Question Upgrade Time - HX850W Pro still worthwhile?

[SenorClarky]

I am putting together the following system for Workstation use. Mainly PS, Lightroom and Illustrator. There will be no OCing or proper gaming.

Z790 Tomahawk Wifi
i9-12900KS
Noctua NH-D15 Chromax
Corsair Vengeance DDR5 64Gb RAM
3600 RTX 3060
2 x NVME SSD
1 x SSD 4TB
2 x HDD

I have a legacy HW850W Pro Series PSU from an i7-4970K system which is still going well. The PSU has been super stable over the years. Is it still viable going forward? Will I see greater efficiency from a new PSU and how much power do I need to get another 5-10 years. I may push onto a better GPU if Adobe turn the screw again.

Any steer appreciated!

 

[tennis2]

Assuming that's an 80+ silver unit (given the age).

i7-4790K was released in 2014, so assuming the PSU is the same vintage, you're past the 7 year warranty.

Newer PSUs (80+ gold most typical) may not have a significantly higher efficiency rating, but they MAY* have a number of other improvmeents.

• flatter efficiency curve = more efficient at loads <> 50%
• semi-passive fan operation
• better/smoother ripple

For your current system (depending on overclocking extents), a good quality 750W would be fine. Again, going with the above statements, an 850W wouldn't be completely out of line, but I see little reason to go higher than that unless you're going crazy with your next GPU.

• 12900KS = 240W + 3060Ti = 170W + 50W extra = 460W base x 1.5 safety factor = 700W.
• 12900KS = 240W + RTX4090 = 450W + 50W extra = 690W base x 1.5 SF = 1000W.

 

[SenorClarky]

Assuming that's an 80+ silver unit (given the age).

i7-4790K was released in 2014, so assuming the PSU is the same vintage, you're past the 7 year warranty.

Newer PSUs (80+ gold most typical) may not have a significantly higher efficiency rating, but they MAY* have a number of other improvmeents.

• flatter efficiency curve = more efficient at loads <> 50%
• semi-passive fan operation
• better/smoother ripple

For your current system (depending on overclocking extents), a good quality 750W would be fine. Again, going with the above statements, an 850W wouldn't be completely out of line, but I see little reason to go higher than that unless you're going crazy with your next GPU.

• 12900KS = 240W + 3060Ti = 170W + 50W extra = 460W base x 1.5 safety factor = 700W.
• 12900KS = 240W + RTX4090 = 450W + 50W extra = 690W base x 1.5 SF = 1000W.

Thanks that is great advice. Really appreciated.

 

[--SID--]

HX850W was EOL exactly 11 years ago. In 2014 you already bought an old unit that was lying on the shelf for almost 2 years. Just replace it, it served you very well. It's time for a new more modern and higher effycient PSU.