Original question about replacing an old power supply with a new one for a new system.
Original question about replacing an old power supply with a new one for a new system.
Hi there. I'm evaluating parts for a project I'm starting next year. Over the past 13 to 15 years I've assembled several systems and have some extra components. I discovered an older Enermax Liberty ELT620AWT power supply and a Seasonic 600 watt PSU in my inventory. Both are modular units, physically new, unused for over a decade. They had normal usage before being stored away. Can I still integrate them with newer parts like an i9 and RXT 5070Ti? This might depend on specific conditions.
Neither PSU meets the requirements for an i9 + 5070 Ti build. A minimum of 850W is needed, preferably 1000W.
TLDR: No. The chances are low it will function well, but even then it could lead to problems later.
Intuitively, if they haven’t been used much, they should be in good shape. However, power supplies don’t behave that way. In a car, leaving it unused causes rubber to degrade, gas to separate, and batteries to need a jump. Components like capacitors inside can swell or fail chemically. Even without complete failure, performance drops sharply, leading to voltage and ripple issues that may harm your computer and cause significant trouble.
You should opt for a current-appropriate, high-quality power supply with modern design to meet the needs of today’s demanding hardware.
Older than expected. Released in 2006, it's almost two decades old.
Review link: https://www.guru3d.com/review/enermax-li...-watt-psu/
Not a 620W model; it features two +12V rails, each handling 22A, totaling about 264W—roughly 250W.
Curious about the Seasonic options.
I’m mainly familiar with one 600W Seasonic unit, either semi- or fully-modular, specifically the PRIME Titanium 600 Fanless.
There are two Fanless PSUs: PRIME 600 Titanium came out in 2018, and PRIME TX-600 in 2022.
Both are high-quality Tier A units with excellent 12-year warranties.
If you own a Fanless model, it would work fine. But the Enermax one is not worth it.
Given a 300W GPU like RTX 5070 Ti, a 600W PSU would be insufficient. I’d prefer an 850W unit instead.
Hey everyone, thanks a lot for your replies. Super helpful. I've been away from this scene for more than ten years. Regarding Aeacus, my Seasonic isn't a power supply that doesn't need replacement. I got it after 2010, probably brand new. The Enermax I had around 2012 (maybe a bit off) on eBay worked perfectly at first but was swapped for a Seasonic 850 with a PSU. I'm still using the old one. I plan to upgrade to a 1000-watt model soon, possibly for a bigger GPU. Things are changing fast, but I'll definitely build a new system next year. Thanks again!
If so, one of the two regarding your Seasonic unit cannot be accurate;
* power rating: 600W
* design: semi- or fully-modular
Among all PSU brands, I have a strong understanding of Seasonic. This is because I have been using Seasonic PSUs exclusively for the past decade. Throughout those years, I’ve conducted thorough research on Seasonic products and am very familiar with their range.
Therefore, if your Seasonic unit matches 600W, it could be either a 620W model (such as the M12II EVO series), a 650W option (with a broader selection), or a 660W model (like the Platinum series), provided it supports modularity.
However, if the capacity is 600W and it isn’t a Fanless unit, then modularity isn’t possible. It would instead be fully wired, such as in the S12, A12, or Eco Plus series, or industrial/OEM models like SS-600ET and SS-600ES.
I revisited the Seasonic lineup archive and found another 600W semi-modular unit available. The M12II-600 (non-EVO) was released in 2006.
Aeacus, you're correct. It's the 620 watts M12 unit. I'm searching for it in a box somewhere. It's disappointing since both psu seem to be in good condition, but I get it. Concerning Seasonic, you're likely right—I've always been a fan of their psu. By the way, I just checked and the one in my current system is the M12D.
This is the original M12 series, launched in 2006. It's quite outdated by today's standards and originally came with a five-year warranty. The design should have been more standardized, but Seasonic didn't adopt DC-DC regulation until 2009—first appearing in an X-series PSU that set a new standard as the world's first 80+ Gold unit. Although it performed well, it was known for coil whine.
Here’s a review of your M12D-850 if you're interested:
[Link](https://web.archive.org/web/2017030...cl...er_supply/)
However, considering it was released in 2008 with the same five-year warranty, it’s still outdated. I’d recommend replacing it soon. Still, it remains one of the few high-quality 80+ Silver PSUs available.
Seasonic is renowned for durable and reliable PSUs, but when components exceed their warranty lifespan, it’s wise to be cautious. I opted for different models: S12II-520 (3 years), M12II-850 EVO (5 years), Focus+ 550 80+ Platinum (10 years), and my current Seasonic PRIME 650 80+ Titanium units (SSR-650TD and SSR-650TR, 9 and 5 years old with 12-year warranty).
It’s unlikely anyone would purchase these 19-year-old PSUs. It might be better to dispose of them or keep them as decorative items. (I still display my older Seasonic units as collectibles.)
I don't have personal preferences, but based on typical user needs, a good recommendation would be the Seasonic model with the latest mid-range features, such as the Seasonic 2 or similar updated versions that offer strong performance without the premium price tag.