts to heat.
(80+ Gold efficiency class is decade old)



For fully modular design Antec HCG Gold (now in discount) and Seasonic Focus Plus are best priced.
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/search?sSearch=antec+hcg+gold
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/search?sSearch=seasonic+focus+plus+gold

And if you have expensive CPU and GPU, notch higher 80+ Platinum efficiency wouldn't cost really that much.
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/search?sSearch=seasonic+focus+plus+platinum

Unlike 80+ Titanium which costs clear luxury.
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/search?sSearch=seasonic+titanium
Though that would likely shave percentually very notable ~15W from PC's idle power consumption.


650W would be good for most PCs.
Of course there's quite huge variation in power draw of different components.
And especially overvolting misleadingly called as overclocking can fast increase power consumption from normal for that part.

 

[Double07]

The Antec ones were what I was looking at actually, particularly given the discount which makes them seem like a good buy from what I can gather with a quick look at reviews, etc.

I might as well replace it now, given that I have used for a number of years, before it decides to die and possibly take something with it. Got my moneys worth from it anyway given it wasn't particularly expensive at the time.