Use old PSU to power newer setup - “It’s fine, go ahead” or “Don’t do it!”?

[CCCustom]

I have a particular unit of Seasonic M12ii 620w that was kept in storage for a long time that was hardly used, no dust at all, still can pass off as new.

This model existed during Z77 times, and I just tested it on a Z77 setup (i7 3770k, R9 Nano and a stick of DDR3 RAM) and it boots to BIOS.

I have a Z590 setup with an i7 11th gen and an RTX 3060 that needs a PSU, and I’m thinking, well … I got a PSU right here …

Is this an “It’s fine, go ahead” … or a “Don’t do it man!” for y’all?

 

[trenzterra]

I would not skimp on power supplies...

Also I had issues with Seasonic PSUs from 10 years ago where they would start failing after one or two years of use (issues on cold start and on resuming from sleep mode). Was using the G650 though. Not sure if the M12ii has the same issue. Since then I've switched to SuperFlower

 

[kappak]

SAFETY FIRST, the amount of money SAVE not able to justify.
because SMALL u lose BIGGGGGG

 

[tigerwoods]

I have a particular unit of Seasonic M12ii 620w that was kept in storage for a long time that was hardly used, no dust at all, still can pass off as new.

This model existed during Z77 times, and I just tested it on a Z77 setup (i7 3770k, R9 Nano and a stick of DDR3 RAM) and it boots to BIOS.

I have a Z590 setup with an i7 11th gen and an RTX 3060 that needs a PSU, and I’m thinking, well … I got a PSU right here …

Is this an “It’s fine, go ahead” … or a “Don’t do it man!” for y’all?

15yo model, components inside already very old and prone to failing

 

[86technie]

I have a particular unit of Seasonic M12ii 620w that was kept in storage for a long time that was hardly used, no dust at all, still can pass off as new.

This model existed during Z77 times, and I just tested it on a Z77 setup (i7 3770k, R9 Nano and a stick of DDR3 RAM) and it boots to BIOS.

I have a Z590 setup with an i7 11th gen and an RTX 3060 that needs a PSU, and I’m thinking, well … I got a PSU right here …

Is this an “It’s fine, go ahead” … or a “Don’t do it man!” for y’all?

Answer is no Seasonic M12ii maybe good back in those days.
However the design is very old, it isn't design for newer system.
I seen people reuse older PSU with their new rig but the PSU will fail eventually.

Cheapest decent PSU will be FSP VITA GD 750W (Non-modular) around $100.
I rather you get a new PSU which not only supports newer system.
Those days Seasonic M12ii aren't Intel Haswell/4th generation compatible
as certain sleep state function are not supported by it.

Why I still remember is because I still have one Intel i7 3770k GTX 770 Cooler Master GM650 here
Used to have the Seasonic M12ii but it stop working properly.

 

[nothinghere]

I have a particular unit of Seasonic M12ii 620w that was kept in storage for a long time that was hardly used, no dust at all, still can pass off as new.

This model existed during Z77 times, and I just tested it on a Z77 setup (i7 3770k, R9 Nano and a stick of DDR3 RAM) and it boots to BIOS.

I have a Z590 setup with an i7 11th gen and an RTX 3060 that needs a PSU, and I’m thinking, well … I got a PSU right here …

Is this an “It’s fine, go ahead” … or a “Don’t do it man!” for y’all?

Old electrolytic capacitors degrade over time in storage, and may need to be reformed before use after 5+ years. There is a good chance the PSU may pop.

 

[ragnarok95]

Don't do it.

 

[yukita]

if money no issue, get new one. use old one as spare.
but if the pc is spare and you do not want to spend more. i would say okay to use it.

i personally buy new psu when change to ryzen zen 5.
i own Seasonic X660. currently keep the x660 as spare for testing/troubleshooting.

 

[ragnarok95]

Keep psu as spare is okie. But keeping a old psu like S12II for long and not using is not ok imo.

 

[-Synchronicity-]

A good PSU isn't too expensive now. I would rather pay for a good PSU than a new set of RAM, GPU or SSD.

A decent PSU like DEEPCOOL GamerStorm PQ850G is less than 120.

 

[wwenze]

I would not skimp on power supplies...

Also I had issues with Seasonic PSUs from 10 years ago where they would start failing after one or two years of use (issues on cold start and on resuming from sleep mode). Was using the G650 though. Not sure if the M12ii has the same issue. Since then I've switched to SuperFlower

The "minimum-required-current" batch issit. They fixed that a long time ago.

 

[trenzterra]

The "minimum-required-current" batch issit. They fixed that a long time ago.

To be honest, I'm not sure what was the issue. All I know was that I had 3 Seasonic PSUs (2 on my own PC, one on my family's PC) that all started giving issues within 2 years. Switched to SuperFlower and FSP after that

 

[tigerwoods]

To be honest, I'm not sure what was the issue. All I know was that I had 3 Seasonic PSUs (2 on my own PC, one on my family's PC) that all started giving issues within 2 years. Switched to SuperFlower and FSP after that

SuperFlower is my first choice PSU, they are specialised in making PSU only.
SuperFlower never fail me

 

[-Synchronicity-]

SuperFlower is my first choice PSU, they are specialised in making PSU only.
SuperFlower never fail me

Well...their warranty is disappointing. Most PSU at their price point offers 7 - 10 years warranty. They only offer 5.

 

[KleoZy]

I have a particular unit of Seasonic M12ii 620w that was kept in storage for a long time that was hardly used, no dust at all, still can pass off as new.

This model existed during Z77 times, and I just tested it on a Z77 setup (i7 3770k, R9 Nano and a stick of DDR3 RAM) and it boots to BIOS.

I have a Z590 setup with an i7 11th gen and an RTX 3060 that needs a PSU, and I’m thinking, well … I got a PSU right here …

Is this an “It’s fine, go ahead” … or a “Don’t do it man!” for y’all?

I strongly advise you to change your PSU as over the years, the resistors or even caps will degrade.. with modern tech that are heavily drawing current. it's unsafe to run an old PSU on mordern componets.

Well...their warranty is disappointing. Most PSU at their price point offers 7 - 10 years warranty. They only offer 5.

Having PSU warranty locally is all good. I have my take about PSU with a 10 or 12 years warranty though.

The Good
- if within the 3 years period, you might get a replacement (1:1 Exchange) or send it back to AIB for repairs. most cases, if local distro have the unit, they will just do 1:1 Exchange.

The Bad
- After a certain period of time.. 5 to 6 years maybe. Yes warranty does cover but you might not get back the same model as it may discontinued and either you get an upgrade for free or top up for a better model. For topping up to a newer model, the warranty period follows your old PSU and not the newly top up PSU.

Afterall in general, I will treat all pc parts able to sustain 5 years and then overhaul after, even if PSU have a 10 years warranty. All electronic products will degrade.

As for choosing of PSU, alot will recommend https://cultists.network/140/psu-tier-list/ but personally I prefer to look at https://www.cybenetics.com/ . I don't really care about brands but more of the OEM. the grade as in platinium current drawn, ripple signature, spikes and etc.

1st Choice OEM FSP, CWT, Great Wall, Seasonic (To be honest, I am more towards FSP more than seasonic, for budget PSU that is)
2nd Choice OEM Zhong Yuan Power, Shenzhen Xinweiye Technology Co (these are budget but some AIB uses these for there mid tier PSU, Lian Li, Montech, First player and etc)

These PSU which are always on my list.
Mid Tier PSU
1) Seasonic Vertex PX1200 (My main rig using)
2) Montech Titan PLA White 1000W (My capture rig)
3) CPS PCCooler YS1000 1000W (My Open Bench)

Budget PSU
4) Montech Century II 1050W (often use for friends or collegue's build)
5) FSP VITA GM 1000W (often OOS so to use 4) which is reliable too)
6) Lian Li SX1000P (is not a bad PSU but mainly for friends who wants Lian Li ego system.. full on Lian Li, btw these psu is far more better than the Lian Li Edge)

 

[-Synchronicity-]

Think montech century 2 OOS. Can't find it on Lazada/shopee. I would have recommended that instead.

Vita GM is great... In fact, I'm using it myself. But unless OP don't mind spending more for better noise, the PQ850G is the better choice right now.

GamerStorm PQ850G is actually impressive for the price which is why I recommended it.

 

[KleoZy]

Think montech century 2 OOS. Can't find it on Lazada/shopee. I would have recommended that instead.

Vita GM is great... In fact, I'm using it myself. But unless OP don't mind spending more for better noise, the PQ850G is the better choice right now.

GamerStorm PQ850G is actually impressive for the price which is why I recommended it.

infact the Montech Century II is on sales at amazon.sg .. they are having the Prime discount. lol but then again.. RMA is abit troublesome.
850Watts = SGD $129.01
1050Watts = SGD $141.85
1200Watts = SGD $186.51

ooo GamerStorm.. hmm by OEM Helly, just like Lian Li Edge.. hmm.. will write in to ask for review sample hee hee.. thanks!

 

[CCCustom]

Wow … thanks for all the replies guys.

I am still undecided if this is a “Good thing I asked here 1st” or an “Aww great, now I’m going down another rabbit hole” Been out of the DIY scene too long.

Basically the original plan is to move the 11th gen setup out into a new case with another PSU, and move a new 13th gen setup in the current case. Both are ITX and the current setup has a Corsair SF600 on it …

But the new setup is also going to have a PCIE 5 GPU and SF600 is also not ATX 3.1 …

Means what I really should be doing is continue to use the SF600 for the 11th gen setup, and look for an ATX 3.1 for the new 13th gen setup? What would be a bang-for-the-buck ATX 3.1 SFX PSU?

 

[-Synchronicity-]

A decent PSU like DEEPCOOL GamerStorm PQ850G is less than 120.

^ try that.

 

[86technie]

To be honest, I'm not sure what was the issue. All I know was that I had 3 Seasonic PSUs (2 on my own PC, one on my family's PC) that all started giving issues within 2 years. Switched to SuperFlower and FSP after that

I also switch away from Seasonic after one of mine died like few years.
Currently using Asus ROG PSU which is modified Seasonic PSU.
For me I either use FSP or Corsair PSU.