My PC recently started making loud cracking and popping noises under load, along with other unusual sounds coming from the power supply. There has been no smoke or unexpected shutdown, but the current FSP HEXA 85+ 650W unit is at least eight years old, so I am replacing it. The new PSU will take about a week to arrive, and I am considering temporarily using an older but fully functional be quiet! System Power S6 550W from a previous PC. It is at least 11 years old, but its wattage should be sufficient. The system has a Gigabyte B550 Gaming X V2 motherboard, Ryzen 5 5600X, PowerColor Radeon RX 6600, 16GB of DDR4 memory, one HDD, one SATA SSD, and one PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD. Is it reasonably safe to use the older PSU for a short period, assuming all the required connectors fit?
4 Answers
Using an older spare PSU temporarily is a common solution, provided it is a decent-quality unit and has not shown any symptoms of failure. I have used power supplies close to a decade old without trouble, but I would still treat this as a stopgap and replace it with the new unit as planned.
The age alone does not automatically make it unsafe, but the exact model and its condition matter more than the wattage label. Confirm that it has the correct connectors and avoid reusing modular cables from the newer PSU, since cable pinouts are not universal. Also, because the current PSU is making cracking or popping sounds, leave it disconnected rather than continuing to test it.
For a week or so, I would be comfortable using an older, reputable PSU that has been operating normally. Power supplies can last well beyond their warranty when they are well built, though age does increase the chance of worn capacitors and other failures. The RX 6600 and Ryzen 5 5600X do not require much power, so 550W is more than enough if the old unit is in good condition.
It should be acceptable as a short-term replacement if the unit is genuinely working, has enough capacity, and includes the necessary 24-pin motherboard, CPU power, and GPU connectors. Ideally, it should also have functioning protections such as overcurrent, overvoltage, and short-circuit protection. Since it is very old, inspect the cables and connectors carefully and stop using it immediately if you notice noise, burning smells, instability, or excessive heat.
Would a PSU from around 2009 still be considered suitable for temporary use?