Hey folks! I'm working within a tight budget and recently scored some great deals on new PC parts: an i5-14600k processor, a Gigabyte B760M DDR4 motherboard, 32GB of 3200MHz RAM, a 1TB Teamgroup NVMe SSD, and an Intel Arc B580 graphics card, all for about $530. I'm planning to use my old Zalman case with a Thermaltake 630W semi-modular PSU (87% efficiency) that I've had for around 8-9 years from my previous setup which had a first-gen i7 and GTX 970. I'm feeling a bit uneasy about using this old PSU since I've heard that old PSUs can damage new components. What do you all think? Should I invest in a new PSU, or can I safely use my old one?
4 Answers
I found a 15-year-old Seasonic 1000W PSU recently that I trust way more than a new budget brand. It really depends on the brand. But as long as your PSU has protections in place, you're usually safe. Just avoid those cheap no-name units.
You should be okay unless you've been pushing it close to its max capacity. I suggest getting a wattmeter to see how much power your setup draws. I've found mine stays under 500W even when gaming hard!
Honestly, just get a new PSU for peace of mind. They’re not that expensive, and it's better to be safe than sorry.
Old PSUs rarely fry components. If yours is still under warranty, you're probably fine using it. But if it's out of warranty, consider waiting and getting a newer PSU. Don't cheap out on it, though; some brands like Corsair offer long warranties for a reason!
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