Would this PSU still work with a new build today?

Associate
Joined
20 Oct 2004
Posts
650
Location
London
Hi guys,

Planning to build a new PC in the near future - Ryzen based most likely a 3700x with a 2070 GFX or equivalent.

I have this PSU from a build I built 10 years ago:

1 - Corsair HX 850W ATX Modular SLI Compliant Power Supply (CMPSU-850HXUK)

Would that still work? or am I better off just getting a new one?

Thank you

Meds
 
It would still work but for how long? Personally I wouln't risk a 10 year old PSU in a new PC with expensive components. Best case scenario - it works great for years to come. Worst case scenario - BANG!
 
Mini hi-jack but looking for the same answers given the apparent shortage of PSU stocks at the moment.

I'm pretty much in exactly the same situation and was going to post this same thread, except I'm looking at a 3600/3300X and waiting out on B550 boards.

Similar age PSU around 8 years:
Corsair TX650 V2 650W Enthusiast Series

According to Corsair the MTBF is 100,000 hours for both my TX650 and OPs HX850, but we're well outside the warrenty of 5 and 7 years respectively.

That MTBF would be a little over 11 years of continual use, I'm pretty confident mine is no where near that figure especially considering for the last 4 years it's mostly had light evening use at best.

So I guess the question is, barring any incompatibility issues with newer boards, would it be unwise to trust in the MTBF figures / brand reliability if we know what kind of usage our PSUs have had?

For mine atleast Corsair is suggesting "High-quality Japanese capacitors provide uncompromised performance and reliability"
 
Last edited:
Hi guys,

Planning to build a new PC in the near future - Ryzen based most likely a 3700x with a 2070 GFX or equivalent.

I have this PSU from a build I built 10 years ago:

1 - Corsair HX 850W ATX Modular SLI Compliant Power Supply (CMPSU-850HXUK)

Would that still work? or am I better off just getting a new one?

Thank you

Meds

For me it depends on it's previous life. For example if the PSU ran under high load for many hours then maybe get another one. However if it's had an easy live, and especially if it never really got hot, then reuse it if you want.

One thing to consider is the new Gold/Platium/Titanium PSU's are far quieter then the older Silver ones.
 
It doesn't matter whether they've "had an easy life" or not, capacitors and other parts of the PSU age, become less efficient and fail, regardless of the stress they have had
 
Thanks for the replies guys. I guess what Im reading is that yes it would still work - but many of you wouldnt want to risk it using shiny new kit :)

Been out of the build game for a while now - so current PSU's will be something I'll have to look into properly - Quality and noise being my priorities here.
 
Thanks for the replies guys. I guess what Im reading is that yes it would still work - but many of you wouldnt want to risk it using shiny new kit :)

Been out of the build game for a while now - so current PSU's will be something I'll have to look into properly - Quality and noise being my priorities here.

That's pretty much it. I have an old (probably 12+ years) Corsair PSU powering an old 2600k/280x PC which doesn't get a lot of use or abuse, for which is does a fine job. I wouldn't want to be loading it up with £100's worth of new hardware though!
 
I'd reuse it.

The HX850, definitely.

There are all sorts of safety features built in to protect your hardware, it's got double circuitry (I don't understand this but my mate who's an electrical engineer say this is good) no reason if it's been going for many years it won't continue to work.

Yes capacitors to degrade but from my experience this can happen anytime, I have very old electrical items, 20+ years that are fine.

You could buy a brand new PSU and that could blow up.

Cheaper, less quality units I'd replace, but then I wouldn't buy one in the first place.
 
I'd reuse it.

The HX850, definitely.

[..snip..]

Cheaper, less quality units I'd replace, but then I wouldn't buy one in the first place.
I'm in the re-use camp too, don't sue me please, but I'd rather have an old good quality unit than a cheaper newer unit. I noticed some of the newer units even have inferior specs to the old ones too. That said, I'm running my old PSUs on pretty low-end gear with minimal power draw, so if you're going to be running it hard and spending a big bundle, I agree it is prudent to invest in a quality PSU.
 
Im planning to run it on a fairly decent setup - probably spend around 1200-1500.. I'll probably leave it to fate on the day :) Depending on how much budget I've got left as to say. Thanks again chaps
 
I've got an old PSU, it could fail. Surely a PSU failing would just mean getting a replacement and other components don't get damaged?
 
I spotted the Viper PSU thread, I had a Hiper Type R and that failed but just died in isolation.

Yeah but those were well known to fail, expected to even! :D Me, personally i'd have no problems using the HX850, yes caps go off a bit but i've been repairing and fixing electronics for decades and the value loss is a bit overrated. I've tested caps from amps built in the 80s that still hold more or less their value from factory, even esr was good.
 
Back
Top Bottom