My own used PSU

[xnivx01]

Hi. I had a Cooler Master Elite V2 550W PSU in my PC since 2012.

However, last year the PC kept on freezing until I undervolt and underclock my CPU. So the culprit is the PSU, swapped it out this year, months ago.

I know the entry-level PSU is degrading as it ages. I have old parts to build a spare PC and would like to know if that PSU can still be used safely. The CPU and GPU in this build are i5-650 (LGA1156) and GT 630.

The PSU is powering the PC fine as it does not have a GPU like GTX 550 Ti in my previous PC, which it may not endure anymore. Anyway I still want to know if it is safe to use.

Thanks!

 

[Kenton82]

If you know the PSU is suspect, i would swap it out. There is no way of knowing how long a dodgy PSU will last, and if it is still safe to use. It may end up wrecking the components it is linked up to if it pops.

 

[smorizio]

a lot of newer 430w good power supply are not that costly.
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/4Vzv6h/seasonic-power-supply-s12ii430b

 

[xnivx01]

If you know the PSU is suspect, i would swap it out. There is no way of knowing how long a dodgy PSU will last, and if it is still safe to use. It may end up wrecking the components it is linked up to if it pops.

Yes I've already swapped it out. It's from a gaming system. Now I would like to know if it's safe to use in a normal system.

a lot of newer 430w good power supply are not that costly.
Sadly]https://pcpartpicker.com/product/4Vzv6h/seasonic-power-supply-s12ii430b

Sadly there's no seasonic in my country. I would like something around $30 and the closest one that I can find is the CM Elite 350W. It's about $28 in my country. I guess that would be okay, or at least much better than generic PSUs which quite a lot of people use too.

However, I would like to spend as least as possible (as it is a spare PC, building with old parts), so I want to use back my old PSU if possible and safe.

 

[Kenton82]

Simple, if you know its dodgy, and was removed from a previous build because of that, then do not re-use it! You run the chances of it popping completely and wrecking the other components. If you don't mind that possibility, then go ahead and use it, but you have been warned.

See the PSU tier list for more info:
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/id-2547993/psu-tier-list.html

 

[xnivx01]

Simple, if you know its dodgy, and was removed from a previous build because of that, then do not re-use it! You run the chances of it popping completely and wrecking the other components. If you don't mind that possibility, then go ahead and use it, but you have been warned.

See the PSU tier list for more info:
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/id-2547993/psu-tier-list.html

It seems to have degraded and not supplying enough power like it did. Can an old PSU fry up as it degrades assuming that it is still able to power my old PC and I'm not aware of it?

I have quite some PSUs that could supply more power than needed, degraded after 10+ years but still able to power those low power PCs.

Yes I know that list I'm currently using a Tier 2 myself haha 😀

 

[Kenton82]

Simple, if you know its dodgy, and was removed from a previous build because of that, then do not re-use it! You run the chances of it popping completely and wrecking the other components. If you don't mind that possibility, then go ahead and use it, but you have been warned.

See the PSU tier list for more info:
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/id-2547993/psu-tier-list.html

It seems to have degraded and not supplying enough power like it did. Can an old PSU fry up as it degrades assuming that it is still able to power my old PC and I'm not aware of it?

I have quite some PSUs that could supply more power than needed, degraded after 10+ years but still able to power those low power PCs.

Yes I know that list I'm currently using a Tier 2 myself haha 😀

Well, as i said its a lottery. Personally i wouldn't use it, but its your PC, and your choice.

Old junk and bad quality PSU's are worthless, and i would not reuse them for any system. (personally)

 

[xnivx01]

Alright thanks for the advice! I will consider about it.

 

[gutsygoat]

Bad, old and worn out PSUs are worthless. Could end up wrecking your PC as said.

 

[xnivx01]

Bad, old and worn out PSUs are worthless. Could end up wrecking your PC as said.

Got it, thanks.