I found an old computer that has been stored in an attic for about four and a half years. The attic gets very cold in winter and very hot in summer, and the computer was kept inside a cardboard box wrapped in several layers of cling film, then placed in a closed closet. I plan to reuse the case and possibly some other components for a budget second gaming PC, but I'm unsure about the power supply. Could temperature changes and long-term storage have damaged it or created a safety risk? Is it worth testing, or should I replace it before connecting any valuable components?
3 Answers
I wouldn’t trust it with expensive hardware. Repeated heating and cooling can stress components, and cling film doesn’t make the package completely moisture-proof. Since the power supply is one of the parts that can potentially damage other components, replacing it is the safer choice—even for a budget build.
A power supply generally doesn’t improve with age, and a decent replacement should be relatively affordable. Saving a small amount by reusing an old, unknown-condition PSU probably isn’t worth risking the rest of the system.
Age and storage history matter, but the exact model and available connectors matter too. Make sure it supports the motherboard, graphics card, and required power standards. As a general rule, an out-of-warranty PSU should not be paired with costly new components; if you use an old unit at all, it’s more reasonable with similarly old hardware and only after inspecting it for corrosion, dust, damaged cables, or other signs of deterioration.
That makes sense. I’m trying to keep this second gaming PC inexpensive, but I also won’t be home for several days at a time, so I’d rather not take the risk.