When do I replace my power supply?

[shermantanker]

So I'm currently sporting a corsair AX850, and have had it for like 4 or 5 years. I just upgraded my system to 5930k/X99, and didn't know if there was a need to change it out before it fails and maybe kills some hardware. That puppy has been thought 3 case swaps, 2 motherboards, 3 CPUs, and a few GPU upgrades. I was also wanting to switch to a cablemod compatible 850-1000w PSU anyway, because i intend to SLI some GTX1080 Tis later in the year. I'm just worried about all this new hardware I bought.

[TechFnatic]

If you have the money to spend I would just change it out, you can't really predict a hardware failure but when it happens it can really fuck up your parts. At the same time, usually parts survive a PSU failure but why take the risk

[Amazingasian]

It's a good PSU.  I'd swap it when you absolutely need the sleeved cables.  Corsair lists the TBF (time before failure) as 100,000 hours, or just over 11 years.  You should be fine with it.

[shermantanker]

Just now, TechFnatic said:

If you have the money to spend I would just change it out, you can't really predict a hardware failure but when it happens it can really fuck up your parts. At the same time, usually parts survive a PSU failure but why take the risk

Yeah I worked as a tech for staples, and have seen plenty of dead HP power supplies. But it's different when it's your own baby.

[alexhelvetica]

32 minutes ago, shermantanker said:

Yeah I worked as a tech for staples, and have seen plenty of dead HP power supplies. But it's different when it's your own baby.

I dislike HP's entry level Business Grade PSUs, I have a Dead HP motherboard from a HP DX 6100 ST, one that survived from a HP DX 6100 ST and another with broken onboard audio and the PCB is burned to a faint brown from a HP D330 M. They are also do not a standard Layout, so I cannot replace their PSUs.

 

An Corsair AX is not cheap or bad. You might want to consider buying a new one after the warranty is up (7 years), but then again it will probably last an extra 7+ years on after that.

[shermantanker]

26 minutes ago, Comic_Sans_MS said:

An Corsair AX is not cheap or bad. You might want to consider buying a new one after the warranty is up (7 years), but then again it will probably last an extra 7+ years on after that.

Yeah I bought it when I was first getting into computers, and I was going to cheap out on the power supply. Oh boy the flack I was getting on Thomshardware lol. They straightened me out quick, and then I turned around and bought a $200 PSU lol.

[STRMfrmXMN]

9 hours ago, shermantanker said:

Yeah I bought it when I was first getting into computers, and I was going to cheap out on the power supply. Oh boy the flack I was getting on Thomshardware lol. They straightened me out quick, and then I turned around and bought a $200 PSU lol.

Yeah, if you spent 200 on a PSU keep it for at least 12 years lol

 

I'd go for a set of sleeves cables.

 

 

little side note: I have a friend who had an AX750 and killed it by starving it of air for several years (sat his PC on carpet) so don't do that and you should be fine.

[shermantanker]

20 minutes ago, STRMfrmXMN said:

Yeah, if you spent 200 on a PSU keep it for at least 12 years lol

 

I'd go for a set of sleeves cables.

 

 

little side note: I have a friend who had an AX750 and killed it by starving it of air for several years (sat his PC on carpet) so don't do that and you should be fine.

I already emailed cablemod and the ax850 is not supported...only the AXi PSUs.

[STRMfrmXMN]

26 minutes ago, shermantanker said:

I already emailed cablemod and the ax850 is not supported...only the AXi PSUs.

Well darn...

 

What about icemodz?

[shermantanker]

3 hours ago, STRMfrmXMN said:

Well darn...

 

What about icemodz?

haven't heard of them. I'll take a look.

[Big Red Man]

7 hours ago, shermantanker said:

I already emailed cablemod and the ax850 is not supported...only the AXi PSUs.

Honestly, sleeving cables isn't overly hard, I would say you should just do it yourself. It is a pain, but then you get more customization and some people will actually pay more for an old PSU w/ sleeved cables if it matches their color scheme

[Corsair Joseph]

Looks like Moddiy has a few, http://www.moddiy.com/products/Corsair-AX850-Premium-Single-Sleeved-Modular-Cables-Set-(UV-Blue).html

[shermantanker]

6 hours ago, Corsair Joseph said:

Looks like Moddiy has a few, http://www.moddiy.com/products/Corsair-AX850-Premium-Single-Sleeved-Modular-Cables-Set-(UV-Blue).html

They have WHITE! Thanks!!!

[0x1e]

You can always get a PSU tester. They are not that expensive and it's a good thing to have.

If the PSU is dying then it will normally give you some sign, like BSOD's, so sag on the volts. Like the 12v becomes 11.5V. Test the PSU once or twice a year.

It's extremely easy. Keep your computer built and plug the cables into the tester and fire the PSU up and it will give you the readings. Takes a couple of minutes.

 

However, that doesn't beat peace of mind. If you truly are scared for your computer investment then no one can blame you. There's no harm in getting another PSU just to be safe. You can always sell the old one, or keep it as a spare or for another build, like a HTPC or file server.