When do YOU replace a PSU?

[P4-630]

I've built a new system in March this year, bought a Be Quiet! PSU which has 5 years of warranty.
My dad was using my old desktop which had an enermax PSU in it and one day it said "poof" and nothing else happened, it was still running fine the day before, the PSU suddenly died and we had to replace it, it had 3 years warranty and lasted about 5 years or so I think.
Luckily all other hardware was fine and the system started up as usual with a new PSU.

Now with my own new system I don't think I will wait until the PSU fails, I think I just replace it after the 5 years of warranty if all goes well because I don't want to risk any damage to other hardware.

When do YOU replace a PSU?

 

[rtwjunkie]

Warranty or not, 4 to 5 years is about right, whether it needs to or not. I don't give them a chance to to sudden old-age death.

 

[AlienIsGOD]

after 5 years or more. I bought an HX1000 in 2008 and retired it earlier this year for a EVGA G1 750W. I guess it depends on how well made the PSU is, how you run your system and luck Ive had PSU's die after 2 years and psu last over 7 years. In the future i see myself replacing every 3-4 years depending on the manufacturer, build quality, etc.

 

[EarthDog]

When it goes poof... I buy high quality Tier 1 PSUs so there is enough protection circuitry in there where chances are it will not take anything else with it when it does poof. I've had the Seasonic 1KW unit (http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=264) for around 5 years now... and a EVGA Supernova G2 750W that is around 2 years old.

Regarding sudden death, I have a known good backup PSU for those moments (testing or RMA).

 

[FireFox]

I change PSU every time i build a new Machine.

 

[Jetster]

Why would you replace something that works?

 

[P4-630]

so there is enough protection circuitry in there where chances are it will not take anything else with it.

So it seems my dads PC Enermax PSU had enough protection circuitry in it then...

 

[P4-630]

Why would you replace something that works?

Well if it has been in use for about 5 years already.....
Unless it's some Seasonic with 7 years of warranty...

 

[FireFox]

If you're talking to me the answer is: new build new Hardwares.

 

[P4-630]

If you're talking to me the answer is: new build new Hardwares.

And in what average period in years are you talking about then.
3? - 5?

 

[FireFox]

And in what average period in years are you talking about then.
3? - 5?

2 years or less.

 

[P4-630]

2 years or less.

Those Enermax PSU's you are using may have a 5 year warranty though..

 

[EarthDog]

2 years or less.

Wow.........just wow.

Wish I had money falling out of my backside to do that!!!

So it seems my dads PC Enermax PSU had enough protection circuitry in it then...

I don't know what this means... did it die and take out some equipment I would imagine? Enermax had some crappy PSUs, and some good ones.

That said, even a good one can bork and take out other items... but again, most wouldn't. I am a betting man and have, and will continue to 'take my chances' (I don't call it taking a chance) with running them until I confirm issues/it suddenly dies.

Why would you replace something that works?

Paranoia and lack of knowledge on how the product works when it fails.

 

[CoD511]

The AX1200i I purchased received an extension of warranty recently to 10 years, so I'll replace it whenever it starts showing issues or perhaps if that warranty runs out; but I can't imagine having to worry even if it does die, the issues shouldn't extend outside of the PSU I'd hope at this level.

Otherwise, why replace it? I chose what seems overkill but for reasons including digital control inside and it has been excellent, I didn't even know I'd blown GPU VRMs once due to it shutting off so quickly. I found out later when the other PSU I tested with made some nice electrical smoke.

 

[P4-630]

I don't know what this means... did it die and take out some equipment I would imagine?

No just the PSU alone died, so I mean it must of had some protection in it since the other hardware was fine.

 

[peche]

I have had like 3 or 4 PSU's total, the most used one, Thermaltake TR2 430W, lasted for like 6 years, it was cleaned, got also a fan replace cause the original one died for use, did a check out on capacitors and all other parts, also with a PSU did another checkout with a PSU tester, since everything worked fine just replaced the fan and decide to use the PSU for build tests and shit, then i realized that i did a build that used that psu for like 2 years more, then the complete build was sold to a friend that still has that psu as spare psu since its 430w and his rig comsumes like 650w [CrossfireX with 7970's and amd FX processor,]

Also had another Seasonic 650W but couldnt remenber the model, that lasted 2 years with me and have like 6 years with the current owner, a friend that bought me the whole rig, intel core 2 Quad with and GTX 560, still working great, was a pretty funny machine used almost just for Overclock that Quad core, little gaming!

Current PSU:
Thermaltake TR2 700 80+Bronze 1st Gen: my current PSU its the 1st generation of TR2 with 80+Bronze, bought like 3 years ago, working great, no coil wine, tested every year with a PSU wattage tester, Fan spinning flawless, cleaned with air compressor every year also, 3 years of service and counting, it comes with 5 years warranty!





Also know the story of a older OCz PSU that have survived a couple of fixes and still on use after 8 years of brutal service

Regards,

 

[R-T-B]

When my wallet burns a hole in my pocket, if my last purchases are anything to go by.

 

[FireFox]

Wow.........just wow.

That's me, you should already know how extravagant i am.

Paranoia and lack of knowledge on how the product works when it fails.

If that sentence was for me, here is my answer: it's not Paranoia it's why not if i can.

 

[EarthDog]

Its for everyone... because if everyone was actually aware of it, they wouldn't be buying PSUs until they notice something wonky or it fails.

Or if one has more money than sense.

 

[Kursah]

It really depends, I've only seen a couple of PSU failures on my personal PC's over the past few years...and of those it was XFX and Antec branded in my Dad's and Mom's PC that I can recall for recent memory. I just swapped my 8-year old Corsair HX750 to my son's PC after confirming it tested stable and installed a new EVGA 750G2 in its place.

Usually I wait till there starts to be stability issues, or a reason to replace it...even if that means going poof. In my experience it has been pretty rare to lose hardware from a PSU failure since I started using higher quality PSU's. It still happens from time-to-time, but usually that hardware is aged as well...but many PSU's with their protection circuits seem to protect hardware pretty well even when they go. At least that's how it seems, or maybe I've been really lucky! But if it ain't broke, don't fix it!

 

[cdawall]

Its for everyone... because if everyone was actually aware of it, they wouldn't be buying PSUs until they notice something wonky or it fails.

Or if one has more money than sense.

I recently got one because it was pretty.

 

[FireFox]

Its for everyone... because if everyone was actually aware of it, they wouldn't be buying PSUs until they notice something wonky or it fails.

Or if one has more money than sense.

I promise you that i will keep my Enermax for the next 4/5 years

But i can't promise you that i will keep my promise

 

[NdMk2o1o]

I selected other:

Probably every 1-3 years or so depending on the psu... For instance my last one was an antec vp550w which did the job but isn't really in the same class as my evga one I replaced it with. Usually they get sold though I did keep my old antec vp550w sitting about doing nothing when I bought the evga I'm currently using until a friend asked me for a psu, so there's no hard or fast rule as to when I replace them but I guess it depends how the finances are.

Ill be looking for a new build next year, hopefully zen, though my current psu is less than a year old now so I may just carry that over to the new build this time.

 

[McSteel]

Depends on the PSU's build quality and how it was used and maintained (cleaned).

I'd say for top-quality PSUs, I have no qualms running them for 10 years 24/7.
Lower-quality ones I'd inspect personally and possibly recap after warranty expires, if money is short and I (or a customer) can't buy another one.

Or, if the power requirements change, of course, getting a new PSU to properly fulfill them is a logical choice, even if the old one is still fine.

 

[Ferrum Master]

Usually I just sell it, cram into someones PC in case of emergency... whatever... I usually get rid of my SSD's that way too... Selling after 1-2 years of usage is the best way to go for PSU's in my books.