Hey everyone! I've been on a tight budget, but I managed to score a bunch of new parts for my PC build: an i5-14600k processor, a Gigabyte B760M DDR4 motherboard, 32GB of DDR4 RAM, a 1TB Teamgroup NVMe SSD, and an Intel Arc B580 graphics card for about $530 total. Now, I'm planning to reuse my old Thermaltake 630W semi-modular PSU, which has been reliable in my previous build for around 8-9 years. I'm a bit worried about using it with these new components. I've heard that older PSUs can potentially fry new parts. Do you think it's safe to use, or should I invest in a new one?
5 Answers
I used the same PSU through three different builds for over 13 years, and it worked fine until I got a GPU that needed more power, so I had to replace it. It all depends on how hard you've been using it!
Unless you've been pushing the PSU hard all the time, you should be fine. I suggest getting a wattmeter to see what your system pulls during gaming. I found out mine stays under 500W even with demanding games like Cyberpunk at max settings!
Honestly, just get a new PSU for peace of mind. It's not that expensive, and it'll save you a lot of headaches down the road if something goes wrong!
It's pretty rare for an old PSU to fry your components, so don't panic just yet! If your PSU still has a warranty, that's a good sign. If not, I'd recommend holding off on the build until you can get a newer PSU. Just make sure you don't skimp on quality; a solid PSU is crucial. Some high-end models come with up to 14 years of warranty for a reason!
Old PSUs can be tricky, but if yours has the right protections, it's unlikely to cause damage. Yours sounds like a decent model! If it's the Smart SE 630W, then I wouldn’t worry too much. Just keep an eye on it!
Is it best to stick to gold-rated PSUs only?