[SOLVED] Is it worth using a 2012 model psu?

[Azaelll]

Hi, I'm building a new rig, and got this cougar gx800 gold psu, I did some research and apparently this model is from 2012. The good thing is that it was never used and still in its package sealed.

It worries me a bit to use it with my ryzen 3600 and rx 5700xt, but I want to know your opinion on this, thanks in advance.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

It's an outdated platform and a poor power supply in terms of quality. Not a good option.

 

[jay32267]

I would be more concerned about the quality than the age. I did some googling and found that people think there are some good quality Cougar units....and I guess some are made by Seasonic. You might want to google that specific model and see what you can find.

As far as the age. I wouldn't be concerned as much about that. I use older electronics a lot and I generally don't run into trouble.

 

[Darkbreeze]

No, it is NOT worth using. Any power supply past it's warranty is a bad choice to continue using with a brand new system or even with just a brand new upgrade like a graphics card. Or in some cases, just to continue using PERIOD, if the unit wasn't a terrific quality unit to begin with.

That one was pretty decent BUT it had only a five year warranty, and is 2-3 years past that now. You would be wise to protect your hardware with an equally new power supply.

 

[Darkbreeze]

It's an outdated platform and a poor power supply in terms of quality. Not a good option.

That was not a poor quality power supply.

http://www.jonnyguru.com/forums/showthread.php?7524-review-Cougar-GX800


https://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/4..._80_plus_gold_power_supply_review/index5.html


But it is way past the warranty and hence, way past the point at which the manufacturer believed it was capable of being reliable.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

I wouldn't run it in 2020 , it's a poor quality power supply by today's standards. 10 year old review.

 

[Darkbreeze]

I wouldn't run it in 2020 either. But it was obviously not a poor quality unit, when it was new.

 

[Azaelll]

Thank you for your answers. It doesn't matter that the psu was never used? I received unopened.

I guess I'll have to return it and get a better one... I'll appreciate some recommendations

 

[Darkbreeze]

Really it doesn't matter if it was never used. I mean, it DOES matter. Obviously a power supply that was unused is not going to be in the same condition as one that was used for 7 or 8 years, however, capacitors degrade whether they are used or not, so even sitting on the shelf electronics begin to lose their useful life to some degree even when they've never been put into service.

Especially if they use electrolytic capacitors. But even, to some degree, if they don't.

If that unit has been boxed for the entire past seven years, I'd feel a lot better about using it than if it had not, but honestly given the expensive nature of the hardware you are talking about pairing it with I'd really be a lot more inclined to want to put it with something that has a new, active and ongoing warranty. It just doesn't make a lot of sense to use something that is 8 years old and uses an outdated platform with brand new hardware.

Could it work? Sure. Could it be putting your new hardware at risk unnecessarily? Equally sure.